The Machine Gun and Gatling Sentries are two stratagems that form the backbone of every defensive position in Helldivers 2. They are both automated turrets capable of targeting (shredding) enemies inside a large 360-degree radius.
The Machine Gun Sentry and Gatling Sentry are quite similar except for a few differences that the in-game descriptions do not detail enough. Since both sentries can be unlocked early on in Helldivers 2, you might want to save your hard-earned Requisition Slips by unlocking only one of them. So which one should it be? Let's find out.
You can summon (use) both the Machine Gun and Gatling Sentries at the same time. That, however, would be akin to wasting a stratagem slot that can go to any of the other sentries in Helldivers 2.
Helldivers 2: How to Toggle (& Use) the Railgun Unsafe Mode
Knowing how long to charge a Railgun in unsafe mode makes all the difference in armor-piercing damage in Helldivers 2.
Should You Get the Machine Gun Sentry or Gatling Sentry in Helldivers 2?
The 
Gatling Sentry Sentry does more damage per second in Helldivers 2 than the Machine Gun Sentry because of its superior fire rate. While both do the same damage per bullet, the Gatling Sentry's insane fire rate allows it to cut down groups of enemies much faster.
You will realize why the Gatling Sentry is the better choice in Helldivers 2 when playing higher-difficulty missions. Enemies spawn much faster and in greater numbers in level 7 or higher missions. You will be facing many small (trash) enemies and enemies with large health pools. The Gatling Sentry will shred all of them, allowing you to focus on armored enemies such as Chargers in Helldivers 2. The Machine Gun Sentry, though, will not be as effective.
That fire rate, however, also means the Gatling Sentry will run out of ammunition much quicker. It keeps firing while switching between targets, wasting precious ammunition. The Machine Gun Sentry, on the other hand, lasts longer on the battlefield to provide continuous support because of its slower fire rate and how it only fires after locking on to a target.
|
Machine Gun Sentry |
Gatling Sentry |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Requirement |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
|
Cost |
1,500 R |
4,000 R |
|
Uses |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
|
Cooldown |
3 minutes |
3 minutes |
|
Fire Rate |
Medium |
Extremely High |
|
Ammo Count |
Limited |
Limited |
|
Ammo Consumption |
Shoots only on target |
Shoots while turning to the target |
|
Turret Rotation |
Turns faster in comparison |
Turns a bit slower in comparison |
|
Penetration |
Light Armor |
Light Armor |
If you are a new player with a solo build in Helldivers 2, get the Machine Gun Sentry for lower to mid-difficulty missions. If you are looking for a long-term investment, get the Gatling Sentry for suicide to helldive missions.
Machine Gun Sentries thrive in lower difficulties because the missions only have squishy enemies. Use them to defend objectives or clear outposts for longer periods. Gatling Sentries will waste half of their ammo while switching between targets in the same situation.
The Robotics Workshop has excellent ship modules to upgrade sentries in Helldivers 2. You can increase their ammo count by 50 percent and make them rotate faster to target more enemies. In other words, you get to remove all the weak points from the Gatling Sentry and make it even better in the game.
If your Gatling Sentry locks on to a heavily armored enemy like Annihilator Tanks, step in quickly to destroy them yourself. If not, the Gatling Sentry will waste all of its ammo and go on cooldown.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- 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
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
