Helldivers 2 best loadouts for Automatons and Terminids – all meta builds

Helldivers 2 best loadouts for Automatons and Terminids – all meta builds
Antony Terence Updated on by

Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more

✓ At a glance

Best loadouts against Automatons and Terminids

  • The SG-225 Breaker shotgun and P-19 Redeemer pistol are recommended for most encounters.
  • Your stratagems will vary based on the type of enemies you want to face. Automatons need heavy hitters like the 500kg Bomb and Orbital Walking Barrage.
  • Pick your armor depending on what role you want to fulfill.

With the Democratic Detonation Warbond here, gear up with the best loadouts for Automatons and Terminids in Helldivers 2 to rack up your Medals. Use our tested builds to deal devastating damage to alien forces.

Best loadouts in Helldivers 2

We’ve categorized our top Helldivers 2 loadouts based on roles you can fill in the game. Remember that you can experiment and replace any of these items based on what works best for you. While the SG-225 Breaker Shotgun neatly slots itself into most loadouts, you can always pick other primary weapons after some practice. Here are the loadouts we’ve covered:

  • Beginner loadout
  • Best loadout for Automatons
  • Best loadout for Terminids
  • Anti-Armor and Tank loadout
  • Scout loadout
Helldivers 2 best loadouts: Three players standing in a dusty region in the game. Image captured by VideoGamer.
The right loadouts can shape the outcome of missions. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Beginner loadout in Helldivers 2

  • Primary: AR-23 Liberator Assault Rifle
  • Secondary: P-2 Peacemaker
  • Grenade: G-12 High Explosive
  • Armor: CM-09 Bonesnapper Medium armor with extra stims 
  • Stratagems: Orbital Railcannon Strike, Machine Gun Sentry, Machine Gun, Supply Pack
  • Booster: Vitality Enhancement

If you want to be good against most enemies and take them out at medium range right from the early game, this is the loadout for you in Helldivers 2. The assault rifle is great against waves of weaker enemies thanks to its fast fire rate and quick reload speed. The secondary pistol is once more great against weak foes but may struggle against stronger opponents. Remember to keep grenades handy for bug nests and hordes. The Machine Gun supply weapon has an agonizing reload that pins you in place but it’s a good pick to defeat multiple enemies quickly. Players looking for an explosive alternative can consider the Recoilless Rifle or EAT-17 Anti-Tank launcher as a recent patch improved its effectiveness against enemies like Chargers.

Helldivers 2 best loadouts: A player watches as an Orbital Walking Barrage is used on an enemy base. Image captured by VideoGamer.
An Orbital Walking Barrage will make short work of enemy bases. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best loadout for Automatons in Helldivers 2

  • Primary: SG-225 Breaker Shotgun or R-36 Eruptor
  • Secondary: P-19 Redeemer or GP-31 Grenade Pistol
  • Grenade: G-12 High Explosive
  • Armor: FS-05 Marksman Heavy armor with explosive resistance
  • Stratagems: Shield Generator Pack, Orbital Walking Barrage, LAS-99 Quasar Cannon, Mortar Sentry
  • Booster: Vitality Enhancement

Facing Automatons isn’t easy but this loadout can help. Durability is the name of the game here, meaning that you should be able to withstand hits as you dish out damage. That’s why we’re prioritizing Heavy armor even though it lowers your stamina. The Shield Generator Pack is another must-have at higher difficulty levels, letting you take more damage. As for the enemies, the Quasar Cannon and R-36 Eruptor are good against the new Factory Strider and Gunship foes. The Railgun’s ‘unsafe mode’ isn’t as effective, especially since it can’t beat the former’s infinite ammo. And if enemies overwhelm you, feel free to call in a Mortar Sentry and an Orbital Walking Barrage. The Breaker sits at a high spot on our Helldivers 2 weapon tier list for good reason. Despite the recent nerfs, it still packs a punch at close range.

✓ Antony’s tip

Focus on single-target damage while fighting the Automatons

Unlike the Terminids, large AoE attacks aren’t very effective against Automaton units with high health and armor. Resort to explosives and other lethal picks against them.

Helldivers 2 best loadouts: A player looks at a dead Charger in the game. Image captured by VideoGamer.
Chargers are nasty threats in the game. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Best loadout for Terminids in Helldivers 2

  • Primary: SG-225 Breaker Shotgun
  • Secondary: P-19 Redeemer
  • Grenade: G-12 High Explosive
  • Armor: CE-Trench Engineer Medium armor with lower recoil and bonus grenades
  • Stratagems: Grenade Launcher, Orbital 380MM HE Barrage, Eagle Cluster Bomb, Autocannon Sentry
  • Booster: Stamina Enhancement

If taking down bug nests and blowing bugs to bits sounds like your role, consider this loadout. It focuses on keeping as many grenades on you as possible, from the armor choice to the Grenade Launcher supply weapon. This is because you can thin herds out fairly easily by closing bug breaches with grenades. If you want to pick the Flamethrower or Arc Thrower instead, just remember to have something to close bug breaches with. Instead of the Breaker, the JAR-5 Dominator is decent against crowds of foes. Use our best ways to farm Medals in Helldivers 2 guide if you want to quickly unlock the best weapons.

Anti-Armor and Tank loadout in Helldivers 2

  • Primary: SG-225 Breaker Shotgun or R-36 Eruptor
  • Secondary: P-19 Redeemer or GP-31 Grenade Pistol
  • Grenade: G-12 High Explosive
  • Armor: DP-40 Hero of the Federation Medium armor with the Democracy Protects perk 
  • Stratagems: LAS-99 Quasar Cannon, EMS Mortar, Orbital Laser, Eagle 500kg Bomb
  • Booster: Vitality Enhancement

If you need some hard-hitting gear for Hulks, Tanks, and Bile Titans, try this loadout. For a better fire rate, the Plas-1 Scorcher and LAS-16 Sickle are good options too. The Quasar Cannon is great against these massive enemies, especially when you target their weak spots. The EAT-17 Anti-Tank is another solid supply weapon. While Heavy armor is usually better at dealing with laser fire and brutal attacks, the Democracy Protects perk lets you withstand lethal injuries 50% of the time. It’s an essential perk when your enemies overwhelm you.

Scout loadout in Helldivers 2

  • Primary: R-63 Diligence Marksman Rifle or AR-23P Liberator Penetrator
  • Secondary: P-19 Redeemer
  • Grenade: G-12 High Explosive (or G-16 Impact if you prefer them)
  • Armor: SC-34 Infiltrator Light armor with markers for radar scans
  • Stratagems: Jump Pack, Anti-Materiel Rifle, Gatling Sentry, Eagle Strafing Run
  • Booster: Stamina Enhancement

If you want to create radar scans and adopt a stealth approach, use this loadout in Helldivers 2. Try not to use this solo though as enemies can chew through Light armor. But with markers for radar scans, you should be able to find optional objectives easily. Evade patrols and focus on the objective when you’re using this build. While the Diligence Marksman Rifle is good at long range, it’s not great against multiple enemies packed together. Consider the regular assault rifle or its penetration variant if you prefer having a good rate of fire. If you really want a support weapon that isn’t a sniper, the LAS-99 Quasar Cannon will let you knock out the occasional armored opponent.

Helldivers 2 best loadouts FAQs

How many weapons can a loadout have in Helldivers 2?

Each loadout consists of a primary, a secondary, a supply weapon, and a grenade.

What is the best grenade for loadouts in Helldivers 2?

The standard High Explosive grenade is the optimal pick against all foes.