Gemini on Question 15, Sep 25

Because enemy types and behaviors vary drastically between factions in Helldivers 2, there is no single "best" loadout. What wipes a Terminid swarm will barely scratch an Automaton patrol.

However, if we are defining efficiency as the ability to delete an unalerted enemy squad using the least amount of time, ammo, and effort, here are the absolute best loadouts for both factions.

The Universal "Squad Delete" Tactic (Works on Both)

Before looking at weapons, the single most efficient way to wipe a squad in the game is the Stun & Strike.

• 1.Throw a G-23 Stun Grenade into the middle of the patrol (this stops them from scattering or calling a Bot Drop / Bug Breach).
• 2.Immediately throw an Eagle Airstrike right at the stunned enemies.
• 3.Clean up the 1 or 2 survivors with your primary weapon.

Loadout 1: Terminid (Bug) Exterminator

Bugs swarm, run fast, and rely on melee. Efficiency here means high Area of Effect (AoE), damage-over-time (DoT), and infinite pierce.

• •Primary Weapon: SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary or Cookout
• •Why: You don't need to aim perfectly. One pellet sets a bug on fire, and the fire damage-over-time will kill Hunters, Scavengers, and Shriekers while you are reloading or running.
• •Secondary: Grenade Pistol (for closing bug holes without wasting Stratagems).
• •Grenade: G-23 Stun or G-10 Incendiary Impact.
• •Support Weapon: ARC-3 Arc Thrower or M-105 Stalwart
• •Why: The Arc Thrower requires no ammo, ignores armor, and chains lightning to up to 4 bugs per shot. It will single-handedly hold back an entire squad. If you prefer bullets, the Stalwart set to 1150 RPM acts as a primary weapon on steroids.
• •Stratagems:
• •Eagle Napalm Strike: Throw this perpendicular to a charging bug squad. It kills the front line and the fire wall kills everything walking through it.
• •Orbital Gas Strike: Recently reworked, Gas now confuses bugs while damaging them. They will stop attacking you and attack each other.
• •Orbital Precision Strike (OPS): Your low-cooldown answer for deleting Chargers or Bile Titans that spawn in the squad.

Loadout 2: Automaton (Bot) Scrapper

Bots are heavily armored, shoot back from a distance, and stand in rigid formations. Efficiency here means high stagger, explosive damage, and armor penetration.

• •Primary Weapon: JAR-5 Dominator or PLAS-1 Scorcher
• •Why: The Dominator staggers Devastators (stopping their rocket/minigun barrages) and kills them in a few chest shots. The Scorcher’s explosive plasma damage penetrates Scout Strider shields, killing the driver instantly.
• •Secondary: P-4 Senator (high penetration for headshotting Devastators) or Grenade Pistol.
• •Grenade: G-23 Stun (Crucial for freezing Hulks so you can shoot them in the eye).
• •Support Weapon: AC-8 Autocannon
• •Why: The Autocannon is the undisputed king of Bot squad wiping. It kills standard troopers in one shot (with explosive AoE to kill those standing next to them), two-taps Devastators, destroys gunships, and kills Hulks in two shots to the eye.
• •Stratagems:
• •Eagle Airstrike: The best Stratagem for bots. Thrown horizontally across a patrol, it will kill almost every medium and light bot instantly, and severely damage or kill Hulks and Tanks.
• •Orbital Laser: The ultimate "fire and forget" squad wiper. Throw it at a massive bot outpost or a double-patrol, and watch it melt everything, including heavies.
• •Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods: Excellent for finishing off Tanks, Hulks, or Cannon Towers that survive your initial assault.

Armor Recommendations

• •For Bugs: Light Armor with the Engineering Kit passive (gives you 2 extra grenades and recoil reduction) or Extra Padding (more speed, but medium armor protection).
• •For Bots: Medium or Heavy Armor with the Fortified passive (reduces explosive damage by 50%—this will save your life against Rocket Devastators and landmines).