Helldivers 2 Stratagem Tier List: Patch 01.000.400 Best Equipment

【Helldivers 2 Strategy Guide】
This article is based on information from Patch 01.000.400.

Brave soldiers of Super Earth, Helldivers! The alien threat to galactic peace only grows. The key to winning this battle lies in the proper selection of "Stratagems" bestowed upon us from the heavens. With the latest Patch 01.000.400, released on June 13, 2024, many Stratagems received adjustments, significantly changing the battlefield meta. This article provides a comprehensive Tier list of the strongest Stratagems in the current environment, specifically for high-difficulty missions (Difficulty 8 and above). We hope this assists you in your equipment choices.

Current Environment Evaluation Criteria and Patch Impact

Helldivers 2 does not have a distinct season system. Content is added periodically in the form of "Warbonds," which are like battle passes. The latest significant balance adjustment was Patch 01.000.400, released on June 13, 2024.
This patch strengthened previously overlooked options like the "A/MLS-4X Rocket Sentry," broadening equipment choices. However, the paramount importance of "ability to deal with large and heavily armored units" in high-difficulty missions remains unchanged. How quickly and efficiently threats like Chargers, Bile Titans, and Hulks can be eliminated is a major criterion for Tier evaluation. Furthermore, factors such as versatility, short Stratagem cooldowns, and suitability for solo play are also considered.

[S-Tier] Essential! Game-Changing Strongest Stratagems

In the current meta, these Stratagems boast overwhelming performance, capable of single-handedly supporting a player or an entire team. Including them in your loadout will pave the way for survival in any challenging mission.

LAS-99 Quasar Cannon

• Command: ↓↓←→↓
• Description: The reigning king of support weapons in the current environment. It does not require a backpack and can deal with heavily armored targets solo. After charging, it fires a high-power energy projectile, capable of destroying a Charger's leg armor or piercing a Hulk's weak point from the front. Ammunition is infinite, and it can be refired after a specific Stratagem cooldown period, giving it very high sustained combat capability. In Automaton missions, it can even shoot down Gunships with a single hit, demonstrating excellent anti-air performance. It's a versatile weapon effective in all situations.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons
• Synergy: While self-sufficient, it becomes vulnerable during its Stratagem cooldown. Having a teammate equipped with an "SH-32 Shield Generator Pack" to provide cover makes it more stable.

AC-8 Autocannon

• Command: ↓←↓↑↑→
• Description: A support weapon that stands alongside the Quasar Cannon. While it requires a backpack, it boasts a large magazine and rapid-fire capability, allowing for quick elimination of medium to heavily armored enemies. It's particularly effective in Terminid missions, safely eliminating Charger legs and Bile Spuwer from a distance. Furthermore, its ability to destroy nests and Fabricators from afar significantly contributes to mission objectives. Reloading requires you to be stationary, but self-reloading is possible, making it viable for solo play.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons
• Synergy: Performing a "team reload" with the help of a teammate unleashes overwhelming suppressive power.

Eagle 500kg Bomb

• Command: →↑↓↓↓
• Description: This aerial support boasts the strongest single-strike firepower in the galaxy. It purifies everything at the impact zone with the light of democracy. It holds the potential to instantly dispatch ultra-large enemies like Bile Titans, Hulks, and Tanks, making it an incredibly reliable trump card in high-difficulty missions. While it cannot be used repeatedly due to the time it takes to rearm, deploying it at critical moments can dramatically turn the tide of battle.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons
• Synergy: Combining it with crowd-controlling Stratagems like the "EMS Mortar Sentry" or "Orbital EMS Strike" ensures targets are caught within the blast radius.

SH-32 Shield Generator Pack

• Command: ↓↑←→←→
• Description: A defensive backpack that embodies the truth that survival is the shortest path to victory. It deploys an energy shield that blocks all attacks, dramatically increasing a Helldiver's survivability. Its effect is especially potent against Automaton rockets and lasers, as well as the acid damage from Terminids. Once equipped, the sense of security it provides will make it indispensable. In high difficulties, avoiding hits is challenging, so the best defense leads to the best offense.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons
• Synergy: It pairs well with any weapon, but it's a classic combination with weapons that create vulnerability during charging, such as the Quasar Cannon.

Eagle Airstrike

• Command: ↑→↓→
• Description: An aerial support Stratagem that is a beacon of versatility. Its short Stratagem cooldown and numerous uses allow it to be deployed readily against all sorts of targets, including enemy hordes along the way, medium-sized outposts, and lightly armored objectives. It can also destroy Fabricators and nests, significantly increasing the speed of mission completion. While not flashy, its reliability and effectiveness secure its S-Tier position.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons
• Synergy: While there's no specific synergy, its universal compatibility with any equipment loadout is its main appeal.

[A-Tier] Powerful Options to Amplify Results Depending on the Situation

While not always essential, these Stratagems are highly effective in specific missions, team compositions, or against certain enemy factions. When utilized with an understanding of the meta, they can perform on par with S-Tier options.

EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank

• Command: ↓↓←↑→
• Description: This Stratagem deploys two anti-tank rockets with an astonishingly short Stratagem cooldown. Its greatest strength is its ability to provide heavy armor countermeasures only when needed, without occupying a backpack or support weapon slot. Just one player on the team carrying this significantly improves the squad's capability to deal with Chargers and Hulks. The ease of discarding it after firing is also a major advantage.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons

Orbital Laser

• Command: →↑→↑
• Description: A satellite weapon that automatically tracks and incinerates enemies. It can handle everything from clearing large hordes to eliminating massive targets like Bile Titans. Although limited to three uses per mission, its effect is immense. Deploying it during concentrated enemy reinforcements or critical objective defense moments can turn a team's desperate situation into a heroic victory.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons

A/MLS-4X Rocket Sentry

• Command: ↓↑→→
• Description: A defensive turret that saw its rating soar after being strengthened in the latest patch. It unleashes rockets at an astonishing rate of fire, obliterating medium and heavily armored enemies with ease. It boasts unparalleled strength, particularly in defense missions; placing it along enemy advance routes allows Helldivers to focus on other tasks. However, extreme caution is needed to prevent friendly fire.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids, Automatons (especially for defense missions)

AX/LAS-5 Guard Dog Rover

• Command: ↓↑←↓↑↑
• Description: An autonomous laser drone that follows you. It automatically attacks nearby enemies, significantly reducing the risk of being swarmed by smaller foes. In solo play, it's incredibly reassuring as it can be trusted to guard against Hunters and Stalkers approaching from behind. It's a reliable companion that continues to attack even while you're reloading your main weapon or interacting with objectives.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids

[B-Tier] Niche Choices That Shine in Specific Builds or for Experienced Players

These Stratagems may lack the versatility of S and A-Tiers, but they can become powerful tools when integrated into specific tactics or team roles.

RS-422 Railgun

• Command: ↓→↓↑←→
• Description: A support weapon once hailed as the strongest. Due to nerfs, its penetration in safe mode decreased, making dangerous mode operation essential. While the charging timing became more precise, if accurate shots can be landed on weak points, such as piercing a Hulk's face, it still functions as a powerful anti-heavy armor weapon.
• Recommended Factions: Automatons

GL-21 Grenade Launcher

• Command: ↓←↓↑↓
• Description: A support weapon specialized in clearing groups of lightly armored enemies and destroying nests. In Terminid missions, it excels at sweeping away large numbers of Warriors or obliterating clustered nests. However, it is completely ineffective against heavily armored enemies, making team role distribution crucial.
• Recommended Factions: Terminids

Summary

In the latest Patch 01.000.400 environment, the "LAS-99 Quasar Cannon" and "AC-8 Autocannon" reign as the top two anti-heavy armor weapons. For aerial support, the versatile "Eagle Airstrike" and the trump card "Eagle 500kg Bomb" form a classic combination. To stably deploy these powerful weapons, the "SH-32 Shield Generator Pack" ensures survivability, forming what can be considered the fundamental setup for the current high-difficulty environment.

Of course, this article's Tier list is not exhaustive. The optimal Stratagem will vary depending on the mission type, your teammates' equipment, and most importantly, your own playstyle. Even A-Tier and B-Tier equipment can sometimes outperform S-Tier options depending on the situation. Use this list as a reference, experiment with various combinations, and discover your own ultimate build. After all, it's the Helldivers who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo who always carve out new metas on the battlefield!