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The Devastator Tips & Strategy Guide — Helldivers 2 is all about helping players overcome one of the toughest foes in the galaxy — the Automaton Devastators. These towering mechanical beasts can shred even veteran Helldivers if underestimated. Whether you’re playing solo or coordinating in a squad, understanding their behavior, weaknesses, and best counters is key to survival.
Understanding the Devastator
Devastators are heavily armored Automatons equipped with devastating ranged weapons — from miniguns to rocket launchers. Their thick plating makes them resistant to small-arms fire, meaning careless players will waste ammo and time. What makes them especially dangerous is their ability to suppress large areas and punish exposed positions.
In Helldivers 2, Devastators act as mid- to high-tier enemies that often appear in waves during intense missions. Once they spawn, the battlefield dynamics change drastically, forcing teams to adjust positioning, cover usage, and Stratagem timing.
Best Weapons and Stratagems to Counter Devastators
When facing Devastators, weapon choice matters more than anything. Here are some of the most effective tools against them: 1. Anti-Armor Options
Bring armor-piercing weapons such as the Recoilless Rifle or the EAT-17. These Stratagems can punch through a Devastator’s plating and deal significant damage. The Autocannon is another excellent pick for players who can handle its heavy recoil and reload times. 2. Support Firepower
The Railgun, when charged to max capacity, can one-shot a Devastator if aimed at weak spots. Combine this with Orbital Precision Strikes to finish off multiple enemies at once. 3. Utility
Stratagems
Use Smoke Strikes or Shield Generators to survive prolonged engagements. These tools can buy precious seconds to reload or reposition when Devastators push aggressively.
Team Coordination and Positioning
In Helldivers 2, coordination is everything. Fighting Devastators without communication is a recipe for disaster. Assign one player to handle anti-armor duties while others clear smaller enemies. Keep your distance — Devastators excel at medium-range combat but struggle to hit fast-moving targets at extreme ranges.
Avoid clustering together, as Devastator missiles can wipe out entire squads. Instead, use spread formations and cover angles to maintain visual control while minimizing splash damage risks.
Exploiting Weaknesses
While their armor is nearly impenetrable, Devastators have exploitable weak points. Aim for their joints or the glowing areas on their torsos and heads. EMP-based weapons and certain Stratagems can also briefly disable them, creating a short but valuable damage window.
Players who manage to flank or lure Devastators into crossfire zones can shred them faster than expected. Remember, movement and positioning are just as important as firepower in these encounters.
Surviving Large-Scale Battles
When multiple Devastators appear, things escalate quickly. Focus fire on one target at a time and prioritize those with rocket launchers first. Use terrain elevation, buildings, or craters to break line of sight. Keeping your Stratagem cooldowns staggered ensures you always have an escape or offensive option ready
The Devastator Tips & Strategy Guide — Helldivers 2 serves as a reminder that no enemy is unbeatable with the right preparation. By mastering anti-armor weapons, coordinating with your squad, and exploiting weak points, you can turn even the most chaotic encounters into controlled victories.
Understanding the Devastator
Devastators are heavily armored Automatons equipped with devastating ranged weapons — from miniguns to rocket launchers. Their thick plating makes them resistant to small-arms fire, meaning careless players will waste ammo and time. What makes them especially dangerous is their ability to suppress large areas and punish exposed positions.
In Helldivers 2, Devastators act as mid- to high-tier enemies that often appear in waves during intense missions. Once they spawn, the battlefield dynamics change drastically, forcing teams to adjust positioning, cover usage, and Stratagem timing.
Best Weapons and Stratagems to Counter Devastators
When facing Devastators, weapon choice matters more than anything. Here are some of the most effective tools against them: 1. Anti-Armor Options
Bring armor-piercing weapons such as the Recoilless Rifle or the EAT-17. These Stratagems can punch through a Devastator’s plating and deal significant damage. The Autocannon is another excellent pick for players who can handle its heavy recoil and reload times. 2. Support Firepower
The Railgun, when charged to max capacity, can one-shot a Devastator if aimed at weak spots. Combine this with Orbital Precision Strikes to finish off multiple enemies at once. 3. Utility
Stratagems
Use Smoke Strikes or Shield Generators to survive prolonged engagements. These tools can buy precious seconds to reload or reposition when Devastators push aggressively.
Team Coordination and Positioning
In Helldivers 2, coordination is everything. Fighting Devastators without communication is a recipe for disaster. Assign one player to handle anti-armor duties while others clear smaller enemies. Keep your distance — Devastators excel at medium-range combat but struggle to hit fast-moving targets at extreme ranges.
Avoid clustering together, as Devastator missiles can wipe out entire squads. Instead, use spread formations and cover angles to maintain visual control while minimizing splash damage risks.
Exploiting Weaknesses
While their armor is nearly impenetrable, Devastators have exploitable weak points. Aim for their joints or the glowing areas on their torsos and heads. EMP-based weapons and certain Stratagems can also briefly disable them, creating a short but valuable damage window.
Players who manage to flank or lure Devastators into crossfire zones can shred them faster than expected. Remember, movement and positioning are just as important as firepower in these encounters.
Surviving Large-Scale Battles
When multiple Devastators appear, things escalate quickly. Focus fire on one target at a time and prioritize those with rocket launchers first. Use terrain elevation, buildings, or craters to break line of sight. Keeping your Stratagem cooldowns staggered ensures you always have an escape or offensive option ready
The Devastator Tips & Strategy Guide — Helldivers 2 serves as a reminder that no enemy is unbeatable with the right preparation. By mastering anti-armor weapons, coordinating with your squad, and exploiting weak points, you can turn even the most chaotic encounters into controlled victories.