Choosing between the R-36 Eruptor Rifle and the CB-9 Exploding Crossbow has always sparked debates in the Helldivers 2 community, and for good reason. Both primary weapons belong to the explosive category, delivering massive firepower that sends enemies running for the hills.
You can try them both out at your convenience, but at some point, you will want to commit to the one that best fits your style in Helldivers 2. So, which one should it be: the Eruptor or the Crossbow? If you’re thinking it’s time to change your primary weapon, this breakdown will help you decide which one deserves a permanent spot in your primary loadout.
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R-36 Eruptor vs. CB-9 Exploding Crossbow: A Detailed Comparison
|
Eruptor |
Crossbow |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Category |
Primary Weapon |
Primary Weapon |
|
Type |
Explosive |
Explosive |
|
Penetration |
Heavy |
Medium |
|
Damage |
|
|
|
Fire Rate |
25 RPM |
50 RPM |
|
Capacity |
5 |
5 |
|
Reload |
4.7 Seconds |
3.3 Seconds |
|
Scope |
25, 50, and 100 |
Fixed Scope |
|
Selling Feature |
Shots explode shrapnel in all directions |
Shots deal explosive damage in a small area |
Both the 
R-36 Eruptor and the 
CB-9 Exploding Crossbow are powerful primary weapons in Helldivers 2, each offering distinct tactical advantages such as high single-shot damage and devastating splash effects. While they share similar destructive potential, it’s the finer details that set them apart and define their unique strengths.
1. Blast Radius and Area Control
The Eruptor has a larger splash damage radius, at least a whole meter more than the Crossbow. Its jet-assisted shells explode on impact, unleashing shrapnel in every direction that absolutely shreds enemies apart. A single shot can wipe out an entire enemy wave with ease.
The Crossbow, in comparison, delivers a more controlled blast radius. Its explosive-tipped bolts create an explosion on impact that deals considerable damage to nearby enemies. However, due to the limited spread and more focused blast, it doesn't match the Eruptor's raw crowd-control potential. When it comes to area denial and wave suppression, the Eruptor clearly dominates in Helldivers 2.
The Eruptor is more prone to killing friendlies due to the way its shrapnel spreads in every direction. You can also easily get caught in the blast radius yourself, so make sure to never engage enemies at close range.
2. Single-Target Damage and Penetration
The Eruptor deals one of the highest single-target damages in Helldivers 2. Each round can penetrate up to heavy armor, and the same goes for its spreading shrapnel, making each shot incredibly lethal. A well-placed shot can easily wipe out an entire patrol. It's especially effective against Automaton heavies like Hulks, Devastators, and Gunships, and often feels like overkill against Terminid bugs.
Firing an Eruptor into the ground beneath a Charger is highly effective. You're basically guaranteeing that every shrapnel hits the fleshy, weak spots.
The Crossbow, on the other hand, only penetrates up to medium armor. That, however, is enough to dispatch most enemies. It takes two bolts to beat Hive Guards, Bile Spewers, Scout Striders, and other such enemies. Brood Commanders take a lot more bolts, as is the case with Hulks.
3. Reload Times and Mobility
What's probably the biggest factor that sets the two weapons apart is their reloading times. The Eruptor is a bolt-action rifle that has to reload after every shot, which limits its fire rate. The Crossbow is much faster in comparison, almost borderline automatic, despite a slight delay between shots. This gives the Crossbow a clear mobility advantage, allowing players to run and gun. It's also a one-handed weapon, so players can shoot behind them while sprinting.
4. Clearing Mission Objectives
Both weapons excel at clearing bug breaches and bot fabricators, but the Eruptor has the advantage of longer range and minimal round drop due to gravity. The Crossbow has a shorter range in comparison, and its bolts tend to drop off considerably. However, the high fire rate means the Crossbow can quickly clear an entire nest, while the Eruptor's reload time forces you to wait between shots.
5. Intimidation Factor
It’s hard to match the feel of the R-36 Eruptor in Helldivers 2. Every shot lands like an artillery strike. You can actually feel the sheer force ripping through enemies. Its presence alone can turn the tide of morale for your team. Everything from the satisfying bolt-action reload to watching enemy clusters getting launched into the air upon impact, the Eruptor is a weapon designed for killing. That's unlike the Crossbow, which feels more subdued in comparison.
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Should You Get the Eruptor or Crossbow in Helldivers 2?
The CB-9 Exploding Crossbow wins the debate on several fronts. Its ability to clear bug nests and bot fabricators is unmatched. Its high fire rate and fast reloads also make it highly efficient at dispatching light to medium enemies on the move without worrying about getting swarmed between reloads. If you're wondering about heavies, let your stratagems deal with them.
Flexibility, mobility, and even stealth make the Crossbow worth it in Helldivers 2. The primary is built for players who love to be always on the move, focusing on objectives rather than kill counts.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for pure power and crowd control, the Eruptor is your pick. Its high-damage explosive rounds and lethal shrapnel spread make it perfect for open-field combat, base sieges, and obliterating heavily armored enemies or key objectives from range.
In summary, the Crossbow can handle nearly everything the Eruptor can, but with greater speed and efficiency.
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)
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
