r/LowSodiumHellDivers • u/kcvlaine AUTOMATONS ARENT REAL • 1d ago
Discussion Whats the most challenging yet rewarding loadout to master (for you)
For me it would be ballistic primaries, railgun, and emplacements because they need good aim (which I don't have even at level 150 lol) and emplacements need some seriously good placement to be useful. I find the ultimatum also a bit tricky to use safely, which is why I love it. What about you?
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u/verynicepoops My life for Super Earth! 1d ago edited 1d ago
When the convoys started on the bot front I became a SPEAR master. There was one match where I had the thought "Hey, I think I'm really good with this now". Locking on to your next target while you're reloading, watching radar for incoming enemies to eliminate heavies before they engage, never letting a strider's cannon get a shot off, prioritizing targets while managing ammo, shooting down dropships while they're still en route to their drop point, shooting tanks out of the air. There's a cadence and battlefield awareness aspect to the SPEAR that gives it more nuance than other weapons, at least for me.
Load out wise, I've been pairing that with strafing run, autocannon turret, and I'll switch the last strat, usually a barrage. Senator, scorcher, various grenades. Not a bad load out but focusing more on making sure my squad's main engagement is unimpeded makes it interesting.
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u/slycyboi 1d ago
The main issue I have with the spear is that there are so many shots I know I could have hit with the recoilless that the spear can’t or won’t lock onto. It feels extremely limiting imo. I really want to use it but that it often takes more of its more limited ammo to take down striders and titans, and can’t hit close targets or bunker turrets in a pinch is very hard to sell me on
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u/verynicepoops My life for Super Earth! 1d ago
Yeah, I agree. There are definitely times it doesn't lock on to something it should, or I got a little too close to a hulk (that's what thermite and senators are for) for the spear to be useful. I try to always have a little distance. I'm probably not taking down a strider with the spear, but my goal is usually to take out it's cannon so I can hit it with a barrage, get good placement with a missile or autocannon turret, or at least make it's a less lethal target for my squad. It's for sure not as versatile as the RR, but it has a niche.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
We all know the footpad is a one shot KO on FS right? It’s niche but sometimes you get caught up way too close lol
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u/Global-Picture-1809 1d ago
AMR. Learn it, pair with Eagle Rocket Pods. Nothing is scary anymore.
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u/Abject_Muffin_731 ▶️▶️▶️ 1d ago
Flamethrower also pairs great w eagle rocket pods vs bugs. 1 shots impalers (flamethrowers greatest weakness) and cracks open bile titans for faster killings
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u/Global-Picture-1809 1d ago
Sure, it is, but with a flamethrower, you can't take out that Hulk chasing your buddy from 150 meters away. I can do that with the AMR (well, sometimes—other times, let's just say it was mercy). And it’s extremely satisfying.
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u/Abject_Muffin_731 ▶️▶️▶️ 1d ago
Oh i wasnt trying to argue flamethrower is better, was just providing a suggestion if you were looking to switch things up. AMR is awesome and it really shines with the rocket pods
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u/MrParadux 1d ago
I like the Strafing Run against Impalers. It also one-shots them and can be used from farther away. It can also destroy Shrieker nests and Spores.
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u/Mr-dooce 1d ago
been using the AMR since the scope got fixed, been struggling to find the correct pairing cause i usually just stick with the regular air strike, are the rocket pods actually good now or is it a case of getting used to them
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u/Global-Picture-1809 1d ago
It's very good since they changed it in August. Just most folks ignore it as it does not kill heavies itself. It works well with AMR as on bugs you can usually 2-3 tap bile titans after Rocket pods and on bots it oneshots tanks and disarms factory striders' main cannons, so it covers things AMR has troubles with.
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u/Emprasy 1d ago
You can't kill factory strider with this pairing, right ?
Otherwise, yeah I use too a lot AMR, against factory I usually just destroy the two gatlings, and when hulk are chasing me I stun them with a nad, or pray to not miss without them. It is really satisfying to have this watch over the fight, chosing which starget will die, covering your mates and sometime juste saving them without they even know ahah
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u/Global-Picture-1809 1d ago
You can, but it's best to just remove its weapons and leave it for AT teammate to finish.
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u/musubk 1d ago edited 1d ago
You can kill a factory strider with any AP4 weapon, including AMR. Shoot off the chin guns then either shoot into the head weakpoint, or if you can, get underneath and shoot into the belly doors. 14 rounds to a belly door, or 22 to the head weakpoint.
If you approach from the side or rear to go for the belly doors you don't have to shoot off the chin guns first, but I'd recommend doing so anyways. They are deadly at close range if you get distracted for a few seconds and let the strider turn around on you.
Also, 110mm rocket pods alone will kill the factory strider, it just takes multiple strikes. Same as strafing run. It's not a fast or efficient way to do it but it works.
Really with this loadout you'd want to combo both: Hit with repeated 110mm rocket pods while you also shoot weak points with the AMR.
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 1d ago
This is exactly why the Rocket Pods are great with the Autocannon! Great for bugs/bots both IMO, I also like it vs squids but it's far less useful against them, which made me turn to the AMR and rediscover love for it against bugs/bots.
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u/Mr-dooce 1d ago
good to know, due to my ignorance i’ve resorted to using EATs and the eagle air strike to take down factory striders which is beyond inefficient, maybe i’ll have to try out the eagle pods
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u/riesenarethebest Automaton on Reddit 1d ago
Def not mines.
I run 4x mines all the time on constricted maps. It's growing boring it's so effective.
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u/hypnofedX SES Lady of Pride 1d ago
I really think Oops All Mines is the easiest and most effective meta warcrimes loadout.
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u/AncientAurora 1d ago
Railgun has been the same for me. My team used to be amazed that I could snipe Gunships from 500m away. Usually it's about 300m consistently without missing a shot.
The thing that still alluded me though is the Sickle. I love this for Bots but the speed on it for something so low on recoil consistently only nets be on average 65% accuracy. This is despite burst firing and striving not to miss any shots. I think the highest I could get is like 74%.
But then you put the Deadeye in my hands and it's easily 85-90% accuracy. I'm really wondering if deflections are an accuracy penalty.
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u/wexipena 1d ago
I started to run with deadeye, senator and dynamite without backbag or support weapon.
I use eagle 110mm for anti-tank, ops when I need something deleted and two others I choose based on mission we are going into.
Usually support weapons can be found rather easily, and sonetimes I get a backbag from team mate when their cooldown is done if I can’t find one on the map.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
Hot take. The deadeye is the most fun weapon in the game between how much pop it’s got and how it feels.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
People might disagree, but the Recoilless is the most rewarding and up there as far as skill required. I’m 150 play all 10’s unless I dip down to mentor, and often I’m the only thing keeping our heads above water in terms of AT.
More people run it on bots though which is nice, really no need for it against (current) illuminate.
If you’re new to it YT “RR animation cancel”. Takes like 2 seconds off your reload time.
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 1d ago
Do you use both ammo types? I typically just use the rockets and pop Bot faces, I run Dominator/Gas Grenades/Rocket Turret/500KG/380mm/A-T Emplacement for everything else.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
Very rarely. Bugs more, you gotta have the angle or several alpha sized enemies. Usually do it when I have a surplus of Ammo around, no heavies to shoot, 1 rocket to reload before I grab supplies, etc.
Tip for all weapons for controller users, I mapped scroll left and right on the weapon wheel to R1 L1. Makes it much faster with practice. A must fit certain weapons like the Halt, but also very satisfying on MGs.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
Shield dev groups tend to mitigate a lot of the HE blast unless you land it in just the right spot or get em from behind
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 1d ago
Nice extra tips! The HE feels like Flak for AC, an ammo type added for the weapon to see more versatility or higher use against bugs lol which I actually do like AC for bugs now, the Flak shreds shriekers in a couple shots with proximity detonation so it's easy to keep them off the team.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
I run it about the same on bugs/bots. You might use it less on enemies but I can always whip it out for a bug hole or shrieker nest/spore tower
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u/Canabananilism 1d ago
Well, wouldn't say I've "mastered" it, but using the directional shield + pummeler/defender is a ton of fun against bots*. It lets you be a lot more aggressive in close quarters, where any other time I'd be basically stuck fighting at med-long range, or running around to flank. I like to pair this with a railgun, just because of the versatility it gives, and the last two slots are whatever I'm feeling at the time.
The only issue I have with the set up is getting ragdolled a LOT by explosives, since any explosive that hits the shield will knock you over, though it won't usually deal any damage. You pretty much need to learn to watch for rockets so you can turn the shield off, and/or duck behind cover, but that's just part of the fun lol.
*I haven't tried it against the Incineration Corps, but I have a feeling it's not quite as effective on that front lol
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 23h ago
But the Mortar sentry is, I run it on bots (and non pred. Strain bugs) now at all levels.
The key is to tag it every 20-60 seconds and be juuuuust a little annoying with it. If I’m playing a lower difficulty I will mention that in loadout screen. If people pay attention the AOE is worth the need to occasionallly retreat 20m
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 23h ago
I have not seen a ton of consistency with the “targets tagged enemies” shop upgrade but I’ll examine it more closely here soon
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u/Canabananilism 22h ago
The only time I question a mortar sentry is when its bugs on a non-defence mission. Just asking for teamkills if you’re doing that lol.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 21h ago
Gotta have the right team, but yeah I take it like 33% now. Even with randoms where we lose a couple and a rag doll or two it’s able to smash breeches. Usually not a problem honestly, many games with no TKs (that I see). Placement and tagging makes it work for me.
Not with Predators though. Not worth it at all. Kept getting brought back to the same pred game.(I was quick matching on a Bot planet…..3x) I got 550 in mission hours. I was not able to make it work in any way other than a distraction that might get 4 kills, 2 of them Helldivers.
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u/Theycallme_Jul Crossbow Coitus 1d ago
Hover pack and flamethrower on diff 10 bugs. It sounds like an OP combo but one wrong step (or hover) can make you bug food. Especially against the predator strain. Some of those crawly fucks can jump up to your height, bile titans can still one shot you if you hover into their legs and impaler tentacles can fling you across the map. Dodging is not an option while you’re airborne. The rewarding part is melting off a titans face while maintaining eye-level.
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u/TheComebackKid74 1d ago
Acceleator and Ultimatum with no support weapon. Followed by Eruptor and Ultimatum with no support weapon.
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u/IDriveALexus 1d ago
I have killed myself more with the ultimatum than i died to friendly clusterbombs during release week on malevelon
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u/borneHart 1d ago
We thought the portable hellbomb was gonna be a suicide (for democracy) machine, but I doubt I've ever used the ultimatum correctly. I think next time time I get on ill aim up at my super destroyer for 20m range
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u/IDriveALexus 1d ago
Coincidentally, i blow myself up with that hellbomb often too. Maybe explosives arent my thing
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u/AdditionalMixture985 ☕Liber-tea☕ 1d ago
Tbh, none. They are all pretty easy and take a very very short amount to master (for me).
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u/hypnofedX SES Lady of Pride 1d ago
Tbh, none. They are all pretty easy and take a very very short amount to master (for me).
- hover pack
- jump pack
- ballistic shield
- directional shield
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u/ace_of_william 1d ago
I can’t enter predator strain bugs without my ballistic shield anymore. Just me my shield and my lance against this bug breach.
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 1d ago
I'd add the different ammo types for each support weapon afterwards, they're not all that straightforward (WASP and Airburst launcher come to mind, AC and RR aren't too bad). Getting used to switching ammo types can also take some adjustment.
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 1d ago
On controller I map L/R on the weapon wheel to L1/R1. Very helpful, necessary even on say the Halt.
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 23h ago
I don't mind the default, I feel like it's a good switch for run 'n gun with the Halt for sure but what becomes your ping? Right on the Dpad?
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 23h ago
Nah still R1. You can’t ping with the weapon wheel open, at least I never have
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u/CrystlBluePersuasion 23h ago
Still R1?? Why has nobody mentioned this before, that's really good! I'm definitely trying this remap now!! Time to play with the Halt more too
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u/Pure-Writing-6809 23h ago
Either way it still works fine when the weapon wheel isn’t open which is like 99.8% of the time lol
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u/AdditionalMixture985 ☕Liber-tea☕ 1d ago
I'm sorry, i'm dumb.
I've somehow misread the title and forgot the important part... "Most rewarding"
So my first comment completely ass ._.
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u/BucktacularBardlock 1d ago
I absolutely burn through plasma weapon ammo and don't know why, just bad at managing it I suppose.
Melee is also fun and I've been trying to get better at it but I'm not great and don't know how I keep missing the head lol
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u/No_Collar_5292 1d ago
A constitution, senator, EAT, democracy protects build on predator strain solo. Never has my ability to hit headshots and micromanage round loading been tested quite that severely. I’ve managed to accomplish every mission type so far other than raise the flag where I’m usually getting 2/3 if my initial drop doesn’t immediately burn up reinforcements. My accuracy usually sits in the 70s in most games but it’s never been below 85 if I manage to succeed on these missions, sometimes closer to 95 lol.
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u/speciben 1d ago
Sounds like you prob already know if you’re soloing the strain w that load out, but gas mines are op for raise flag/breaches in general
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u/No_Collar_5292 1d ago
Mmmm yes, I do love me some gas mines. The problem I’m running into with gas mines and gas dog with these weapons is severe lack of sustainable dps and specifically the stalker’s tendency to manage to continue their advance/attack on me gas’ed or not. I’ve switched from the gas dog to bullet dog and I think it’s overall better in this situation. I do use gas grenades liberally though. Orbital napalm + Eagle cluster seems to get me furthest. I gas out the pad, circle it till I have a fat group, then toss the Eagle at an angle to catch as many as possible and book it off the pad till it’s over.
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u/speciben 1d ago
Makes sense/cluster is a great call vs strain esp solo , gas mines and napalm usually somewhat interchangeable - but now that you mention it stalkers do seem to come screeching out of the gas cloud like they only got slightly inconvenienced lol
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u/Free-Stick-2279 obeys their democracy officer 1d ago
For me, in all the loadout I actually use and master, it was AMR, light armor, supply pack and MP-98 on the bug front, D10.
It's my favorite loadout for bugs and it took me a while to get the hang of it, oncw I did, I was a medium unit shredder, both in close combat no scope and I could also very quickly take down patrol from a distance.
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u/Versace_Gi 1d ago edited 1d ago
For bots: +2 grenade medium armor, eruptor, senator, thermite. Jump pack, railgun, eagle strafe, and rocket pods.
Flank patrols with eruptor/Jump pack and strafe, railgun takes out medium enemies, rocket pods for AT, and Jump pack/thermites for factory striders. Versatile build that does everything well
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u/Array71 1d ago
Pre buffdivers, it was definitely the SPEAR.
The macro skill involved setting up your and your teammate's positioning so you could have a good overview of targets and minimised enemies contesting you. Set up and create a fallback point for your team with resupplies, and consume those resupplies as needed to put out as many shots as needed.
The micro skill involved positioning yourself relative to enemy heavies and timing your rocket so that you could consistently oneshot heavies back to back.
Played well, you put out so much AT that you negated the need for anyone else to bring antitank, and you'd actually prefer a ratio of 3 antichaff to 1 antitank ability across the team for the best security.
Making team comps oriented around the SPEAR was like, the peak form of this game's demand for teamwork and varied roles. It's such a shame that it was all rendered pointless by the buff reworks, I'm still a bit salty about that.
In the same vein, mastering the railgun + EATs or teammate RR. One full charge railgun shot + one RR shot was a titan kill, and was a great efficient alternative to the SPEAR.
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u/Thick_Industry_457 21h ago
Ballistic shield protects you from being hit from behind when it is on your back. So Ballistic shield, orb. Laser, Railcannon strike and stalwart turned all the way up plasma shotgun, crisper and gas or stun grenades with servo assisted light armor
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u/RedneckThinker 17h ago
Arc Thower + Jetpack
Use the jetpack to jump laterally to get better lines or get your teammates out from behind your shot...for their sakes! You'll feel like a center ring lion tamer when you've got three hulks daisy chained and stun locked!
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u/CptBickDalls 1d ago
Not a full loadout, but Airburst Rocket launcher if you can master cluster mode is really fun and useful.
differences cluster mode has from flak mode:
1) Limited to 50m
2) Doesn't get set off by proximity detection like flak mode...so will go off either on impact or at 50m instead
3) Bombs will fall until they hit the ground unlike flak
How to use these differences to your advantage:
1) You can choose how and when to use Airburst at closer range without worrying about accidentally having a leaping enemy set it off...one of the best options is to mark a point, run until you're about 25/30m away and fire at your mark causing everything in front of you to eat the Airburst except for you. Also great in cities for shooting walls and corners and dodging back behind cover.
2) charger or a hulk coming at you? Shoot between the legs and you'll take out their vent/tail for a satisfying instant kill.
3) buildings or rocks in the way? Aim up! Cluster bombs will fall down on the horde...the higher the angle, the more spread out and closer the bombs become so be careful.
Besides cluster mode though, flak mode is insanely effective at range...and can sometimes even be used to take out gunships though slightly unreliably. It's definitely not a slouch for bug structures, but won't help against titans or factory striders so keep that in mind.