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Helldivers 2has two enemy factions that oppose the managed democracy of Super Earth. The first,Terminid Enemies, are bug-like creatures that rely on swarming. The second is the Automatons, which are widely regarded as being the more difficult of the two factions. Their punishing tactics and armor mean players need pinpoint accuracy and strong Stratagems to take them out.
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Specifically, you’ll need to rely on the right damage types and know the weaknesses of each enemy to succeed. Keep reading to learn about all the enemies in the Automaton Faction, strategies to defeat the faction overall, and specific tactics for problematic Automatons.
Updated by Abigail Angell on July 17, 2025:Twonew enemies have been added to the Automaton Faction since the game’s release; the Factory Strider and the Gunship. Additionally, to help our readers with other prominent challenges when facing this faction, an entry for Automaton Turrets and Stratagem Scrambers has been added. Although these are not technically enemy units, they still pose major risks to the player.
Helldivers 2
General Tips For Fighting Automatons
The Automaton Faction is based around cybernetics and is related to a splinter group from Super Earth. As a result, you may expect similar tactics and weaponry to that used by Helldivers.Shield Stratagems and electric weapons (such as the Tesla Tower or Arc Thrower) are extremely effective against most Automatons.You should expect to apply Stratagems liberally and fight with Blitz-style tactics. Automatons also rely more heavily on ranged attacks, and they can be brutally accurate, so you’ll need to be a bit more careful than when approaching the swarming Terminid hordes.
However, despite rewarding a more precise and tactical playstyle, Automatons are capable of overwhelming you with numbers as well. If you find yourself getting overrun with large amounts of smaller automaton enemies, consider bringingthe EMS Mortar or EMS Orbital Strikeonto your next mission.Automatons hit by these stratagems will freeze in place for several seconds, allowing you to pick them off at your leisure.
Types of Automaton Enemies
There are twelve types of enemies in the Automaton Faction, although the Marauder, Trooper, and Raider are very similar.
Additionally, there are two Automaton threats which are not enemy units, but bear mentioning - Stratagem Scramblers and Turrets.
The highest priority targets are usually Dropships, because these enemies spawn in more Automatons.A close second and third are Hulks and Tanksdue to the amount of time they take to go down and their devastating attacks.
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How To Beat Troopers, Marauders, And Raiders
Due to the similarities between these types of enemies, you can fight them essentially the same way. The only difference is the weapon they carry — Marauders favor cannons, Troopers utilize machine guns, and Raiders wield rocket launchers. Their armor and behavior are identical. Because of their use of cover and armor,grenades and headshotswork the best to eliminate these foes.
How To Beat Commissars
Commissars rank slightly above Troopers, Marauders, and Raiders in the pecking order. You can identify them by the orange sword carried in their left hand. These enemies direct others and issue orders. As a result, they are unlikely to get into the line of fire willingly, tending to hang back. Don’t be afraid to call in an Offensive Stratagem to take them out, orreposition to open up a new angle.
How To Beat Scout Striders
Scout Stridersresemble a walking turret. Due to their long legs, they are agile and fast. However, they have an easily exploitable weakness. To cripple them, you canshoot off their long legs. To kill them, take out the pilot, who is located at center mass, and completely exposed at the rear. Get a shot at the pilot by:
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How To Beat Berserkers
The epitome of a death machine, Berserkers have Chainsaws for arms. This makes them lethal up close, and their armor often ensures they get there. However, their lack of ranged options and slow speed means you may kite them pretty effectively. While kiting,hit them with any light to medium armor-penetrating weapon around their glowing red faceplate.
How To Beat Devastators
The Devastatoris a heavily armored unit that comes in three variations:
The Arm Cannon is the most common, while the Heavy version is the tankiest.All share one key structural feature — a face in the center of their chest. Hitting this area with anenergy-based weapon such as anArc Throweror the Scytheis most effective, but you can also just use your standard issue Liberator.
How To Beat Factory Striders
The Factory Strider was an enemy added in Patch 01.000.200.It can only be found inDifficulty Suicide and greater (7+). These behemoths can take an insane amount of punishment and lack any obvious weak spots for players to target.Resembling a cross between a Tank and a Scout Strider, they walk along on stilt-like legs. Their main attack is a laser mounted on the bottom of the main carriage, although they also have a regular artillery gun on the top.
While they are very difficult to take out, you cannot simply run away from a Factory Strider as you might an Annihilator Tank. Factory Striders, true to their name,act as spawn points for more Automatonsand will populate the map with an overwhelming number of enemies if left unchecked.To kill them, you have two options:
Additional Factory Walker weaknesses are still being explored by the community.
How To Beat Hulks
Hulks, one of the game’s toughest enemies, are heavily armored walking mechs. Their pilot is completely encased in thick metal, rendering them nearly invulnerable.Attacking them with your Primary or Secondary Weapon is not suggested.On each arm, they have mounted heavy weapons, which you’ll need to avoid. They come in the following variants:
To destroy them, you’ll need apowerful Stratagemlike the Orbital Strike or Railgun — luckily,they are slowenough that aiming is simple. Alternatively,if you need to deal with multiple Hulks you can use an Orbital Laser Stratagem. In the meantime, take cover from their barrage behind rocks and other solid terrain.
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How To Beat Automaton Tanks
Tanks are armored vehicles, and they are the toughest enemy in the Automaton line-up. They come in two variants, each with varying degrees of health:
The Shredder Tank, while dangerous, can be taken out by shooting aweakspot on the back of the gun which looks like an exhaust vent.This is best accessed through team play, with one person taking aggro while the other does the damage.Expendable Anti-Tank Guns andQuasar Cannonsdo wonders if aimed at this weakspot.
The Annihilator Tankis much scarier and should be taken out with anOrbital Laser or Orbital Precision Strike whenever possible. Not only is it more heavily armored than the Shredder (and lacking an easily discernable weak spot), but it also has much higher health.
Similar strategies fortaking out a Bile Titanapply when dealing with the Annihilator Tank.
How To Beat Dropships & Gunships
Dropships are aerial enemies that act as spawn points for other Automatons. When you see them, make these enemies your number one priority. If you may destroy them before they reach their destination, no enemies will spawn. In contrast, Gunships look very similar but will spawn no enemies. Instead, they will rain fire down on players from above until killed.
Because these enemy units are armored and fast moving,the most reliable strategy is to shoot them down with a Recoilless Rifle or Railgun shot to the engine. These ships have four engines (all of which work for this trick) located on the four corners and best visible from under the ship.
How To Beat Jammer Towers
Stratagem Scramblers are a real headache for a Helldiving Squad. These towers broadcast a signal to prevent you from calling in Stratagems nearby, such as Support Weapons Reinforcements, or Eagles.If you see that you cannot call a Stratagem due to a Jammer, look in the surrounding area for a Bot Outpost with a tall, forked building in it.
To stop the stratagem scrambling,interact with the console nearby the tower and follow the instructions on it. This will unlock the ability to call in a Hellbomb. Place the Hellbomb at the foot of the Jammer Tower, activate it, and run away.Once the Stratagem Scrambler is destroyed, you should be able to use Stratagems as normal.
There is a known bug where the option to call in a Hellbomb does not appear, effectively making the Jammer invincible. If you have this issue, retreating far enough away from the tower’s location should give you access to any Stratagems you need.
How To Beat Bot Factory Turrets
Bot Factory Turrets are some of the most deadly installments in a Bot Outpost. These tall buildings are fitted with an Artillery Cannon on the top and feature auto-targeting systems of supernatural accuracy. While you may recognize them by their height and rounded top, you’re more likely to learn of their existence when you get shot at by one because of their long range.Luckily, their reload time is considerable, allowing you time to close the distance or take cover.
To get rid of these bothersome fortifications, call down a powerful Stratagem as near to the turret as you may, such as an Orbital Laser, 500 KG Bomb, or 2 Orbital Precision Strikes.This should destroy the round top of the tower where the gun is housed, rendering it flat in appearance and safe to approach. Alternatively,shoot them in the vent in the rear with several rounds from a Railgun or Autocannon. This option carries more risk of dying.
For more info on the various enemy units you’ll encounter in the game, check out our breakdown ofall enemy types in Helldivers 2.
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