With all sorts of weapons and Stratagems at the player's disposal in Helldivers 2, it can be hard to put together the best loadout to tackle the immediate challenges ahead. There are primary and secondary weapons to think about, support weapons that can bring added utility, as well as a selection of offensive and defensive Stratagems to add into the mix.
One of the key Stratagems categories in the game is the various Sentries, automated turrets that can be both valuable assistance and team-killing catastrophes. Knowing just when and how to use the different options can be the difference between a successful team or solo outing or an operation that ends in disaster. For those hoping to learn the best ways and when to use the Sentries in Helldivers 2, this guide is the right place to be.
Helldivers 2: Best Weapons to Deal with Automatons
Heading to fight the Automatons in Helldivers 2? Make life easier by getting the best weapons for the job.
All Sentries in Helldivers 2
Made possible with the help of the Robotics Workshop back on the Super Destroyer, players can gain access to the following Sentries with progression and required resources:
Stratagem | Stratagem Traits | Uses | Call-In Time | Cooldown Time | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hellpod, Sentry | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 3 | |
Hellpod, Sentry | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 5 | |
Hellpod, Sentry, Explosive | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 8 | |
Hellpod, Sentry | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 13 | |
Hellpod, Sentry, Explosive | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 15 | |
Hellpod, Sentry, Explosive | Unlimited | 3 sec | 180 sec | Level 20 |
Machine Gun Sentry
Gatling Sentry
Mortar Sentry
Autocannon Sentry
Rocket Sentry
EMS Mortar SentryAs a general rule, the Sentries are not the best at discerning between friend and foe and will kill anything without bias if they are in the line of fire. As such, having the right placement and approach will be very important.
Machine Gun Sentry and Gatling Sentry
These two Sentries fire quickly whenever they spot an enemy, and the concentrated fire can even penetrate armored enemies to a certain extent, making them invaluable in the early stages of the game. However, that means if players are standing between them and the targets, death is the only outcome, so make sure to go prone if you need to move across its vision.
A great tool to have in dealing with numbers, try to position the Gatling and Machin Gun Sentries at chokepoints or defensible locations to lock down an area, giving you more time to focus on other stuff.
Mortar Sentry
A good option to soften enemy bases up at range, the Mortar Sentry fires off explosive shells that can make short work of concentrated enemy numbers. The caveat is that it is slower in firing, making it less effective against fast-moving enemies, and will fire in salvos of three shells before moving on to the next target.
It is best to call down the Sentry ahead of rushing into the base; this will help reduce enemy numbers and prevent eager players from getting caught in the blast.
Autocannon Sentry
Sacrificing agility and speed for power and range, the Autocannon Sentry is a godsend when dealing with more heavily armored foes like the Hulks, Chargers, or Bile Titans. To conserve its ammo for the right targets, it is best to only summon the Autocannon Sentry once the smaller foes have been dealt with and place it at a relatively safe distance from the enemies. This will allow it to do the best work and take care of the threats as you become the bait and distraction.
Rocket Sentry
An alternative to the Autocannon Sentry, the Rocket Sentry benefits from a faster firing rate and more ammo, but it is not the best against more armored foes despite its description. The lack of stagger damage means it is much more suited for numbers and lesser armored enemies, but there is the perk of it always targeting the biggest enemy first. Depending on your playstyle, be sure to add either of the two Sentries to your rotation to deal with bigger threats.
EMS Mortar Sentry
One of the best Stratagems to have in the arsenal for defensive objectives, the EMS Mortar Sentry is best paired with any of the other Sentries in this list due to its unique nature. While it does some damage with its shells, the best part of its function is the static field it leaves behind, which slows down enemies and makes them vulnerable to other weapons.
You can easily slow down a Bile Titan and have an Autocannon Sentry take care of it without a fuss, and when you are in a team, it makes defending a position much easier with multiple Sentries working in tandem, especially in the late-game stages.
