The new Cyborg threat in Helldivers 2 brings some of the most challenging enemies you'll face in the Galactic War. These mechanical monstrosities pack serious firepower and require specific strategies to overcome. Here's the thing - you don't need max-level gear to dominate these chrome-plated freedom haters.
What Makes Cyborg Units So Dangerous?
The Cyborg faction introduces three devastating unit types that completely change battlefield dynamics. Unlike standard Automatons, these enhanced enemies combine aggressive AI with devastating weaponry that can shred unprepared Helldivers in seconds.
Vox Engines represent the ultimate tank threat, appearing exclusively in Megafactory missions. These massive elites sport Tank armor requiring Anti-Tank I penetration minimum. What most players miss is that Vox Engines can spawn via Bot Drops, making them unpredictable battlefield wildcards.
Radicals serve as enhanced chaff units with terrifying aggression patterns. They rush your position while maintaining pinpoint accuracy with their arm cannons. Once in melee range, they deliver ragdolling kicks that leave you vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Agitators function as command units with an interesting armor mechanic. Their armored variants feature Medium armor that can be ablated using Light armor penetration weapons, exposing vulnerable flesh underneath.
The Ultimate Level 10 Anti-Cyborg Loadout
You'll want to prioritize versatility and anti-armor capability when building your loadout. This configuration handles every Cyborg threat while remaining accessible to newer players.
Primary Weapons
The Liberator Penetrator excels against armored Agitators without requiring armor ablation. For budget builds, the standard Liberator works perfectly once you strip Agitator armor using the ablation mechanic.
Secondary Weapon
Stick with the Peacemaker pistol for reliable backup firepower. Its consistent damage output provides excellent emergency protection when reloading primary weapons.
Grenades: The Game-Changer
Thermite Grenades from the Democratic Detonation Warbond transform your anti-armor potential. These sticky explosives attach to targets, burn for seven seconds, then explode with Tank armor penetration.
Pro Tip: Single Thermite grenades eliminate Bot Fabricators instantly and can destroy shielded Illuminate dropships.
Essential Stratagems
Eagle Strafing Run (Level 1, 1,500 Requisition)
- 23mm rounds with Heavy armor penetration
- Four passes before 2-minute rearm cycle
- Perfect for crowd control and fabricator destruction
AC-8 Autocannon (Level 10, 7,000 Requisition)
- 10-round capacity with 5-round stripper clips
- Armor-piercing mode staggers large targets
- Flak mode provides explosive crowd control
EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank (Level 1, Low cost)
- Dropped in pairs with 70-second cooldown
- Single-shot Tank armor penetration
- One-hit potential against all heavy targets
A/MG-43 Machine Gun Turret (Level 1, 1,500 Requisition)
- Medium armor penetration
- 90-second base cooldown (77 with upgrades)
- Excellent defensive positioning tool
Vox Engine Elimination Strategies
These mechanical behemoths demand respect and proper positioning. The key here is understanding their weakpoint system and armor requirements.
Weakpoint Targeting
Vox Engines feature glowing spots on their torso and underside that require less penetration than their main armor. Focus fire on these areas to maximize damage efficiency.
Effective Weapons Against Vox Engines
- Three Bastion tank shots to main body
- Three Thermite grenades for guaranteed elimination
- EAT-17 rockets to weakpoints for potential one-shots
- Autocannon sustained fire to turrets (destroyable)
Important
Vox Engines mount automatic minigun turrets on each tread. Destroy these first to reduce incoming damage while positioning for weakpoint shots.
The Vox Engine's main cannons function like Bunker turrets, delivering ragdolling damage. Maintain distance and use cover between shots to avoid these devastating attacks.

Best Helldivers 2 Loadouts vs New Cyborg Enemies
Handling Radical Swarms
Radicals represent the most immediate threat due to their aggressive rush tactics and devastating accuracy. Your survival depends on controlling engagement range and using crowd control effectively.
Counter-Strategies
Range Management: Never let Radicals close to melee range. Their kick attacks cause ragdolling, leaving you vulnerable to follow-up damage from other units.
Crowd Control Priority: Use Eagle Strafing Runs or Machine Gun Turrets to thin Radical groups before they reach effective range.
Armor Penetration: Radicals sport Light armor but increased health pools. Expect to use half a Liberator magazine per kill, so manage ammunition carefully.
Warning
Radical arm cannons maintain pinpoint accuracy even while rushing. Use cover aggressively and avoid open ground engagements.
Agitator Command Disruption
Agitators coordinate basic Automaton units, making them priority elimination targets. Their unique armor ablation mechanic provides tactical opportunities for prepared Helldivers.
Armor Ablation Technique
Armored Agitators feature Medium armor that can be stripped using Light armor penetration weapons. This mechanic mirrors Illuminate Overseer armor systems.
- Target armored sections with Light penetration weapons
- Strip armor plating to expose vulnerable flesh
- Switch to standard small arms fire for efficient elimination
- Prioritize Agitators to disrupt enemy coordination
Check out our Helldivers 2 Guide: Best Builds for All Factions for additional loadout variations that complement this anti-Cyborg setup.
Advanced Tactical Combinations
The Stun-Lock Strategy
Use the Autocannon to stagger large targets while calling in EAT-17 drops. This technique works exceptionally well against:
- Hulks (continuous stagger until EAT arrival)
- Chargers (stops charge attacks cold)
- Harvesters (prevents teleportation abilities)
Base Clearing Protocol
- Eagle Strike the center of enemy installations
- Immediately deploy Machine Gun Turret in the same area
- Turret cleans up survivors while you advance
- Use Thermite grenades on remaining structures
Emergency Crowd Control
When overwhelmed by mixed Cyborg forces:
- Deploy Machine Gun Turret at defensive angle
- Switch Autocannon to flak mode for area damage
- Use Eagle Strafing Run for immediate relief
- Fall back to turret position for sustained defense
Tip
The Machine Gun Turret's 77-second cooldown (upgraded) allows frequent repositioning during extended engagements.
Why This Loadout Dominates
This configuration excels because it addresses every Cyborg threat vector without requiring high-level unlocks. You get:
Versatile Anti-Armor: EAT-17 and Thermite grenades handle any armored target Crowd Control: Eagle strikes and turrets manage swarms effectively Sustained Damage: Autocannon provides reliable medium-target elimination Emergency Options: Multiple backup systems prevent total loadout failure
The beauty of this setup lies in its redundancy. Lose your Autocannon? EAT-17s cover heavy targets. Run out of Eagle strikes? Turrets provide crowd control. Every tool overlaps with others, ensuring mission success even when things go sideways.
Whether you're tackling Megafactory missions solo or coordinating with your squad, this loadout transforms Cyborg encounters from overwhelming challenges into manageable engagements. The key here is understanding each weapon's role and switching between them based on battlefield conditions.
Master these strategies, and you'll be spreading democracy across Cyberstan with the efficiency that would make Super Earth proud.

