Helldivers 2 has plenty of devastating weaponry to pick from (especially after the most recent patch), but for Helldivers looking for the best handheld rocket launcher without a cumbersome reload, the EAT-17 and Commando Rocket Launcher are their two best options.
These two rocket launchers fulfill a similar niche – turn large targets into a shower of shrapnel, guts, and freedom. At first glance, there's very little difference between these two. The EAT-17 and Commando hit similar damage break points, are both disposable, and don't require a backpack slot or a reload in the same way as the 
GR-8 Recoilless Rifle. Despite their similarities, Helldivers may be wondering which of these two rocket launchers is better. The Commando and its multi-use magazine? Or the one-shot power of the EAT-17?
Pros And Cons of the EAT-17
The One-Shot Wonder Against Big Targets
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
+ High burst in damage |
- Only one shot; don't miss |
|
+ Low cooldown time |
- Has drop over long distances |
|
+ Each pod has a pair |
- Can only carry one at a time |
|
+ Great to use with a partner |
|
|
+ High velocity projectile |
Best Targets:
- Chargers
- Bile Titans
- Dropships
- Tanks
The 
EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank is the best rocket launcher for those moments when a huge burst of damage is needed on a single target. The EAT-17 is best used against Bile Titans and Chargers since it only takes a single rocket to their heads for a kill. Dropships can also be taken down by a single EAT-17 shot to its engines, while Hulks will go down with a single shot into their eye.
However, Helldivers 2's EAT-17 has two drawbacks: it is only a single shot and Helldivers can only carry one at a time. This makes it less useful for hordes, but better equipped for large targets. Luckily, its fast cooldown (60s) helps offset this weakness, since players can continually summon the EAT so they can always have a steady supply of these rocket launchers. These rockets also don't despawn, so calling for more EATs is always a good strategy on the off-chance players will return to that area.
Pros And Cons of the Commando
Multishot Homing Rocket Launcher For Mobile Helldivers
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
+ Multiple shots |
- Damage is okay |
|
+ Rockets follow cursor |
- Long cooldown |
|
+ More efficient with break points |
- Missile can be a little slow |
|
+ Projectile doesn't drop |
Best Targets:
- Hulks
- Turrets
-
Factory Strider
- Impalers
In comparison to the EAT-17, the 
ML5-4X Commando has more shots per rocket launcher and is more flexible with how it's used. Unlike the EAT-17, it has a 4-shot capacity, its rockets are laser-guided so they'll move toward the cursor's location, and these projectiles also won't slowly drop over long distances.
A general rule of thumb, two Commando rockets tend to equal one EAT-17 shot.
The Commando's increased rocket capacity is also great for damaging break points against enemies with lots of HP. For the EAT-17, these targets will usually take two rockets, but the Commando can take anywhere between 1 -3 rockets, leaving the player with an extra rocket to use. Examples of this include Hulks (1 Commando rocket to the eye), and Factory Striders (2 or 3 Commando rockets to the face, three rockets to the belly), which usually require one or both EAT-17 shots to take down. Impalers will also be taken down by one EAT-17 shot or one Commando rocket to their crit spot or their glowing backside.
Helldivers 2's Anticipated Illuminate Faction Has to Stick the Landing in One Big Area
If or when the Illuminate ever makes its way into Helldivers 2, the alien faction must tackle one area of the game uniquely to stand out.
EAT-17 vs Commando
Which Is The Best Choice For You?
Best Times To Choose The EAT-17
- Helldivers team plans on holding in a single location for a long period of time
- Best against Terminids
- The player is exceptionally good at tagging enemies with call-down beacons
- Players need an efficient means to bring down Bile Titans and Chargers
Best Times To Choose The Commando
- Helldivers have to move fairly often
- Best against automatons
- Great for destroying buildings like Radar Jamming Towers and Spore Towers
- Better against Impalers and Hulks
Despite the similar damage numbers, the EAT-17's one-shot nature and heavy reliance on constant call-downs make it best for stationary fights. Missions that require a team of Helldivers to remain in a specific location for a long period, like defense or evacuation missions, are perfect for the EAT-17. This way, the player can call down pods for themselves and their team to use and will always have access to the second rocket when it's needed.
The EAT-17's ability to one-shot Bile Titans and Chargers efficiently also makes it perfect to use against bugs. Even if the mission isn't a stationary one, it's not a bad idea to call down the EAT-17 on the off-chance the team will revisit that location. Otherwise, fighting against Terminids gives the player plenty of situations to one-shot a Bile Titan and then pick up the second eat just in case something else appears later.
Players who are particularly good at tagging enemies with the call-in beacon will also prefer using the EAT-17 because of its lower cooldown. Weaponizing the drop pod and the frequent call-in will make the EAT-17 extremely useful in more situations.
If a team of Helldivers needs something more friendly for mobile operations, then the Commando's the better choice. This way, one Helldiver can get the equivalent of two EAT-17 shots from one rocket launcher, without the need to go back to the pod to get the second rocket launcher. This comes at the cost of a higher cool down, but for missions that require plenty of moving around, skilled Helldivers should be able to cycle through their other stratagems and equipment enough times to get the Commando rocket launcher again when it's needed.
The Commando shines particularly well against bots, where a single rocket to the eye of a Hulk is a more efficient kill than using a single EAT-17. Against Factory Striders, it usually requires two EAT-17 shots to the undercarriage to bring these behemoths down, but it only takes 3 Commando rockets to achieve the same effect. Since it's easier to bring a single Commando into a fight with a Factory Walker than juggling two EAT-17s, the Commando tends to be the more efficient weapon against these enemies.
Helldivers 2
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- 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
WHERE TO PLAY
- 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
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
