Here’s how to defeat every type of Automaton and Terminid.
Live. Die. Repeat. That’s the job of the special forces unit known as the Helldivers, who are here to fight for freedom by taking on the scourges of a hostile galaxy set in a dystopian future.
All of the enemies in Helldivers 2 are split into two factions: Automatons and Terminids. The Automaton Collective are mindless robots that despise freedom, while the Termionids are ravenous alien life forms that look to take over every planet by reproducing and spreading.
With more than a dozen enemy types to dispose of, having the right knowledge of each is vital to success.
Love gaming? Listen to our podcast, One More Life!
One of the easiest ways to spot an enemy’s weakness is by a glowing red body part. However, that doesn’t always apply to all of the Automatons and Terminids. As you rise up the ranks from the walk in a park Trivial difficulty level to the brutal Helldive, enforcing a certain strategy can yield the best results.
What strategy is that? Well, we’ve rounded up all of the different enemies in Helldivers 2 enemies as well as their weaknesses and how to take each one down.
Helldivers 2 enemies explained: Full list of weaknesses (Automatons)
The full list of Automaton enemy types can be found below:
Trooper / Raider / Marauder
Weakness: Headshots and grenades
Essentially the pawns of Helldivers 2, these humanoid robots are more of a nuisance than a major threat but can still take you out if you’re not careful. What differentiates the enemy from being a Trooper, Raider or Marauder is what weapon it uses, such as machine guns, jet packs, grenade launchers, rocket launchers, and more.
Commissar
Weakness: Headshots and grenades
An Automaton equivalent of a leader within its military, these robots are much more intelligent with better accuracy and the ability to call a Dropship. They carry a blade and pistol with lightweight armour making them that little bit tougher to kill.
Scout Strider
Weakness: Shoot from behind or rocket launcher
A two-legged machine operated by an Automaton Trooper that sits on its back. These walking turrets (looking like AT-STs from Star Wars) are slow yet formidable. All you need is to pick off the pilot from behind or use explosives to see them off in one. Just make sure not to get too close as they use their mechanical legs to melee.
Berserker
Weakness: Headshots or torso
These chainsaw-wielding titans will charge on sight, so keep your distance. The fastest way to kill them is by shooting their heads or torsos with a submachine gun or explosive weapon. Alternatively, their legs can be destroyed if you are struggling to stay away.
Devastator
Weakness: Headshot
The Devastator is another model that comes in three variants: Armcannon (standard), Heavy and Rocket. Depending on which one shows up, they will utilise cannons, machine guns, arm shields and rocket launchers so utilising cover is a must. It’s also worth taking advantage of penetrative weapons for Devastator encounters.
Hulk
Weakness: Orbital bombardment or shoot vents on the back
This weighty Automaton unit has massive firepower and comes in three different variations: Bruiser, Obliterator and Scorcher. All of them have heavy firepower, so teamwork is needed to take them out or an Orbital bombardment from one of the six stratagems available.
Tank
Weakness: Shoot vents on the back
Available in either a Heavy Cannon or Quad HMG variant, the Automaton Tank is one of the toughest enemies in Helldivers 2 thanks to its insane firepower and even stronger armor. The best thing to do is to shoot the vents on the back, ideally with a Railgun.
Dropship
Weakness: Thrusters
Since a Dropship brings reinforcements to the battlefield, it’s smart to take them out fast. Keep an eye out for the four thrusters on the drop ship and shoot them using an RL-112 Recoilless Rifle for the most effective results.
Helldivers 2 enemies explained: Full list of weaknesses (Terminids)
The full list of Terminid enemy types can be found below:
Scavenger
Weakness: Everything
Scavengers are the lowest-level forms of Terminids, usually appearing in their droves and they attempt to overwhelm by their numbers.
Warrior
Weakness: Shoot their limbs
Warriors are lightly armoured bugs with multiple limbs that are perfect for taking out. It’s best to go for the legs to restrict movement before finishing them off (if they aren’t dead already).
Hunter
Weakness: Everything
Hunters are large bugs that are extremely nimble, can leap significantly and can cause large damage. Keep your distance and pick them off before they get too close.
Stalker
Weakness: Shoot their limbs or blow up Stalker nest
Stalkers are one of the most annoying enemy types because of how fast they move, alongside their camouflage ability and stun effect. These bugs don’t spawn like others – instead popping up via Stalker nests. Deal with these as soon as a Stalker Lair is made known.
Bile Spewer
Weakness: Headshot or blow-up abdomen
Filled with corrosive acid, the Bile Spewer can be a tricky enemy due to their powerful ranged attacks. While exploding their abdomen (the glowing green body part) is effective, shooting the bug in the head will actually do the job even better.
Brood Commander
Weakness: Shoot their limbs
An enhanced version of a Warrior, Brood Commanders will chase you down and utilise a charge attack whenever possible. Likewise, shooting their limbs off yields the best chance of success to defeating them.
Charger
Weakness: Shoot backside or exposed flesh
A mash-up of a Terminite and a rhino, Chargers don’t receive any damage from the front. Circle around them and shoot their glowing backsides or, better yet, their exposed flesh to see them off. The biggest threat of a Charger is its charge attack (no surprises there) so sidestepping these moves is a must for survival.
Bile Titan
Weakness: Orbital Stratagems
The largest Terminid in Helldivers 2, Bile Titans are also one of the most lethal. Stay far back and use Orbital Stratagems to decimate the super-enhanced bugs. If not, weapons such as the Rail Gun or RL-112 Recoilless Rifle can kill them when shot enough times in the head or abdomen.
If you prefer a visual walkthrough, check out this handy video walkthrough of all Automan and Termindid enemy types and how to counter them from Drybeargamers. If and when any new enemy types are rolled out, we’ll make sure to update this guide.
Helldivers 2 is available across PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows.
Listen to our One More Life podcast and subscribe to our gaming newsletter for all the latest intel.
Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.