How to find and beat Spore Chargers in Helldivers 2

As if the existing Charger variants weren’t enough, between having the regular Charger, Behemoth Charger, and rumoured Impaler Charger, we now have to contend with the Spore Charger in Helldivers 2 as well. Fortunately, veterans will know how to deal with these new pests, and we’re here to help out too.

Where to find Spore Chargers in Helldivers 2

Spore Chargers appear along with other Terminids on the eastern fringe of the galaxy. They seem to usually pop up on Difficulty level 5 and up. There is a higher frequency of Spore Chargers around the map objectives, and we’ve seen instances of two of them appearing at the same time. If you’re looking to find them, check out missions to eradicate Terminid nests on higher difficulties, and there will be a good chance to find them there.

How to beat the Spore Charger

The Spore Charger is a Charger variant that emits a cloud of spores around it, masking its position before charging. These spores function in the same way as Spore Spewers, not dealing any damage but fogging the area and making it difficult to see. This makes these Chargers very dangerous because you won’t know the direction they will attack from. Moreover, it makes the ability to target them from a safe distance nearly impossible. 

Beating the Spore Charger follows the same guidelines as with regular Chargers. In other words, you can use the same weapons and weak spots to kill them. However, you have to be cognizant of their spore clouds which can mask their location until they’re right upon you. That means using Stratagems with heavy payload, like Orbital strikes and Eagle runs. Otherwise, bring heavy support weapons like Expendable Anti-Tank, Recoilless Rifle, or Quasar Cannon. Alternatively, use the Railgun or MG-43 to take out its legs, then circle around them for a killing blow or to keep them in place before calling down an Orbital strike.

Other tips to use:

• They don’t emit spores until engaged: This is important to keep in mind. Spore Chargers will only start releasing a spore cloud if there’s a fight going on. Before that, they walk in open air, which gives you an opportunity to drop a Strategem upon them.
• Use the high ground: We suggest that you look for high ground that will let you see their silhouette once the spore cloud has been released. Use the information to retreat, regroup, and draw them out before destroying them.
• Draw them to charge into terrain: You won’t have this ideal scenario every time, but you can try to draw them into charging into terrain or buildings. This will stun them for a little while, giving you time to dispatch them while they’re dazed.
• Avoid engaging in their spore cloud: Unless you’re in completely dire straights, do not fight them in the cloud. This will get you swarmed by other Terminids or have the Charger itself run you over. Try to get away from the cloud as fast as you can.
• Tackle them like any other Charger: Outside of their unique peculiarities, Spore Chargers can be dispatched the same way as other variants. If you bring a weapon to deal with one kind, you can deal with the others too.

Thermite Grenades are some of the best grenades to deal with Chargers of any kind, while you should also check out our best weapons list to find the perfect answer to their weak spots.