Support weapons in Helldivers 2 are the backbone of any well-coordinated squad. Whether you’re clearing out hordes of Terminids or holding off Automatons in a fortified position, the right support weapon can make or break your mission. Knowing how to equip and use them effectively is key to surviving on higher difficulties—and making your Super Earth proud.
Understanding Support Weapons
Support weapons in Helldivers 2 are powerful, heavy-duty armaments that must be deployed via Stratagems. These include machine guns, recoilless rifles, autocannons, grenade launchers, and more. Each has its own specialty: for example, the MG-43 Machine Gun is great for suppressive fire, while the EAT-17 and Recoilless Rifle excel at dealing with armored targets.
Before heading into battle, make sure your loadout complements your team’s strategy. If your squad already has someone handling anti-armor duties, bringing a crowd-control weapon like the Grenade Launcher or Flamethrower can balance your firepower.
How to Equip Support Weapons
Support weapons are selected before missions as part of your Stratagem loadout. Follow these steps to ensure you’re bringing the best tools for the job:
Access Your Loadout: In the ship menu, open the “Stratagems” section.
Choose Support Weapons: Navigate to the Support tab to see the available options you’ve unlocked.
Assign the Weapon: Once selected, assign it to one of your Stratagem slots.
Use in Mission: Call in your support weapon using the Stratagem input sequence during the mission. It will be delivered via drop pod, ready for deployment.
It’s worth noting that each weapon has a cooldown and limited ammunition. Always coordinate with teammates to maximize efficiency—having two players with ammo drops can keep your support weapon in action longer.
Best Support Weapons for Different Situations
Recoilless Rifle: Ideal for taking down heavy armored enemies and vehicles. Pair it with an assistant to reload faster.
MG-43 Machine Gun: Excellent for defending points or suppressing waves of bugs. High recoil, but devastating when used properly.
Autocannon: A versatile mid-range option that shreds light vehicles and large enemies alike.
EAT-17: Great for quick anti-tank action. Disposable, but extremely powerful.
Flamethrower: Perfect for controlling chokepoints and dealing with swarming Terminids.
Each support weapon can drastically change your playstyle, so experiment with different setups to find what fits your preferred combat role.
Unlocking More Support Weapons
New support weapons are unlocked as you rank up and spend Medals or Warbond currency. If you’re looking to expand your arsenal faster, you can buy Helldivers 2 medals to progress your Warbonds efficiently. Some players prefer to buy Helldivers 2 medals online through trusted platforms like U4GM, which offers a convenient way to enhance your in-game progression and access more Stratagems sooner.
Always bring a support weapon that complements your primary gun.
Coordinate with your squad—having overlapping roles wastes potential firepower.
Don’t forget to manage ammo carefully. Running out of support ammo mid-fight can be fatal on higher difficulties.
Practice calling in Stratagems quickly. The faster you can deploy your weapon, the better your chances of surviving chaotic encounters.
Equipping the right support weapon isn’t just about power—it’s about balance, teamwork, and adaptability. Mastering these tools is what separates rookies from elite Helldivers. With the right setup, your squad will be unstoppable on the battlefield.