Helldivers 2 tier list for the best primary and support weapons to use against the Illuminate in the Invasion Update — optimized for both solo and co-op missions. This Helldivers 2 Tier List 2025 focuses on raw DPS, magazine burst potential, and effective engagement range.
Since the Illuminate enemy types vary from shielded Harvesters to agile Votless and deadly Stingrays, weapons that can adapt to medium-to-long-range combat and precision weak spot damage are prioritized.
Helldivers 2 Tier List 2025 – Best Illuminate Weapons
Helldivers 2 Illuminate Invasion Primary Weapon Tier List
S-Tier
- PLAS-101 Purifier – Devastates flesh mobs and armored targets with its AoE and raw burst.
- PLAS-1 Scorcher – Exceptional DPS with medium armor pen, melts Stingrays and chunks flesh mobs.
- ARC-12 Blitzer – Incredible single-target deletion at close to mid-range. Melts Votless and squishy targets.
- PLAS-39 Accelerator Rifle – Fast, pinpoint beam with high accuracy; solid vs Overseers and general enemies.
- SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary – Great crowd control and AoE with fire damage for swarms.
A-Tier
- CB-9 Explosive Crossbow – Devastating burst against clustered targets and Watchers, but needs skill to aim.
- SG-225 Breaker – Great all-rounder shotgun. Effective vs Votless but needs good positioning.
- LAS-16 Sickle – Consistent beam damage; shreds flesh mobs and precision hits on Overseers.
- SG-8 Punisher Plasma – High damage per shot, great burst potential vs mid-armored enemies.
- R-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper – Precise, high weak spot damage; excellent vs Overseers and Watchers.
- MP-98 Knight – Massive DPS potential, great against squishy targets. Less effective vs Stingrays/Harvesters.
- LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle – Effective mid-range laser option with good control and sustained fire.
B-Tier
- AR-23P Liberator Penetrator – Solid rifle with good penetration. Good for a flexible loadout.
- SG-8S Slugger – Strong single-shot damage, good vs weak spot hits, but slow firing and reload.
- BR-14 Adjudicator – Balanced rifle with solid mid-range engagement; not best in burst situations.
- AR-23A Liberator Carbine – Lightweight, fast-firing rifle. Great mobility, lower stopping power.
- SG-451 Cookout – Niche incendiary use; good for swarms but poor vs shielded/armored enemies.
- SMG-32 Reprimand – Great fire rate, good for close-range swarm clearing. Low damage vs big threats.
- StA-52 Assault Rifle – Very average across the board. Consistent but not exceptional.
C-Tier – Low impact vs Illuminate
- StA-11 SMG – Very poor vs shielded or armored enemies. Only good for small mobs.
- R-6 Deadeye – Decent marksman weapon, but underwhelming vs fast Illuminate targets.
- SG-20 Halt – Extremely situational. Ineffective against shielded enemies or longer-range fights.
- LAS-5 Scythe – Underperforms compared to other laser rifles. Unreliable sustained DPS.
Best Weapons to Use in the Helldivers 2
Primary Weapons
1. Erupter
The Erupter takes the top spot in this update, thanks to a crucial buff to its shrapnel behavior. Shrapnel now explodes in a full 360-degree arc, making this weapon brutally effective in clearing groups of enemies. It easily shreds Stingray Bombers and can drop Flesh Mobs in just one or two well-placed shots—especially if you target their blue weak spots.
Occasionally, blasting the front of a Flesh Mob causes it to spin, exposing its rear weak points, allowing for an even quicker kill. The Erupter is also excellent for clearing large clusters of Watchers, Overseers, and Votless without relying on any support stratagems.
The only downside? It’s a bit underwhelming against Harvesters. Still, it’s one of the most versatile and powerful primaries for Illuminate missions.
2. Scorcher
The Scorcher is an absolute powerhouse against both Flesh Mobs and Stingrays, making it a top-tier option for this faction. Its fast fire rate and medium armor penetration let it dump rounds directly into the weak spots of airborne threats, often bringing down Stingrays faster than the Erupter.
Against Flesh Mobs, the Scorcher can take one down in a single mag if you aim around the weak points. And with weapon customization now live, reducing vertical recoil makes this weapon even more accurate—great for sniping distant Watchers and Overseers.
While it doesn’t perform as well against Harvesters, its sustained damage output still holds up for support.
3. Stalwart (Honorable Mention)
While not the most powerful choice for tougher Illuminate units, the Stalwart is fantastic for mowing down waves of weaker enemies. It excels when set to maximum RPM and used primarily for crowd control. It’s not great against Flesh Mobs or Stingrays, but its bullet spam makes it a fun and effective option for clearing the battlefield of chaff units. It’s especially useful when paired with a heavy-hitting support weapon.
Support Weapons
1. HMG 206
The HMG 206 is back and stronger than ever in this update. It’s the best support option for eliminating Stingrays and Harvesters, and it performs very well against Flesh Mobs too. With peak physique armor, you can manage its heavy recoil more comfortably, but skilled players can control it without assistance. To get the most out of this weapon, fire in short bursts or max out the RPM to unleash devastating damage. Paired with the Erupter or Scorcher, this combo gives you total coverage for every Illuminate threat.
2. AMR (Anti-Materiel Rifle)
The AMR remains a reliable go-to support weapon against Illuminate. It’s especially good at taking down Stingrays with well-timed shots as they fly overhead. It’s also surprisingly effective against Harvesters—target the hip joints to drop them fast. While it’s not as versatile as the HMG 206, its high-damage precision makes it perfect for skilled marksmen who prefer a sniper-like approach.
3. Wasp Launcher (Honorable Mention)
Although there’s no new footage shown in the latest update video, the Wasp Launcher is still an underrated pick. It’s a solid option for softening up groups of enemies or dealing burst damage to armored targets. If you’re looking for a hands-off, fire-and-forget type support weapon, this one fits the bill.