Helldivers 2: Best Loadouts For Eruptor Primary (2024)

With the launch of Helldivers 2's new Premium Warbond Democractic Detonation, players are eating well with several new explosive weapon options are are sure to offer a powerful mix-up to the game's evolving meta. Not only is the Grenade Pistol an incredible secondary weapon that grants you the ability to blow up Bug Holes and Bot Fabricators... but you also gain access to the R-36 Eruptor Rifle , which in some ways feels like a mini Autocannon, creating some fantastic build flexibility in the game.

The R-36 Eruptor delivers high-powered explosive shots from long range, able to deal with the majority of enemies on the battlefield with ease — as long as you know when to use it (and when not to). This guide will break down the ins and outs of the Eruptor, what makes it so good, and the best loadout options you should pick to highlight this weapon's strengths and minimize its shortcomings.

R-36 Eruptor Basics

The Eruptor Unlocks on page 2 of the Democratic Detonation Premium Warbond for 60 Warbond Medals, though you'll need to spend 60 Medals on page 1 to unlock page 2 to begin with, so you'll need to spend at minimum 120 Medals before being able to access this beauty.

The Eruptor comes with 12 mags total (5 rounds each), along with one in the chamber when you first drop, granting you a total of 61 explosive shots at your disposal. Due to its small clip size and low overall ammo, the Eruptor should not be treated like a typical primary; this weapon is meant for medium to long-range engagements against groups of fodder or specific medium armor targets.

Overall, it feels a bit like a cross between the Autocannon and the Anti-Materiel Rifle, though not as good as either in their specialties — it's too unwieldy to deal widespread devastation on group of enemies (very slow ADS), and not as effective overall as the Anti-Materiel Rifle at what it does best (taking out Hulks and others from very long range). Its fire rate is just too slow for heavy short-range engagements, and due to the bolt-action reload, you need to re-aim after each shot (which, as stated earlier, is slow), limiting your long-range barrage potential.

What Makes The Eruptor So Good?

So, I've touted the weapon's negatives. But what makes it good? Well, for starters, it's powerful. It can quickly deal with some of the most frustrating enemies you'll encounter out on the battlefield, whether you're battling Terminids or Automatons.

• It can one-shotBile Spewers with a headshot or belly shot.
• It can two-shot Chargers with carefully aimed shots to the mouth (though not ideal for this enemy without very precise aim).
• It can one-shot Berserkers (several if they're grouped together).
• It can one-shot Scout Striders from the front (the explosive damage penetrates the armored plating to hit the pilot behind).
• It can one-shot Devastators when a direct hit to the leg joints.
• While it can't damage Dropships directly, firing into their cargo hold can easily kill ~5+ enemy units before they're dropped to the battlefield.

Closing Bug Holes & Bot Fabricators

You're also able to close Bug Holes and destroy Bot Fabricators from great range (and complete certain mission objectives like Illegal Broadcasts and destroying Bug Nests) — same way you can with your Autocannon or Quasar Cannon. Honestly, I prefer the Eruptor over the Autocannon or Quasar Cannon specifically for long-range Fabricator shots due to its superior scope. Being able to dedicate your primary weapon to this task offers some great flexibility for your Grenade slot and your Support Weapon of choice (more on both of these coming up next).

Best Eruptor Loadout Options

What this weapon does well, it does very well, but the flip side of that is its sluggish handling (made even worse when you're being shot at), small magazine size, inability to be used at close range without blowing yourself up, and the ease at which it will blow up allies when you're trying to save them from hot pursuit. Because of these weaknesses, it's critical that your loadout work to balance out your gameplay experience, offering you tools to shore up the Eruptor's downsides.

Best Secondary Weapon

• P-19 Redeemer: The choice here is simple. You want a backup weapon that can quickly clean up the chaff biting at your heels. The P-19 Redeemer on full auto will burn through ammo quickly, but it's great in a pinch when a Berserker has you cornered in close range. Switch to Semi-Auto Mode to have more control over your shots without burning through a clip in one second flat.

Best Grenade Slot

• Stun Grenade: With the Eruptor's ability to close enemy spawns like Bug Holes and Bot Fabricators, you can dedicate your Grenade slot to battlefield control. Not only can this Grenade stun enemies within close range to give you time to reposition, but it can also be used to hold pesky enemies in place a little while longer to continue blowing them up with your Eruptor.

Best Support Weapon Options

Your Support weapon is really where you're going to fill in the gaps where the Eruptor falls short. Aside from the options below, you'll definitely want to bring along some strong boss-killer stratagems like the Orbital Laser, Eagle 500KG Bomb, or Orbital Railcannon Strike.

• Stalwart: Finally, the Stalwart has the perfect primary weapon to dance with. This light machine gun shores up almost all of the Eruptor's weaknesses, providing a deep well of light-armor penetrating shots you can use on the move to keep smaller enemies off your tail. The Stalwart has long felt like a glorified primary weapon, and with Eruptor filling some of the roles that are typically taken up by Support Weapons, the weapons just pair beautifully together. Best used alongside Expendable Anti-Tank for heavily armored enemies in your path.
• Arc Thrower: Another match made in heaven, the Arc Thrower excels at close-range battlefield control; an area in which the Eruptor woefully suffers. The Arc Thrower (similar to the Flamethrower) also bypasses armor completely, giving you a close-range option to deal with aggressive nightmares like the Automaton Hulk. With its ability to stun everything aside from Bile Titans and Factory Striders, and with its shots leaping through multiple targets, this Support Weapon complements the Eruptor in every way.
• Expendable Anti-Tank: The EAT-17 is an incredible high-priority-target weapon. You can call two down every 70 seconds (63 with the Streamlined Request Process Ship Module). Perfect to pair with the Stalwart, you want to call this item down during every battlefield encounter just to have the option available. Spot a Bile Titan marching your way? Drop the Stalwart and launch an EAT at it, then pick up the Stalwart again. Also pairs nicely with the Arc Thrower, but due to the Arc Thrower's ability to bypass armor, it's not quite as necessary.

Best Backpack Stratagem Options

• Supply Pack: If you're rocking the Eruptor primary, Redeemer secondary, and Stalwart Support Weapon, the Supply Pack is the perfect backpack to ensure you never need to worry about ammo. Your squadmates will also thank you for the extra ammo in between Resupply cooldowns.
• Shield Generator Pack: Always a strong choice, the Shield Generator Pack will keep you alive that much longer, helping you to shrug off stray laser fire or very accurate rocket fire. It'll even keep you alive for those times when you inevitably fire off the Eruptor in close range.