Helldivers 2: 10 Pro Tips for the Automaton Front

Gear Up for the Machine Uprising

The Automatons are a brutal, unrelenting enemy in Helldivers 2. Unlike the disorganized Terminid swarms, these robots bring organized lines, heavy armor, and devastating firepower. To liberate the galaxy from their cold, calculating grip, you'll need more than courage — you'll need strategy. Here are 10 pro tips that will help you and your squad turn the tide on the Automaton front.

1. Bring Explosive-Resistant Armor

Automaton weapons are overwhelmingly explosive. Rockets, plasma bolts, and grenades will shred light armor in seconds. Equip armor with the Explosive Resistance passive to reduce damage from splash and direct hits. Combine it with a Fortified secondary perk to stay on your feet when under heavy fire.

2. Use Medium Armor-Piercing Primaries

Your standard ballistic rifle will bounce off Automaton armor.

• Liberator Penetrator: A reliable full-auto medium-pen rifle.
• Dominator: Slower but hits hard, ideal for breaking through heavy armor.
• Scorcher: A plasma rifle with insane damage against bots, but watch your ammo.

Pair your primary with a heavy-hitting side like the Verdict or Knight SMG as a panic button.

3. Cover Is Life

The Automaton AI is brutally accurate and will cut you down the moment you step into the open. Always move from cover to cover — buildings, rocks, and craters are your best friends. If you need to cross a field, toss down an Eagle Smoke Strike to break line of sight. Smoke is vastly underrated on this front and can be a literal lifesaver during extractions.

4. Target Pelvises and Backpacks

Automaton enemies have clear weak points. For Scout Striders and Devastators, aim for the pelvis/torso area — where the armor junction sits — to quickly shred them with medium-pen rounds. Hulks, the massive mini-bosses, have a cooling vent on their back that you must hit from behind or with a high-arch grenade. Don't waste ammo on their front plates.

5. Master Stratagem Precision

Stratagems are key, but a badly placed one is a disaster.

• Eagle Airstrikes: Use to break up enemy formations, not to kill single targets.
• Orbital Precision Strike: Perfect for destroying Fabricators from a distance — aim directly on the vent.
• Gatling Turret: Deploy at choke points and behind cover, not in the middle of a firefight.

Always check your line of sight before tossing a red stratagem. A cluster bomb that hits a tree is useless.

6. Coordinate Roles in Your Squad

The Automaton front rewards specialization. A balanced squad should include:

• Two anti-armor specialists with EAT-17s or Recoilless Rifles to handle Hulks and Tanks.
• One support player with Supply Pack and a stalwart machine gun to suppress infantry.
• One scout/marksman who can pick off Devastators from range.

Use voice comms or quick emotes to call out heavy units before they engage.

7. The Environment Is a Weapon

Large rocks and indestructible buildings are great for funneling enemy patrols. Use Orbital Smoke to disengage and reposition. When you see a group of enemies in a river, call in an Orbital Gas Strike to leave them coughing and exposed. Bots hate uneven terrain, so lure them into valleys or cratered fields where their aim suffers.

8. Know Your Enemies

Each Automaton type demands a different response:

• Scout Striders: Fast; pop the rider with a quick snipe.
• Devastators: heavy infantry. Use AP rounds and break their shields first.
• Hulks: Never engage head-on. Flank them or use orbital lasers.
• Tanks: Only a 500kg bomb or anti-tank rocket to the rear armor will scratch them.
• Gunships: Shoot them with a Laser Cannon or use the Eagle AMS to knock them out of the sky.

9. Watch Your Stamina

Running out of stamina in a gunfight is a death sentence. Automaton patrols are relentless, and you'll often need to sprint to reposition. Always leave 30% stamina in reserve for a quick dive or slide. Consider the Peak Physique armor for extended stamina and faster recovery.

10. Never Pass Up an Extraction

Once you've completed the main objective, you're playing on borrowed time. Automaton reinforcements keep dropping in, and the difficulty spikes with each minute. Call for extraction early, then defend the LZ with overlapping turrets. When the shuttle lands, sprint for it — don't wait for gunfire to stop.

Final Deployment Orders

Helldivers 2's Automaton front is a brutal test of teamwork and adaptability. With the right armor, guns, and strategy, you'll be able to hold the line against the metal horde. Remember: democracy is not free — it's paid for with bullets and orbital strikes. Stay sharp, Divers, and see you on the front lines.