In the latest Helldivers 2 patch, the devs cranked down the power of the game’s most powerful support weapon. If you find yourself struggling to take down Chargers and other large enemies, worry not! We’ve got a quick guide on some alternatives to use following the Helldivers 2 Railgun nerf.
While the devs did make the Railgun less overpowered, they also buffed a couple of other support weapons that are worth checking out now. Specifically, two support weapons and a couple of orbital stratagems have received significant tuning that make them viable options.
Let’s get into it.
Helldivers 2 Railgun Nerf Alternatives Guide:
Laser Cannon
Following the patch, the Laser Cannon now deals increased damage against durable enemy parts, has increased armor penetration, and is much easier to aim and move. This makes it an ideal weapon for taking leg and back armor off of Chargers, allowing you to rip them apart fairly quickly. Additionally, Chargers now seem to temporarily suffer armor reduction following a missed charge, meaning you can dole out extra damage to their legs if you dodge one of their rushes.
The Laser Cannon is finally worth picking up now, so make sure to grab it as soon as you’re able as it’s a great alternative to the Railgun.
Flamethrower
Similarly, the Flamethrower also received a nice buff in the latest update. it’s damage per second was boosted by 50%. This damage boost allows it to take down chargers in a manner of seconds without even using a full canister of ammo. The Flamethrower also creates a nice area of effect around targets and on the ground where you shoot it, which’ll help to reduce the numbers of smaller enemies as well. All in all, it’s become a very viable choice for your support weapon slot.
120mm and 380mm Orbital Barrages
These two Orbital Barrages have been tuned to have a decreased spread and a longer bombardment duration. What this means is that the 120mm and 380mm Orbital Barrage now target a much more concentrated area and dish out damage for an extended period of time, making them much more useful than they have been in the past. This is especially useful for Bug Nests, but it’s also increased their effectiveness against larger enemies like Bile Titans and Tanks (though we still recommend using the Orbital Laser above all else for these). They’re definitely worth a second look.
The Railgun is still a great choice, but if you find it’s just not hitting the way it used to, then we recommend picking up one of the weapons we listed and going to town on the enemies of Super Earth. We’ll be sure to keep readers posted on any further changes made to the weaponry as time goes on.
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