Weapons and ammunition

Learn how to manage ammo, reload effectively, and utilize resupply stratagems in Helldivers II. Master your arsenal to survive the alien threat.

This guide covers the weapon and ammunition mechanics in Helldivers II. You will always start a mission with your pistol, your chosen primary weapon, half of your maximum ammo for both, and your full complement of 2 grenades. Heavy weapons can be called down via ship radio, and most also start with a half-load of ammunition.

When your weapon is running low on ammo, the game will provide warnings, such as a change in firing sound, red tracers in the magazine, or a flashing red ammo gauge. Laser weapons have their own overheat warnings. Reloading is initiated by pressing R1. Reloading before a magazine is completely empty is faster but sacrifices the remaining rounds. Unlike many FPS games, it is not always advisable to reload after every brief engagement. As your reserve ammo depletes, your Helldiver will verbally indicate low ammo or an empty weapon.

The dive (Square) and melee attack (Circle) can interrupt your reload animation. If you need to reload quickly, you can perform a dive or melee attack and then immediately press R1 again to resume reloading. If you cannot find an opportune moment to finish reloading, switching to your pistol may be necessary to defend yourself. When upgraded, the pistol gains armor-piercing rounds and fires in 3-round bursts, effectively becoming a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) with surprisingly high damage.

To replenish ammunition, you can pick up ammo boxes, which are highlighted in yellow. These can be found during missions or called in using the resupply stratagem (blue icon with three cartridges). The resupply stratagem drops two ammo boxes that any Helldiver can use. Upgrading this stratagem reduces its cooldown. Most weapons receive a half-load of ammo per pickup. For example, the Liberator assault rifle starts with 6 spare magazines, gains 6 per pickup, and has a maximum capacity of 12. While specific numbers vary, this pattern of ammo replenishment is consistent across most weapons.

An ammo box replenishes pistol, primary, and heavy weapon ammo, and also adds a grenade. It can refill any backpack item that uses consumables, which is particularly crucial for the missile rack. You cannot pick up an ammo box unless it will provide a benefit. Ammo boxes do not affect vehicle-mounted weapons. Heavy weapon ammunition is tied to the weapon itself; if you die and drop a flamethrower with half a tank and two spare containers, that is the exact amount your teammate will have if they pick it up.

It is generally advisable to avoid switching away from an empty weapon, as this can be detrimental in critical moments when you need your secondary weapon immediately. To make your mission easier, it is recommended to top off your ammo at the start of a mission. Upon exiting your Hellpod, immediately call in your resupply and any heavy weapon you intend to use. After acquiring your weapon, pick up an ammo box, and if a second is offered via an X prompt, collect that as well. Upgrading your resupply stratagem fully will expedite this process. Topping off is beneficial in all situations, but especially important when using the Breaker shotgun. Many new Helldivers equip the Breaker, assume they have maximum ammunition, and run dry during intense combat. Avoid this common pitfall.