Helldivers 2 is Arrowhead Game Studios' third-person co-op shooter where you fight as expendable soldiers of Super Earth against alien Terminids and robotic Automatons. The game features a persistent Galactic War where every player's missions contribute to liberating or losing planets. With its emphasis on friendly fire, limited ammo, and call-in stratagems, Helldivers 2 captures the satirical military tone of Starship Troopers while delivering genuinely challenging cooperative gameplay.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker | S | Crowd Control / general purpose | The most popular primary weapon — a semi-auto shotgun with excellent damage per shot and good range for a shotgun. |
| Railgun | A | Anti-Tank / versatile anti-armor | A support weapon stratagem that fires a charged shot penetrating medium armor. |
| Autocannon | A | Tank / sustained anti-medium armor | A support weapon with sustained fire capability and medium armor penetration. |
| Quasar Cannon | B | Anti-Tank / solo anti-armor option | An energy-based anti-tank weapon with no ammo — it recharges over time (~15 seconds). |
| Scorcher | B | Crowd Control / AoE damage | An explosive primary weapon that fires small AoE rounds. |
S-Tier: Breaker
The most popular primary weapon — a semi-auto shotgun with excellent damage per shot and good range for a shotgun. Effective against all Terminid types except heavy armor. The incendiary variant sets enemies on fire for area denial.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Crowd Control / general purpose |
| Key Mechanic | stratagems |
| Recommended Role | Support |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Breaker: Pairs naturally with Support thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Railgun
A support weapon stratagem that fires a charged shot penetrating medium armor. In unsafe mode, it can one-shot Charger legs but risks exploding if overcharged. Post-nerf it's still strong but requires skill to use safely.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Anti-Tank / versatile anti-armor |
| Key Mechanic | friendly fire |
| Recommended Role | Anti-Tank |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Railgun: Pairs naturally with Anti-Tank thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Autocannon
A support weapon with sustained fire capability and medium armor penetration. Requires a teammate to reload the backpack (or slow self-reload). Excellent against Automaton devastators, Terminid hive guards, and light vehicles. 75-round backpack.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Tank / sustained anti-medium armor |
| Key Mechanic | extraction |
| Recommended Role | Crowd Control |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Autocannon: Pairs naturally with Crowd Control thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Quasar Cannon
An energy-based anti-tank weapon with no ammo — it recharges over time (~15 seconds). One-shots Charger legs and Hulk heads. No backpack needed, freeing you to carry Shield Generator. The most ammo-efficient anti-tank option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Anti-Tank / solo anti-armor option |
| Key Mechanic | sample collection |
| Recommended Role | Stealth |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Quasar Cannon: Pairs naturally with Stealth thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Scorcher
An explosive primary weapon that fires small AoE rounds. Effective against groups and through cover. Slightly dangerous due to friendly fire splash damage but one of the highest DPS primaries available. Unlocked relatively early.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Crowd Control / AoE damage |
| Key Mechanic | war effort contribution |
| Recommended Role | Tank |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Scorcher: Pairs naturally with Tank thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Terminid Front
- Railgun → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Autocannon → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Breaker → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Dive (press dodge while sprinting) to avoid most attacks including Charger charges, Bile Titan spit, and Automaton rockets. It provides i-frames during the animation.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Helldivers 2 Guides
- Helldivers 2 Helldivers 2 Overview
- Helldivers 2 Best Builds
- Helldivers 2 Tier List
- Helldivers 2 Walkthrough
- Helldivers 2 Beginner's Guide
- Helldivers 2 Tips & Tricks
- Helldivers 2 Combat Guide
- Helldivers 2 Boss Guide
- Helldivers 2 Maps & Locations
- Helldivers 2 Crafting Guide
- Helldivers 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Helldivers 2, check out these related guides:
- Black Myth: Wukong Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter: World Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
