In just a few months since its release, Helldivers 2 has become a star of live-service gaming. Players must work to rid the galaxy of alien threats, and the game offers plenty of weapons to use for this task.
Unlike the rather underwhelming 
Las-5 Scythe , you can now finally enjoy using energy-based weapons in Helldivers 2 with the new 
LAS-16 Sickle . It is one of three weapons added with the new Cutting Edge Premium Warbond, and perhaps the only one to receive so much love from the community. Here's everything players need to know about this shiny new toy.
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How to Unlock the LAS-16 Sickle in Helldivers 2
The LAS-16 Sickle can be found on the first page of the new Cutting Edge Premium Warbond. Head over to the Acquisition Center (Square/R on PS5/PC) on your ship and scroll down to purchase Cutting Edge for 1,000 Super Credits. Then spend 20 Medals to unlock the LAS-16 Sickle before equipping it from the Armory as your primary weapon.
The great thing about Helldivers 2 is that you have ample opportunities to find Super Credits for free during missions. Still, if you have been hoarding a lot of premium currency, you will want to confirm beforehand if it is worthwhile to spend them all at once. Though it's easy to get, players still want to know if the weapon is worth the price.
Should You Get the LAS-16 Sickle in Helldivers 2?
If you are looking for a powerful assault rifle with infinite ammunition and zero recoil, look no further than the LAS-16 Sickle in Helldivers 2. It is an excellent primary weapon that you should consider over the standard AR-23 Liberator for several reasons. The gun's in-game stats are as follows:
Stat | Value |
|---|---|
Damage | 55 |
Fire Limit | 9 |
Recoil | 2 |
Fire Rate | 750 |
Heat Sinks (Clips) | 6+1 |
Firing Modes | Full Automatic |
Scope Zoom Range | 25, 50, and 100 meters |
Armor Penetration | Light Armor |
The LAS-16 Sickle does not require reloading unless it overheats. Stay under the safety levels, and you never have to worry about ammunition again. If you do end up overheating the laser rifle, you can quickly change its heat sink while on the move to get back into combat.
The LAS-16 Sickle can have up to seven heat sinks (clips) that can be easily restocked with either Supply Packs or Resupply Pods in Helldivers 2. So, even if you overheat the weapon all the time, you still get a great assault rifle with a high fire rate and no recoil that surpasses every other primary weapon, including the AR-23 Liberator.
The in-game description states that the LAS-16 Sickle fires in short bursts. That is inaccurate. The weapon is a fully automatic rifle.
The LAS-16 Sickle does around 690 damage per second, which is more than the AR-23 Liberator as well as the SMG-37 Defender. It is still below what the SG-225 Breaker can do as the best shotgun in Helldivers 2, but you can boost your overall DPS by using the LAS-16 Sickle on planets with icy temperatures. Remember that it is an energy-based weapon that uses heat sinks. Hence, it will take longer to overheat in cold conditions, allowing you to fire longer for more damage per second.
The LAS-16 Sickle fires more bullets per heat sink/clip compared to the AR-23 Liberator, making it a great weapon of choice for missions on extremely cold planets.
No weapon is perfect though. The LAS-16 Sickle suffers from a few drawbacks that balance out its pros. Its accuracy falls a bit in third-person perspective. If you are looking to land headshots, you will want to switch to your scope. The weapon also takes half a second to wind up before firing when its heat sink is at zero. The wind-up time disappears otherwise. Lastly, the LAS-16 Sickle can only penetrate light armor, so you will have to switch to your support weapon when facing armored enemies such as Chargers.
One highly effective solo loadout right now features the LAS-16 Sickle, the EAT-17, and either the Shield Generator Pack or the Guard Dog Rover. The low cooldown of EAT-17 means that you will always have an anti-tank solution on hand. Use the LAS-16 Sickle to thin the herd before focusing on the weak spots. Your backpack choice will provide support and watch your back.
Overall, the LAS-16 Sickle is definitely a weapon worth unlocking in Helldivers 2, especially against the Automatons. It is a powerful energy weapon that clears small groups of enemies and cuts right through weak points. It is highly accurate in first person with zero recoil if you are looking to spray and pray. It has everything going for it right now, so there is no reason to choose any other assault rifle unless Helldivers 2 receives another round of weapon balancing.
