<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Choosing the right secondary weapon in Helldivers 2 can make all the difference between a smooth mission and an early extraction. While primary weapons often get most of the attention, the secondary slot offers versatility and utility that can turn the tide during critical moments. After extensive testing and comparing stats across missions, here&rsquo;s a breakdown of the best secondary weapons in Helldivers 2.



<h2 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1. The Blaster Pistol</h2>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Blaster Pistol shines in close- to mid-range combat. Its high fire rate combined with decent damage makes it perfect for crowd control and emergency situations when your primary is out of ammo. Many players underestimate the importance of a reliable sidearm, but this weapon often saves lives during hectic drops. If you want to experiment with upgrades, you can also use Helldivers 2 medals to improve its performance or unlock skins.



<h2 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2. The Arc Thrower</h2>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For players who prefer crowd management and status effects, the Arc Thrower is a top pick. It can immobilize enemies, giving you and your squad valuable seconds to reposition or finish off tougher targets. While its damage output isn&rsquo;t stellar, the tactical advantage it offers is unparalleled. Advanced players often combine it with area-of-effect primaries for maximum efficiency. Remember, you can use resources to buy Helldivers 2 items that enhance its utility in combat.



<h2 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3. The Grenade Launcher</h2>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Grenade Launcher excels in heavy combat scenarios, especially against armored enemies or large hordes. Its explosive radius ensures you can deal consistent damage to multiple foes at once. While some may find it slower to reload, timing your shots correctly makes this secondary weapon extremely rewarding. Pairing it with splash-damage perks can significantly increase its effectiveness during prolonged missions.



<h2 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">4. The Compact SMG</h2>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Compact SMG is all about speed. Its high rate of fire allows for continuous suppression of advancing enemies. This weapon is particularly useful in missions where mobility is key and you need to keep pressure on enemies without switching to heavy weapons constantly. Upgrading its magazine size with Helldivers 2 medals can turn it into a mini powerhouse, giving you even more room to maneuver.



<h2 style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">5. The Plasma Cutter</h2>


<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Plasma Cutter might not be as flashy as some other options, but its precision and armor-piercing capability make it ideal for high-value targets. It&rsquo;s especially effective when paired with long-range primaries for tactical players who like to pick off enemies with calculated shots. Using in-game resources to buy Helldivers 2 items can further optimize its damage output and versatility.





<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The best secondary weapon ultimately depends on your playstyle and mission type. For players who like to dive into the fray, fast-firing options like the Blaster Pistol or Compact SMG are excellent. If you favor tactical support, the Arc Thrower or Plasma Cutter provides unmatched utility. Heavy mission players can&rsquo;t go wrong with the Grenade Launcher.



<p style="color: #000000; font-family: Consolas, monospace; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Whatever your choice, experimenting with different secondary weapons is part of the fun in Helldivers 2. Upgrading and customizing these weapons with medals and items not only improves their effectiveness but also adds a personal touch to your loadout.