The main challenge present in Helldivers 2 is figuring out the best way to thin the enemy herd, be it the Terminids or the Automatons. While they each pose different threats, it is always to be prepared for all sorts of situations when dropping onto a planet to make sure that you are never caught out.
When fighting the Automatons, the numbers that are currently engaged in a fight are not just the ones that should occupy your attention. It doesn't take too long for one of the robots to send off a signal for help, which will bring in an Automaton dropship. These pesky intruders will drop off additional numbers that will also worsen your current predicament, and it is highly recommended that players take care of the threat before it manifests. Here's how to deal with the Automaton dropships in Helldivers 2.
Updated March 18th, 2024 by Russ Boswell: Automatons will sometimes call in reinforcements during skirmishes in Helldivers 2. These bot ships can drop a ton of enemies, including imposing foes like Hulks. Thankfully, players can actually take down these large dropships if they know where to shoot and what weapons to use. To better help players in shooting down Automaton Dropships in Helldivers 2, the following guide has been updated to now include a companion video.
Helldivers 2: 8 Best Stratagems, Ranked
Helldivers 2 features powerful Stratagems to control the battlefield. From ordnance to Support Weapons, this list details the best in the game.
Can Automaton Dropships be Destroyed in Helldivers 2?
Unlike the Terminids, which see reinforcements appear from beneath the surface, the Automatons are much easier to deal with in that sense, with a physical dropship that appears when reinforcements are summoned. The ideal scenario is that players eliminate the bot trying to call in the dropship in the first place, but if that is not possible, hope is not at all lost.
Once the alert that a bot drop is active, look to the skies for the unmistakable silhouette of the Automaton dropship approaching. If you are able to destroy the dropship before it unleashes its passengers, it will remove the threat completely, allowing you to just focus on the Automaton enemies on hand.
How to Beat Automaton Dropships in Helldivers 2
The best way to do this in the early stages of Helldivers 2 is with the help of a support weapon. In this case, players can get the 
GR-8 Recoilless Rifle once they hit level 5. With a support backpack to help with reloading, this useful weapon can down the Automaton dropship in a single hit, as long as you are targeting the weak point that is its engine. Hitting anywhere else on the dropship will not faze it, so make your shots count whenever possible.
Alternatively, other hard-hitting support weapons like the Railgun or Autocannon can make short work of the dropships as well, and a well-timed Orbital Stratagem can achieve the same effect, even if it is not that precise. Either way, you will be much better off getting rid of the dropships before they are able to drop their passengers and giving yourself more breathing room in the never-ending war against the robots.
Helldivers 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
