Helldivers 2: Primary Weapon Tier List for Viper Commandos (June 2024)

【Helldivers 2 Guide】
This article is based on information from Patch 1.000.400 (released June 13, 2024).

Greetings, warriors of Managed Democracy! This is Game Rack, your trusted game information media, bringing the latest gear guide to all Helldivers tirelessly fighting day and night to deliver the light of freedom to the galaxy. With the major Patch 1.000.400 released on June 13, 2024, and the introduction of the new Premium Warbond "Viper Commandos," our battlefields have entered a new phase. Over 100 changes and balance adjustments have been made, and many divers are likely wondering which weapons to equip. In this article, we will create a Tier List for primary weapons in the current meta, thoroughly comparing and explaining everything from top-tier candidates to the evaluation of the new weapon "AR-23A Liberator Carbine," and even effective weapons for both the Terminid and Automaton factions!

Environmental Changes in the Latest Patch (1.000.400) and Basic Weapon Selection

This major update isn't just about new weapons. Numerous balance adjustments, primarily to Stratagems, have impacted the overall game feel. Arrowhead, the developer, has announced plans to reduce patch frequency and focus on larger, more impactful updates, making this patch likely the foundation for the weapon meta for the foreseeable future.

In Helldivers 2, the fundamental principle remains that primary weapons are merely supplementary sources of firepower, and the effective deployment of Stratagems determines mission success. However, during Stratagem cooldowns or in chaotic engagements, a reliable primary weapon is essential for self-defense. Therefore, when choosing a weapon, it's crucial to comprehensively consider not only "standalone firepower" but also "synergy with Stratagems," "sustained combat capability (ammo efficiency)," and "suitability for the target enemy faction."

Three Key Points for Weapon Evaluation

• Armor Penetration: Can it quickly deal with lightly armored enemies, or effectively damage medium-armored and heavier foes?
• Suppression and Sustained Combat Capability: Can it handle a large number of enemies at once (magazine capacity, fire rate), and is its ammo efficiency good?
• Versatility: Can it perform well against both Terminids and Automatons, or does it excel overwhelmingly in specific situations?

Considering these points, let's look at the latest primary weapon Tier List.

【June 2024 Edition】Primary Weapon Tier List

Combining feedback from international and domestic communities, we've created a Tier List for primary weapons in the current meta. Please keep in mind that this is not an absolute ranking, and evaluations may vary depending on the mission and playstyle.

S Tier: The Strongest Weapons Defining the Meta

Weapons that consistently deliver stable performance in any situation and contribute significantly to the team. Building your loadout around these weapons will greatly increase your success rate in high-difficulty missions.

• PLAS-1 Scorcher: Overwhelming versatility thanks to its explosive properties. Especially dominant in combat against Automatons.
• LAS-16 Sickle: Amazing sustained combat capability and ease of use. A top performer that frees you from ammo worries.
• R-36 Eruptor: Still a powerful single shot despite its nerfs. Balances medium armor neutralization with facility destruction.

A Tier: Excellent Weapons That Can Be Top-Tier Depending on the Situation

Powerful options that can surpass S-Tier weapons in performance against specific enemies or in certain situations. Choosing them according to your playstyle can lead to significant combat achievements.

• SG-225 Breaker: The king of close-quarters combat against Terminids. Its overwhelming suppressive power remains intact.
• PLAS-101 Purgifier: High burst damage from charged shots. Its medium armor penetration is a significant advantage.
• AR-23A Liberator Carbine (New!): High fire rate for close-range DPS. Suited for a run-and-gun playstyle.

Comparison of Key Weapon Specs and Detailed Explanations

Main Weapon Spec Comparison Table

※Damage values and magazine capacities may change in future patches.

Usage and Philosophy for Each Weapon

PLAS-1 Scorcher

A unique weapon that fires explosive plasma projectiles. Its greatest strength lies in this explosive damage, which can bypass enemy shields (such as those on Automaton Devastators), making it one of the optimal choices for fighting Automatons. It also creates a small area-of-effect blast upon impact, effective against clustered small enemies. However, its magazine capacity is a low 15 rounds, and there's a risk of self-inflicted damage if fired at close range, requiring careful distance management.

LAS-16 Sickle

An energy-based assault rifle added with the "Cutting Edge" Warbond. It manages cooling with a heatsink instead of conventional ammunition, allowing for continuous fire as long as it doesn't overheat. This high sustained combat capability is its greatest appeal, truly shining in high-difficulty missions or prolonged engagements where ammo resupply is challenging. Its damage is sufficient, and recoil is manageable, making it a versatile weapon highly recommended for both beginners and veterans.

R-36 Eruptor

A bolt-action rifle that fires explosive rounds, truly a "portable cannon." Its single shot can easily obliterate medium-armored enemies like Hive Guards and Striders, and even destroy Terminid nests and Automaton fabricators. While it received nerfs in previous patches, such as increased recoil, its strategic value remains exceptionally high. With a small magazine capacity of 5 rounds and a long reload time, it tests a diver's skill to land shots accurately when it counts.

New Weapon: AR-23A Liberator Carbine

The flagship weapon of the new "Viper Commandos" Warbond. Based on the standard "AR-23 Liberator," this is a close-quarters specialized model with a significantly increased fire rate from 640 rpm to 900 rpm. Its burst damage is immense, capable of instantly melting oncoming hordes of Berserkers and Hunters. However, the trade-off is very high recoil and rapid ammo consumption. It's a challenging weapon suited for aggressive divers who enjoy charging into enemy lines, firing from the hip like an SMG. While its full evaluation is still pending, it's a weapon with great potential.

Recommended Primary Weapons by Enemy Faction

The effectiveness of weapons varies greatly depending on the enemy you're fighting. Here, we introduce highly recommended weapons for each of the two major factions.

Recommended Weapons for Terminids (Bugs)

Dealing with swarming small enemies and fast-moving Hunters is key. Suppressive power and sustained combat capability are important.

• SG-225 Breaker: In Terminid combat, where close-quarters engagements are frequent, the suppressive power of this full-auto shotgun shines. Its ability to clear large numbers of Warriors and Hunters is top-tier among all weapons.
• LAS-16 Sickle: Since you constantly need to deal with infinitely spawning small enemies, the ammo-efficient Sickle is ideal. With careful management to avoid overheating, you can keep fighting indefinitely.
• SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary: This variant offers powerful sustained damage from burn effects. Even against large enemies like Chargers, setting them ablaze allows for efficient elimination when combined with allied support weapons.

Recommended Weapons for Automatons (Machines)

There are many medium to long-range enemies with troublesome shields or requiring precise shots to hit weak points. Armor penetration and elemental properties are crucial.

• PLAS-1 Scorcher: As mentioned, its explosive property, which penetrates shields, is highly effective. The ability to quickly neutralize Devastators alone significantly increases the team's survival rate.
• R-36 Eruptor: Suitable for sniping turrets, Walkers, and Devastator weak points from long range. It also excels at attacking from behind cover and destroying facilities, broadening strategic options.
• PLAS-101 Purgifier: A charged plasma weapon added with the "Polar Patriots" Warbond. Its strength is its medium armor penetration, allowing it to pierce the front armor of Striders. While charging is required, it delivers a shot well worth the effort.

Conclusion: No Single Best Weapon, Find Your Optimal Choice

After the major patch in June 2024, the weapon meta in Helldivers 2 has become even more diverse and deep. While it's true that the highly versatile, explosive "PLAS-1 Scorcher" and the ammo-efficient "LAS-16 Sickle" perform well in many situations, the exhilarating feeling of sweeping away Terminid hordes with the "SG-225 Breaker" and the reliability of the "R-36 Eruptor" to change the tide of battle with a single shot are also hard to forsake.

Furthermore, the newly added "AR-23A Liberator Carbine," despite its niche performance, has shown new possibilities in close-quarters combat. The "strongest weapon" in Helldivers 2 isn't a single answer. The true essence of this game lies in considering mission objectives, enemy factions, and the Stratagems your teammates use, then finding the "optimal weapon" that suits your own playstyle.

Now, take up a new weapon using this article as your guide, and seize victory for Super Earth! For Super Earth!