Because *Helldivers 2* features two entirely distinct enemy factions—the Terminids (Bugs) and the Automatons (Bots)—the "most efficient" loadout changes drastically depending on what planet you are dropping onto. Wiping out a squad of bots requires armor penetration and precision, while wiping out a swarm of bugs requires massive crowd control and area-of-effect (AoE) damage.
Here are the two most efficient, meta-tested loadouts for instantly wiping out an enemy patrol or drop in *Helldivers 2*.
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### Loadout 1: The Automaton Eraser (Bots)
Bots fight at range and are heavily armored. To wipe a bot patrol efficiently, you need explosive damage, medium armor penetration, and stagger mechanics.
* **Primary Weapon: JAR-5 Dominator** OR **PLAS-1 Scorcher**
* *Why:* The Dominator staggers heavily armored Devastators, stopping them from shooting back. The Scorcher’s explosive plasma ignores the frontal armor of Scout Striders, killing them in two hits.
* **Secondary Weapon: P-4 Senator** or **Grenade Pistol**
* *Why:* The Senator punches through medium armor in a pinch. The Grenade Pistol is great for clearing grouped-up basic troopers.
* **Grenade: G-16 Impact** or **G-23 Stun**
* *Why:* Throwing two Impact grenades into a bot patrol will instantly wipe out all light and medium enemies. Stun grenades are incredible for freezing a squad in place while you call down an airstrike.
* **Support Weapon: AC-8 Autocannon**
* *Why:* The Autocannon is the undisputed king of the bot front. It can wipe out a squad of Devastators in seconds, destroy fabricators from afar, and kill Hulks with two precise shots to the glowing red eye.
* **Stratagems for Squad-Wiping:**
* **Eagle Airstrike:** The single best Stratagem in the game for bots. Thrown perpendicular to a bot patrol, it will kill everything from basic grunts to Hulks and Tanks.
* **Orbital Laser:** The ultimate "fire-and-forget" panic button. Throw this at a massive bot drop and watch it sweep the area clean.
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### Loadout 2: The Terminid Exterminator (Bugs)
Bugs rely on swarming you with sheer numbers. To wipe a bug patrol quickly, you need high fire-rate, incendiary damage, and continuous crowd control.
* **Primary Weapon: SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary**
* *Why:* Simply the best bug-clearing weapon in the game. You don't even need to aim perfectly; just sweeping it across a patrol will set them all on fire, letting the damage-over-time (DoT) kill them while you retreat.
* **Secondary Weapon: Grenade Pistol**
* *Why:* Since your primary is for crowd control, you need this to quickly close Bug Holes.
* **Grenade: G-10 Incendiary** or **G-16 Impact**
* *Why:* Throw an incendiary grenade at the feet of an advancing swarm. The bugs will walk through the fire and burn to death before reaching you.
* **Support Weapon: GL-21 Grenade Launcher + B-1 Supply Pack** OR **M-105 Stalwart**
* *Why:* If your goal is specifically to *wipe out squads of small/medium enemies*, nothing beats the Grenade Launcher. You can carpet-bomb a bug patrol from 50 meters away. Paired with a Supply Pack, you have near-infinite ammo.
* *(Note: If no one else on your team brought anti-tank weapons, bring the **Quasar Cannon** or **Flamethrower** to deal with Chargers).*
* **Stratagems for Squad-Wiping:**
* **Eagle Cluster Bomb:** This has a massive horizontal spread. One Cluster Bomb will instantly vaporize 20-30 light/medium bugs in a single pass. (Just warn your teammates before throwing it).
* **Orbital Gas Strike / Eagle Napalm:** Throw this directly onto a Bug Breach. It will passively kill dozens of bugs as they climb out of the ground.
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### The Universal "Instant Delete" Tactic
If you are walking through the map and spot a patrol of either faction that hasn't seen you yet, here is the most efficient, ammo-saving way to wipe them out:
1. **Tag the patrol** so you can see their exact numbers.
2. **Equip an Eagle Airstrike.**
3. **Wait until they are tightly grouped.** (Patrols tend to bunch up when navigating around rocks or trees).
4. **Throw the Airstrike directly into the center of the group.** Because the Eagle drops its payload horizontally relative to where you threw it, it will carpet-bomb the entire line of enemies.
5. **Throw one Impact Grenade** into any stragglers immediately after the bombs hit.
By the time the enemy realizes you are there, the entire squad will be dead. For Super Earth!