Assault rifles have always been one of the most iconic weapon categories in Helldivers 2. They’re simple, dependable, and flexible enough for almost any mission. But as every veteran player knows, each rifle has its own personality, strengths, and even a “type” of diver who prefers it. After reviewing the recent breakdown from the video, ed the insights into a more practical guide to help players understand where each rifle shines, why people pick them, and how they actually perform in modern loadouts.
The Classic Starter: AR-23 Liberator
Almost every diver begins their journey with the AR-23 Liberator, and honestly, it still holds up surprisingly well in casual missions. It’s the weapon you see in every squad: new players, purists who refuse to abandon their starter gear, and even veteran divers who just like its reliable feel. It’s not flashy and it’s not the strongest rifle, but it’s smooth, customizable, and consistent.
In some situations, especially for players not interested in grinding or trying to buy helldivers 2 medals, the Liberator remains a “good enough” option throughout most ranks. Its simplicity is its real charm.
AR-23P Penetrator: Misunderstood but Reliable
The Penetrator is a weapon many players pick up early, usually because someone told them it's meta. While its base damage looks low on paper, its actual performance is better than people expect thanks to its utility and customization options.
It’s not the best AP3 weapon in the game, but it does handle a lot of mixed encounters well. I’ve met plenty of players who swear by it after learning how to manage its recoil patterns.
AR-23C Concussive: For Crowd-Control Theorists
This gun is mostly used by divers who enjoy creative strategies or who remember the early days when the Concussive actually fired explosive rounds. Its stun effect sounds good on paper, but in real missions it’s usually just faster and safer to eliminate enemies outright. Still, if you like tactical crowd control, this rifle scratches that itch.
STA-52: Rare but Stylish
The STA-52 is one of the least-seen assault rifles in matchmaking. It’s basically a Liberator in a Killzone skin, so most players treat it as a cosmetic pick rather than a serious upgrade. That said, for players who enjoy Helghast-themed loadouts, it’s a fun way to lean into the aesthetic—even if Halo’s crossover overshadowed it.
AR-32 Pacifier
(Transcript gave no detail here, so this section remains intentionally minimal.)
This rifle is mentioned briefly without commentary, but like most rifles in the AR line, it fills a general-purpose role that appeals to players who want something stable and adaptable.
AR-2 Coyote: The Space AK for Sweatlords
If you’ve ever paired with a diver who sprints ahead, wipes entire bases alone, and seems to drink pure caffeine, odds are they’re carrying the Coyote. This rifle is one of the strongest primaries in the entire game—fast, powerful, and flexible.
It also appeals to players who love the idea of a sci‑fi AK-47. And to be fair, it really does feel robust and reliable. Some players even look for ways to get cheap helldivers 2 medals just to speed up their progression and unlock more upgrades that pair well with the Coyote.
U4GM is often mentioned in communities for their services, but personally, I’d still recommend progressing naturally unless you’re really in a hurry.
MA5C: The Underrated Halo Classic
A clear nod to Halo, the MA5C feels incredibly nostalgic for fans of ODST or Halo 3. Many players underestimate it simply because it lacks customization, but its AP3 classification and solid damage make it a surprisingly strong pick. If Arrowhead ever increases its ammo reserve to match the original Halo design, this rifle might become a fan favorite overnight.
AR-23A Liberator Carbine: The Drum-Mag Spray Machine
This rifle is perfect for players who love suppressing fire. Most Carbine users run a drum mag and recoil‑reducing attachments so they can hold down the trigger and mow through waves of smaller enemies. It’s basically a lightweight stalwart alternative, and many players treat it like a pseudo‑support weapon.
AR-61 Tenderizer: High Damage With a Learning Curve
The Tenderizer hits harder than most assault rifles and rewards players who fight from mid‑range. Its smaller magazine means you’ll be reloading often, so players who run it tend to bring a Supply Pack. Some divers even treat it like a budget battle rifle thanks to its punchy damage and precision feel.
BR-14 Adjudicator: The Buffed AP3 Powerhouse
The BR‑14 has quietly become one of the strongest rifles in the game after recent buffs. It hits hard, handles better than it used to, and works well even when you aren’t aiming for weak spots. While it used to be more of a niche pick, it now sits comfortably as a top‑tier AP3 option.
Players who ran it before the buffs were usually engineering kit specialists who relied on recoil negation to make the weapon shine. With its new recoil improvements, more players are finally giving it the attention it deserves.
While assault rifles form the backbone of Helldivers 2 gameplay, each one brings its own identity and playstyle. Whether you enjoy a classic starter rifle, high‑power penetrators, or fast‑firing swarm‑clear options, there’s something here for every diver. As the arsenal continues to grow, we’ll hopefully see more variety in marksman rifles as well. For now, these rifles offer plenty of depth for players who enjoy refining their loadouts and experimenting with different strategies.
The Classic Starter: AR-23 Liberator
Almost every diver begins their journey with the AR-23 Liberator, and honestly, it still holds up surprisingly well in casual missions. It’s the weapon you see in every squad: new players, purists who refuse to abandon their starter gear, and even veteran divers who just like its reliable feel. It’s not flashy and it’s not the strongest rifle, but it’s smooth, customizable, and consistent.
In some situations, especially for players not interested in grinding or trying to buy helldivers 2 medals, the Liberator remains a “good enough” option throughout most ranks. Its simplicity is its real charm.
AR-23P Penetrator: Misunderstood but Reliable
The Penetrator is a weapon many players pick up early, usually because someone told them it's meta. While its base damage looks low on paper, its actual performance is better than people expect thanks to its utility and customization options.
It’s not the best AP3 weapon in the game, but it does handle a lot of mixed encounters well. I’ve met plenty of players who swear by it after learning how to manage its recoil patterns.
AR-23C Concussive: For Crowd-Control Theorists
This gun is mostly used by divers who enjoy creative strategies or who remember the early days when the Concussive actually fired explosive rounds. Its stun effect sounds good on paper, but in real missions it’s usually just faster and safer to eliminate enemies outright. Still, if you like tactical crowd control, this rifle scratches that itch.
STA-52: Rare but Stylish
The STA-52 is one of the least-seen assault rifles in matchmaking. It’s basically a Liberator in a Killzone skin, so most players treat it as a cosmetic pick rather than a serious upgrade. That said, for players who enjoy Helghast-themed loadouts, it’s a fun way to lean into the aesthetic—even if Halo’s crossover overshadowed it.
AR-32 Pacifier
(Transcript gave no detail here, so this section remains intentionally minimal.)
This rifle is mentioned briefly without commentary, but like most rifles in the AR line, it fills a general-purpose role that appeals to players who want something stable and adaptable.
AR-2 Coyote: The Space AK for Sweatlords
If you’ve ever paired with a diver who sprints ahead, wipes entire bases alone, and seems to drink pure caffeine, odds are they’re carrying the Coyote. This rifle is one of the strongest primaries in the entire game—fast, powerful, and flexible.
It also appeals to players who love the idea of a sci‑fi AK-47. And to be fair, it really does feel robust and reliable. Some players even look for ways to get cheap helldivers 2 medals just to speed up their progression and unlock more upgrades that pair well with the Coyote.
U4GM is often mentioned in communities for their services, but personally, I’d still recommend progressing naturally unless you’re really in a hurry.
MA5C: The Underrated Halo Classic
A clear nod to Halo, the MA5C feels incredibly nostalgic for fans of ODST or Halo 3. Many players underestimate it simply because it lacks customization, but its AP3 classification and solid damage make it a surprisingly strong pick. If Arrowhead ever increases its ammo reserve to match the original Halo design, this rifle might become a fan favorite overnight.
AR-23A Liberator Carbine: The Drum-Mag Spray Machine
This rifle is perfect for players who love suppressing fire. Most Carbine users run a drum mag and recoil‑reducing attachments so they can hold down the trigger and mow through waves of smaller enemies. It’s basically a lightweight stalwart alternative, and many players treat it like a pseudo‑support weapon.
AR-61 Tenderizer: High Damage With a Learning Curve
The Tenderizer hits harder than most assault rifles and rewards players who fight from mid‑range. Its smaller magazine means you’ll be reloading often, so players who run it tend to bring a Supply Pack. Some divers even treat it like a budget battle rifle thanks to its punchy damage and precision feel.
BR-14 Adjudicator: The Buffed AP3 Powerhouse
The BR‑14 has quietly become one of the strongest rifles in the game after recent buffs. It hits hard, handles better than it used to, and works well even when you aren’t aiming for weak spots. While it used to be more of a niche pick, it now sits comfortably as a top‑tier AP3 option.
Players who ran it before the buffs were usually engineering kit specialists who relied on recoil negation to make the weapon shine. With its new recoil improvements, more players are finally giving it the attention it deserves.
While assault rifles form the backbone of Helldivers 2 gameplay, each one brings its own identity and playstyle. Whether you enjoy a classic starter rifle, high‑power penetrators, or fast‑firing swarm‑clear options, there’s something here for every diver. As the arsenal continues to grow, we’ll hopefully see more variety in marksman rifles as well. For now, these rifles offer plenty of depth for players who enjoy refining their loadouts and experimenting with different strategies.