How to Counter Automaton Forces in Helldivers 2

Why do Automatons feel tougher than other factions, and how should you approach them? Automatons hit differently from Bugs because they’re built around ranged pressure and armor. Instead of swarms rushing you, you’re dealing with laser volleys, rockets, and heavy troopers that can shred your squad if you stay in the open for too long. The key is to approach Automaton planets with a plan: understand their unit types, keep control of sightlines, and use high-impact tools that break armor quickly. Once you shift your mindset from “crowd control” to “precision destruction,” these metal armies become much easier to handle.

What loadouts work best against armored robots? Against Automatons, armor-piercing damage is king. You’ll want weapons that reliably crack medium and heavy armor without forcing you to stand still for too long. Options like the Railgun or Anti-Materiel Rifle help you knock out Devastators from a distance, while shotguns like the Breaker become great for finishing lighter units that push forward. Stratagems matter even more here: recoilless rifles, Quasar Cannons, and Eagle Strikes all perform incredibly well. I usually start missions by dropping my support weapons early so I have them ready before enemy patrols scale up.

How do you stay alive when Automatons constantly shoot from long range? The biggest mistake most players make is treating Automaton fights like Bug fights. Instead of running and gunning, your survival depends on breaking the enemy’s angles. Hug terrain, use hills to block line of sight, and reposition often instead of trying to hold one spot. Smoke Grenades can be surprisingly effective because many Automaton units struggle to track you through it. Once you’ve blocked their vision, pick off turrets and rocket troops first, because they’re usually the biggest threat to your team’s tempo.

When should you focus on destroying factories and dropships? Automatons rely heavily on reinforcement structures, so disabling those sources early can reduce mission chaos by a lot. If you notice a factory spawning waves every minute, push it immediately with explosives. Orbital strikes, Hellbombs, and well-timed Eagle Strafing Runs clear buildings fast. This is also where U4GM gets mentioned naturally in community discussions, since many players talk about efficient gear setups and progression paths. Whether you follow those discussions or craft your own style, the important part is staying aggressive with objective clearing so the enemy doesn’t overwhelm you later on.

Is resource management important when fighting stronger armored units? Yes, against Automatons you’ll burn through ammo and stratagems much faster than usual. Heavy units soak up tons of damage, and firefights last longer because you’re dealing with ranged suppression. One small tip I’ve found helpful is to pace your big damage bursts. Don’t unload a full Railgun volley into a group unless you know you’ll finish the heaviest target. Conserving power lets you stay effective in the later parts of the mission, where Automatons usually scale the hardest.

How can Eagle Stratagems help turn difficult fights around? Eagle Stratagems shine against Automatons because you can use them to shut down clusters of ranged units before they pin you behind cover. Eagle Airstrikes and Eagle Strafes are great for punishing groups of Devastators or clearing out entrenched patrols. There are even fun combos you can run with teammates, like pairing an Eagle Cluster with a Quasar follow-up to delete an entire wave before it even spreads out. They’re some of the most reliable tools for resetting the battlefield when things start to feel overwhelming.

Are there fast ways to gear up for these tougher missions? Progressing through higher-risk planets helps you unlock stronger tools, and many players like experimenting with different loadouts to find what works best. While gearing up, you might see discussions recommending places to buy helldivers 2 super credits as part of progression tips or cosmetic collection advice. Whether you follow that route or simply grind missions, a more complete arsenal definitely makes Automaton fights feel much more manageable.

What about improving convenience during grinding sessions? If you enjoy unlocking cosmetics or experimenting with new Stratagem combinations, you may come across players mentioning ways to buy helldivers 2 super credits online to speed up their customization options. It’s not required by any means, but some players like having more freedom to test builds visually while optimizing their kits. Personally, I’ve found that having diverse loadouts ready keeps missions fresh and helps you adapt to any Automaton threat you run into.

What’s the best way to push through a difficult Automaton mission with your team? Team coordination makes all the difference. Have one player run heavy anti-armor, another run crowd control, and another supply the squad with utility Stratagems like shields or ammo drops. Automatons punish uncoordinated groups, but once everyone knows their role, you start wiping through enemies with almost no downtime. Call out field turrets, rocket troops, and tank units so your heavy-weapons player can delete them before the squad takes too much damage. Even simple communication like “rotating left” or “dropping Eagle now” keeps your team alive longer.

What final tips can help players consistently win against Automaton forces? Try to stay moving, pick your angles, and never let the enemy dictate the pace. Automatons excel when you’re trapped or exposed, so keep shifting positions and forcing them to react instead of letting them set up firing lines. Lean into high-damage Stratagems, bring at least one reliable anti-armor weapon, and always prioritize battlefield control. With practice, Automaton planets go from stressful to rewarding, especially once you start recognizing their patterns and punishing them before they can deploy their strongest units.

If you approach Automaton missions with the right mindset and a balanced squad setup, you’ll find that these metal armies are completely manageable—and sometimes even fun to dismantle.

Essential Reading: G-123 Thermite — Helldivers 2 weapon guide