Gemini on Question 15, Sep 21

Because Helldivers 2 features two completely different factions with entirely different combat mechanics, there is no single "best" loadout. What wipes out a squad of Terminids (Bugs) will often get you killed against Automatons (Bots).

To be as efficient as possible—meaning killing the most enemies in the shortest time using the least amount of ammo—here are the ultimate squad-wiping loadouts for both factions, based on the current meta.

1. The Terminid Eraser (Bugs)

Bugs rely on numbers and melee rushing. The most efficient way to wipe a bug patrol or breach is through fire damage-over-time (DoT), chaining damage, and high area-of-effect (AoE).

• •Primary Weapon: SG-225IE Incendiary Breaker (or the LAS-16 Sickle). The Incendiary Breaker is the king of bugs. You don't even need to kill the small bugs with impact; just spray the squad lightly, and the fire DoT will burn Hunters and Scavengers to a crisp while you reload.
• •Secondary Weapon: GP-31 Grenade Pistol. Used primarily to close bug holes quickly so you can focus on the swarm.
• •Grenade: Incendiary Impact. Throw one of these into the center of a bug patrol, and 80% of them will die instantly.
• •Support Weapon: ARC-3 Arc Thrower or M-105 Stalwart. The Arc Thrower has infinite ammo, ignores armor, and arcs between up to three enemies, allowing you to passively wipe out a squad just by holding the trigger. If you prefer bullets, the Stalwart on 1150 RPM turns you into a walking lawnmower.
• •Backpack: "Guard Dog" Rover (Laser). This is non-negotiable for bug efficiency. The laser drone will constantly burn small bugs around you, getting dozens of kills automatically while you focus on larger threats.
• •Offensive Stratagems:
• •Eagle Cluster Bomb: The ultimate squad-wiper. It drops a massive horizontal line of explosives. One well-placed Cluster Bomb will instantly vaporize 30+ light/medium bugs.
• •Orbital Gatling Barrage: Fast cooldown, locks down a bug breach or choke point, and shreds unarmored enemies.

2. The Automaton Dismantler (Bots)

Bots shoot back from a distance and are heavily armored. To wipe a bot squad efficiently, you need medium armor penetration, stagger effects, and explosive damage.

• •Primary Weapon: JAR-5 Dominator or PLAS-1 Scorcher. The Dominator fires rocket-propelled rounds that stagger Devastators (stopping them from shooting you) and rips through their armor. The Scorcher has explosive splash damage that can kill Scout Striders (the AT-ST looking walkers) from the front.
• •Secondary Weapon: P-19 Redeemer (for a panic spray if bots get too close) or Grenade Pistol.
• •Grenade: Stun Grenade. This is the secret weapon for bots. Throw a stun grenade into a patrol, and they will all freeze for several seconds, allowing you to line up headshots or call in an airstrike without them scattering.
• •Support Weapon: AC-8 Autocannon. The Autocannon is the undisputed king of the bot front. It staggers everything, destroys fabricators from a distance, kills Devastators in two body shots, and kills Hulks in two shots to the eye-slit.
• •Backpack: Autocannon Ammo Backpack (comes with the weapon).
• •Offensive Stratagems:
• •Eagle Airstrike: The most perfectly balanced stratagem in the game. It destroys bot fabricators, damages tanks, and will completely wipe out a medium-sized bot patrol in a single pass.
• •Orbital Laser: The ultimate panic button. Throw this at a massive bot outpost or a heavy patrol, and the laser will systematically melt everything from small Troopers up to Heavy Tanks.
• •Autocannon Sentry: Throw this down on a hill flanking the bot patrol. It will draw their aggro and snipe them from across the map.

The Universal "Delete Button" Combo (How to initiate a fight)

If you see an enemy patrol that hasn't spotted you yet, the most efficient way to wipe them out before they can call in a Bot Drop or Bug Breach is the Stun & Strike maneuver:

• 1.Ping the center of the squad.
• 2.Throw a Stun Grenade right into the middle of them.
• 3.Immediately throw an Eagle Airstrike (Bots) or Eagle Cluster Bomb (Bugs) at the exact same spot.
• 4.The Stun Grenade pops, freezing them in place. The Eagle hits two seconds later.
• 5.Result: The entire squad is wiped out instantly with zero ammo fired from your guns and zero reinforcements called.