In your missions to liberate planets in Helldivers 2, you will face many different enemies. One of the biggest ones from the Automaton faction is the Factory Strider. It's a four-legged, slow-walking robot that has machine guns on its head, a cannon on top, and even Fabricators on its back that create and deploy Devastators. These giant monsters pose a significant challenge, requiring careful strategy and coordination to beat. If you find yourself facing off against these imposing foes, here are some tips to help you emerge victorious in the battle against Factory Striders.
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How to Beat Factory Striders in Helldivers 2
The Factory Striders are the ultimate machines from the Automaton faction. You will start facing them once you reach difficulty settings of 7 and above. If you thought going up against the robots was challenging already, the Factory Striders are here to put your skills to the ultimate test. At first encounter, a Factory Strider might seem like an indestructible force. However, they possess several critical weak points and destructible components that can be exploited for a quick takedown.
Destructible Weapons and Components
The Factory Striders have three destructible components that can be destroyed. If you disable them, you won't really have to kill the giant.
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Cannon Turret: This formidable weapon sits atop the Strider and can be obliterated with heavy penetration weapons. A couple of rockets from the EAT, Recoilless Rifle, or the newly added Quasar Cannon will do the trick. For those with a preference for precision, the Spear can disable it in one clean shot by targeting its weak points directly.
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Machine Guns: The Strider's front-mounted machine guns pose a significant threat but are vulnerable to medium penetration weapons. The Dominator stands out as the most effective choice, requiring only a few shots to disable each turret.
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Devastator Fabricator: The factory component responsible for spawning Devastators can be neutralized by targeting the large levers near its back legs. While not always a priority, disabling it can prevent the appearance of additional Automaton units.
Killing the turrets on their heads should be your top priority when facing a Factory Strider since these are the weapons that will kill you in seconds. Cannon Turret shots are easily avoidable if you keep mobile, and the Devastators can be easily dealt with.
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Factory Strider Weak Points
If you don't want to disable its weapons, the Factory Strider has two weak points that can be exploited for a quick takedown.
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Face Weak Point: The Strider's face is protected by heavy armor, but it has a vulnerable spot that can be exploited. Firing medium penetrating weapons into its left eyeball or the rectangular hole will expose and exploit this weakness.
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Leg Weak Points: Targeting the kneecaps and shoulder joints can also be effective. Although these areas are more challenging to hit, they provide an alternative target if the face is not accessible.
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Best Weapons and Stratagems against Factory Striders
For the best stratagems against these beasts, your top options are the Eagle 500KG Bomb and the Orbital Laser. While none of them will kill it in one go, they are often enough to expose their weak points so you can finish them off with your other weapons. The best support weapons you can use are the Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT), Recoilless Rifle, Auto Cannon, Spear, Quasar Cannon, and the Autocannon Sentry. If the sentry is not destroyed, it will take down the Factory Strider within 5 to 10 seconds.
For the best primary weapons against the Factory Strider, you will need weapons that can penetrate medium armor. Your best options at the moment are the JAR-5 Dominator and the SG-8 Slugger. Four to five shots to the machine gun on its head is enough to destroy it.
This wraps up everything you need to know about defeating the Factory Striders in Helldivers 2. Remember, even if you lack the most powerful weapons or stratagems, coordination, and teamwork can lead to victory against these formidable foes. For more Helldivers 2 guides, be sure to check the rest of our website.
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