Best Primary Weapon in Helldivers 2

We at the Blix team often write about Helldivers 2. It is new, popular, and good! We wrote about crossplay in Helldivers—”Explaining Helldivers 2 Crossplay” or, closer to the current article theme, “Best Stratagems Helldivers 2: Tier List 2024“.

Now, we delve strictly into the best primary weapons available in Helldivers 2. Bellow lists the six best guns: the best one and five followers. We’ve compiled data from various sources and compiled an accurate and comprehensive overview. This guide is aimed at new and veteran players looking to optimize their loadouts for different combat strategies.

Understanding the strengths and limitations of each weapon is fundamental to enhancing the gaming experience and achieving mission objectives. This informative piece aims to guide individuals in selecting the most suitable gun for combat scenarios involving Terminids or Automatons.

Highlights

• List of the best Helldivers 2 primary weapons
• Damage, fire rate, fire mode, and recoil stated for each
• Short description, pros and cons of every gun

Best Primary Weapons List

Best Primary Weapons

• SG-225 Breaker
• JAR-5 Dominator
• LAS-16 Sickle
• PLAS-1 Scorcher
• SG-8S Slugger
• R-36 Eruptor

Best Weapon

Before we begin, if you need a more comprehensive guide to primary weapons in Helldivers 2, check out this Reddit discussion.

SG-225 Breaker

SG-225 Breaker

Damage: 330 per shot

Fire Rate: moderate

Fire Mode: fully automatic

Recoil: moderate

Helldivers 2 How To Use SG 225 Breaker Shotgun

The SG-225 Breaker stands out due to its impressive damage output and versatility in various combat situations. It is highly effective in close to mid-range battles, making it ideal for both Terminids and Automatons. Its fully automatic fire mode provides a consistent stream of fire. While the recoil is moderate, it is manageable with practice.

• Pros: high damage per shot, versatile in different combat situations, fully automatic.
• Cons: moderate recoil may require practice to control limited effectiveness at longer ranges.

Following-Up Candidates

JAR-5 Dominator

JAR-5 Dominator

Damage: 275 per shot

Fire Rate: slow

Fire Mode: semi-automatic

Recoil: high

How to Use the JAR-5 Dominator in Helldivers 2

The Dominator deals massive damage with each shot, mainly to medium-armored enemies. Its high recoil can be challenging, but its stagger effect and explosive shots make it a powerful choice against more formidable foes​.

• Pros: high damage per shot, effective against medium-armored enemies, stagger effect.
• Cons: high recoil, slow fire rate.

LAS-16 Sickle

LAS-16 Sickle

Damage: 55 per shot

Fire Rate: high

Fire Mode: energy beam

Recoil: low

The BEST Helldivers 2 Cutting Edge Weapon | LAS-16 Sickle

This energy weapon trades infinite ammo for slight drawbacks like overheating and a short charge time. It performs well against Automatons, providing efficient damage output with low recoil, although it is less effective against swarming bugs​.

• Pros: high fire rate, low recoil, efficient against Automatons.
• Cons: overheats, short charge time, less effective against swarming enemies.

PLAS-1 Scorcher

PLAS-1 Scorcher

Damage: 100 (plus 100 explosives) per shot

Fire Rate: slow

Fire Mode: single shot with explosive impact

Recoil: low

How to Use the PLAS-1 Scorcher in Helldivers 2

The Scorcher delivers precise shots with an explosive secondary effect, making it excellent for pinpointing weak spots and dealing area damage. Its slow fire rate is offset by its ability to handle groups of enemies efficiently​.

• Pros: precise shots, explosive secondary effect, effective against groups.
• Cons: slow fire rate, limited ammo capacity.

SG-8S Slugger

SG-8S Slugger

Damage: 250 per shot

Fire Rate: slow

Fire Mode: semi-automatic

Recoil: moderate

The SG-8S Slugger Shotgun in Helldivers 2 (post-NERF)

The SG-8S Slugger is noted for its high damage per shot, particularly effective at headshots. While it has a slow fire rate and moderate recoil, it performs well against bugs and bots when used strategically​.

Pros: high damage per shot, effective at headshots, versatile.

Cons: slow fire rate, moderate recoil, less effective against groups.

R-36 Eruptor

R-36 Eruptor

Damage: 570 per shot

Fire Rate: prolonged

Fire Mode: single-shot explosive

Recoil: high

How to Use the R-36 Eruptor Against Automatons in Helldivers 2

The Eruptor is a powerhouse with extreme damage and penetration, suitable for taking down heavily armored enemies. Its slow fire rate and high recoil make it easier to use as a primary weapon with proper support. Still, it excels in delivering robust, decisive shots​.

Pros: extreme damage, high penetration, effective against heavily armored enemies.

Cons: very slow fire rate, high recoil, difficult to use as a primary weapon.

Summary

Helldivers 2’s arsenal exhibits unique characteristics and familiar elements seen in other popular first-person shooters (FPS). One primary distinction is the game’s emphasis on cooperative play, where weapon roles and team synergy are crucial.

For instance, weapons like the SG-225 Breaker and JAR-5 Dominator are designed for specific enemy types and situations, requiring players to strategize based on their loadout and mission objectives​.

In contrast, mainstream FPS games like Call of Duty and Battlefield often focus on fast-paced, individual skill-based gameplay, where weapons such as assault rifles, SMGs, and sniper rifles have more generalized roles. However, Helldivers 2 shares similarities with these games regarding weapon mechanics, such as recoil control, rate of fire, and damage per shot, which are common factors players must manage across all FPS titles​.

With its energy beam firing mode, the LAS-16 Sickle in Helldivers 2 is reminiscent of energy weapons in Destiny 2, where managing overheating and precision are critical​. Meanwhile, the PLAS-1 Scorcher’s explosive shots parallel the grenade launchers found in games like Halo, offering area damage and crowd control capabilities​.

While Helldivers 2 incorporates unique cooperative dynamics and specific enemy engagements, its weapon mechanics still resonate with the fundamental principles of weapon handling and combat strategy in other popular FPS games. This blend of unique and familiar elements allows seasoned and newcomers to find engaging and challenging gameplay.