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Factory Striders, often called "Walkers" or "Dogs," are among the most formidable opponents you'll face on the Automaton front. Their size and firepower can be intimidating, but with a clear understanding of their mechanics, they can be taken down systematically. This guide breaks down common player questions based on in-game experience.

What exactly is a Factory Strider, and where do I find them?

A Factory Strider is a massive, walking Automaton factory. It serves as both a heavy weapons platform and a production unit for standard Devastators. In general, you'll encounter them in two ways: they can be found patrolling major Automaton outposts, or they can be airdropped into an active combat zone by large dropships. During high-level missions, most players report encountering them in "Strider Convoys," which are groups of four to six Striders moving together. One Strider in these convoys is always a special "Jammer" variant.

What are the different types of Factory Striders?

There are two variants:

Standard Factory Strider: The main model, equipped with a large plasma cannon on its back and twin chin-mounted miniguns. Some deployed in urban environments may lack the plasma cannon.

Strider Jammer: This variant replaces the plasma cannon with a Stratagem Jammer. It doesn't block Stratagem use like a Jammer Tower, but it scrambles your input codes every five seconds, forcing you to re-learn the sequence mid-fight. It also fires signal flares to summon Automaton reinforcements directly near your squad. In a convoy, this should be your primary target.

How do I actually fight one? What are its weaknesses?

While it has "Anti-Tank" level armor on most of its body, it has key vulnerabilities. Most players focus on two main approaches: disabling its weapons first, or targeting its weak points directly.

Weapon Systems: Its twin chin miniguns are the biggest immediate threat to infantry but are only medium-armored. Any weapon that can penetrate medium armor can destroy them. They also have a limited 180-degree field of view, so flanking is effective. The dorsal plasma cannon is heavily armored but can be destroyed by a direct hit from most shoulder-fired rockets.

Primary Weak Point (The Undercarriage): The most vulnerable area is its underbelly, where it drops Devastators. This is only medium-armored (AP3). Concentrated fire here from weapons like the MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun or even thermite grenades is very effective.

Instant Kill Spot: A single, perfectly aimed shot from a Recoilless Rifle directly into the small red "eye" on its face will destroy it instantly. This is a high-risk, high-skill maneuver due to the small target size and exposure to its miniguns.

Legs: Destroying a foot is also a guaranteed kill, as the legs are only heavily armored, not anti-tank.

What Stratagems and weapons work best against them?

There are several reliable options, depending on your squad's loadout:

Orbital Strikes: The Orbital Laser will kill a Strider if it lasts the full duration. Orbital Walking Barrage is exceptionally effective due to the Strider's slow speed and large size.

Eagle Strikes: A direct hit from an Eagle 500kg Bomb on its front section deals massive damage. Other Eagle strikes (110mm Rocket Pods, Airstrike) can also whittle it down or destroy its weapons.

Support Weapons: The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle and FAF-14 Spear take two direct hits to the body to kill it. The EAT-17 and LAS-99 Quasar Cannon take three. The RS-422 Railgun is excellent for safely destroying its weapon turrets from a distance.

Emplacements: The E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement can destroy its main cannon in one shot from long range, neutering its long-range threat.

Extreme Measures: Hellpods (from reinforcements or called-down gear) deal damage when landed on it. Anti-tank mines are very effective if you can bait the Strider into walking over them. The SEAF Artillery Mini Nuke or any Hellbomb variant will destroy it instantly if it's within the blast radius.

What are some practical tactics most squads use?

Priority Target: In a convoy, always mark and focus the Jammer Strider first to stop reinforcement flares and code scrambling.

Disable, Then Destroy: A common and safe strategy is to first destroy its miniguns and plasma cannon from cover or a flank. Once disarmed, it becomes a slow, passive factory, allowing you to safely target its undercarriage or legs.

Use the Environment: Its slow turn speed and inability to climb steep terrain make it easy to outmaneuver. Use hills and rocks for cover.

Bait and Mine: Laying a field of anti-tank mines and then getting its attention is a reliable, resource-efficient way to kill it.

Dropship Intercept: If you see a dropship delivering one, destroying the dropship before it finishes unloading will kill the Strider instantly.

Clear the Area: When it finally dies, run. The explosion is huge and will kill any Helldiver caught nearby.

Is there anything else I should know?

Yes. A fully disabled Strider will stop moving and focus solely on producing Devastators. While these are a threat, it often allows your squad a moment to regroup. Also, remember that the Devastators it produces are only the standard variant, unless the Strider is marked with a Jet Brigade icon, in which case they will have jump packs. Finally, while intimidating, a methodical squad that focuses on its weapons and weak points can turn a Factory Strider from a crisis into a manageable, if intense, part of the mission.

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