Helldivers 2 is all about controlled chaos, and nowhere is that chaos more dangerous than on Automaton-controlled worlds. These mechanized enemies of Super Earth come in many forms, ranging from disposable infantry to towering war machines capable of wiping entire squads. Knowing how each Automaton unit functions—and more importantly, how to kill it efficiently—is essential for surviving higher difficulties and completing Major Orders.
This guide covers all Automaton enemy types in Helldivers 2, explaining where they appear, how dangerous they are, and the most effective ways to deal with them.
Table of Contents
Automaton Infantry Units
Troopers (Raider, Marauder, Brawler)
Troopers are the most common Automaton enemies you’ll encounter and appear as early as Trivial difficulty. While their variants differ slightly in weapons and behavior, they all share one major weakness: no armor.
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Raiders & Marauders use basic firearms and fall quickly to any weapon.
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Brawlers attempt to rush players with bladed arms, making them slightly more dangerous in close quarters.
Any primary weapon or even melee attacks are sufficient to deal with Troopers.
Commissars
Commissars look similar to Troopers but are far more dangerous strategically. They act as squad leaders and can deploy signal flares that summon Automaton Dropships.
While they are still unarmored, failing to kill a Commissar quickly can overwhelm your squad with reinforcements. Prioritize them immediately when spotted, especially on higher difficulties.
Berserkers
Berserkers are fast, aggressive melee units equipped with chainsaw arms. They begin appearing on Easy difficulty and above and are designed to punish Helldivers who lose spacing.
Despite their intimidating charge, Berserkers are lightly protected:
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Head and stomach are completely unarmored
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Upper torso has light armor but breaks easily
Maintain distance and aim center mass to shut them down before they reach you.
Medium Automaton Units
Scout Striders
Scout Striders are bipedal walkers piloted by a Trooper and start appearing on Medium difficulty. Their frontal armor can block incoming fire, but they have major weaknesses.
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Legs have light armor and can be destroyed easily
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Rear is fully exposed
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Pilots can be shot directly from certain angles
On higher difficulties, reinforced variants appear, making explosives and coordinated fire more important.
Devastators
Devastators are heavily armed infantry Automatons that spawn on Challenging difficulty and above. Variants include rocket-equipped and shielded versions, but their weak points remain consistent.
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Head is a critical weak spot
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Stomach and crotch are unarmored
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Torso requires medium penetration
Accurate fire ends these threats quickly, even without heavy weapons.
Hulks
Hulks are slow but extremely dangerous elite units that come equipped with flamethrowers, miniguns, or rocket launchers depending on the variant. They begin appearing on Challenging difficulty.
Despite their heavy armor, Hulks have exposed vents on their back and head. Anti-tank support weapons such as energy cannons can eliminate them instantly if aimed correctly. Positioning and flanking are key when dealing with Hulks in open terrain.
Automaton Armored Vehicles
Annihilator Tanks
Annihilator Tanks appear on Medium difficulty and are equipped with devastating laser cannons. They are slow to rotate and struggle at close range.
The best tactic is to approach from behind or the sides and destroy the rear vents using grenades or anti-tank support weapons. Avoid long-range duels whenever possible.
Shredder Tanks
Shredder Tanks are more aggressive than Annihilators, featuring a fast-moving quad-barrel turret. They appear more frequently on Challenging difficulty and above.
Use cover, keep your distance, and rely on Orbital or Eagle Stratagems to destroy their rear vents safely. Staying mobile is crucial against these tanks.
Barrager Tanks
Barrager Tanks only appear on Suicide Mission difficulty or higher. Instead of direct fire, they launch long-range rocket barrages that can disrupt entire operations.
Ironically, they are weakest up close. Closing the distance prevents effective targeting, allowing Helldivers to destroy the rear vents with explosives before the barrage becomes a problem.
Heavy Automaton Walkers
War Striders
War Striders are towering bipedal Automatons found on Extreme difficulty or higher. They unleash grenades and rapid laser fire, making them terrifying at first glance.
Their weaknesses include:
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Leg and hip joints, which can be destroyed with explosives
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Chest-mounted red core, vulnerable to precision weapons
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Rear vent for sustained damage
Anti-tank weapons can cripple or outright kill a War Strider with a well-placed shot.
Factory Striders
Factory Striders are the largest and most dangerous Automaton enemies in Helldivers 2. Appearing on Challenging difficulty and above, these massive machines function as mobile fortresses.
They feature:
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Heavy frontal cannons
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A rear-mounted turret
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Thick armor on most surfaces
To defeat a Factory Strider, squads must use anti-tank support weapons, Orbital Lasers, or high-yield bombs. Aim for the head, underbelly, or side plating once armor is broken.
Progress Faster
High-level Automaton missions can be punishing, especially when Factory Striders and Barrager Tanks start appearing regularly. For players who want to unlock Warbonds, clear high-difficulty operations, or farm resources efficiently, GladiatorBoost Helldivers 2 Boosting offers a reliable solution. With experienced players handling the toughest Automaton encounters, you can save time, avoid unnecessary mission failures, and focus on enjoying the game’s most exciting content without the grind.
Final Thoughts
Automatons are not just mindless machines—they are layered, specialized threats designed to punish unprepared squads. Understanding every Automaton enemy type in Helldivers 2, their weaknesses, and when they appear is the difference between a clean extraction and total squad loss.
Whether you’re clearing Trivial patrols or facing down Factory Striders on high difficulty, preparation and knowledge will always be your strongest weapons.
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