The 
RS-422 Railgun is an experimental weapon that can switch between safe and unsafe firing modes to pierce armor in Helldivers 2. It draws a lot of comparisons with the AC-8 Autocannon because both are excellent anti-tank weapons. They are tailored for different playstyles with the Railgun relying more on single-shot precision than an explosive barrage.
While the Railgun was nerfed in a Helldivers 2 update, it is still worthwhile having in your loadout. The weapon is still capable of punching through heavy armor, but only when it is set to unsafe mode in Helldivers 2.
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How to Set Railgun Unsafe Mode in Helldivers 2
The Railgun will always be set to safe mode by default in Helldivers 2. You need to manually set it to unsafe mode to increase your damage per shot. If you are a new player confused about the lackluster damage, it is probably because you are using the Railgun in safe mode.
To toggle the Railgun between safe and unsafe modes, hold the R (PC) and Square (PS5) buttons on your keyboard and controller while the weapon is equipped. Then either Right-Click or use the D-Pad to switch firing modes in Helldivers 2. Once done, you can charge your Railgun shots a few additional seconds for a lot more damage but at the risk of blowing yourself up.
You can improve your gameplay settings in Helldivers 2 to have each weapon remember what aim mode was used the last time. This relinquishes the need to manually adjust aim or firing modes every time you pick up the weapon.
How to Charge & Use the Railgun in Unsafe Mode
Following the nerfs, the Railgun is now meant to only be played in unsafe mode. The damage drop-off in safe mode is just too great against the thick armor of Chargers.
It takes the Railgun around three seconds to charge an unsafe shot in Helldivers 2. Charging any longer will result in the Railgun exploding in your face. The explosion will destroy the weapon, and you will need to heal yourself with a Stim, that is, if you are still alive.
The Railgun charges a shot faster in safe mode but at the expense of less damage. Once an armored enemy's flesh is exposed, it is better to switch to safe mode to increase your firing rate.
Something important to know is how to 100-percent charge each Railgun shot in unsafe mode. A common beginner's mistake in Helldivers 2 is to assume that just because the Railgun is set to unsafe mode, every shot does increased damage. Failing to fully charge a shot (or under-charging) will do almost the same damage as in safe mode.
Switch to a first-person perspective by opening the scope, and you will be able to see the Railgun charging meter. Then charge each shot until it crosses the top-most horizontal bar as shown in the image above. You can also take the help of its dark red color cue to know when to fire. Railgun shots fired past this point are considered 100 percent charged. They do the maximum possible damage in unsafe mode in Helldivers 2.
The Railgun is incredibly effective against some of the most formidible enemies in Helldivers 2:
- It takes two fully charged shots to kill a Charger: one to strip its leg armor, and another for the kill shot.
- It can one-shot headshot Bile Spewers.
- It can beat Devastators with a single shot through their heavy armor.
- It can also kill a Bile Titan with two or three shots if you can find the weak spot behind its mouth.
Overcharging a Railgun will almost always kill you. Hence, it is best to take a Shield Generator Pack to absorb some of that damage and keep you alive.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
