Gemini on Question 15, Sep 17

In Helldivers 2, the definition of "efficiency" changes drastically depending on whether you are fighting the Terminids (Bugs) or the Automatons (Bots). Bugs require you to manage massive, swarming numbers, while Bots require you to punch through medium armor and manage ranged fire.

However, if your goal is to erase a patrol or drop/breach in seconds, here are the two most efficient loadouts for each faction, along with the universal tactic for squad wiping.

The Universal "Instant Wipe" Tactic: The Stun & Strike

No matter the faction, the fastest way to wipe a squad is this simple combo:

• 1.Throw a G-23 Stun Grenade into the center of the patrol.
• 2.Immediately throw an Eagle Airstrike or Eagle Cluster Bomb at their feet.
• 3.The stun prevents them from scattering or calling a bot drop/bug breach. The Eagle wipes them out entirely.

1. The Terminid Exterminator (Bug Squad Wiper)

Bugs swarm tightly and have little ranged capability. Fire, gas, and sheer rate-of-fire are the most efficient ways to clear them.

• •Primary Weapon: SG-225IE Incendiary Breaker
• •Why: Currently the undisputed king of bug crowd control. You don't even need to aim; just fire broadly into a swarm. The fire damage-over-time (DoT) will melt Hunters, Scavengers, and Shriekers instantly.
• •Secondary Weapon: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
• •Why: Because you are using Stun grenades, you need a way to close Bug Holes. This covers that utility.
• •Grenade: G-23 Stun or G-10 Incendiary Impact
• •Why: Stuns hold Chargers and swarms in place for your Stratagems. Incendiary Impacts create an instant wall of fire for breaches.
• •Support Weapon: M-105 Stalwart (set to max RPM) or Arc Thrower
• •Why: The Stalwart acts as a heavy primary weapon that you can reload while moving. It turns you into a lawnmower for light bugs.
• •Backpack: AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" Rover (Laser)
• •Why: Passive, infinite-ammo crowd control. It will constantly wipe out lone bugs sneaking up on you while you focus on the main swarm.
• •Offensive Stratagems: Eagle Cluster Bomb & Orbital Gas Strike (or Orbital Gatling Barrage)
• •Why: Throw a Gas Strike directly onto a Bug Breach as it opens—it will kill 80% of the bugs before they even crawl out of the hole. Use the Cluster Bomb for massive, wide-area wipes on wandering patrols.

2. The Automaton Scrapper (Bot Squad Wiper)

Bots fight from a distance, utilize cover, and feature heavy shielding and medium armor (Devastators). You need stagger, precision, and explosive damage.

• •Primary Weapon: PLAS-1 Scorcher or JAR-5 Dominator
• •Why: The Scorcher's explosive splash damage bypasses Scout Strider armor (killing the pilot instantly) and damages weak spots. The Dominator staggers Heavy Devastators so they can't shoot back.
• •Secondary Weapon: P-4 Senator or Grenade Pistol
• •Why: The Senator punches through bot armor with medium penetration.
• •Grenade: G-23 Stun
• •Why: Mandatory for Bots. A patrol of Heavy/Rocket Devastators will instantly kill you if they aggro. A stun grenade freezes the entire patrol for an airstrike or easy headshots.
• •Support Weapon (and Backpack): AC-8 Autocannon
• •Why: The most efficient bot weapon in the game. It has explosive splash damage for light bots, staggers and kills Devastators in two hits, destroys Fabricators from a distance, and can kill Hulks in two shots to the eye slit.
• •Offensive Stratagems: Eagle Airstrike & Orbital Laser
• •Why: Eagle Airstrike drops in a horizontal line, matching the exact shape of a Bot patrol or Bot Drop. It destroys armor and Fabricators. The Orbital Laser is your "panic button"—throw it into a heavy base and let it wipe the entire outpost for you.
• •Defensive Stratagem: A/M-12 Mortar Sentry
• •Why: Bots are ranged. You can drop a Mortar behind cover, and it will effortlessly wipe out incoming bot squads before you even have line-of-sight on them.

Armor Recommendations

To maximize these loadouts, you need the right armor passives:

• •Engineering Kit (Trench Engineer, etc.): Gives you +2 Grenades and reduces recoil. Having 6 Stun grenades allows you to freeze and wipe out 6 different patrols without needing to resupply.
• •Medical (Trench Paramedic, etc.): Gives you +2 Stims and +2 seconds of healing effect. Great for surviving the chaos if a squad wipe fails and you get caught in the open.

Pro-Tip on Team Synergy: If you run these loadouts, you are a Chaff-Clearer. You will be incredibly efficient at wiping out small/medium enemies, but you will struggle against Heavy targets (Bile Titans, Factory Striders). Make sure at least one person on your team is running Anti-Tank (Quasar Cannon, Spear, Expendable Anti-Tank, or 500kg Bomb) to cover your weakness.