For many divers, the fight against the Automatons can feel like Hell on Super Earth. Among the most challenging of the metal army is the Hulk, which takes some ingenuity, precise aim, and good firepower to kill in Helldivers 2.
Oddly enough, fighting a Hulk on its own isn’t always so bad once you’re used to it. After all, taking it out merely demands the age-old strategy of finding the big, glowing weak point and blasting it until the monster is dead. So, yes, the best way to kill a Hulk in Helldivers 2 is to shoot its head or its weak point on the back. Easy, right?
What makes the Hulk such a troublesome foe is that it comes in several variations. You may face one carrying a laser gun and autocannon combo or another strapped with rockets. But the most frightening of the group is the Hulk Scorcher, armed with a massive saw blade on one arm and a flamethrower on the other. If it gets too close, you’re probably dead; the Flamethrower kills in seconds. If you find yourself on fire, use the dodge to hit the dirt to smother the flames.
How to kill a Hulk in Helldivers 2 – Weak points and strategy
The Hulk is shaped like a lunchbox on legs paired with arms hastily bolted onto the sides. But despite its ’80s-cartoon enemy appearance, the Hulk is a scary foe. Its thick armor prevents damage from most weaponry save for the ones that can pierce its shell. Weapons like the Railgun shine against the Hulk, but others also do well if you don’t have the gun unlocked.
When facing a Hulk dead-on, use an armor-piercing Support Weapon and target its head. Even through fog and smoke, you should be able to spot the striking glow of the Hulk’s red eye.
Another good way to take out a Hulk is by working together with an ally. Have one run a distraction on the Hulk and fire away at the large vent on its back until it goes down. It shouldn’t take long.
The Hulk’s arms are also weak points to exploit. Powerful weapons like the Recoilless Rifle and Railgun can damage the arms to the extent that they’re useless.
Ultimately, the rule of thumb is that if you’re close to a Hulk: Don’t. You’ll want to have plenty of distance between you and a bot along with some cover. Aim and fire whenever you get the chance, but don’t poke your head out for long. Those things are remarkably accurate with their rockets.
Best weapons to use on the Hulk
The best weapon to use against the Hulk in Helldivers 2 is, in my humble opinion, the Railgun. Yes, our friendly neighborhood meta weapon can take out a Hulk with a single headshot — Unsafe mode is not required. If you haven’t gotten to level 20 yet, never fear.
Your armory includes several weapons that shine against the metal monstrosity. The Anti-Materiel Rifle can take off the Hulk’s faceplate in one shot and down it in two. You should also consider taking the Autocannon, as it can topple the Hulk with two headshots while causing collateral damage with each explosive round. Just keep in mind that you do have to take a backpack to supply the Autocannon with fresh ammo.
Here are the best weapons to use against the Hulk:
- Railgun
- Autocannon
- Anti-Materiel Rifle
- EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank
- Spear
I haven’t tried every gun against the Hulk, but I’d suggest sticking to high-explosive or armor-piercing weapons.
Best Stratagems to use against the Hulk
For Stratagems, the best ones are those designed for ‘Heavy’ enemies like the Hulk. The Eagle 500kg Bomb is an obvious choice, but here are some others that work as well:
- Orbital Laser
- Orbital Railcannon Strike
Keep in mind that, like with the Charger, Helldivers 2 will throw more and more Heavy enemies at you the higher you climb its difficulty. Taking a Railcannon Stratagem works if you’re facing one or two Hulks at once. But when I’m facing four or more, I always bet on the Orbital Laser and Eagle 500kg Bomb.