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Shield Hero Bot Slayer Build: “Giving Heavy Devastators a taste of their own medicine”
This build provides an excellent balance of crowd control and defense. The SMG-72 Pummeler fires rounds which have a similar effect to the AR-23C Concussive and the EMS Stratagems. These can stagger and stun Troopers, Berserkers, and even Devastators. The Stun Grenade affects all enemies except Tanks, allowing you to easily deploy an Eagle 500KG to eliminate Hulks. You can also throw one at a patrol, then follow up with an Eagle Airstrike for maximum effect.
You can choose either the LAS-99 Quasar Cannon or an Anti-Materiel Rifle, as the Ballistic Shield Backpack does not prevent you from equipping a support weapon.
Core Stratagems
The Ballistic Shield Backpack blocks all small arms fire, including machine guns, making you impervious to ranged attacks from Automaton Infantry, except for rockets.
The Anti-Materiel Rifle can take down a Hulk with 2 headshots or 4 shots to the energy cells on its back. Combined with Stun Grenades, Hulks become easy targets. Cannon Turrets can be destroyed with 4-5 shots to their glowing vents.
The LAS-99 Quasar Cannon can take down a Hulk with a precise headshot or two shots to the body. One shot to any engine on a Dropship will cause it to crash, potentially crushing all bots it was carrying. It takes two shots to destroy a Tank. Just a few shots to the head are enough to take down a Factory Strider.
Unlike the Recoilless Rifle, it doesn’t require a backpack, offering more flexibility.
Additional Tips / Strategies:
Ballistic Shield Backpack: Combine with the SMG-72 Pummeler’s for its excellent crowd control, and its ability to be fired / reloaded one-handed behind your shield. This lethal combo makes dealing with Automaton Infantry much easier.
Rocket Devastators (enemy Automaton): A body shot from your SMG will temporarily stun them, allowing you to prioritize and eliminate these Automatons without having to dodge small arms fire from other infantry. Additionally, equip Heavy Armor with the Fortified passive, which blocks 50% of explosive damage when you get hit by a rocket.
With Stun Grenades replacing your normal boom-boom Grenades, you’ll need an Eagle Airstrike, Eagle 500KG, or an Orbital Laser to destroy automaton fabricators, bases, and bunkers. Additionally, the Airstrike is highly effective for clearing patrols or fields of approaching automatons, including Devastators, making it an exceptionally.
Recommended Stratagems
The Orbital Laser and Eagle 500KG are both excellent Stratagem choices for taking down Automaton units such as Tanks and Factory Striders, as well as Small and Medium Fabricators.
The Orbital Precision Strike, despite its long call-down time of 5 seconds (4 seconds when upgraded), becomes incredibly powerful when combined with Stun Grenades. It can one-shot any Automaton including Hulks and inflicts heavy damage on Factory Striders.
Equipping both the Eagle 500KG and Orbital Laser creates a highly effective combo for destroying Command Bunkers. Airstrikes are also extremely efficient for clearing crowds. Coordinate with your fellow Helldivers to choose the most effective Stratagems based on the situation.
For your support weapon, both the Anti-Materiel Rifle and LAS-99 Quasar Cannon are excellent choices.