Helldivers 2: 8 Stratagems You Should Avoid

Highlights

• Some stratagems in Helldivers 2, like the Orbital Gatling Barrage, may struggle against tougher enemies, so players should choose wisely.
• Players should avoid options like the Orbital Airburst Strike for dealing with heavily armored foes and focus on more powerful stratagems instead.
• Certain stratagems, like the A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry, may be good, but players should wait for better options like the Gatling Sentry.

Helldivers 2 is a phenomenal multiplayer shooter that encourages players to work together in the hope of taking the fight for democracy against bug-like creatures known as the Terminids or the robotic forces of the Automatons. While guns are the predominant weaponry used against these attackers, players are able to call in other support through the means of Stratagems.

While many of these stratagems are incredibly useful, such as the recently added mech suit or the 500m bomb, there are some others that players should avoid spending their requisition slips on. For those hoping to make the most of their Helldivers 2 experience, these are the stratagems that are best avoided.

8 Orbital Gatling Barrage

Although Unlimited, It Isn’t Powerful

Orbital stratagems are likely to be part of every player’s equipment when going on a mission, especially due to them usually having unlimited uses and a short cooldown. However, when looking at new ones to purchase, players should still avoid the Orbital Gatling Barrage.

The high explosive rounds may deal damage to smaller enemies but will still struggle when facing tougher foes during the harder difficulties, especially if taking on the Automatons. Therefore, Helldivers 2 players should avoid this stratagem and aim for something more powerful instead.

7 Orbital Airburst Strike

Can’t Fight Against Heavily Armored Foes

While some players may feel that the Orbital Airburst Strike in Helldivers 2 fits the purpose of dealing with small groups of enemies, it unfortunately lacks when dealing with heavily armored foes.

While convincing at first glance, players may wish to avoid purchasing this option for the orbital canons and instead save their requisition slips to buy one of the other stratagems, which is unlocked at later levels. A great choice is the Orbital Laser, which cannot only deal with small groups of enemies but also has the power to attack through heavy armor, too.

6 Eagle 110MM Rocket Pods

It’s Better To Go For A Bigger Bomb

The Eagle stratagems available to the player are some of the most powerful offensive stratagems available in Helldivers 2. Therefore, almost every single one of them carries a valuable purpose in a mission, making it a great choice in Helldivers 2. However, there is one option that players may wish to avoid.

The Eagle 110MM Rocket Pods may be quite powerful, but players will lack the control they need to choose what it hits due to it automatically targeting the biggest foe available. Therefore, players may wish to focus on other Eagle options instead, such as regular air strikes, which can be unlocked first from the Hangar.

5 AX/AR-23 “Guard Dog”

Players Are Likely To Injure Themselves

Players currently have two drones available to them in Helldivers 2. They are attached to a backpack to charge and freely follow the player around, shooting at their enemies to protect them. However, due to the proximity and the risks of friendly fire, stratagems like this are likely to do more harm than good.

This drone, which carries around an incredibly lethal gun, is sure to get the last laugh against the player on several occasions during a mission, which can be more frustrating than helpful. Therefore, it’s best to avoid this option.

4 A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry

Saving For Better Sentry Guns

Out of all the stratagems available to purchase with the player’s hard-earned requisition slips, one of the most important options is the wide variety of sentry turrets available. However, players should be patient when buying and avoid the first option of the A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry.

Although this gun is still great, there are better options to purchase from the same section that players are likely to unlock quickly after the first one. Players should instead purchase the Gatling Sentry. This works like the Machine Gun but fires plenty more bullets.

3 A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower

More Likely To Hurt Allies

One of the most common mission types players are likely to be a part of is the defense missions for both the Terminids and the Automatons. Having the right stratagems on for the mission is important, but even some of those that sound like they would be good in theory are better avoided. The Tesla Tower is one of the last stratagems unlocked for the Bridge, though it’s more dangerous than it’s worth.

Deploying this electric rod will damage both nearby foes but also any allies that walk near it unless they are prone. This can cause a lot of accidental deaths and may not even defeat the enemies that approach.

2 MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield

Great In Theory But No Damage

At first glance, an Anti-Personnel Minefield sounds like the perfect stratagem choice for any Helldivers 2 player taking part in a defense mission. Unfortunately, these mines don’t deal as much damage as a player may initially hope, and therefore, the field of mines is quickly depleted. When playing at lower difficulties, this may be fine, but a player will likely grow out of using it fast.

Instead, it would be better for a player in Helldivers 2 to avoid buying it altogether and to instead save up for the other available choices in the Engineering Bay.

1 Orbital Smoke Strike

It’s Better To Focus On Damage

The Orbital Smoke Strike is a Bridge Stratagem players are likely to unlock early into their gameplay within Helldivers 2. However, a player shouldn’t feel encouraged to purchase every new thing that is made available to them with a smoke screen being a perfect suggestion for this.

Smoke Strikes make a blanket of fog that stops an enemy from being able to see the player. This may be perfect when dealing with Automatons. However, if playing with only a few other players, then it’s better to avoid this and instead take stratagems that deal damage.