Patch 1.001.100 has breathed new life into Helldivers 2. It has significantly buffed several weapons and stratagems to make them considerably better than before. Returning players, in particular, no longer have to follow a meta such as spamming the 
AC-8 Autocannon in every mission. With most of the support weapons receiving damage boosts and other improvements, it is time to either return to weapons previously nerfed to the ground or switch to something new because of their buffs. There is no need to browse through the long patch notes though. Here are the best stratagems to pick in Helldivers 2.
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The new Chemical Agents Warbond has allowed players to join the Death Korps of Krieg in Helldivers 2. Here's how to get that WW1 armor set.
7 Eagle 500kg Bomb
Bigger Bang for the Buck
The 
Eagle 500Kg Bomb has always been one of the most popular stratagems in Helldivers 2 owing to its fancy visuals. However, its mushroom cloud was only deceiving players. While it appeared like a mini-nuke had gone off, its explosion (damage) radius was small and inconsistent. Following the recent balance patch though, the stratagem has been given an increased explosion radius to match its visuals. The Eagle 500kg Bomb can now be used to not only blow up 
Bile Titans but also nearby enemies.
6 Railgun
Punches Through Armor
The 
RS-422 Railgun is back and even better than its pre-nerf state. The damage done in both safe and unsafe modes has been significantly increased, so it can one-shot most medium enemies and comfortably takes care of large enemies such as Bile Titans with a couple of fully-charged unsafe shots in Helldivers 2.
Since the balance patch increased the health and armor of all enemies, the Railgun is not as efficient as an actual anti-tank weapon such as the Recoillless Rifle. However, the damage done per shot makes the Railgun ammo efficient and perfect against the Automatons.
5 Orbital Gas Strike
Death by Poison
The gas mechanics have been completely changed with patch 1.001.100 to accommodate the Chemical Agents Warbond. Using any stratagem or grenade to cover enemies in poisonous gas makes them blind and disoriented in Helldivers 2. They still take damage over time, but light enemies will stop attacking. Even if the medium/larger enemies try to attack, they do so with reduced accuracy. Hence, firing an 
Orbital Gas Strike on a nest or base places all enemies in a daze, allowing a team to finish them off with ease.
4 Emancipator Exosuit
Walking Chaos
Everything holding back the 
Exo-49 Emancipator Exosuit from matching shoulders with the 
Exo-45 Patriot Exosuit has been addressed. Its dual autocannons now do more than twice the damage with an increased fire rate. Most importantly, the ammo count per arm has been increased to balance the high fire rate.
The result? The Emancipator can walk straight into a heavy nest and blow everything up without getting a scratch. It is that good. If the Exosuits could replenish ammunition, you would not need any other stratagem in Helldivers 2.
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3 Recoilless Rifle
One Shot Heavies Without Sweat
Every anti-tank weapon comes under one of three categories following the balance patch. With a significant damage boost, the 
GR-8 Recoilless Rifle falls in the top-most category as the best anti-tank weapon in Helldivers 2, higher than the 
EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank. It is now highly effective against armored heavies.
Chargers can be taken down with a single rocket, even if it does not land in the middle of the head. Bile Titans and Impalers as well by targeting anywhere on the face. Other heavies such as tanks and Hulks still require players to aim for a weak spot, but the increased damage means a guaranteed kill in every way.
In addition, structures such as Spore Spewers take only a single rocket. The Recoilless Rifle is just better in every way. It is the king of all anti-tank weapons in Helldivers 2, at least for now.
The Blitzer and Recoilless Rifle make the perfect build against Terminids in Helldivers 2, combining infinite ammo against chaff and anti-tank shells against heavies.
2 Arc Thrower
Chains and Stuns at Longer Range
The 
ARC-3 Arc Thrower has returned to its pre-nerf state while receiving a few more buffs on the side. Its range and durable damage have been increased. Each lightning arc jumps additional times. Most importantly, the Arc Thrower now stacks a moderate stun effect on every chained enemy. Patch 1.001.100 has made the support weapon highly effective against both Terminids and Automatons.
The Arc Thrower and Eruptor build is incredibly overpowered in Helldivers 2 following the balance patch. The latter does explosive damage to armored enemies, while the former clears chaff with ease.
1 Thermite Grenade
Explodes With 20x Damage Buff
One of the most surprising buffs pushed by patch 1.001.100 in Helldivers 2 is for the 
G-123 Thermite Grenade. Its explosive damage went from 100 to an insane 2000 overnight. That means sticking one or two Thermites to any heavy enemy such as Chargers, Bile Titans, Hulks, and Tanks will take them down.
There is no need to stay back and watch the sparks fly. So, when facing an Impaler, just lob two Thermites at it before focusing on other enemies.
The Thermite Grenade is now easily one of the best stratagems in Helldivers 2 after the balance patch. It is now essentially an anti-tank weapon, meaning players can still run builds without a Quasar Cannon or Recoilless Rifle.
Thermites can close bug holes, but only after they explode. Lob one in a nest and wait for the fuse to ignite.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Engine
- bitsquid
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
