Highlights

  • Helldivers 2 players can choose from a diverse array of equipment, with some considering the FAF-14 Spear as incredibly powerful.
  • While the Spear has drawbacks, its level of power can significantly boost mission success, but a rework may be necessary for balance.
  • Possible Spear reworks include increasing firing capacity or reducing damage output, but changes must maintain game balance.

Helldivers 2 has many pieces of equipment that players can choose from. The options available allow for a lot of diversity, as it's up to the players to pick which ones they think suit them or the mission they're going to undertake. While Helldivers 2 has many amazing weapons, there are a select few that some deem as incredibly powerful, one of them being the FAF-14 Spear . The game has since updated and fixed certain aspects of the Spear, but some believe that it deserves a rework. Although there are valid points about changing how the weapon functions, there are also a few good reasons as to why it shouldn't happen.

Those who frequently use the Spear in Helldivers 2 will understand the level of power it brings to missions. Although the support weapon requires a player to be level 20 in order to be purchased, acquiring it can significantly increase the chances of taking down tougher enemies and achieving certain mission objectives. Mighty as it may be, it does come with several drawbacks which make it nonviable in different situations. While a rework could potentially strengthen it and increase its usage, it could also make it too powerful.

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The Pros and Cons of a Spear Rework in Helldivers 2

Why the Spear Should be Reworked

As far as support weapons in Helldivers 2 go, the Spear is stronger than most. Its best feature is that it is able to take down a vast majority of the strongest enemies with a single shot, but the weapon itself has a very limited ammo capacity. Although the developers intended this to ensure its strength doesn't disrupt the game's combat and equipment balance, some believe it requires a complete rework as it seems less viable compared to other options. Some of the reasons that could warrant a change in the weapon's functionality include:

  • The weapon is only capable of firing four shots before requiring a resupply.
  • Its cooldown time is a long 480 seconds (8 minutes).
  • It has a long reload time which requires another player in order to circumvent it.
  • The lock-on mechanic means that it cannot be fired unless there's a valid target.
  • The Spear takes up a backpack slot that could have been used for other backpack stratagems.

All of these make the weapon useless when a player is surrounded by an overwhelming number of enemies that it cannot shoot at, which is usually the case in higher-difficulty missions.

Why the Spear Shouldn't Be Reworked

While the reasons presented could warrant the reworking of the Spear, they are also why it shouldn't. The weapon is a situational tool, but a very powerful one. It is one of the best Helldivers 2 stratagems whose limits are only defined by those that wield it. If it were to be reworked to have an unnecessary amount of ammunition or the removal of its backpack slot requirement, then it could become too good. Such changes would make the Spear the go-to for any mission, forcing players to choose it and making every fight have a repetitive routine involving the weapon.

How the Spear Could Be Reworked While Maintaining Game Balance

Should the developers ever decide to rework the support stratagem, then there are a few ways they can do so without disrupting the game's balance, such as:

  • Reducing the weapon's damage output by a significant degree but allowing it to be targetable on any enemy and surface
  • Increasing its firing capacity from 4 shots to possibly 8 or more
  • Keeping its ability to immediately destroy structures such as Bot Fabricators and Stratagem Jammers

Though such changes will require some testing, they could satisfy players as they can strengthen the weapon without making it too powerful. If deemed satisfactory, a major update in Helldivers 2 that involves stratagem buffs or reworks could potentially include them.

Of all the stratagems in Helldivers 2, the Spear has one of the biggest potentials for a rework. Although there are compelling reasons as to why it shouldn't change dramatically, only time will tell if Arrowhead Game Studios decides to push through with a major update to the weapon or keep it as is with a few minor tweaks.