In Helldivers 2, Chargers are some of the most annoying enemies in the Terminid front. These enemies constantly ragdoll players and separate the squad from each other. Since they’re so armored, regular primary weapons won’t do much to kill them. However, there are some Stratagems, grenades, and guns that are very effective at putting them down. If you’re having trouble with these beasts, this guide will show you the best and easiest methods of killing them.
Anti-Tank Support Weapons
Helldivers 2 has a handful of anti-tank weapons you can call down and use to take out Chargers. Starting with the Recoilless Rifle, all you need to do is aim for a headshot, the fastest way to put these monsters down. Alternatively, you can use the Quasar Cannon since it shares the same damage values as the Recoilless Rifle, though it requires a longer cooldown before you can fire it again.
If accuracy is what you struggle with, then the Spear is your best friend. This baby is able to pick off Chargers and Bile Titans beautifully, though be sure to note that you'll be sacrificing ammo reserves for more ease of use. If you don’t like reloading in general, EAT Launchers have a fairly quick cooldown timer, but they’re one-time use only and you’ll have to wait a minute and a half for another.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference in how you want to deal with the logistics of killing these heavy targets.
Anti-Infantry Support Weapons
If lugging around a dedicated anti-tank weapon isn’t for you, there are a couple of generalist support weapons that do just as well. The Railgun may take longer to kill a Charger, but you can use it to strip its leg armor, leaving it open to small arms fire. If you prefer, you can also score headshots with it, though it would take more shots to kill.
The Flamethrower is also a great anti-Charger weapon, though the issue is dealing with the problem of accidentally setting yourself on fire. Unless you have fire-resistant armor, this is best used while the Charger is stunned.
The Heavy Machine Gun is also a simple weapon to use against Chargers, but you’ll need to aim for the legs for more consistent kills.
Orbital and Eagle Stratagems
There are a couple of offensive Stratagems that can kill Chargers well. The Orbital Railcannon is the most consistent option since it locks on to the heaviest target, but its long cooldown makes it more of an emergency option than a standard call-in. The Eagle Airstrike is another good option, but since the bombing run is more horizontal, it takes some learning to correctly land kills.
Primary / Secondary / Grenades
Most primary weapons are capable of killing Chargers if you shoot them in the rear, but these take a long time to pull off. However, the Senator revolver has the most armor penetration out of all the weapons on this list, which allows it to hit Chargers in the head. As for grenades, the Thermite Grenade is an easy throw-and-forget that one-shots them. If you prefer to CC them, the Stun Grenade gives you enough breathing room to hit them with your other offensive tools.
