How to find and beat Chargers in Helldivers 2

Chargers are massive, armoured Terminids that are a menace to fight against. Despite their hulking size, they are incredibly quick and can decimate your squad in no time if you aren’t careful. So if you’re looking to take one down for a mission, we’ve got the details on how best to deal with them. With that, let’s take a look at how to kill Chargers in Helldivers 2.

Where to find Chargers in Helldivers 2

Chargers can be found on Terminid-controlled planets on the eastern side of the Galactic War map. They only spawn on Medium difficulty (numbered 3) or higher, as shown by the ‘Heavily Armored Enemies’ descriptor below the difficulty bar.

You can potentially take on missions specifically targeted at killing them via the ‘Eliminate Charger’ mission, but they can be found on other missions too, especially in Terminid nests where they will be guarding the eggs.

How to beat Chargers fast

The best way to kill Chargers in Helldivers 2 is to make use of your air strike stratagems to take them out from afar. If done right, a well-placed Orbital Strike or Eagle stratagem can eliminate a Charger and any nearby Terminids before they even see you coming. This way, you don’t have to worry about their tough armour or having to fight them up close.

But if you’re intent on fighting fairly and taking them on normally – or you have no other choice – then it’s certainly possible, albeit harder. Use heavy Support weapon stratagems to tear them to shreds, such as the EAT, Quasar Cannon, Recoilless Rifle, or Autocannon, to name a few. Similarly, you can get the newly buffed Thermite Grenade and chuck two or three at him. If all of them stick, they will deal overwhelming damage to it, likely killing it.

✓ fighting tip

Their attacks all come from the front, so if you can reliably strafe around them, not only will you avoid damage, but you’ll also be able to hit their weak spot more easily.

Other tips to kill Chargers

• Aim for their weak spots: Initially, Chargers have two weak spots. These are the large orange abdomen which is visible on its back, as well as its head, though the head can be difficult to see. Focus on hitting these to deal the most damage.
• Tear through their armour: If you deal enough damage to its armour at the front, you’ll start to wear it down, exposing its orange weak spots on the front too.
• Strafe to avoid their charges: Keep your distance when the monster prepares to charge. That way, strafing is your ally to avoid them. Try to put yourself in front of an obstacle. Then, the Charger will hit it and become dazed. Use that to manoeuvre behind it to hit the abdominal weak spot.
• Prepare support stratagems ahead of mission: If you know you could be facing Chargers before you deploy, then account for a way to deal with them. Otherwise, normal weapons could help you bring one down, but it will cost you a lot of resources, and most importantly, time.

To make taking down Chargers as easy as possible, be sure to check out our Helldivers 2 best weapons and Helldivers 2 best armor guides before you gear up. And don’t forget to kill their smaller kin, like the Hunters.