Helldivers 2: Best Weapons Tier List
Choosing the right weapons in Helldivers 2 can dramatically impact your effectiveness against the Terminids and Automatons. With a wide array of firearms, support weapons, and stratagems, knowing which tools are most effective can be the difference between a successful mission and a complete wipe. This tier list aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the best weapons currently available in Helldivers 2, helping you optimize your loadout for maximum impact.
Understanding the Tiers
Before diving into the specific weapons, let's clarify the tier system we'll be using:
- S-Tier: These are the absolute best weapons in the game. They excel in a variety of situations and are highly versatile. If you're looking to dominate the battlefield, these should be your go-to choices.
 - A-Tier: Excellent weapons that perform exceptionally well. While not quite as universally powerful as S-Tier weapons, they are still top-tier choices and can shine in specific roles.
 - B-Tier: Solid and reliable weapons that are effective in most situations. They may have some limitations or require specific playstyles to maximize their potential.
 - C-Tier: Situational weapons that can be useful in niche scenarios but are generally outclassed by higher-tier options. These might be fun to use, but not always the most practical.
 - D-Tier: Weapons that are generally underperforming or require significant buffs to become viable. It's best to avoid these unless you're intentionally challenging yourself.
 
S-Tier Weapons
The S-Tier represents the pinnacle of firepower in Helldivers 2. These weapons consistently deliver outstanding performance and are essential for tackling the game's toughest challenges. Let's examine what makes them so effective:
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Railgun: The Railgun stands out due to its incredible armor penetration and raw damage output. It's particularly effective against heavily armored enemies like Chargers and Bile Titans. The ability to switch between safe and unsafe modes allows for versatile use, whether you need a quick shot or a charged blast. Mastering the charge timing is crucial to prevent overcharging and self-destruction, but the payoff is well worth the effort. In coordinated teams, having one or two players equipped with Railguns can significantly improve the squad's ability to handle armored threats, ensuring smoother progress through challenging missions. The Railgun's consistent performance and ability to neutralize high-priority targets make it an invaluable asset in any Helldiver's arsenal. Its impact on the battlefield is undeniable, consistently turning the tide in favor of democracy and freedom.
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Breaker Shotgun: The Breaker Shotgun is a powerhouse for close to medium-range engagements, offering a high rate of fire and substantial damage per shot. It excels at clearing out hordes of smaller enemies and can even stagger larger foes, providing crucial breathing room in chaotic situations. Its wide spread makes it forgiving to use, ensuring that you hit your targets even under pressure. The Breaker's reliability and ease of use make it an excellent choice for both new and experienced players alike. It's particularly effective against Terminids, where its rapid-fire capabilities can quickly eliminate waves of bugs. In summary, the Breaker Shotgun's consistent performance and versatility make it a top-tier choice for any Helldiver looking to dominate the battlefield.
 
A-Tier Weapons
The A-Tier weapons in Helldivers 2 are exceptional choices that can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness. While they may not be as universally dominant as the S-Tier weapons, they offer unique strengths and excel in specific scenarios. These weapons are reliable, powerful, and can be crucial for success when used strategically. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will allow you to optimize your loadout and maximize your impact on the battlefield.
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Eagle Stratagems (e.g., Eagle Airstrike, Eagle Cluster Bomb): Eagle Stratagems provide unparalleled versatility and destructive power, making them essential for any Helldiver team. The Eagle Airstrike is perfect for clearing out large groups of enemies or destroying structures, while the Eagle Cluster Bomb can saturate an area with explosives, decimating anything caught in its blast radius. These stratagems are particularly useful for dealing with heavily fortified positions or overwhelming enemy numbers. The ability to quickly deploy devastating firepower from above can turn the tide of battle, providing crucial support during intense engagements. While they have a cooldown, the impact they deliver is often worth the wait, making them a staple in many Helldiver loadouts. Coordinating Eagle Stratagems with your team can create devastating synergies, ensuring that you're always one step ahead of the enemy.
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Grenade Launcher: The Grenade Launcher offers excellent area-of-effect damage and can be incredibly effective against tightly packed groups of enemies. It excels at clearing out bug holes and destroying Automaton Fabricators, providing crucial support for your team. The Grenade Launcher's versatility makes it a valuable asset in a variety of situations. It's particularly effective against Terminids, where its explosive projectiles can quickly eliminate hordes of bugs. Aiming accurately is key to maximizing its effectiveness, but the payoff is well worth the effort. In summary, the Grenade Launcher is a top-tier choice for any Helldiver looking to control the battlefield and provide crucial support to their team.
 
B-Tier Weapons
B-Tier weapons in Helldivers 2 are your dependable workhorses. They might not boast the flashy power of the higher tiers, but they offer solid performance and can be very effective when used correctly. These weapons often require a bit more finesse or a specific playstyle to truly shine, but they can hold their own in most combat situations. For players who prefer a balanced approach, B-Tier weapons provide a reliable foundation for any loadout.
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Liberator: The Liberator is a standard-issue rifle that provides a good balance of accuracy, damage, and rate of fire. It's a reliable choice for medium-range engagements and can be effective against a variety of enemy types. While it may not excel in any particular area, its versatility makes it a solid option for players who prefer a jack-of-all-trades approach. The Liberator's consistent performance and ease of use make it a dependable choice for any Helldiver. It's particularly effective against lightly armored enemies, where its accurate shots can quickly dispatch threats. In summary, the Liberator is a solid and reliable weapon that can hold its own in most combat situations.
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Flamethrower: The Flamethrower can be incredibly effective against Terminids, allowing you to quickly clear out hordes of bugs with its continuous stream of fire. However, it requires careful positioning and awareness of your surroundings to avoid friendly fire. The Flamethrower's devastating damage output can quickly turn the tide of battle, but its limited range and potential for self-inflicted damage make it a situational choice. Mastering the Flamethrower requires practice and a good understanding of enemy behavior, but the payoff is well worth the effort. In summary, the Flamethrower is a powerful but situational weapon that can excel in the right hands.
 
C-Tier Weapons
C-Tier weapons in Helldivers 2 are more situational and niche. They might have specific uses or be fun to experiment with, but they generally don't offer the same level of consistent performance as higher-tier options. These weapons often require a specific playstyle or team composition to be truly effective. While they might not be the best choice for every mission, they can still be valuable in certain scenarios.
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Dominator: The Dominator has potential but is often outshined by other options. It can be effective against lightly armored targets, but its slow rate of fire and limited ammunition can be limiting. The Dominator's niche lies in its ability to stagger enemies, but this utility is often overshadowed by its other drawbacks. While it might be fun to use, it's generally not the most practical choice for most missions. The Dominator requires careful positioning and accurate aiming to maximize its effectiveness. In summary, the Dominator is a situational weapon that can be useful in certain scenarios, but it's generally outclassed by higher-tier options.
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Arc Thrower: The Arc Thrower is a unique weapon that can chain lightning between enemies, potentially hitting multiple targets with a single shot. However, its inconsistent performance and tendency to arc to teammates make it a risky choice. The Arc Thrower's potential for team damage and unpredictable behavior make it a situational weapon at best. While it can be fun to use, it's generally not the most reliable choice for most missions. The Arc Thrower requires careful positioning and awareness of your surroundings to avoid friendly fire. In summary, the Arc Thrower is a situational weapon that can be useful in certain scenarios, but it's generally outclassed by higher-tier options.
 
D-Tier Weapons
D-Tier weapons in Helldivers 2 are generally underperforming and should be avoided unless you're intentionally trying to challenge yourself. These weapons often lack the damage, accuracy, or utility needed to be effective in most combat situations. They might require significant buffs to become viable, but as of now, they are best left untouched.
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Laser Cannon: The Laser Cannon suffers from low damage output and overheating issues, making it difficult to sustain consistent fire. It struggles against armored targets and is generally outclassed by other support weapons. The Laser Cannon's limitations make it a poor choice for most missions. While it might have some niche uses, it's generally not worth the effort. The Laser Cannon requires careful heat management and accurate aiming to maximize its effectiveness. In summary, the Laser Cannon is an underperforming weapon that should be avoided unless you're intentionally trying to challenge yourself.
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Diligence: The Diligence is a marksman rifle that offers decent accuracy but lacks the raw damage needed to effectively eliminate enemies. It struggles against armored targets and is generally outclassed by other primary weapons. The Diligence's limitations make it a poor choice for most missions. While it might have some niche uses, it's generally not worth the effort. The Diligence requires accurate aiming and careful positioning to maximize its effectiveness. In summary, the Diligence is an underperforming weapon that should be avoided unless you're intentionally trying to challenge yourself.
 
Final Thoughts
This tier list is based on the current state of Helldivers 2 and is subject to change as the game evolves. Balancing updates, new weapons, and shifting metas can all impact the effectiveness of different options. It's important to experiment and find what works best for your playstyle and team composition. Remember, even a D-Tier weapon can be effective in the right hands, so don't be afraid to try new things and have fun liberating the galaxy!
Ultimately, the best weapon is the one you're most comfortable and effective with. Use this tier list as a starting point, but don't be afraid to deviate and find your own favorites. After all, the most important thing is to spread democracy and have fun doing it! Good luck, Helldivers, and may your shots always hit their mark!