Helldivers 2: Best Loadout for Defeating Automatons

The right loadout in Helldivers 2 can be the difference between victory and defeat. If you run into Automaton bases with the wrong weapon, armed with the wrong stratagem, you are most likely going to be leaving in pieces. The bots take no prisoners so you have to be prepared.

What you choose will depend a lot on your playstyle and what you like best. Despite this, most players will agree that there are some weapons you should keep away from. Using the best weapons is still no guarantee of success. If you come up against a Factory Strider, chances are you will most likely die without solid tactics and a decent squad to back you up.

We are going to run through the best loadout that will give you the edge in the battle against the Automatons. Make sure you get used to the weapons and stratagems so you can adapt to each scenario.

• Armor
• Primary Weapon
• Secondary Weapon
• Grenade
• Stratagems
• Booster

You are a helldiver. You are the best of the best. You should be able to walk into battle naked, armed with only a sharp stick, and emerge victorious. Equipped with the best loadout, you will make the Automatons surrender straight away.

Best Armor for Defeating Automatons in Helldivers 2

You are going to be taking plenty of hits in Helldivers 2, especially against the Automatons, so your best tactic should be preparing for the worst. Whatever you take into battle will never be enough but you should really focus on your survivability.

Depending on your playstyle you are best using heavy or medium armor with Med-Kit passive effect. Having two extra stims can save your life more times than you would think. The two more seconds of health regeneration is another large bonus that will come in handy. Whether you choose the CM-09 Bonesnapper or the CM-17 Butcher, you might just last a little longer before being blown to pieces.

Another good option against the Automatons has to be the DP-40 Hero of the Federation armor. Its passive effect will grant you a 50% chance of not dying when taking lethal damage. If you are facing Annihilator Tanks or Hulks this will double your chances of surviving and if luck is on your side, you can walk away from death on a regular basis.

Best Primary Weapon For Defeating Automatons in Helldivers 2

While some people do prefer taking shotguns into battle, when it comes to the Automatons you should be keeping your distance. The bots can’t swarm in the same way as the bugs but getting up close and personal is a sure-fire way of getting yourself roasted by a Hulk or blown to pieces by an Annihilator Tank.

You are best taking the AR-23P Liberator Penetrator into combat and making use of its medium armor penetration. This will make sure that you can do some serious damage on the move and keep your distance. Crouch behind cover and focus on the Automatons’ weak spots and they will fall like dominoes.

Best Secondary Weapon for Defeating Automatons in Helldivers 2

Hands down the best secondary weapon against Automatons is the P-19 Redeemer. It’s quick and effective. You can run and take down the chasing bots at the same time. It only has light armor penetration but that is perfect for taking out the enemy infantry. If you ever find yourself surrounded by blade-wielding Automatons, you can switch to your secondary and make a run for it, shooting as you go.

Best Grenade for Defeating Automatons in Helldivers 2

Your best bet at surviving the Automaton threat is to take the G-23 Stun grenade into battle. Yes, the impact grenade is great in certain circumstances but nothing beats the stun in terms of adaptability and utility. If you are attacking an enemy base, you can throw a stun and enter with the upper hand, all guns blazing. If you are being chased, drop a stun and get away.

You might not be able to do a great deal of damage but you will be able to survive long enough to win. When it comes to the bots, you want to be slow and steady as you move forward.

Best Stratagems for Defeating Automatons in Helldivers 2

• LAS-99 Quasar Cannon 
• Shield Generator Pack
• Orbital Laser
• Eagle Airstrike

LAS-99 Quasar Cannon

There was a time when the Railgun was the meta in Helldivers 2 but no longer. The Quasar Cannon can do everything the Railgun could and do it better. It can take down everything the Automatons throw at you and when you add that it has unlimited uses, there is nothing better.

From a distance, you can even destroy Fabricators with one shot to the vents. The Quasar Cannon can take down Gunships and Dropships. It even holds its own against an Annihilator Tank. There is a cooldown after each use but that will give you time to get into position for your next shot.

Shield Generator Pack

As stated above, when you go up against the Automatons, survivability is key. Rockets and lasers are going to hit you at some point and with the Shield Generator Pack, you stand a chance at living through it. Some players do prefer to use a Jump Pack but when it comes to adaptability, having that extra shield will save you more times than you can count.

Orbital Laser

While the stratagem you use for your boss killer is going to come down to preference, the Orbital Laser just pulls ahead of the others when it comes to the Automatons. Not much can stand up against the Orbital Laser without melting away.

It will even take down Fabricators if you call it in near an enemy stronghold. When it comes to Factory Striders, you are going to need more than one stratagem to take it down but the Orbital Laser will definitely do its fair share of the damage needed.

Eagle Airstrike

The Eagle Airstrike is a no-brainer here. Throw a stun grenade into a mass of bots and call in an airstrike. You can deal with whatever is left with ease and carry on.

The Eagle Airstrike is one of the best ways to clear an outpost or weaken the more powerful enemies so you can use your Quasar Cannon to finish them off. You can always switch this Stratagem out for the Cluster Bomb or the Orbital Airburst Strike but most players will agree that the Eagle Airstrike is more reliable and consistent.

Best Booster to Use Against Automatons in Helldivers 2

The best Booster will be a matter of choice depending on your playstyle but as there are seven available in Helldivers 2, we recommend that each of your squad equip a different one before deployment. That will give you four passive buffs throughout your mission.

The Vitality Enhancement Booster is a definite must when going up against the Automatons as it will help all helldivers resist injury. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a battle where you are losing health gradually and having to use your precious stims to stop the bleeding.

That concludes our guide on the best loadout for defeating the Automatons. Remember that your main goal should be staying alive because you are going to fail at some point. Dealing damage is great and you can keep trying from beyond the grave but you need to be alive to win.