Best loadouts in Helldivers 2

What's the best of the best?

Immobilized Devastator with arm shot off in Helldivers 2
Screenshot by Dot Esports

With four limited slots for Stratagem and so many primary weapons to choose from, it can be difficult to pick which loadout to use in Helldivers 2. When the grind for max levels and Medals finally stops, the experimentation truly begins—and lucky for you, we’ve already tested Helldivers 2‘s very best loadouts.

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Loadouts are made up of three compartments in Helldivers 2. You have armor, primary weapons, and Stratagems. There is no right or wrong way to play Helldivers 2. But it’s important to match your loadout to your build, specifically to your armor weight (light, medium, or heavy).

Stratagem selection on loadout in Helldivers 2
Choose a loadout that simplifies your mission objective. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Solo Helldivers should use a more balanced and versatile loadout that can adapt to different battle settings. You want to pick a loadout based on the mission you are entering. If you know you’re targeting a fully armored enemy, equip armor-piercing weapons and powerful Stratagems. On the other hand, thinning hordes of enemies in 12-minute missions requires fast-firing weapons and Stratagems with immediate use.

1) Best Terminid planet loadout in Helldivers 2

Gatling Barrage called in on Bile Spewer in Helldivers 2
Call down an Orbital Precision Strike on an unsuspecting enemy. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Loadout slotBest item(s)
ArmorLight
SC-34 Infiltrator
Primary WeaponSG-225 Breaker Incendiary
Secondary WeaponP-19 Redeemer
GrenadeG-16 Impact
StrategemsRailgun, Supply Pack, Orbital Precision Strike or Eagle Napalm Strike, Rocket Sentry
  • Weapons that favor up close and personal fights, given the Terminid tendency to charge.
  • Armor that prioritizes speed and efficiency.

The SC-34 Infiltrator armor is perfect for fighting Terminids, as its improved speed prevents the bugs from closing the distance, and its scans help you detect additional objectives. The SG-225 Breaker Incendiary has surprisingly good range for a shotgun, and it’s fire damage is super valuable against bugs, especially on ice planets.

Supply Pack keeps your ammo reserves in good standing, and the rest of the Strategems in this build are key to clearing nests and taking down the big, armored bugs. The Orbital Precision Strike is perfect against fully armored enemies like the Brood Commander, Hive Guard, or Charger.

2) Best Automaton planet loadout in Helldivers 2

EAT aimed in at a Scout Strider in Helldivers 2
A little overkill but the EAT is incredibly powerful against fully-armored enemies on higher difficulties. Screenshot by Dot Esports
Loadout slotBest item(s)
ArmorMedium
DP-40 Hero of the Federation
SA-12 Servo Assisted
Primary WeaponR-63 Diligence
Secondary WeaponP-2 Peacemaker
GrenadeG-12 High Explosive or G-3 Smoke
StrategemsMortar Sentry, Orbital 120MM HE Barrage, Shield Generator Pack, Railgun or Expendable Anti-Tank
  • Armor that protects you from certain death or prevents most cases of limb damage.
  • A reliable and precise marksman rifle that excels at hitting weak points.
  • Strategems that provide explosive ordinance support, options against armor and vehicles, and valuable defense against ranged foes.

As someone who often gets overwhelmed by Automatons, the passive effect offered by the DP-40 Hero of the Federation armor, which gives you a 50-percent chance not to die when taking lethal damage, is literally a life saver. While the R-63 Diligence marksman sacrifices fire rate for accuracy, you’ll need that accuracy to take down the armored bots via their weak points.

When it comes to Strategems, the Railgun is one of the best anti-armor weapons in the game, and unlike the Autocannon, it can be reloaded and restocked without taking up a backpack slot. Consider swapping out either the mortar or orbital barrage to give yourself the Expendable Anti-Tank as an option, in case you come across a tank. You’ll need the Shield Generator Pack when the Automaton lasers start flying.

3) The best “meta build” in Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 player aiming at an enemy
Detonate and devastate with the 500KG bomb. Image via Arrowhead Game Studios
Loadout slotBest item(s)
ArmorLight
SC-34 Infiltrator
Primary WeaponSG-225 Breaker
Secondary WeaponP-19 Redeemer
GrenadeG-16 Impact
StrategemsRailgun, Eagle 500KG bomb, Shield Generator backpack
  • Considered the must-have build for higher difficulties, with players even reportedly getting kicked if they don’t have it.
  • The core Strategems provide armor penetration, personal protection, and the most explosive and destructive bomb in the game.

It’s called the “meta build” for a reason, and while some players in quick play lobbies are a little too serious when it comes to making sure everyone has it’s equipped, it is notably very solid.

The SG-225 Breaker shotgun is such a powerful primary weapon, but the strength comes in the three main Strategems. We’ve talked about the value of the Railgun and the Shield Generator backpack above, and what else needs to be said about the bomb with the biggest payload?

Author
Image of Hadley Vincent
Hadley Vincent
Writer for Dot since Oct. 2023. Just a Psychology graduate trying to find the meaning of life through gaming. An enthusiast of indie horror and anime, where you'll often find them obsessing over a great narrative and even better twists that'd make M. Night jealous. Their shocking twist? They think The Last of Us II is a masterpiece.
Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.