How to find and kill Devastators in Helldivers 2

Devastate Devastators with pure Devastation.

Two Devastators looking at the Helldiver in Helldivers 2
Screenshot by Dot Esports

Devastators are one of many vicious and disturbing enemies in Helldivers 2, and you need to know what they look like and how to kill them.

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Despite the obvious satire and light-hearted nature of Helldivers 2, there’s a multitude of enemies to deal with, all unique with their own move set and weaponry. While the Devastator has a Terminator-esque appearance, the strategy for taking one out is far simpler than you would have thought. Here’s everything you need to know about where to find and how to kill Devastators in Helldivers 2.

Helldivers 2: Devastators difficulty and location

Spread Democracy Mission in Helldivers 2 on Easy Automaton difficulty
Find standard Devastators in Eliminate Missions or on any Easy difficulty Automaton Operation. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Rather surprisingly, Devastators are easy to find and kill when compared to other Automaton enemies. The standard Devastator variants reside in Easy levels and above. You can find these on any Automaton-controlled planet as long as you’ve unlocked Easy difficulty. This version of the Devastators has a single firearm, with relatively slow movement and a melee attack when they get close. They will often travel in pairs, guarding Outposts and main objectives, and sometimes patrol with other Automaton types.

As you venture into Medium level, Devastators will adopt new weaponry. These include shields and rocket variants. However, the shield variant can appear in Easy difficulty levels, specifically at the extraction point. The highest chance of meeting a Devastator is during Bot Breaches. This is where a Commissar or Raider calls for help, sending down a Dropship filled with enemies.

How to kill Devastators in Helldivers 2

Devastator with shooting arm removed in Helldivers 2
Aim for the Devastator’s weapon-wielding hand to immobilize it. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The key to defeating Devastators quickly in Helldivers 2 is to aim for its weapon-wielding hand first. This will make the Devastator obsolete. Then use your primary weapon like the SG-225 Breaker or R-63 Diligence (scoped in) to deal critical damage onto its glowing red and exposed head. The Breaker, Spray&Pray, and Break-Action Shotgun (only obtainable as ground loot) are excellent close- to mid-range picks for the Devastator.

Rocket Devastator looking at helldiver in Helldivers 2
Dodge the rockets by going prone. Screenshot by Dot Esports

It is best to face the Devastators in Easy difficulty for the Forced Decommissioning Personal Order. You can also target them in Eliminate Devastator Missions. Killing 15 Devastators is easy if you have the right tools. Devastators are slow-moving enemies and can easily be wiped out with the G-12 High Explosive grenade. Alternatively, if you are looking for a quick kill, use support weapons like the Machine Gun, Stalwart, Anti-Material Rifle, or Grenade Launcher.

Use the environment to your advantage and keep a safe distance from the rocket and shield variants. You can easily dodge the rocket variant by running and holding the prone button. Explosives are best used against the Shield Devastator, similar to taking out a riot shield user in Call of Duty. The Shield and Rocket Devastator are also weak to explosive damage (Stratagems and grenades). But any weapon with high bullet penetration can kill any variant so long as you aim for their weak spots.

Author
Image of Andrew Highton
Andrew Highton
Andy is a Game Guides Writer at Dot Esports with a host of experience working at Dexerto, Twinfinite, Keengamer, and more. He's about as passionate a gamer as you're likely to find and spreads that love across a ton of different titles, but will also talk everything football, golf, and wrestling! Be sure to follow his thoughts and ramblings over at @AndyHighton8 on Twitter.
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.