In Helldivers 2, a new rifle ranks directly among the best primary weapons because it resembles a compact version of the automatic cannon.
What kind of weapon is this? On April 11, the new war bond “Democratic Detonation” was released in Helldivers 2, which also introduced three new weapons to the game. Among them is the R-36 Berster, a semi-automatic repeating rifle.
The Berster fires jet-powered projectiles that explode upon impact, scattering shrapnel in all directions that can cause environmental damage to enemies.
Some players already believe that the Berster will likely be nerfed and are comparing the repeating rifle to the automatic cannon. In our tier list of the best weapons in Helldivers 2, the Berster is also ranked directly in the S-tier, surpassing previously meta weapons like the SG-225 Breaker or the SG-8S Slugger.
You can see the Berster in action for a brief moment in the trailer for “Democratic Detonation”:
Too strong for a primary weapon as it replaces the automatic cannon
What makes the Berster so strong? The exploding projectiles of the Berster and their shrapnel are the main advantages of the weapon. The projectiles deal significant damage and hit nearby enemies due to the flying shrapnel.
The player “BadEthics” reports on Reddit that he can eliminate even armored chargers with just two precise shots to the face using the Berster. This works most reliably with a hit directly to the mouth.
Additionally, the Berster can destroy factories and nests. Some players compare it to the automatic cannon due to its damage, exploding projectiles, and the destruction of enemy structures.
The Berster is best suited for combat at long distances; you should avoid short ranges as the shrapnel can also hit and injure you.
The Stalwart suddenly becomes the primary weapon
What gear should you combine with the Berster? The perfect loadout for using the Berster is not yet available so soon after the release. It will take a few more days. However, some players are already opting for a combination with the Stalwart as a support weapon.
The Stalwart is a machine gun equipped with a large magazine, making it ideal against hordes of enemies and therefore can also be used in close combat. The downside of the Stalwart is that it is almost useless against armored enemies like chargers and devastators.
The combination of Stalwart and Berster is effective because the two weapons compensate for each other’s weaknesses. You then use the Stalwart as the primary weapon against many small, unarmored enemies and switch to the Berster for the tougher opponents.
You unlock the Berster through the new war bond “Democratic Detonation” with medals. Therefore, you should always be careful not to reach the medal cap: Helldivers 2: Not getting medals? Then you have probably reached your max medals
