The 5 Best Primary Weapons in Helldivers 2

With frequent balance patches and the introduction of new Warbonds, the Helldivers 2 meta is continuing to evolve, and players have had ample time to experiment with new loadouts in the last few weeks. Even though the game is filled with flashy and explosive Stratagems, once the dust settles, you always have to fall back on your trusty primary weapon. Helldivers 2 features a wide array of different options for your primary, each with their own unique set of stats, perks, and uses.

There is nothing worse than grinding out a ton of Medals, unlocking a new weapon, and being disappointed in its performance. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the 5 strongest primary weapons in the game, while also explaining their pros and cons, so you can easily find the perfect choice for your playstyle.

The 5 Best Primary Weapons in Helldivers 2

While Helldivers 2 offers a wide array of options in terms of primary weapons, not all of them are created equal. Many of these weapons serve different purposes, from quickly clearing hordes of small enemies to effectively dealing with some of the medium-sized enemies, such as Brood Commanders and Bile Spewers. In this list, we have compiled what we believe are the strongest primary weapons in each of the different sub-categories in the game, so you can easily specialize in your favorite playstyle.

SMG-37 Defender

Warbond: Helldivers Mobilize Page 3
Cost: 15 Medals

Once you start unlocking new weapons in Helldivers 2, one of the best choices earlier on will be the SMG-37 Defender. This submachine gun is perfect for clearing hordes of small enemies, while you can use stronger Stratagems to deal with the bigger ones. It has a slower fire rate compared to some of the other automatic weapons, which will give you more time to adjust your crosshair without dumping your entire mag. It deals a decent amount of damage while also providing a small amount of armor penetration.

One of the more unique aspects of this weapon is that it only occupies one hand. As of this moment, this does not have a ton of uses in the game, but in the future, there might be more opportunities to get some value out of it. The main ways you can abuse this feature at the moment are on missions where you need to carry and transport an item to the next objective, such as the SSD, which will take up one of your hands. Another way you can use this weapon is alongside the Ballistic Shield Stratagem (Riot Shield).

SG-225 Breaker

Warbond: Helldivers Mobilize Page 4
Cost: 20 Medals

While the SG-225 Breaker did get nerfed in a recent patch, decreasing its magazine capacity and increasing its recoil, it still stands as one of the strongest primary weapons in the game. It has one of the strongest armor penetration ratings in the game, allowing you to shoot through the armor of the Hive Guard enemies in the Terminid faction. The Breaker deals immense damage in close-range engagements and it's amazing when you pair it with Stratagems that can help you clear the hordes of smaller enemies, such as the Gatling Sentry and the Eagle Airstrike.

We recommend using this weapon mainly for priority damage against medium-sized enemies, such as Bile Spewers, Berserkers, and Stalkers. Having a person on the squad that can easily dispatch of these enemies is going to make any mission a lot more manageable. It's also one of the easier weapons to unlock earlier on and we highly recommend you try it out.

SG-8S Slugger

Warbond: Helldivers Mobilize Page 8
Cost: 60 Medals

The SG-8S Slugger has gained a ton of popularity after the recent nerfs of its cousin, the SG-225 Breaker. This shotgun has a lot of the same advantages, with a high amount of armor penetration that can go through most of the medium-sized enemy types in the game. The differences between the Slugger and the Breaker are mainly centered around their firing styles. The Slugger has a much slower fire rate, while also having more recoil, but it is also a lot more accurate at longer distances, allowing players to be effective in more situations. The Slugger also reloads its ammunition round by round, making it a lot more efficient.

The Slugger and the Breaker are quite similar in what they can provide on the battlefield, and we recommend that you try both of them in order to find the perfect choice for your playstyle.

Plas-1 Scorcher

Warbond: Helldivers Mobilize Page 10
Cost: 75 Medals

One of the more expensive weapons in the game is the PLAS-1 Scorcher, but we believe the cost is warranted as it is one of the most effective primary weapons in the game. This is yet another priority-damage gun, which will allow you to make short work of enemies such as Bile Spewers, Devastators, and Brood Commanders. Not only does the Scorcher have great armor penetration, but it also shoots explosive rounds, which deal more damage against certain enemy types. This weapon favors mid-range engagements, as it is quite accurate but lacks the fire rate to deal with swarms of small enemies surrounding you.

If you are looking to stay at a distance while being able to deal with some of the stronger non-heavy enemy types in the game, the Scorcher is going to be the perfect choice for your loadout. Just make sure to bring a Stratagem or a friend that can deal with the smaller bugs or robots so you don't get overrun!

LAS-16 Sickle

Warbond: Cutting Edge Page 1
Cost: 20 Medals

Our final recommendation comes from the newest Cutting Edge Warbond that was recently added to the game. While most of the energy weapons in the game have been quite disappointing, the LAS-16 Sickle can provide you with some of the most satisfying gunplay in Helldivers 2. This is an automatic weapon which has one of the highest fire rates in the game, ideal for dealing with all of the smaller enemy types while also being competitive against the mediums. The Sickle is also a heat-based weapon, which means that you can technically have infinite ammo as long as you don't overheat it. Even if you do, you will still be able to use it like a regular gun, with a very fast reload animation on top of it.

This weapon is extremely ammo efficient, very accurate, and super satisfying to use. The only downside is that you have to buy the premium Cutting Edge Warbond in order to unlock it. Luckily, you don't have to spend any money, as you can find enough Super Credits by just playing the game.

That concludes our list for the best primary weapons in Helldivers 2. All of these guns have their own pros and cons, which can be enhanced or covered by your teammates or the many different Stratagems that are available in the game. We are sure that at least one of these choices is going to be perfect for your playstyle, so make sure to try them out and see for yourself. For more Helldivers 2 news and guides, make sure to check out the rest of our website!