In Helldivers 2, success on the battlefield depends heavily on choosing the right loadout for the enemy you are facing. The Automatons, or “bots,” and the Terminids, the “bugs,” require fundamentally different approaches. This guide covers the best weapons, stratagems, armor, and boosters to consistently complete missions on any difficulty. Whether you are a new cadet or a seasoned veteran, here is how to optimize your loadout for bots and bugs.
Understanding the Enemy: Bots vs. Bugs
The Automatons rely on overwhelming firepower, durable armor, and strategic positioning. They use hitscan weapons, rockets, and devastating heavy units like Hulks and Tanks. Cover is essential, and your loadout must prioritize armor penetration and ranged precision.
Terminids, on the other hand, rush you with melee swarms, supported by heavily armored chargers and bile-spewing titans. Crowd control, sustained damage, and high mobility are key. Your weapons need to handle both hordes of small bugs and the massive health pools of elites.
Best Weapons for Automatons (Bots)
Primary Weapons
Medium armor penetration is critical against bots because many units have durable plating. The Liberator Penetrator is a well-rounded assault rifle with manageable recoil and honest medium-armor punch. If you have the premium warbond, the Scorcher delivers explosive plasma rounds that ignore cover and shred bots, and the Dominator fires heavy jet-propelled slugs that stagger even medium enemies.
For players without warbonds, the standard Liberator remains viable if you aim for weak spots, and the Diligence Counter Sniper can dispatch devastators with precision headshots. The Scythe laser weapon offers infinite ammo but lower time-to-kill, making it a safe but slower choice.
Secondary Weapons
The Senator revolver provides reliable medium armor penetration in a sidearm, perfect for finishing off damaged bots. The Redeemer machine pistol offers an excellent burst of close-quarters damage when a berserker charges you. Avoid the standard pistol; it simply lacks the stopping power needed.
Support Weapons
Anti-armor support weapons shine here. The Recoilless Rifle allows a team-operated one-shot kill on Hulks and Tanks if you hit the weak spot, and the Spear locks on for easy long-range armor destruction. The Autocannon is a fantastic solo option: it fires explosive shells with solid armor penetration, handles both groups and heavies, and can be reloaded on the move.
The Anti-Materiel Rifle is a stealthier, precision-oriented choice for picking off devastators and scout striders. The Laser Cannon provides an endless beam to sweep across targets but struggles against the beefiest armor without sustained focus. For a balanced team, bring a mix.
Grenades
Impact grenades are excellent for quickly eliminating groups of troopers or finishing a damaged Hulk. High Explosive grenades work if you have time to cook them. Smoke grenades can help you complete objectives under fire without drawing aggro, and EMS grenades stun enemies for easy headshots.
Best Weapons for Terminids (Bugs)
Primary Weapons
Crowd control matters most. The Breaker shotgun is a top-tier pick: its fully automatic spray mows down hunters and warriors at close range. The Punisher is a reliable pump-action alternative with stopping power. The Defender SMG offers high mobility and a quick reload, while the Liberator can work if you prefer medium-range engagements.
The Sickle laser rifle, available via warbond, provides sustained fire without ammo worries, excellent for prolonged bug breaches. The Dominator also performs well against bugs, as its slugs can stagger chargers and one-shot smaller bugs, but its handling is slow.
Secondary Weapons
The Redeemer is a quick-draw panic button for when a bug gets too close. The Senator can punch through charger leg armor in a pinch. The standard pistol is outclassed; stick with the Redeemer or Senator.
Support Weapons
The Flamethrower is iconic for bugs: it creates a wall of fire that incinerates swarms and even damages chargers. The Arc Thrower is another top pick, chaining lightning between bugs and stunning everything it hits. The Stalwart machine gun fills a similar niche with bullet-based horde clear, while the standard Machine Gun offers better penetration for brood commanders and bile spewers.
For heavy armor, the Recoilless Rifle is a reliable charger and bile titan killer when paired with a teammate. The Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT) drops frequently and gives everyone a disposable rocket launcher. The Grenade Launcher excels at clearing dense groups and bug holes from a safe distance.
Grenades
Incendiary grenades create persistent fire that denies ground to bugs and eats through health. Impact grenades are ideal for quickly eliminating a charger if you are being chased. Standard High Explosive grenades get the job done for bug holes, but the explosive and fire grenades are more versatile.
Stratagems for Bots
Eagle Airstrike is a versatile workhorse that clears patrols and softens outposts. Eagle Cluster Bomb spreads over a wide area, devastating grouped infantry. For heavy armor, the Orbital Railcannon Strike one-shots most tanks and Hulks, while the Orbital Laser sweeps across the battlefield annihilating everything.
Defensive stratagems are priceless. The Shield Generator Pack absorbs ranged fire and enables more aggressive positioning. The Supply Pack keeps your heavy weapons fed and your stims topped up. EMS Mortar Sentry stuns entire bot drops, and Autocannon Sentry shreds armored targets from afar. Rocket Sentry is a dedicated tank buster. Always bring at least one reliable anti-armor stratagem.
Stratagems for Bugs
Eagle Napalm Airstrike is a must-pick: it creates a carpet of fire that kills small bugs instantly and damages larger ones. Orbital Gas Strike does similar area denial and persists for a decent duration. The 500kg Bomb is a compact, powerful delete button for chargers and bile titans.
The Gatling Sentry and Machine Gun Sentry chew through light bugs effectively. The Tesla Tower blocks chokepoints but can kill teammates; use it cautiously. For mobility, the Jump Pack helps you escape swarms. The Supply Pack pairs perfectly with ammo-hungry weapons like the Flamethrower or Arc Thrower.
Armor and Boosters
Light armor (Scout, Infiltrator) gives you the mobility to kite bugs and dodge bot fire. Medium armor (any with Fortified, Extra Padding, or Engineering Kit) is the best all-rounder. Fortified reduces explosive damage, crucial against bot rockets. Extra Padding increases overall survivability. Engineering Kit provides extra grenades and reduced recoil, useful for grenade launcher or recoilless rifle loadouts.
Heavy armor can work in bunker-style bot missions but slows you dramatically; it is generally not recommended above level 7 difficulty.
Among boosters, Vitality Enhancement is the single best team buff, increasing everyone’s health substantially. Stamina Enhancement helps you run between objectives. Hellpod Space Optimization lets you come back fully stocked on death. Increased Reinforcement Budget and Muscle Enhancement are situational but valuable on specific planets.
Sample Loadouts
For a balanced bot mission, try: Liberator Penetrator, Senator, Autocannon, Eagle Airstrike, Orbital Laser, Shield Generator Pack, Medium Fortified armor, and Vitality Booster. This gives you answers to every enemy type and strong survivability.
For bugs, a classic loadout is: Breaker, Redeemer, Flamethrower, Eagle Napalm, Orbital Railcannon Strike, Supply Pack, Light Scout armor, and Stamina Enhancement. You can kite endlessly and burn everything.
For solo play, versatility is king: Dominator, Senator, Autocannon, Shield Generator Pack, Orbital Railcannon Strike, and Eagle Airstrike in medium Engineer armor with Vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single best primary weapon for bots?
The Scorcher (from the premium warbond) is widely considered the best because its explosive plasma bolts bypass cover and shred armor. The Liberator Penetrator is the best free alternative.
Is the Flamethrower really that good for bugs?
Yes. The Flamethrower erases entire swarms, sets the ground ablaze, and can even damage chargers when focused on their legs. Just watch your positioning and teammates.
Should I use heavy armor against bots?
Generally, no. The loss of mobility makes it harder to dodge rockets and reposition. Medium armor with the Fortified perk gives you enough explosive resistance without sacrificing speed.
How do I deal with Hulks and Tanks?
Recoilless Rifle shots to the back or head, Spear lock-ons, Orbital Railcannon Strike, or repeated Autocannon fire to the vent. Coordinate with your team to focus fire.
What’s the best support weapon for solo play?
The Autocannon. It handles both crowds and armor, has plenty of ammo, and can be reloaded alone. Pair it with a Shield Generator Pack for survivability.
Are sentries useful against bugs?
Yes, but place them carefully. Gatling Sentries shred light bugs, but chargers will destroy them quickly. Use them to cover flanks or defend an objective from a distance.
Which booster is most important?
Vitality Enhancement. More health keeps the whole squad alive longer and reduces stim usage. It is universally beneficial on every mission type and difficulty.
