How to Defeat the Automaton War Strider in Helldivers 2

[LunaPhoenix]

Understanding enemy mechanics is key to successful missions. For many Helldivers, encountering an Automaton War Strider for the first time can be a punishing experience. This guide breaks down how this heavy unit works in practice, based on common encounters and effective community strategies.

What is a War Strider and How Does it Behave?

The War Strider is a heavy Automaton walker, acting as a mobile fire-support platform. It is not a fast or agile enemy. In general, it functions as an area-denial tool for the Automaton forces, often used to lock down chokepoints, defend objectives, or push Helldivers out of cover during larger assaults. Most players note that a War Strider without escorting units is significantly less dangerous, as its weaknesses become easier to exploit.

What are its Main Attacks and Weak Points?

The War Strider has two primary weapons and one close-range danger.

Twin Plasma Cannons: Its main armament fires rapid, heavy plasma bursts with a small area-of-effect. The hit does heavy damage, and the blast can ragdoll Helldivers, leaving you vulnerable. A clear tell is the red electrical current that runs along the cannons for a few seconds before it fires. It typically fires in an 8-shot burst before a brief cooldown.

Grenade Launchers: These launch a scattered cluster of timed grenades over an area, similar to Trooper grenades. This is used to flush you out of cover or deny an area for advancement. Getting caught in a confined space with these is often fatal.

Stomp: If you get too close, it will stomp. This has blast and knockback effects and can seriously injive even those not directly underfoot.

Regarding weak points, there has been some confusion. Following a game patch, the eye and the rear heat sink/vents are now confirmed weak points. However, the most reliable and consistently effective weak point for most players remains its legs. Destroying one leg will kill the War Strider outright.

What are the Most Effective Tactics Against a War Strider?

The universal strategy is to avoid a frontal assault at range. Its weaponry is designed to win those engagements. Instead, use its poor close-combat handling to your advantage.

Flank and Attack the Legs: Use cover to close the distance and circle the Strider. Its slow turn speed cannot keep up with a Helldiver running around it. Once on its side or rear, focus all fire on a single leg. This is where dedicated anti-tank weapons shine.

Weapon Disabling: In an emergency, if you cannot safely target the legs, destroying its arm cannons or grenade launchers is a valid tactic. While not lethal, it severely reduces its ranged threat, making it a much less dangerous opponent.

Use Stuns and Shields: Like Hulks, War Striders can be staggered by arc weapons, flash grenades, and explosions. The FX-12 Shield Generator Relay is particularly useful, as it prevents the cannon barrage from ragdolling you, allowing you to maintain position and return fire.

What Weapons and Stratagems Work Best?

Here’s a breakdown of common tools and their effectiveness based on player experience:

One-Shot Kills (vs. Legs/Pelvis): Most standard Anti-Tank rocket launchers (e.g., EAT-17, REC-6 Demolisher) will destroy it with one shot to a leg or the pelvis. A direct hit from a GP-31 Ultimatum is also lethal.

Multiple Shot Weapons: The MLS-4X Commando requires two shots to a leg, four to the body. The StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher is generally considered inefficient, often requiring 3-4 full magazines.

Railgun: Two overcharged shots from an RS-422 Railgun to a leg will kill it.

Thermite Grenade: A thermite grenade that sticks to any part of its body will kill it upon detonation.

Stratagems: Be cautious. War Striders are resilient against Hellpod strikes, and their top armor can sometimes deflect incoming stratagem ordnance. Orbital or Eagle strikes are more reliable when aimed at the ground near its feet.

It's worth noting that while progressing through the Warbond is the standard way to acquire Super Credits for cosmetics, some players who are short on time might look to buy helldivers 2 super credits online from third-party sources. This is generally not advised by the community due to risks, and most veteran players recommend earning them in-game through mission exploration.

Treat the War Strider as a positional threat to be managed, not necessarily a primary target you must engage immediately. Isolate it from its support, use the terrain to flank, and focus fire on its legs. If you have a team, coordinating to distract it while another Helldiver flanks is the most effective and ammo-efficient method. Remember, a head-on fight is what the War Strider is built for, so refusing to give it that engagement is half the battle.