There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to picking a weapon in Helldivers 2. Apart from its general effectiveness against targets, stats like Ergonomics should also be considered.
Ergonomics doesn't directly impact how well a weapon performs in Helldivers 2, but it can still spell the difference between victory and defeat in certain circumstances. Here's a guide that goes over how this stat works and what things you should keep in mind when assembling a loadout.
Helldivers 2 - Masters of Ceremony Warbond Trailer
Arrowhead Game Studios releases the Masters of Ceremony Warbond for Helldivers 2 players, adding plenty of new gear and content.
How Does Ergonomics Work in Helldivers 2?
In a nutshell, the Ergonomics stat refers to how quickly your weapon snaps to the center of your screen after moving your camera. It represents how heavy your currently-equipped weapon is — the lower the Ergonomics stat, the more sluggish it will feel when you're swinging your weapon around.
A high Ergonomics stat is generally preferred, especially if you're fighting large numbers of fast-moving enemies. Fighting Predator Strain Terminids is an excellent example of a situation that calls for high-ergo weapons, though generally speaking, Ergonomics also affects how snappy a weapon feels.
How to Increase Ergonomics
As of writing, there are two ways to increase Ergonomics. The first is to use the Peak Physique perk, which makes weapons easier to handle on top of doubling the damage dealt by melee attacks. This is an armor perk that's tied to sets from the Viper Commandos Warbond and select Superstore armor sets.
The second is to use attachments that have high Ergonomics via the Weapon Customization system. Generally speaking, smaller or lighter attachments have higher Ergonomics than bigger/heavier ones. In most cases, just removing the default flashlight/laser combo present in most weapons is enough to increase Ergonomics by a small amount.
Of course, players will need to be prudent when it comes to choosing attachments. Removing scopes from a short-ranged rifle or SMG is good for boosting Ergonomics, but the same can't be said for DMRs like the 
R-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper. In such cases, using Peak Physique armor is often the better option.
Sway vs. Ergonomics
Sway is a completely different stat from Ergonomics, though both are related to each other. Sway refers to how much your aiming reticle moves while your camera is perfectly still, while Ergonomics refers to how quickly your reticle returns to the center of the screen after shifting your aim.
As per Arrowhead's discussion regarding Patch 1.003.000, Sway is affected by a variety of factors, such as the player's stance and the individual weapons themselves. Light weapons like pistols will have more Sway than heavier weapons, but whether or not this interaction is directly tied to Ergonomics is still unclear as of writing.
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
