Annihilating the Swarm: A Helldiver’s Guide to Crushing the Terminids

In the name of Managed Democracy, the Terminids must be eradicated. These bug-like monstrosities swarm from the Eastern Seaboard, and their sheer numbers and unyielding melee attacks make them a unique and terrifying threat. Unlike the heavily armored Automatons, the Terminids’ strength lies in their overwhelming force and speed. To succeed against them on the highest difficulties, a Helldiver must master their weaknesses, understand their behaviors, and arm themselves with the right tools for the job. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and the loadout to not just survive a bug mission but to dominate it for the glory of Super Earth.

Know Your Enemy: Terminid Weaknesses and Behaviors

The Terminid swarm is diverse, but most of its members share a few key weaknesses that you can exploit. Fire is your best friend against these pests; it can burn through their numbers and even deal consistent damage to armored targets. The Terminids also have a variety of weak spots, most notably their unarmored backsides and their heads, which are often protected by light armor. You can exploit these weak spots for massive damage, even on the heaviest of enemies.

• Swarming Tactics: The Terminids’ main strategy is to overwhelm you. They will rush you with a tide of smaller bugs like Scavengers and Hunters. These smaller enemies, while not a major threat individually, can quickly overwhelm a squad, so it’s vital to have a way to deal with large groups.
• Bug Breaches: When a small Terminid screams into the air and releases an orange cloud, it is summoning a Bug Breach. You must kill the bug that is calling in the breach as quickly as possible, or you will be faced with an endless wave of reinforcements.
• The Heavy Hitters: Chargers, Bile Spewers, and Bile Titans are the biggest threats. Chargers are heavily armored tanks that can one-shot you with their charge. Bile Spewers can spit lethal acid from a distance, and Bile Titans are towering kaiju that can stomp you into a fine paste.
• Target Prioritization: When faced with a wave of bugs, you must prioritize your targets. The most dangerous enemy is the one that is about to kill you, but in general, your priority list should be: Hunters (they will swarm you and slow you down), Stalkers (they are invisible and can hit hard), Bile Spewers (their acid can ruin your day), and finally, the Chargers and Bile Titans.

The Right Tools for the Job: Best Weapons Against Terminids

The best loadout for fighting Terminids is one that is balanced, with a mix of weapons for crowd control and armor penetration. Here are the best weapons and stratagems to take with you on a bug hunt:

Primary Weapons

• SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary: This fiery shotgun is a perfect choice for the Terminid front. It can clear swarms of small bugs in a single shot and can even deal consistent damage to armored targets with its burning effect.
• LAS-16 Sickle: An energy weapon with infinite ammo and a high fire rate. Its heat mechanic means you can fire it indefinitely without reloading, making it an excellent choice for a run-and-gun playstyle. It’s perfect for clearing out smaller enemies and saving your stratagems for bigger threats.
• R-36 Eruptor: A marksman rifle that fires explosive shells. It’s a fantastic weapon for taking out bug holes and fabricators from a distance and can even take out most medium-sized enemies with a well-placed shot.

Support Weapons and Grenades

• Flamethrower: The Flamethrower is a natural choice against the bugs. It can incinerate swarms of smaller enemies and can even burn through the armor of Chargers. It’s an excellent weapon for a defensive playstyle and for clearing out waves of enemies at extraction.
• RS-422 Railgun: A single-shot powerhouse that can pierce heavy armor and deal massive damage to weak spots. When overcharged, it can one-shot even the toughest enemies and is a must-have for dealing with Chargers and Bile Titans.
• AC-8 Autocannon: A powerful and versatile weapon that can be used for both crowd control and taking out armored enemies. Its explosive, armor-piercing shells make it a great choice against almost any enemy you encounter.
• GR-8 Recoilless Rifle: A powerful rocket launcher that deals incredible damage to a single target. With a teammate to assist in reloading, you can take down a Bile Titan in a matter of seconds.
• Quasar Cannon: This laser cannon has infinite ammo and can one-shot almost any enemy with a well-placed shot. Its power is offset by a long cooldown time, but it’s an excellent tool for dealing with heavy armor and bosses.
• G-23 Stun Grenade: This grenade deals no damage but temporarily stuns all enemies in a wide radius. This is a crucial piece of equipment that allows you to freeze a Charger in place and get a clear shot on its weak spot.

Strategems

Your stratagems are your most important tool in the fight against the Terminids. Use them wisely, and they can turn the tide of a battle.

• Eagle 500kg Bomb: This is a powerful, single-use bomb that can obliterate entire groups of enemies and destroy bug holes. Its best use, however, is on a Bile Titan, as a well-placed bomb can take it out in a single hit.
• Eagle Napalm Strike: A fantastic area-denial tool that can be used to clear out large waves of enemies and close off chokepoints. It’s a great tool for dealing with the constant flow of smaller bugs.
• Orbital Laser: An incredibly powerful stratagem that can melt through a large group of enemies or a single, heavily-armored target. It’s a perfect choice for those moments when you are completely overwhelmed and need to clear out the entire screen.
• A/MG-43 Gatling Sentry: This sentry gun is a fantastic tool for clearing out hordes of smaller enemies and providing covering fire for your squad. It is best used for static defense objectives and for a team that needs a little extra firepower.

In the end, the key to defeating the Terminids is to stay mobile and never stop shooting. They will overwhelm you if you stand still, so keep moving, prioritize your targets, and use the right weapons for the job. With this guide, you will be well on your way to becoming a true Helldiver, a hero of Super Earth, and a master of the Terminid front. For Democracy!