Since the addition of Vote Snatchers in Update 7.0.0, the combat pressure in Helldivers 2 has significantly increased.
When facing regular enemies, players can usually rely on fixed weapon configurations and familiar combat methods to resolve battles. However, Wretches and Crushers force players to adjust their strategies.
The key to dealing with these two types of enemies is not simply increasing damage, but rather choosing appropriate weapons and combat methods based on their characteristics. Understanding their attack patterns allows players to handle combat more consistently.
Wretches
Wretches' Weaknesses
Many players, upon first encountering Wretches after Devoid of Liberty, instinctively aim for the head. While headshots are generally effective against regular enemies in Helldivers 2, the head is not a priority target for Wretches.
Even if a headshot is landed, Wretches may continue moving and close in on the player. Without confirming they are incapacitated, they are easily vulnerable to close-range attacks while reloading or repositioning.
When facing Wretches, prioritizing attacks on their limbs is better. Damaging their limbs effectively restricts their movement and is more effective in dealing with multiple targets approaching simultaneously than simply aiming for headshots.
Especially when a group of Wretches charges, reducing their movement speed is more important than precisely eliminating a single target.
The difficulty with Wretches lies primarily in their frequent appearance in groups during high-difficulty missions. If players remain stationary while attacking, they are easily surrounded at close range.
Wretches are Immune to Stun
Many players prioritize weapons or equipment with stun effects to create space when facing melee enemies. However, this method is less effective against Wretches.
Wretches are unaffected by stun effects, and even Helldivers 2 Items, which rely on stun control, are ineffective in preventing them from closing in.
Therefore, dealing with Wretches requires choosing weapons that allow for sustained damage. High-rate-of-fire weapons, area-of-effect weapons, and incendiary equipment are all effective in limiting their approach.
And because Wretches move relatively quickly, the timing of weapon attacks is equally important.
Weapons with long reload times and limited handling can easily put players at a disadvantage when facing large numbers of Wretches. Often, the problem isn't insufficient damage, but the inability to deal with approaching enemies in time.
Stalwart
M-105 Stalwart is a relatively reliable choice for clearing Wretches.
Fighting Wretches requires constant repositioning, as players need to keep moving while maintaining their fire output instead of staying in one spot for too long. Stalwart, with its low recoil and good handling, allows players to maintain firepower while retreating and repositioning.
Crushers
Characteristics of Crusher
Among the enemies introduced in Update 7.0.0, Crusher are more like frontal suppression enemies compared to Wretches. They are large, slow-moving, but have a very long attack range, often causing Helldivers 2 players to underestimate their threat distance upon first encounter.
Maintaining a safe distance is crucial when facing Crusher. Even if they don't appear close, their attacks can still cover a considerable area. Entering melee range recklessly can easily render you combat incapacitated with a single mistake.
Therefore, when dealing with Crushers, avoid rushing in to attack. Prioritize using terrain and movement to create distance, then look for safe opportunities to strike. Avoiding close-range engagements significantly reduces the difficulty of the fight.
Optimal Choice
Crusher's biggest weakness is its head, but it's protected by a heavy helmet, making it difficult for ordinary weapons to inflict effective damage. Therefore, prioritizing helmet removal is a more reliable approach when facing this type of enemy.
P-40K Bolt Pistol can be used to weaken Crusher's head armor. After successfully destroying the helmet, Helldivers 2 players can directly attack the exposed weak point, increasing subsequent damage output.
However, this method requires high aiming skills. Crusher's head is a small target, and it constantly moves during combat, requiring players to wait for the right moment to fire.
If you want to reduce the difficulty, 40-K Meltagun is a more stable choice. It's more efficient at breaking head armor and is easier to hit during combat.
Once the helmet is removed, Crusher's threat level drops significantly. Using high-penetration weapons or focusing on weak points will allow you to defeat him more quickly.
Suboptimal Solution
If you don't want to spend time removing the helmet in Helldivers 2 matches, you can try attacking Crusher's legs.
Focusing on the knees or thighs can disrupt his movement. With his legs damaged, Crusher's mobility will decrease significantly, making it easier for players to create distance and maintain sustained damage.
However, this approach requires higher accuracy and sustained damage output. In chaotic combat environments, prioritizing helmet removal remains a more reliable option.
Maintain Damage Output
Crusher has a unique mechanic that requires attention: he can recover some damage taken. Therefore, once you decide to attack Crusher, try to maintain continuous damage output and prioritize defeating him. Otherwise, you'll not only waste ammo but may also need to deal with an enemy with full health again.
Thermite
If you want to quickly eliminate Crusher, G-123 Thermite is a good choice. Thermite poses a significant threat to heavy targets, rapidly reducing Crusher's health upon impact. However, because of the limited number carried, it's better suited for dealing with critical targets rather than being used indiscriminately.
Once you truly familiarize yourself with these enemies in Devoid of Liberty, you'll find they aren't as insurmountable as you initially thought. The most dangerous situation on the battlefield is often not the enemy's strength, but Helldivers 2 players lingering in the wrong positions for too long.
Maintaining movement, choosing the right targets, and focusing resources on worthwhile enemies is the most consistent strategy against Vote Snatchers.
