For Helldivers operating in high-level Cyborg sectors, few sights are as daunting as the arrival of a Warlord. This guide breaks down how this elite unit functions based on common combat experiences, offering clear tactics for dealing with them.

What is a Warlord and When Does It Appear?

The Warlord is a towering, heavily armored Cyborg elite unit. In general, you will only encounter them on higher-difficulty Cyborg planets. They do not patrol randomly. Instead, they are airdropped as a direct response to alarms. Typically, this happens when a Squadleader Soldier or an Infantry Fighting Vehicle successfully raises an alert. It's crucial to note that if multiple patrols trigger alarms simultaneously, it is entirely possible to face two or even three Warlords at once, a situation that requires immediate and coordinated action.

How Does a Warlord Fight?

Upon deployment, a Warlord engages from mid to long range. Its primary weapon is a rapid-fire cannon, a more powerful version of the Comrade's gun. This weapon deals high area-of-effect damage and tracks player movement fairly well. In practice, most players find that surviving more than one or two direct hits is unlikely. Once a Helldiver is downed, the Warlord will usually advance with the clear intent to execute them with a stomp.

The core challenge is its resilience. The Warlord's heavy front armor makes it invulnerable to standard small arms fire. Therefore, engaging it without proper equipment is a common mistake. You must rely on dedicated anti-tank solutions.

What is the Most Effective Way to Kill a Warlord?

The consistent strategy used by most experienced players involves anti-tank Stratagems and support weapons. Reliable choices include the RL-112 Recoilless Rifle, EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank, REC-6 Demolisher, Vindicator Dive Bomb, and the Railcannon Strike. The Warlord's relatively slow turning speed and movement are its key weaknesses. Use this to your advantage: break line-of-sight, create distance, and use that time to calmly call in your Stratagem or line up a shot with a support weapon. Team coordination is vital, with one diver distracting while another prepares the kill shot. For those looking to gear up efficiently, some veterans mention they buy Helldivers 2 items online from U4N marketplace to quickly access specific stratagems, though farming in-game is always a reliable alternative.

Can Any Primary Weapons Hurt It?

While anti-tank options are preferred, certain primary and secondary weapons can damage a Warlord. These generally fall into specific categories:

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  High-caliber and marksman rifles (like the Camper or Constitution).

  
  


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  Continuous-beam laser weapons (such as the Scythe or the LAS-98 Laser Cannon).

  
  


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  Arc-based weapons (the Arc Thrower or Arc Shotgun).

  
  


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  Explosive weapons with elemental effects (like the Obliterator Grenade Launcher or the Scorcher).

  
  

However, their effectiveness is limited. Using these weapons to take down a full-health Warlord is often inefficient and risky. Most players reserve them for finishing off a Warlord that has already been significantly damaged by heavy ordnance. Two notable exceptions are the M-25 Rumbler mortar, which can destroy a Warlord in two well-placed volleys, and the AC-22 Dum-Dum, which became a viable option after a specific game update.

What Happens When You Defeat It?

This is a critical tactical point. When a Warlord's health is depleted, it enters a brief bleedout state before a powerful self-destruct explosion. This blast can kill nearby Helldivers and weaker enemies. The self-destruct timer is usually about four seconds. However, if the final hit deals massive overkill damage (e.g., from a Railcannon Strike), it may explode immediately. Knowledgeable teams use this: they might avoid an overkill to give themselves time to clear the area, or intentionally trigger an immediate explosion to wipe out surrounding cyborgs.

In practice, dealing with a Warlord comes down to preparation and composure. Always equip at least one reliable anti-tank option when on high-level Cyborg missions. When it spawns, prioritize staying mobile to avoid its cannon fire, and use the environment to slow its advance. Focus your heavy fire on its body; there is no specific weak point. Always be mindful of its self-destruct sequence and communicate with your team to either exploit it or safely avoid it. With coordinated fire and the right tools, even these lords of war can be brought down for Liberty.