Helldivers 2: The Automaton Menace – A Complete Guide

The Automaton Threat: An Overview

Freedom is a precious commodity, and in the sprawling universe of Helldivers Two, its echoes are often drowned out by the whirring of servos and the metallic clank of the Automaton hordes. Super Earth faces an unrelenting enemy, a cybernetic force driven by an unknown purpose, and it’s up to the brave Helldivers to push back against this metallic tide. This guide is your comprehensive arsenal, your tactical doctrine, and your key to surviving, and ultimately conquering, the Automaton threat in Helldivers Two. Prepare yourself, Helldiver, for we delve into the heart of the machine.

What are the Automatons? Where did these soulless machines originate? While Super Earth Command hasn’t released every detail, fragmented intelligence suggests they are a highly advanced artificial intelligence with a relentless focus on expansion and control. Their metallic bodies are more than just simple robots; they are sophisticated war machines designed for one purpose: the eradication of freedom and the establishment of a cold, calculated order.

Unlike the ravenous Terminids, who rely on brute force and overwhelming numbers, the Automatons are cunning strategists. They fight with precision, utilizing coordinated attacks, suppressive fire, and fortified positions. Their behavior is less about instinct and more about calculated efficiency. They utilize cover, flank your positions, and readily call in reinforcements when pushed back. Overwhelming them is not an option. You need strategy, teamwork, and a healthy dose of managed democracy to overcome them.

The war against the Automatons is a starkly different experience from battling the Terminids. Where the bugs often succumb to overwhelming firepower, the Automatons require a more deliberate approach. Precision, targeting weak points, and breaking their formations become essential. The Automaton front presents a series of grueling missions, from destroying strategic communication relays to eliminating production facilities churning out more of their kind. Successfully liberating planets from their control will have a ripple effect, helping Super Earth focus on other pressing threats and ensuring the survival of liberty. Your success here will directly impact the galaxy at large.

Analyzing the Automaton Threat: A Detailed Breakdown

Understanding your enemy is paramount. The Automaton forces are diverse, each unit designed to fulfill a specific role on the battlefield. Let’s break down the most common threats you’ll face, focusing on their weaknesses and exploitable patterns.

Let’s start with the Trooper. This forms the backbone of the Automaton army. They are relatively lightly armored and armed with standard rifles. Their threat lies in their numbers and coordinated fire. Targeting their heads or exposed joints will quickly send them to the scrapyard.

Then comes the Devastator. A significant step up in armor and firepower from the Trooper, the Devastator comes in a few variations. The standard variant carries a powerful machine gun, while the rocket Devastator launches devastating volleys of explosives. The Heavy Devastator carries a massive weapon and boasts more armor than the other two. Focus on their exposed weak points or use armor-piercing weaponry to take them down quickly.

Another menace is the Berserker. These melee units charge directly into the fray, attempting to overwhelm you with close-quarters attacks. While they lack ranged weaponry, their speed and aggression make them a dangerous threat. Use crowd-control weapons and maintain your distance to avoid their deadly swipes.

Then the terrifying Hulk. A heavily armored behemoth, the Hulk is one of the most formidable units you’ll encounter. Its thick plating can withstand most small arms fire. Focus your fire on its exposed vents on its back and joints, or use powerful armor-piercing weaponry to cripple it.

The dreaded Tank is an armored vehicle with a rotating turret that can shell players from medium to long distances, making it the biggest threat on the battlefield. The Tank requires armor piercing weaponry to deal damage, but its weak points can be exploited using any stratagem.

The Factory Strider is a mobile fabricator. These units act as factories for the automatons, creating more troops as they advance. Destroy these as soon as possible.

The Dropship is essential for Automatons, allowing them to bring in reinforcements and other various threats.

And finally, Turrets. These come in various forms and can prove difficult to deal with due to their range and high armor, making it difficult to destroy.

Strategies for Victory Against the Automatons

Facing the Automaton menace requires more than just trigger discipline; it demands strategic thinking, effective teamwork, and well-chosen stratagems.

Team composition is vital. A balanced squad should include members specializing in armor penetration, crowd control, and support. Effective communication is paramount. Calling out enemy positions, coordinating attacks, and managing stratagem cooldowns can be the difference between victory and a swift, unceremonious return to your Super Destroyer. Experiment with different loadouts to discover synergies that complement each other. A player equipped with a Recoilless Rifle can work in tandem with another carrying a Supply Pack, ensuring a constant stream of anti-armor firepower.

Stratagem selection is another crucial aspect. Orbital strikes, such as the Orbital Railcannon Strike and Eagle Five Hundred Kilogram Bomb, are invaluable for eliminating heavily armored targets or clearing out fortified positions. Support weapons like the Recoilless Rifle, Railgun, Autocannon, and Anti-Material Rifle provide essential armor-piercing capabilities. The Shield Generator Pack offers increased survivability, while the Supply Pack keeps your team well-supplied with ammunition and grenades. Don’t underestimate the utility of defensive stratagems like the EMS Mortar Sentry and Gatling Sentry, which can provide crucial fire support and deny enemy advances. The Eagle Smoke Strike can be used to obscure your team and help you get out of a bad situation.

Tactically, cover and positioning are essential for survival. Utilize the terrain to your advantage, flanking enemy positions and creating crossfires. Prioritize targets based on their threat level. Dropships should be eliminated immediately to prevent reinforcements, while Hulks and Rocket Devastators should be neutralized before they can unleash their devastating firepower. When faced with overwhelming numbers, prioritize survival. Kiting enemies, utilizing chokepoints, and coordinating tactical retreats can buy you valuable time and allow you to regroup.

Each mission type demands its own unique strategies. Destroy Illegal Broadcasts missions require a swift and coordinated assault to disable the communication relays before they can call in reinforcements. Eliminate Automaton Production missions demand a more cautious approach, as these facilities are often heavily fortified and guarded by numerous enemies. And eradicate Automaton Forces missions will rely on your team’s firepower and positioning.

Advanced Tactics and Community Insights

Mastering the Automaton threat requires going beyond the basics. Exploiting their AI and understanding their behavioral patterns can give you a significant advantage.

Using terrain to funnel enemies and create choke points can turn the tide of battle. Tricking them into wasting ammunition by exploiting cover and timing your movements can conserve valuable resources.

Experiment with advanced stratagem combinations. Combining an Eagle Smoke Strike with a well-placed Orbital Strike can create a deadly trap, catching the Automatons off guard and maximizing the effectiveness of your explosive ordnance.

The Helldivers Two community is a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. Sharing tips, tricks, and effective strategies on forums, Reddit, and Discord can help everyone become more effective against the Automaton menace.

But beyond all of that, try to find the psychology of the enemy, learn how they react, communicate and adapt to your tactics.

The Future of the Automaton War

The war against the Automatons is far from over. Speculation abounds regarding future updates and the addition of new enemy types, weapons, and stratagems. Will we see heavily armored siege units? Will we gain access to new energy weapons or anti-robot stratagems? Only time will tell.

The ongoing narrative of Helldivers Two will undoubtedly be shaped by this conflict. Will Super Earth succeed in repelling the Automaton invasion? Will the Helldivers push back against the machines, liberating entire star systems? The fate of freedom rests in your hands.

Conclusion

The Automaton menace is a formidable threat, but it is not insurmountable. By understanding their tactics, exploiting their weaknesses, and utilizing effective strategies, you can turn the tide of battle and defend Super Earth from this metallic plague. Teamwork, communication, and a healthy dose of managed democracy are your greatest weapons in this fight. Remember Helldiver, share your own strategies and experiences in the comments below. The war for freedom is a collective effort, and every bit of knowledge contributes to the ultimate victory. Now get out there, Helldiver, and spread some managed democracy! The Automatons await.