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With new armor options being dropped via Warbonds, it can be difficult to keep track of the best armor in Helldivers 2. If you’re looking to improve your odds of survival, you’re going to need the best armor for the job. We’ve ranked our top picks and covered how to get every single armor set in the game.
Best armor in Helldivers 2, ranked
While armor tends to slot into Light, Medium, and Heavy categories, each of them has unique perks. These let you tackle goals more effectively, from being harder to detect to carrying more stims or grenades. Based on our time with the game, here are the best armor pieces in Helldiver 2.
7 – Trench Engineer
Key stats:
- Cost: 10 Medals
- Speed: 500
- Stamina Regen: 100
- Armor Rating: 100
As one of the more affordable medium armor variants, the Trench Engineer is a decent option when you want to deal with large enemy forces. Thanks to being able to carry two more grenades, you will be able to clear nests and objectives more easily while fending off enemies. Crouching or going prone gives you even lower recoil than most suits, letting you use supply weapons better against both Helldivers 2 factions.
6 – SC-34 Infiltrator
Key stats:
- Cost: 3 Medals
- Speed: 525
- Stamina Regen: 113
- Armor Rating: 75
At 3 Medals, this one’s our most affordable recommendation. This Light armor offers enhanced movement and stamina at the cost of health. From my experience, even heavily armored allies can be knocked out once foes crowd in on them. But where this armor excels is in supporting teammates. In addition to being harder to spot, you can scan the area for support weapons and other resources. Try having a teammate with one of these to earn more from each operation.
5 – CM-09 Bonesnapper
Key stats:
- Cost: 15 Medals
- Speed: 500
- Stamina Regen: 100
- Armor Rating: 100
In addition to being a balanced pick, the Bonesnapper lets you play medic in the game. With an increased stim capacity, you can carry two more stims so keep an eye out for friendly Resupply drops. Your stim effects also last two seconds longer, letting you tank more damage when being healed and gain infinite stamina for longer. It’s a solid pick against both Automaton and Terminid forces.
4 – FS-11 Executioner
Key stats:
- Cost: 150 Super Credits
- Speed: 456
- Stamina Regen: 56
- Armor Rating: 144
Now that armor rating has been fixed, this Executioner armor is among the best in the game. Thanks to its sleek looks and tough shell, you’ll be able to handle enemy hordes without dying in seconds. And with its enhanced recoil while crouching or going prone, you can wield larger supply weapons with greater accuracy. You also get a sweet 50% resistance to explosive damage.
3 – SC-37 Legionnaire
Key stats:
- Cost: 150 Super Credits
- Speed: 544
- Stamina Regen: 122
- Armor Rating: 56
This one’s another great light armor choice. With enhanced throwing range for grenades and stratagems, you can keep your distance as you lay waste to bug nests and fuel silos. The additional 50% limb health will ensure that you don’t get bogged down by injuries quickly. You can face larger threats like Hulks in Helldivers 2 with this armor pick as your allies flank the enemy.
2 – FS-61 Dreadnought
Key stats:
- Cost: 250 Super Credits
- Speed: 456
- Stamina Regen: 56
- Armor Rating: 144
If you just want to hole up and blow bugs and automatons to smithereens, this heavy armor is for you. With enhanced armor at the cost of movement, remember to keep track of your position at all times. But with bonus limb health, you’ll be injured less often. And your throwing range boost will let you call in stratagems without dangering the lives of your fellow Helldivers.
1 – FS-38 Eradicator
Key stats:
- Cost: 250 Super Credits
- Speed: 544
- Stamina Regen: 122
- Armor Rating: 56
While its lower health might seem like a cause for concern, the boost in movement speed and the lower recoil are vital on higher difficulties. Its resistance to explosive damage will certainly serve you well on your managed democracy runs on Automaton planets. Rushing bug nests is a viable strategy with this set too, especially if you have a Jump Pack stratagem. Thanks to its look and stats, it’s our top armor pick in Helldivers 2.
How to unlock armor in Helldivers 2
Earn medals for the free and paid Helldivers Mobilise battle pass or check out the Superstore for armor unlocks in Helldivers 2. You earn medals by finishing operations across the game’s many planets. While Helldivers 2 doesn’t exactly have classes, you can pick from specific armor types to slot yourself into a dedicated role. While you can get an armor set to have matching items, your resources are better spent on armor pieces themselves.
Special passives help you excel in roles like stealth, defense, or damage. Expect more types of armor to arrive in the Superstore as they are refreshed every 44 hours (one day and 20 hours). These can be purchased using Super Credits.
All armor types and stats explained in Helldivers 2
Armor offers unique passives and combat abilities to players in Helldivers 2. You can customize your Armor, Helmet, and Cape in the Armory tab. These can be broadly categorized into three types:
- Light Armor: These can be used to avoid detection and enhance mobility.
- Medium Armor: Use these for a good balance between getting around and survivability.
- Heavy Armor: Get better protection from damage at the cost of movement.
Here are the stats that are influenced by armor in Helldivers 2:
- Speed: This value determines how fast your Helldiver runs and sprints.
- Stamina Regen: After using up stamina by sprinting, this determines how fast you can recover it.
- Armor Rating: Determines how much damage your Helldiver can sustain. This also depends on where the enemies hit you and if they land critical hits. The latest 01.000.100 update fixed this to work but it’s still hit or miss when it comes to showing you your durability.
All armor passives in Helldivers 2
Armor Passive | Description |
---|---|
Scout | Markers placed on the map generate radar scans every two seconds. Reduces the range at which enemies can detect you by 30%. |
Engineering Kit | Further reduces recoil when crouching or prone by 30%. Enhances initial grenade inventory and total capacity by two. |
Democracy Protects | 50% chance to not die when taking lethal damage (useful against friendly fire too). Prevents all damage from bleeding if your Helldiver’s chest is hemorrhaging from an injury. |
Extra Padding | Increases Armor Rating by 50, providing even more protection against damage. |
Med-Kit | Increases stim inventory and total capacity by two. Increases stim effect duration by two seconds to survive longer. |
Servo-Assisted | Increases throwing range by 30% and provides 50% more limb health to your Helldiver. |
Fortified | Further reduces recoil when crouching or prone by 30% in-game. Provides 50% damage resistance to explosives. |
Electrical Conduit | Offers 95% resistance to arc damage. |
List of all armor in Helldivers 2 and how to unlock them
Here’s a detailed list of all the armor in Helldivers 2 and how you can unlock them. We’ve included the armor from the Democratic Detonation Warbond as well.
Body Armor | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor rating | Speed | Stamina regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B-01 Tactical (variation one) | Default armor | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 100 | 500 | 100 |
B-01 Tactical (variation two) | Default armor | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 100 | 500 | 100 |
B-01 Tactical (variation three) | Default armor | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 100 | 500 | 100 |
B-01 Tactical (variation four) | Default armor | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 100 | 500 | 100 |
TR-62 Knight | Pre-order Bonus | Increases throwing range by 30%. Provides +50% limb health. | 144 | 456 | 56 |
TR-37 Ambassador of the Brand | Pre-order Bonus | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 100 | 500 | 100 |
TR-9 Cavalier of Democracy | Pre-order Bonus | 50% chance to not die when taking lethal damage. Prevents all damage from bleeding if chest hemorrhages. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
DP-53 Saviour of the Free | Super Citizen Edition | 50% chance to not die after lethal damage. Prevents bleeding damage due to chest hemorrhages from attacks. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
TR-117 Alpha Commander | Twitch Drop | Increases initial inventory and holding capacity of stims by +2. Increases stim effect duration by 2.0s. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
SC-34 Infiltrator | 3 Medals | Minimap markers create a radar scan every two seconds. This lets you find secondary objectives and support weapons. Reduces enemy detection range by 30 percent. | 75 | 525 | 113 |
FS-05 Marksman | 6 Medals | 30% reduced weapon recoil while crouched or prone. 50% extra explosive damage resistance. | 144 | 456 | 56 |
CE-Trench Engineer | 10 Medals | 30% reduced weapon recoil while crouched or prone. Enhanced inventory on a drop. Bonus two grenade capacity. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
CM-09 Bonesnapper | 15 Medals | Increased stim capacity by two slots. Enhanced stim effect duration by two seconds. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
DP-40 Hero of the Federation | 25 Medals | 50% chance to not die after lethal damage. Prevents bleeding damage due to chest hemorrhages from attacks. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
FS-23 Battle Master | 35 Medals | 30% reduced weapon recoil while crouched or prone. 50% more explosive damage resistance. | 144 | 456 | 56 |
SC-30 Trailblazer Scout | 50 Medals | Minimap markers create a radar scan every two seconds. Reduces enemy detection range by 30 percent. | 56 | 544 | 122 |
SA-04 Combat Technician | 60 Medals | Minimap markers create a radar scan every two seconds. Reduces enemy detection range by 30 percent. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
CM-14 Physician | 70 Medals | Increased stim capacity by two slots. Improves stim effect duration by two seconds. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
DP-11 Champion of the People | 100 Medals | 50% chance to not die after taking fatal damage. Prevents bleeding damage due to chest hemorrhages. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
SA-25 Steel Trooper | 18 Medals | Extra 50% limb health (less chance of breaking limbs). 30% increase in throwing range. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
SA-12 Servo Assisted | 45 Medals | Extra 50% limb health (less chance of breaking limbs). 30% increase in throwing range. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
SA-32 Dynamo | 64 Medals | Extra 50% limb health (less chance of breaking limbs). 30% increase in throwing range. | 143 | 457 | 57 |
EX-03 Prototype 3 | 18 Medals (Cutting Edge) | 95% arc damage resistance. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
EX-16 Prototype 16 | 45 Medals (Cutting Edge) | 95% arc damage resistance. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
EX-00 Prototype X | 64 Medals (Cutting Edge) | 95% arc damage resistance. | 50 | 550 | 125 |
CE-27 Ground Breaker | 18 Medals (Democratic Detonation) | The throwing range is increased by 30% and improves limb health by +50%. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
CE-07 Demolition Specialist | 45 Medals (Democratic Detonation) | Recoil is reduced by 30% when prone or crouching. Inventory and capacity of grenades is increased by +2. | 64 | 536 | 118 |
FS-55 Devastator | 64 Medals (Democratic Detonation) | 30% lower weapon recoil while crouched or prone. 50% more explosive damage resistance. | 150 | 450 | 50 |
B-08 Light Gunner | 150 Super Credits | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 57 | 543 | 121 |
FS-61 Dreadnought | 250 Super Credits | The throwing range is increased by 30% and improves limb health by +50%. | 144 | 456 | 56 |
SC-37 Legionnaire | 150 Super Credits | The throwing range is increased by 30% and improves limb health by +50%. | 56 | 544 | 122 |
SC-15 Drone Master | 250 Super Credits | Recoil is reduced by 30% when prone or crouching. Inventory and capacity of grenades is increased by +2. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
B-24 Enforcer | 150 Super Credits | 30% lower weapon recoil while crouched or prone. 50% more explosive damage resistance. | 125 | 475 | 75 |
CE-74 Breaker | 250 Super Credits | 30% lower weapon recoil while crouched or prone. Extra inventory on drop with bonus two grenade capacity. | 56 | 544 | 122 |
FS-38 Eradicator | 250 Super Credits | Recoil is reduced by 30% when prone or crouching. Also gives 50% resistance to explosives. | 56 | 544 | 122 |
B-27 Fortified Commando | 400 Super Credits | High armor rating (Extra Padding) | 144 | 456 | 56 |
CM-21 Trench Paramedic | 250 Super Credits | Increases initial inventory and holding capacity of stims by +2. Increases stim effect duration by 2.0s. | 69 | 531 | 116 |
FS-11 Executioner | 150 Super Credits | Further reduces recoil when crouching or prone by 30%. Provides 50% resistance to explosive damage. | 144 | 456 | 56 |
FS-34 Exterminator | 400 Super Credits | Recoil is reduced by 30% when prone or crouching. Also gives 50% resistance to explosives. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
CE-81 Juggernaut | 250 Super Credits | Recoil is reduced by 30% when prone or crouching. Inventory and capacity of grenades is increased by +2. | 100 | 500 | 100 |
All Helmets in Helldivers 2 and how to unlock them
All Helmets in Helldivers 2 currently offer 100 Armor Rating, Speed, and Stamina Regen. Future updates might let you tinker with these values. For now, here are all the helmets in Helldivers 2. We’ve split them based on how you acquire them in-game, be it via the Warbonds or the Superstore.
Helmet | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor Rating | Speed | Stamina Regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TR-Cavalier of Democracy | Pre-order bonus | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
TR-7 Ambassador of the Brand | Pre-order bonus | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
TR-62 Knight | Pre-order bonus | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
DP-53 Saviour of the Free | Super Citizen Edition pre-order bonus | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
TR-117 Alpha Commander | Twitch drop | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
B-01 Tactical Helmet | Free | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Focus on body armor upgrades over helmets and capes
This is because your stats are only affected by your body armor choices outside of two minor helmet bonuses.
Helldivers Mobilise Warbond Helmets
Helmet | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor Rating | Speed | Stamina Regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SC-34 Infiltrator | 2 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-05 Marksman | 5 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CE-35 Trench Engineer | 7 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CM-09 Bonesnapper | 12 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
DP-40 Hero of the Federation | 20 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-23 Battle Master | 25 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
SC-30 Trailblazer Scout | 35 Medals | Hidden bonus – speed and stamina | 94 | 106 | 103 |
SA-04 Combat Technician | 40 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CM-14 Physician | 50 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
DP-11 Champion of the People | 75 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Steeled Veterans Warbond Helmets
Helmet | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor Rating | Speed | Stamina Regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SA-25 Steel Trooper | 12 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
SA-12 Servo Assisted | 35 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
SA-32 Dynamo | 48 Medals | Hidden bonus – armor | 108 | 92 | 91 |
Cutting Edge Warbond Helmets
Helmet | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor Rating | Speed | Stamina Regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EX-03 Prototype 3 | 12 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
EX-16 Prototype 16 | 35 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
EX-00 Prototype X | 48 Medals | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Superstore Helmets
Helmet | Unlock Cost | Passive | Armor Rating | Speed | Stamina Regeneration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B-08 Light Gunner | 75 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-61 Dreadnought | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
SC-37 Legionnaire | 75 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
SC-15 Drone Master | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
B-24 Enforcer | 75 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CE-74 Breaker | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-38 Eradicator | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
B-27 Fortified Commando | 200 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CM-21 Trench Paramedic | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-11 Executioner | 75 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
FS-34 Exterminator | 200 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CE-81 Juggernaut | 125 Super Credits | NA | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Use the right equipment alongside your team for the best results. For instance, a Heavy armor wielder can protect weaker allies as they take foes down. A Light-armored Helldiver can find new resources and serve as a scout in your squad. Bonuses like extra stims and grenades will help you sustain injuries and close down enemy structures so keep an eye out for them.
Helldivers 2 armor FAQs
Which armor should I pick in Helldivers 2?
Pick one that matches your playstyle in the game.
Is it worth spending Super Credits in Helldivers 2 for armor?
Considering that helmets and capes don’t give you bonuses, use Super Credits on Armor.