Upon its February release,Helldivers 2was met with a surprisingly positive reception. While its predecessor had garnered a dedicated following, it was far from a major hit for PlayStation, and the sequel’s fast ascent to stardom came as a bit of a shock to the gaming public and developer Arrowhead alike. ButHelldivers 2’s post-launchhas been a bit of a rollercoaster.
Though its first few months were filled with positivity and success,Helldivers 2eventually dropped the ball on balancing, introducing a range of buffs and nerfs that severely impacted many players' enjoyment of the game. But despite those ongoing issues, Arrowhead has continued to add new content toHelldivers 2, including new weapons, Stratagems, armors, boosters, and enemy types, the best of which have shaken up the game’s meta. One recentHelldivers 2ammo type seems to be one such addition, and it’s brimming with future possibilities.
Helldivers 2’s Flak Ammo Should Be Just the Beginning
Helldivers 2’s Flak Ammo Type Explained
The AC-8 Autocannon has been one ofHelldivers 2’s most powerful support weaponssince launch day, and it’s just gotten even better. Usually, the AC-8 Autocannon fires APHET rounds, which are high-damaging, armor-piercing shots that explode upon impact with an enemy. But as ofHelldivers 2’s mid-October update, players can now equip their Autocannon with Flak rounds.
These Flak rounds have a proximity sensor on them that ensures they explode just before they hit an enemy. This explosion results in a large cloud of black smoke, followed by a wide-reaching burst of shrapnel. While Flak rounds do less direct damage to enemies, they’re incredibly effective at clearing out large groups of weaker enemies, being able to damage more enemies at once.
In the last few weeks, players have found thatthe Autocannon’s new Flak roundsare particularly effective at dealing with airborne threats, such as Shriekers. Flak rounds can also be used to quickly clear out any enemies hanging from the underside of an Automaton dropship.
Helldivers 2 Is Sitting on a Mountain of Possibilities with Flak
At the time of writing,Helldivers 2’s Flak ammo type is only available for the AC-8 Autocannon support weapon, but there are so many other potential uses for it in the game.Helldivers 2is now home to a sizable arsenal of explosive weapons, such asthe R-36 Eruptor and CB-9 Crossbow. It would be great if a future update forHelldivers 2added the ability for players to equip these explosive weapons with Flak rounds, allowing them to be more effective at taking out larger hordes of enemies.
The Flak ammo type could also lead to the creation of some new equipment and Stratagems. A Flak grenade would be a great addition toHelldivers 2, as would a Flak version ofthe Autocannon sentry turret.Helldivers 2could even add some kind of Flak-based Eagle Stratagem that drops a bomb on enemies from above, but rather than explode on impact, it explodes just above the horde, raining shrapnel down upon them. It often feels like a bit of a waste to use a Stratagem on hordes of weaker enemy types, but a Flak Stratagem with a lower cooldown could combat that.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
