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Helldivers 2featured a number of powerful weapons you can bring into combat against the vile enemies of Democracy — theTerminids and Automatons. Some weapons, like theSG-225 Breaker, are incredibly deadly on their own, while others, like theP-19 Redeemer, offer a strong backup for when the enemy has you on your heels.
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Your Support Weapons, however, are your biggest, deadliest hand-held weapons, offeringpowerful armor penetrationor horde clear on the battlefield. The Autocannon is one of the best, offeringsomehorde-clearing elements, though mainly delivering powerful, armor-piercing rounds that can disrupt some of the most frustrating threats you’ll encounter on missions. This guide detailshow best to utilize the Autocannonagainst your enemies to ensure you and your team all make it back alive.
Helldivers 2
How To Unlock The Autocannon
Stratagem Name
Stratagem Stats
Stratagem Traits
Level Requirement
Autocannon
Level Requirement: 10
Cost: 7000 R
The Machine Gun will get you by for quite some time (and is still very effective at horde clearing), and switching to the now upgraded Flamethrower will certainly feel like a fun change of pace, but once you hit level 10, it’s time to check out the Autocannon. After reaching level 10, head to the Ship Management terminal, tab past theShip Modules selectionover to Stratagems, then scroll down toPublic Service Administration Stratagems, and the Autocannon will be found just after the Flamethrower.
After purchasing it for7000 Requisition Slips, you’ll be able to select it like any other Stratagem when deploying for a mission aspart of your loadout.
How To Use The Autocannon Effectively
Armor Penetration
S, A, S, W, W, D
The Autocannon is a powerful tool forwiping out light and medium-armored targets, and it’s a great counter to some of the most dangerous foes you’ll face, including theChargerandBile Spewerfor the Terminids, and the Tank and Hulk for the Automatons. EvenBile Titans, which are too heavily armored to fully take down without additional ordnance, can be crippled with the Autocannon — you can still destroy their glowing bile sack, removing their Bile-spewing capabilities and severelyreducing their lethality.
This weapon can be a little tricky to get the hang of, though, so this section will detail the ins and outs of this incredible weapon.
Autocannon Ammo & Reloading
The Autocannon deploys with awearable Support Backpackthat carries an additional 10 clips —that’s 50 shots total for the weapon — in addition to the 10 shots it deploys with once you have theHellpod Space Optimization Booster. Each clip restores 5 shots to the weapon, which can hold a total of 10 at a time. So youroptimal time to reloadis when the weapon isjust below half-empty, requiring only a single clip to reload to an optimal range.
If the Autocannon isfully empty, the reload animation takestwice as long, as you need to load in two clips before it’s fully functional again.
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Where To Aim On Chargers
Chargers, due to their disruptive nature and heavy armor, are worth detailing the specifics for how to take them down. They’re covered inheavy armor plating, which is normally a no-go for the Autocannon, soyou have to be smartabout how to approach these aggressive enemies — otherwise, your shots will simply ricochet off their impenetrable armor plating.
How To Take Out Other Key Targets
Destroy Bug Holes & Bot Fabricators
Long-Range Objective Clear
Additionally, the Autocannon can actually destroy Bot Fabricators and Bug Holes at remarkable ranges. As long as you have justthe right angleon them, you’re able to land a shotstraight into the exhaust vent on Bot Fabricatorsto destroy them. Same with Bug Holes (image shown above, and video included below). It’ll take some practice to get this just right, and it’s easy to be just a little off, but once you find the right spot, it’s a game changer.
This same strategy works on other important targets likeIllegal Broadcast TowersandSpore Spewers; with practice and good aim, these targets can be eliminated fromacross the map!
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