The top co-op builds in Helldivers 2 combine high-damage weapons with supportive stratagems to maximize squad survivability and firepower. Below are the S-tier loadouts that dominate the current meta, complete with exact weapon choices, grenade types, and four-stratagem setups. Learn more about the game on Steam, check the developer's site at Arrowhead Game Studios, or consult the official wiki for detailed stats. For tips on earning resources to fund these loadouts, see our fast gold farming guide.
Understanding Co-op Roles in Helldivers 2
Before diving into specific loadouts, it’s crucial to recognize the four primary roles that shape a successful squad: Anti-Armor, Crowd Control, Support, and Medic. Each role demands a distinct combination of primary weapon, secondary sidearm, grenade, and stratagem selection. For Anti-Armor, players favor weapons with high penetration and explosive damage, such as the RG-94 Railgun or the PLAS-1 Scorcher, paired with anti-tank stratagems like the Orbital Railcannon Strike. Crowd Control specialists rely on area-of-effect tools—flamethrowers, grenade launchers, or wide-arc machine guns—supported by stun or smoke grenades and the Eagle Strafing Run for clearing dense swarms. Support builds focus on sustaining the team with shield generators, ammo resupply, and defensive emplacements, while Medic loadouts prioritize healing grenades, reinforce stratagems, and close-quarter weapons that can revive fallen allies under fire. Understanding these niches lets you tailor each player’s loadout to complement the squad’s overall strategy, ensuring no overlap in firepower gaps.
S-Tier Builds: Meta-Defining Loadouts
1. Railgunner – Anti-Armor Specialist
Primary: RG-94 Railgun – 1,200 damage per shot, 3-point penetration, 8-round magazine, 2.4 s reload.
Secondary: P-90 Senator – 45 damage, 30-round magazine, fast fire rate for finishing off weakened targets.
Grenade: G-18 Smoke – provides cover for repositioning while reloading the railgun.
Stratagems: Orbital Railcannon Strike (high-pierce orbital barrage), Shield Generator (personal damage buffer), Reinforce (instant squad resupply), Eagle Strafing Run (quick sweep for lingering enemies).
Playstyle: Engage armored targets from medium range, use smoke to mask reloads, and call the Orbital Railcannon when a heavy tank or fortified bunker appears. The Shield Generator gives you a 150-point absorb that recharges every 45 s, letting you survive stray explosions while you line up the next shot.
2. Flamethrower – Crowd Control King
Primary: FLAM-40 Flamethrower – 35 damage per tick, 4-second burn, 120-unit fuel tank, 3.0 s reload.
Secondary: SG-8 Punisher Shotgun – 120 damage per pellet, 8-pellet spread, effective at close range for finishing burnt foes.
Grenade: G-16 Incendiary – adds extra burn damage over 5 seconds, synergizes with the flamethrower’s burn timer.
Stratagems: Eagle Strafing Run (covers large areas with machine‑gun fire), Napalm Strike (adds a lingering fire zone), MD-6 Anti‑Personnel Minefield (denies enemy movement), Reinforce (keeps ammo topped up).
Playstyle: Advance into choke points, unleash a continuous flame sweep, then drop a Napalm Strike to lock down the area. The Incendiary grenade can be thrown into a crowd before the flamethrower engages, stacking burn damage for rapid enemy elimination.
3. Shield‑Bearer – Support Anchor
Primary: MG-43 Machine Gun – 55 damage per shot, 150‑round belt, 4.5 s reload, high suppression.
Secondary: LAS-5 Sickle Laser – 70 damage, 2‑second charge for a piercing beam, useful for taking out shielded enemies.
Grenade: G-12 Frag – reliable splash damage for clearing clustered foes.
Stratagems: Shield Generator (projects a 250‑point dome that absorbs damage for 8 s), M-105 Machine Gun Emplacement (adds a stationary gun with 200 ammo), Supply Pack (instant ammo reload for all nearby allies), Reinforce (full squad resupply).
Playstyle: Plant the Shield Generator at the front of a choke, then man the MG-43 to suppress incoming waves. When the shield drops, deploy the Machine Gun Emplacement to maintain fire while the generator recharges. The Supply Pack ensures you never run out of belt ammo during prolonged engagements.
4. Grenadier Medic – Hybrid Healer/Damage
Primary: AR-23 Liberator Assault Rifle – 38 damage per shot, 30‑round magazine, 2.2 s reload, versatile fire mode.
Secondary: P-90 Senator (same as Railgunner) for quick follow‑up shots.
Grenade: G-20 Stun – 2‑second incapacitation, perfect for setting up revives.
Stratagems: Reinforce (instant ammo and health pack), Shield Generator (personal protection while reviving), Eagle Cluster Bomb (large‑area explosive for clearing threats after a revive), Supply Pack (keeps the team stocked).
Playstyle: Stay mid‑range, use the Liberator’s steady output to whittle down enemies. When a teammate goes down, toss a Stun grenade to freeze nearby foes, pop the Shield Generator for safety, and call Reinforce to drop a health pack and ammo. The Cluster Bomb can then be used to eliminate any remaining threats before you revive.
A-Tier Builds: Solid Alternatives for Specific Missions
While the S-tier loadouts excel in most scenarios, certain mission types—such as those with heavy aerial threats or limited ammo respawn—benefit from specialized A-tier builds. These alternatives trade a bit of raw damage for increased utility or situational superiority.
Anti-Air Specialist
Primary: LAS-5 Sickle (charged beam) – 140 damage on full charge, effective against flying enemies.
Secondary: PLAS-1 Scorcher – 55 damage per shot, good for finishing airborne targets.
Grenade: G-22 EMP – disables enemy drones and shields for 4 seconds.
Stratagems: M-102 Anti-Air Emplacement (auto‑targeting flak), Orbital Gatling (high‑rate fire against clusters), Shield Generator, Reinforce.
Stealth Infiltrator
Primary: SG-225 Breaker Shotgun – 130 damage per pellet, 6‑pellet spread, excellent for close‑quarters silent takedowns.
Secondary: P-90 Senator (silenced variant) – 40 damage, reduced noise.
Grenade: G-18 Smoke – provides visual cover for sneaking.
Stratagems: Shield Generator (protects during close approach), MD-14 Minefield (sets traps ahead), Eagle Strafing Run (clears path after infiltration), Supply Pack.
B-Tier Builds: Fun and Experimental Choices
For players who enjoy experimenting or want to showcase unique playstyles, B-tier builds offer memorable moments without compromising team viability. These loadouts often favor high‑risk, high‑reward weapons or unconventional stratagem combos.
Melee Berserker
Primary: M-105 Machine Gun Emplacement (used as a portable turret) – deployed then fired from the hip for massive burst damage.
Secondary: Combat Knife (melee) – instant kill on stunned enemies.
Grenade: G-16 Incendiary – sets enemies ablaze for follow‑up melee.
Stratagems: Shield Generator (protects while setting up the turret), Reinforce (ammo for the turret), Napalm Strike (area denial), Eagle Cluster Bomb (finisher).
Explosive Enthusiast
Primary: GL-21 Grenade Launcher – 60 damage per explosive, 4-second fuse, 6‑round magazine.
Secondary: AR-19 Freedom Fighter – 35 damage, high ammo capacity for backup.
Grenade: G-12 Frag – adds extra blast radius.
Stratagems: Orbital Railcannon Strike (massive single‑target blast), MD-6 Minefield (area denial), Shield Generator, Reinforce.
Optimizing Your Build: Stat Priorities and Modding Tips
Beyond weapon and stratagem selection, fine‑tuning your loadout through in‑game modifiers can push a good build into great territory. Helldivers 2 lets you adjust three core stat categories: Damage, Reload Speed, and Ammo Capacity. Prioritize based on your role:
- Anti-Armor: Max Damage first, then Reload Speed (to minimize downtime between railgun shots), finally Ammo Capacity (extra railgun rounds).
- Crowd Control: Reload Speed (to keep the flamethrower fuel flowing), then Damage (increase tick damage), then Ammo Capacity (more fuel).
- Support: Ammo Capacity (ensures the MG-43 belt never empties), then Reload Speed (quick shield generator recharge), then Damage (secondary laser effectiveness).
- Medic/Hybrid: Reload Speed (fast grenade turnover), then Ammo Capacity (more stun grenades), then Damage (solid primary DPS).
Additionally, consider the “Weapon Mods” available at the Armory: Piercing Rounds (+1 penetration), Extended Magazine (+30% ammo), Quickdraw Grip (−0.3 s reload), and Stabilizer (+10% accuracy). Apply them according to the stat priorities above for maximum efficiency.
Putting It All Together: Sample Squad Composition
An ideal four‑player squad might look like this:
- Player 1 – Railgunner (S‑tier Anti‑Armor) – provides heavy armor penetration.
- Player 2 – Flamethrower (S‑tier Crowd Control) – clears infantry and lays down fire zones.
- Player 3 – Shield‑Bearer (S‑tier Support) – sustains the team with shields and emplacements.
- Player 4 – Grenadier Medic (S‑tier Hybrid) – handles revives, stuns, and supplies.
If you prefer a more aggressive stance, swap the Shield‑Bearer for the Anti‑Air Specialist (A‑tier) when facing aerial threats, or replace the Grenadier Medic with the Explosive Enthusiast (B‑tier) for maps rich in destructible objectives. Communication is key: announce when you’re about to call a stratagem, coordinate grenade throws, and keep an eye on each other’s shield timers.
By following the loadouts, role explanations, and stat‑priority guidelines above, you’ll be able to construct co‑op builds that not only dominate the current Helldivers 2 meta but also adapt to any mission the galaxy throws at you. Happy diving, and may your stratagems always land on target.