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Machine Gun Guardian

Make a cinematic last stand against the Terminid horde with this powerfully fun build. U.GG offers the best tier lists, builds, and guides for Helldivers 2.
LAS-16 Sickle
LAS-16 Sickle
Primary
P-19 Redeemer
P-19 Redeemer
Secondary
G-12 High Explosive
G-12 High Explosive
Throwable
Engineering Kit
Engineering Kit
Armor Passive
Stamina Enhancement
Stamina Enhancement
Booster

Machine Gun Guardian

Make a cinematic last stand against the Terminid horde with this powerfully fun build. U.GG offers the best tier lists, builds, and guides for Helldivers 2.
LAS-16 Sickle
LAS-16 Sickle
Primary
P-19 Redeemer
P-19 Redeemer
Secondary
G-12 High Explosive
G-12 High Explosive
Throwable
Engineering Kit
Engineering Kit
Armor Passive
Stamina Enhancement
Stamina Enhancement
Booster
MG-43 Machine Gun
Guard Dog Rover
Eagle Cluster Bomb
Expendable Anti-Tank


Machine Gun Guardian: “If we’re surrounded, we can open fire in all directions!”


This build is incredibly fun to play against the bugs. The MG-43 allows you to experience cinematic last stands against the Terminid horde, and when the magazine finally runs dry, your Guard Dog Rover will be there to cover you while you reload.

LAS-16 Sickle

The LAS-16 Sickle was released with the Cutting Edge Warbond; it is an energy-based assault rifle with infinite ammo, and almost no recoil.

The Sickle is one of the more resupply/ammo-efficient weapons in the game. It theoretically has infinite ammo, but if you overheat the gun, you will need to swap out your heatsink or “magazine.”

It has around a 0.5s wind-up time before it begins firing. You have around 80 shots of continuous fire before it overheats. It takes around 11 seconds to cool down after almost overheating.


Core Stratagems

MG-43 Machine Gun

 

Cost: Free, Unlocked at Level 1.

A machine gun sporting Medium-armor penetrating rounds and a high rate of fire. Capable of mowing down most Terminids and Automatons with ease. The MG-43 is one of the most fun weapons to use in the game.

Be mindful of your ammo, as the MG-43 has a very slow reload process, which leaves you vulnerable as they kneel in place to change the magazine.

AX/LAS-5 “Guard Dog” Rover

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The Guard Dog Rover is an exceptionally effective machine for slaying unarmored Terminids. The Rover has no ammo constraints. It can fire its laser continuously for several minutes before needing a brief recharge.

The Rover excels while on the move, rotating to eliminate any Hunters, Scouts, or Warriors that are chasing you.

However, it has two notable drawbacks.

  • The first is a double-edged sword: its long aggro distance can be a lifesaver by alerting you to bugs before they get too close, but it can be problematic if you prefer a stealthy approach, as it will engage enemies from afar.
  • Second, the Rover does not stop firing its laser when aiming at a bug, so if you or an ally step between the Rover and its target, a Helldiver is going to get scorched.


Recommended Stratagems

EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank

 

Cost:  3,000, Unlocked at Level 3.

Calls down two disposable rocket launchers that are capable of killing Chargers, Bile Titans, and Hulks with an accurate headshot. One major advantage is that it does not require an ammunition backpack, allowing you to still wear a Shield, Jump, or Supply pack.

While it does less damage than other anti-tank weapons, you can quickly fire the first launcher and pick up and fire the second launcher without the need for reloading.

Its low cooldown time allows you to call down an additional two launchers every minute. We recommend calling down 2-4 launchers before starting an objective, allowing you to quickly cycle through them as threats arrive.

Expendable Anti-Tank
Eagle Cluster Bomb
Eagle Airstrike
Orbital Precision Strike


Since both your backpack and support weapon slots are filled, you’ll need an anti-armor solution for any Chargers or Bile Titans you encounter. The Expendable Anti-Tank is ideal for this role due to its low cooldown, single shot use, and because it doesn’t require a backpack. You’ll be able to call down an EAT, use it to fire on a Charger or Titan, and then quickly pick your MG-43 back up.

Carrying an Expendable Anti-Tank for Chargers and an Eagle Airstrike to clear bug nests completes this build. The Eagle Airstrike quickly eliminates nests, alternatively you can take the Cluster Bomb to clear enemy patrols more efficiently, leaving only the heavily armored Chargers and Bile Titans to deal with using your EAT.