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If you're fighting the Automatons, you've run into Devastators. They're a core part of the Automaton roster and a major reason missions can suddenly get out of control. This isn't a promotional overview; it's a practical breakdown of how they work and how most experienced players handle them.

What Exactly is a Devastator?

In general, Devastators are medium-heavy infantry units designed to suppress and eliminate Helldivers. They are larger and louder than standard Troopers and are most easily identified by the heavy dual cannons mounted on their right arm. Their primary role is to provide sustained firepower, pinning down teams while lighter units flank or heavier units move into position.

There are three main types you'll encounter regularly, plus some special variants:

Standard Devastator: The base model with medium armor and dual arm-cannons. They are accurate and form the backbone of Automaton suppression.

Heavy Devastator: Bulkier, with a large, nearly impenetrable shield on one arm and a machine gun on the other. They advance slowly but can absorb tremendous punishment from the front.

Rocket Devastator: Equipped with shoulder-mounted rocket pods in addition to their standard cannons. They hang back and launch barrages that can one-hit-kill and cause heavy knockback.

On higher difficulties, you'll also face special variants from elite Automaton legions, like the Incineration Corps' flamethrower-wielding Conflagration Devastator or the Jet Brigade's jump-pack equipped models with faster-firing cannons.

How Do Players Effectively Fight Them?

The tactics change based on the variant. A common mistake is treating them all the same, which usually leads to a quick respawn screen.

Armor and Weak Points: Their torso has medium armor, but their head, limbs, and any backpack equipment (like rocket pods or jump packs) only have light armor. Most players aim for the head if they have a clear shot. Shooting their weapon arm will disable it; destroying the arm entirely leaves an unarmored hole in their side.

Countering the Standard & Heavy: These variants will push toward you. The Heavy's shield is classified as anti-tank armor; you cannot shoot through it with regular weapons. You need to use anti-tank ordnance, an overcharged railgun, or exploit its weaknesses. The shield does not cover its head, and its gun arm is partially exposed. Furthermore, its large ammo pack on its back is unarmored and can be destroyed with small arms fire. Explosives and area-of-effect damage also bypass the shield completely.

Handling the Rocket Variant: These are often the highest priority. Their rockets are devastating. You can shoot their rocket pods off with any weapon before they fire, permanently disabling that weapon system. They telegraph their rocket barrage by bracing in a wider stance; dodging to the side is the recommended move. It's worth noting that, unlike many enemies, Rocket Devastators can sometimes track you behind cover if you remain within their range.

Recommended Loadouts: Weapons that can reliably hit weak spots excel here. The Anti-Materiel Rifle and the Diligence Counter Sniper are popular for safely removing Devastators from a distance. Laser weapons are also decent for scoring consistent headshots. For close-quarters, a Ballistic Shield Backpack makes you immune to the cannon and machine gun fire from Standard and Heavy types, allowing you to engage them directly.

What Are the Common Player Strategies?

On higher difficulties, where Devastators spawn frequently, your team's strategy needs to account for them.

Priority Targeting: The usual kill order for many squads is Rocket Devastators first (due to their high burst damage), followed by Heavies (because they can block paths and soak up attention), then Standards. Ignoring a pack of Devastators to focus on a larger enemy like a Hulk or Tank is often a fatal error.

Awareness and Sound: Experienced Helldivers listen for their distinct, low vocalizations to identify a Devastator presence before visually seeing them, especially around outposts.

Stratagem Use: While support weapons work, often the most efficient way to clear a group of Devastators mixed with other bots is a well-placed explosive stratagem like an Eagle Airstrike or Orbital Barrage. This is a practical approach to resource management, saving your heavier anti-tank tools for armored vehicles.

It's important to be aware that while you should always earn your gear through gameplay, you might see third-party websites offering helldivers 2 items for sale. Most of the player community strongly advises against this, as it often violates the game's terms of service, risks your account security, and undermines the core progression loop of the game.

Key Takeaways for Your Next Drop

Devastators are a punishing but manageable enemy type. To summarize:

Identify the variant immediately—the threat they pose is different.

Exploit their light-armor weak points: head, limbs, and back equipment.

Prioritize Rocket Devastators in engagements.

Never try to shoot through a Heavy Devastator's shield with small arms; flank it or use explosives.

Use sound to your advantage to avoid being ambushed by them.

Dealing with them effectively is less about having the absolute best gear and more about understanding their behavior and applying the right counter-tactics. Focus on that, and you'll find Automaton missions becoming much more manageable.