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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.
Core Stratagems
If you’re a fan of spreading democracy up to 900 times a minute, this is the support weapon for you. Featuring medium armor-piercing rounds that deal 80 damage per shot, a massive 150-round magazine, and a variable fire rate, the MG-43 is one of the most fun weapons to use in the game.
However, its only drawback is the need to reload after spreading that much democracy. The MG-43 has a very slow reload process, leaving your Helldiver vulnerable as they kneel in place to change the magazine.
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
The Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT) is quite strong! Its 70-second cooldown (60 when upgraded) allows it to be used in almost every engagement. It delivers a one-headshot kill on Chargers and takes two headshots to kill a Bile Titan. Additionally, the EAT provides two launchers per drop, so both you and your fellow divers can use them simultaneously.
Unlike the Recoilless Rifle, it doesn’t require a backpack, offering more flexibility.
Because of its low cooldown, you can call down the EAT and attach the beacon to a Charger or Bile Titan, enabling the drop to track their movement. The Hellpod will then come flying down and deal incredible pinpoint damage.
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.