For Helldivers facing the Automaton front, the War Strider represents a significant escalation in threat. It’s a walking weapons platform that can quickly wipe an unprepared squad. Based on collective experience, here’s how this enemy functions and the most reliable ways to bring it down.

What are the War Strider's main capabilities and weaknesses?

The War Strider is heavily armored (AP4) across its entire body. Its primary armament is a pair of rapid-fire plasma cannons that not only deal heavy damage but have a small area-of-effect blast that can ragdoll Helldivers, leaving them completely vulnerable. Its secondary weapon is a set of grenade launchers that scatter timed explosives over a large area, designed to flush you out of cover. It also has a deadly stomp attack with knockback for anyone who gets too close.

Its main weak points are its eye and the rear heat sink. Crucially, its legs are a critical structural weakness: destroying one leg will kill it instantly. The weapon arms themselves have much lower health and can be destroyed to neutralize its ranged threat, though this does not kill the unit.

How does it behave in combat, and what's the best engagement strategy?

The War Strider is slow and handles close-quarters poorly due to a slow turn speed. A Helldiver sprinting tight circles around it can often avoid its fire. However, it excels at holding chokepoints and long corridors. Most players agree you should never take one head-on at range if you can avoid it.

The optimal strategy is to isolate it, using the terrain to get into its flank or rear. Its plasma cannons need a brief charge time, signaled by red electricity arcing across them, before firing an 8-shot burst. This charge period and the subsequent cooldown are your windows to move or attack. In general, focusing heavy fire on a single leg is the fastest way to end the fight. The FX-12 Shield Generator Relay is highly useful here, as it prevents the cannon barrage from ragdolling you, allowing you to maintain positioning and fire.

What specific weapons and stratagems are effective against it?

You need to bring proper anti-tank (AT) gear. Here’s what works based on common player testing:

AT Rocket Launchers: A single shot to a leg or the pelvis from most standard AT launchers (like the RL-112 Recoilless Rifle) will destroy it. A bodyshot typically requires two.

RS-422 Railgun: Two overcharged shots to a leg is a reliable kill.

GP-31 Ultimatum: A direct hit from this disposable AT weapon will destroy it.

Thermite Grenade: If you can stick one to any part of its body, the detonation will kill it.

Arc Weapons & Stagger: Like Hulks, War Striders can be stunned by arc weapons, flash grenades, and large explosions, creating a vital opening.

Some weapons are less effective. The StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher, for instance, often requires 3-4 full magazines for a kill, making it a poor choice for this target. War Striders are also resilient against Hellpod strikes and can sometimes deflect stratagems with their top armor.

Are there any common misconceptions about its weak points?

Yes. Initially, the large red eye was a red herring and not a true weak point. However, following game patch 1.004.100, both the eye and the rear vents are now officially considered weak points, so targeting them is valid. Despite this change, most experienced players still find targeting the legs for a swift kill to be the most consistent and safe method, especially in the chaos of a higher-difficulty mission. While some players might look to buy helldivers 2 super credits cheap to expedite acquiring new gear, understanding core tactics like this is more impactful for success.

How should a squad coordinate to handle multiple War Striders?

Coordination is key. One effective tactic is to have a dedicated teammate with a shield pack or arc weapon focus on drawing aggro and staggering the Strider, while other members target its legs with AT weaponry. Destroying their grenade launcher arms first can also make the area safer for your squad to maneuver. Remember, their scatter grenades are perfect for area denial, so never get confined in a small space with one. Communication to focus fire on one leg at a time will yield the fastest results.