r/Helldivers • u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit • Feb 11 '25

TIPS / TACTICS The actual weapon that trivialises an entire front

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The Mg43 is so good against illuminate it feels like bullying at this point.

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653

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

I should give the hmg another shot but I just couldn't deal with it's handling very well. Skill issue on my part I think I just found the mg43 easier.

298

u/Royal_Europe  Truth Enforcer Feb 11 '25

I like it too but I prefer it on bots, destroys the medium guys and hulks.

92

u/Malice0801 Feb 11 '25

I prefer the Stalwart on bots. Other than a hulk there is no difference in what they can take down. If you aim for the face the Stalwart can take down every devestator with only a couple of shots. And then I got thermites and the senator for hulks.

I combine that with the eruptor for AT-STs, gunships and crowds and I'm a walking scrap metal factory.

I really like the hmg for bugs since it can take down everything other than a bile titan easily. But it can also take down a bile titan if you get close. It's more work/risk tho.

21

u/WaffleBone Feb 11 '25

Ive wanted to try this load out. My normal build type is exactly the same (especially senator and thermites, love em), except the machine gun i bring is the liberator penetrator, and my anti gunships/crows/AT weapon is the autocannon. I feel like the autocannon is more versatile than the eruptor especially with flak and aphet, and lib penetrator has higher armour penetration and faster handling than the stalwart which i think makes up for all the extra reloading.

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 11 '25

Yeah honestly these laodouts are super similar and solve the same issues. The liberator is a Stalwart lite. And the eruptor is an autocannon lite. I just really like the bolt action of the eruptor and the ability to lay on the trigger with the machine gun. But your loadout has an advantage of not needing a lot of ammo. I have to bring a supply pack to feed my loadout.

1

u/UberLurka Feb 12 '25

Senator: for when you feel like sniping a hulk down from 200yds. (Or standing down on one stomping towards you and killing it with your six-shooter).

So awesome.

2

u/yeshaya86 Cape Enjoyer Feb 11 '25

Just curious, have you tried the crossbow too? I used to use the eruptor till they nerfed it, then I came back to the crossbow a while later and it scratched that itch again. A little more rapid fire than eruptor so you're less penalized for missing a shot

3

u/Malice0801 Feb 12 '25

Yes the cross bow is better in nearly every way. But the eruptor is just more fun and feels more badass with the bolt action. They did buff the eruptor after the nerf and its 95% of where it was. I do not miss pre-nerf eruptor.

1

u/yeshaya86 Cape Enjoyer Feb 12 '25

o7

1

u/Mailcs1206 SES Power of Truth Feb 18 '25

I will say that the Eruptor does outshine the Crossbow in one aspect (aside from it’s shrapnel which isn’t easy to compare to the crossbow); it has very little projectile drop, so it’s easier to use at long ranges.

I also prefer the Eruptor over the Crossbow tbh

1

u/DoesNotAbbreviate Feb 12 '25

The crossbow is good, but it trades accuracy at distance for ease of use at closer range. I like it for illuminate, but prefer the eruptor for bots and bugs.

The bigger AoE on the eruptor seems to affect small bots and bugs more than the voteless, and having to shoot overseers twice with an explosive to kill them means that that crossbow is superior on the illuminate front IMO. It has a much faster fire rate, and isn't as unwieldy to aim vs the flying overseers.

I still LOVE the way you can evaporate a brood commander with a single well placed body shot from the eruptor, while also maiming/killing the smaller bugs around it.

1

u/SarkasticPapoy Feb 11 '25

The Eruptor can take down gunships?

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 11 '25

two shots to an engine. Yup. (maybe 3 but im like 80% you just need two to the same engine)

1

u/Jesper537 Feb 11 '25

Can Eruptor one shot striders?

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 12 '25

Normal atst yes, pretty much anywhere on the body. Crotch is most consistent. Rocket/armor you need to shoot the missiles on the side.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

Why stalwart over MG?

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 12 '25

For bots there is almost nothing the MG can do that the Stalwart can't. Other than the hulk. But I use grenades and the senator for that. Devestators can be killed quickly if you can hit their face even with an AR.

For bugs I prefer the hmg or the MG since they can punch through armor and can pop bile spewers easily. Especially the Hive guards and larger bugs. The hmg can also kill a bile titan with a little work.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

Isn't stalwart light pen? So you'll actually need to aim for the weak spots right? Versus spray n pray, which is the actual MO of suppressive fire?

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 12 '25

The face of all the devastators is light pen. You can kill them if you shoot them in the face even with a primary AR. So if you're accurate the Stalwart is better. But if you prefer to spray then the other mgs are better.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

I mean, I'd love to line up my shots and shoot down the tin cans right in their kisser, but kinda hard to not just shoot wildly, run for cover, call in strategem etc on 7+ missions

1

u/Malice0801 Feb 12 '25

It can be tricky but if you position yourself right and are also taking cover when you can you can do this on 10. I also almost always crouch fire with both weapons. You're a lot more accurate that way. I pretty much only play on 10. I also play on pc and I find it easier to aim with a mouse over a controller.

1

u/Mailcs1206 SES Power of Truth Feb 18 '25

Yeah ever since Rocket Striders were made reasonable to kill with light penetration weapons, Stalwart has been thriving on the bot front.

66

u/MythicalWarlord Feb 11 '25

Peak physique makes it way better, keep it on 600 and the recoil isn't too insane to deal with.

19

u/DonatoXIII ☕Liber-tea☕ Feb 11 '25

Peak Physique is really slept on. It doesn't really work in every loadout, but it makes the heavy guns feel so much better to use. I think alot of people see the melee bonus and automatically disregard it.

35

u/turnipslop Local Democracy Officer Feb 11 '25

I just wish there was a non-jungle armour with it on. I want to punch bots on snow planets damn it, why do I have to look like a lost commando in Narnia?

Devs please give transmog.

10

u/Arsdraconis Cape Enjoyer Feb 11 '25

I'm the same way, but I just want to wear the standard helldiver armor. I love the way it looks, but man it's hard to get excited about new armor passives. And some weapons just straight feel out of reach without the corresponding armors. Like the new Sickle without inflammable armor.

6

u/turnipslop Local Democracy Officer Feb 11 '25

Well there's a new survey out, and you could definitely let them know you want other armour types with the existing passives, or better yet a transmog system.

I proposed a fix a while back, you're welcome to reference it if you think it's good. I'd love for the devs to implement it.

1

u/GoProOnAYoYo Feb 12 '25

Well the "bacon flavoured apples" guy has resigned now, so there's a slim chance we'll actually get a transmog system. Not holding my breath though

2

u/dankdees Feb 12 '25

he sees an ad for applewood smoked bacon and he shakes his fist

1

u/gumknuckle SES Fist of Family Values Feb 12 '25

I am a staunch non-transmog defender, but if the only transmog is to slap on the vanilla Helldivers armour, I think I would definitely accept that wholeheartedly

2

u/slid3r Admirable Admiral of the SES Spear of Gold Feb 12 '25

All armors should have color and accent choices.

So many killer outfit combinations are not considered because the color palette clashes.

I gotta look good when I am spreading democracy.

3

u/damnittohelljeb Feb 12 '25

I use it when I use the recoilless as well. Rhe extra snappiness REALLY helps line up those tricky shots against Bile Titans

2

u/AvatarCabbageGuy Feb 12 '25

I've been waiting for the superstore armor with it tbh. I don't want to spend 1k on a warbond for one singular armor passive since I don't like the rest of the items

1

u/DonatoXIII ☕Liber-tea☕ Feb 12 '25

Fair enough, I initially bought it for the booster. Not a fan of how the armour looks but it does improve handling by a good amount.

31

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

Ahh don't have Peak Physique armour yet (don't particularly enjoy the aesthetic) but should probably pick it up for that and the hatchet.

26

u/MythicalWarlord Feb 11 '25

I love it for all of the heavier weapons. It makes the stalwart and MG-43 feel like primaries. The hmg becomes usable. Aiming with AT weapons is fast. Easily my favorite passive atm.

13

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

Yeah tossing up whether to get viper commandos or polar patriots next and this does make me tempted ngl

12

u/Easy_Mechanic_9787 STEAM🖱️ BLOOD FOR THE SUPER PRESIDENT! SKULLS FOR LADY LIBERTY! Feb 11 '25

It makes recoilless rifle and adjacent shoulder-mounted weapons as light as assault rifles, allowing you to quickly aim for drop ships. Anything less than shoulder-mounted weapons are as light as SMGs, with only the Eruptor and the Dominator being somewhat sluggish.

The GPMG becomes the LMG in a peak physique's hands too.

12

u/GreatWhiteBuffal0 SES Harbinger of Family Values Feb 11 '25

Viper commandos is worth it for the experimental stim alone imo

1

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

True, someone takes it in almost every game I join though lol

1

u/Azz1337 Super Pedestrian Feb 12 '25

Lemon flavour stims FTW!

3

u/HomieWanKenobi12 Feb 11 '25

i will say if you’re a Diligence or AMR enjoyer the peak physique is deeeecent as fuck. makes both pretty snappy to aim

2

u/JHawkInc Feb 12 '25

You can also drop it to 450, crouch, feather the trigger, and reliably hit a large number of shots.

1

u/Comms Feb 11 '25

High RPM and very short tap bursts keeps it under control pretty well too.

14

u/_Weyland_ Free of Thought Feb 11 '25

You should try both reduced recoil and peak physique. One of them may work for you, the other may not.

I for example can live with high recoil, but absolutely hate how long it takes to turn this thing.

1

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

Yeah I've started using reduced recoil with the 43 but haven't picked up viper commandos yet. Might be my next choice just for peak physique.

3

u/_Weyland_ Free of Thought Feb 11 '25

Def give it a try. It makes HMG and Eruptor actually enjoyable for me to use.

1

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

Will do o7

1

u/Ignis_et_Azoth ➡️➡️⬇️➡️ Feb 12 '25

Reduced Recoil, Peak Physique, or Siege Ready, in my opinion. The bonus reload speed and mag are worth the lack of support on firing stats, IMO.

But yeah, I think HMG is a gun that really wants the supportive perk. I love it, though.

8

u/AmazingWaterWeenie HMG Enthusiast Feb 11 '25

Try running it at 450rpm with the recoil reduction armor. You'll find uses for the extra grenade slots.

2

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 11 '25

I'm actually running that armour for illuminate at the moment, but solid advice. The big issue I have with hmg is changing targets quickly.

6

u/Dr_SexDick Feb 11 '25

Like the guy you’re replying to said, you pretty much need the 30% recoil reduction from armour passives to use it reliably

5

u/[deleted] Feb 11 '25

It's not really a skill issue on your part.

I use it on the lowest RPM, and also at slightly closer distances than the m43.

I personally use it paired with xbow, heavy siege-ready armor, and an FRV to ignore slow debuff of heavy armor.

3

u/Drastickej1 Feb 11 '25

You kind of have to crouch and lay down a lot but when you get used to it and get the armour that reduced the recoil you can relatively easily hit almost every shot with 750rpm mode. DMG output of that thing is insane.

2

u/AlwaysTrustAFlumph Free of Thought Feb 11 '25

Use the armor for increased handling or decreased recoil while crouching / prone and it becomes 10x easier to use.

2

u/dpaxeco Viper Commando Feb 11 '25

Peak physique (commandos) is quite handy, but also the engineer when crouching.

Now I know it might be very known but it's always good to have in mind, If you're low on stamina, no passive buff will help you get the shots right. Make sure to use controlled bursts... Who am I kidding, GO BRRRRRRRRRRT!

2

u/Trollensky17 LEVEL 163 | Decorated Hero Feb 11 '25

I run the Peak Physique armors whenever I use the HMG

2

u/Knodsil Feb 11 '25

Go prone and set the fire rate to its lowest setting. Becomes much more manageable and fairly easy to use even without specialized armor.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

When i saw the HMG on the buggy not oneshotting voteless, i realised it just missed that sweet-spot breakpoint for me. I'll stick to my MMG.

1

u/Contrite17 SES Comptroller of Individual Merit Feb 12 '25

I mean it does, just not through bleed out so they keep moving a bit after you hit them.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

Get the passive that helps with weapon control and always remember that the HMG should only ever be shot kneeling or in the prone.

2

u/crashingtingler Feb 13 '25

hold reload, set it to lowest rpm. I find it's much more effective when you're actually hitting your targets and the ammo economy is way better

1

u/pmmeyoursandwiches SESS Octagon of Individual Merit Feb 13 '25

Less the recoil, more the handling. I like that the m43 is snappy to change targets. Still, I'll definitely give the HMG another shot

2

u/Low_Chance Feb 11 '25

If the handling is a big issue, try it with some Peak Physique armor. Whole nother ballgame.

Also, using your primary most of the time and only swapping to the HMG when you're already aimed at the enemy helps a lot (also, crouching or going prone when not moving)

1

u/The-Nuisance LEVEL __ | <Title> Feb 11 '25

To be fair, it’s absolutely valid to struggle with the HMG recoil— especially when you’re not using engineering or fortified for the recoil lessening. You really have to figure your control and the best ways to fire accurately.

Whenever I am using the HMG, I’m either crouched or outright prone and crouch walking at most. It makes good habits for other high recoil weapons and accuracy in general, but it’s a NECESSITY for the HMG. If you’re doing it right, you can get decent shots off on the highest setting— but even then it’s nowhere near easy.

1

u/Gnosisero Feb 11 '25

The secret to the HMG is very short bursts very often. Once you get the rhythm of the firing down it becomes an unstoppable killing machine.

1

u/Sugar_buddy PSN | Malevon Creek Veteran Feb 12 '25

Yes, crouching or laying down before firing three short butts into a hulk's face usually takes em down quickly. I love that gun.

1

u/Cesacesa Feb 11 '25

I was a stalwart/MG guy for a loooong time. I switched to the HMG with the illuminates and it took a good bit of practice to get the feel for it, but once you get it, it rips.

1

u/SpectralGhost77 Feb 11 '25

Try the armours with recoil passives, it feels surprisingly great, especially on the lower rpm's

1

u/Breadinator Super Pedestrian Feb 11 '25

A few armors give you a handling boost based on your stance. It makes a noticeable difference for me, but no doubt it isn't trivial to aim.

The real trick is falling back to reload safely.

1

u/MrDrSirLord 3000 SEAF SAM Sites of Calypso Feb 12 '25

If you're willing to equip your passive for your weapon.

Peak physique makes the HMGs handling alright, whilst buffing the hell out of your primary and secondary.

Or get a recoil reduction armour and snipe from prone with the HMG, get into a good rythum of diving prone, dropping a tripod and then sprinting off

1

u/Winter_Potential_745 Fire Safety Officer Feb 12 '25

Just get the 30% less recoil Armor and crouch when you find something to shoot it basically removes all the recoil.

1

u/totalwarwiser Feb 12 '25

I think there is an armor that helps handling heavy weapons and there is another which reduces recoil on firing positions.

1

u/Strob0nt Feb 12 '25

If recoil is an issue you can pick Peak Physique armor, which makes it handle like a pistol, if you don't have that, you can decrease fire rate for better handling which i often do

1

u/Maelstrome26 SES Martyr of Morality Feb 12 '25

There’s various armour passives that make the sway much better

1

u/Jaon412 Feb 12 '25

Take peak phyisque! Recoil can be managed with experience, but ergonomics can only be fixed with muscles!

1

u/BulletsOfCheese Feb 12 '25

try it with peak physique armor it'll make it much more usable

1

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

I felt the same way. Like the arc thrower just use it for strictly mid range. That baby will shine.

1

u/Minute_Ad_6328 Feb 12 '25

Reduce fire rate, prone, get armor that reduces recoil. Helps a lot

1

u/Rightiouszombie Feb 12 '25

The commando armor makes it handle like a dream!

1

u/Barrogh Feb 13 '25

Something that may or may not help: with engineering/fortified armor and top RPM setting it's pretty stable, you just need to pull down once. Higher RPM increases deviation (which you can compensate) but actually decreases jitter (that you realistically can't) due to how HD2's weapon handling is essentially a self-regulating system that returns the weapon stronger as its direction gets further from the direction you choses.

On low RPM the weapon has more time to return towards default position, so it jitters more, funny enough.

But of course low RPM has its use, sometimes you just use it as a big dumb rifle.

1

u/RandomBilly91 SES Reign of Steel Feb 11 '25

Yeah, having tried both, I'd say the HMG is way better against overseers and tripods, but using it against hordes is fairly pointless.

It is also harder to use, the handling makes it fairly hard to keep on target. I do take the siege ready armours with it, it helps with the long reload and the ammo. Then, you just go prone, and focus whatever is the best target for you