The Anti-Material Rifle in Helldivers 2 is one of the most powerful long-range tools in your arsenal. It’s a weapon designed to pierce through the toughest enemy armor, take out key targets from a distance, and turn a chaotic battlefield into something you can control with precision. But like most high-caliber weapons in Helldivers 2, it comes with its own quirks and challenges. If you’ve ever struggled to make the most out of it, here’s how to use the Anti-Material Rifle effectively—and avoid becoming bug chow while reloading.
1. Know What the Anti-Material Rifle Is (and Isn’t)
The Anti-Material Rifle isn’t your everyday assault weapon. It’s a heavy sniper rifle designed to deal massive single-shot damage, especially effective against armored enemies like Automaton Devastators or Bile Titans. Each shot packs a punch, but it’s slow to reload and punishes missed shots.
You can think of it as a situational powerhouse—amazing in the right hands and right mission type, but not a weapon you can spray and pray with. It’s best suited for players who enjoy picking off priority targets and staying mobile rather than running headfirst into swarms.
2. Ideal Loadouts for Maximum Efficiency
Pairing the Anti-Material Rifle with the right stratagems can make or break your mission. Since the rifle already covers your long-range damage, your other equipment should help with crowd control or quick mobility.
Here’s a reliable loadout setup:
- Primary Weapon: Anti-Material Rifle
- Secondary Weapon: SMG or Autocannon Pistol (for close-range emergencies)
- Stratagems: Eagle Cluster Bomb or Orbital Precision Strike for follow-up kills
- Support: Shield Generator Pack or Jump Pack for quick repositioning
Don’t try to use the Anti-Material Rifle as your main wave-clearing weapon. Instead, think of yourself as the designated target eliminator—the player who spots and takes down high-value threats before they cause problems.
3. Aim for Critical Spots
The rifle’s high damage means you don’t always need to hit the biggest part of your target. Instead, learn to aim for weak spots. For example:
- Automatons: Aim for exposed heads or glowing chest cores.
- Terminids: Shoot the abdomen or head of Chargers to deal massive damage.
- Illuminate (if they return): Their cores or floating sensors are usually the weak points.
This weapon rewards accuracy over volume. Taking a second to line up your shot is almost always worth it.
4. Manage Ammo and Positioning
A common mistake many players make is running out of ammo mid-battle. The Anti-Material Rifle carries limited rounds, and each bullet is valuable. Always reload when it’s safe and make good use of resupply stratagems.
Positioning is equally important. You want to stay slightly behind your squad, ideally on higher ground or open areas where you have a clear line of sight. If you’re caught in close combat, switch to your secondary weapon immediately instead of trying to reload under pressure.
For players looking to speed up progression or gear upgrades, some choose to buy Helldivers 2 medals to unlock stratagems and weapon variants faster. While grinding through missions can be fun, having a few extra medals can help you test out new combinations that complement the Anti-Material Rifle’s strengths.
5. Perfecting Timing and Team Coordination
Using the Anti-Material Rifle effectively is as much about team coordination as it is about shooting. Communicate with your squad to focus fire on large threats. The rifle works best when your teammates cover you during reloads or help draw attention away from you.
In tougher missions, time your shots to hit just after your team uses heavy explosives or disables enemy shields. This coordination allows you to maximize damage output without wasting precious rounds. It also makes the battlefield feel much more manageable.
6. When (and When Not) to Use It
The Anti-Material Rifle isn’t always the right tool for every mission. It shines in open maps or against armored factions but feels clunky in tight spaces filled with fast enemies. If you’re heading into a dense bug nest or need to handle swarms, consider switching to something more versatile, like a Railgun or Breaker Shotgun.
However, if your mission involves defending objectives or eliminating high-value targets, the Anti-Material Rifle can absolutely carry the team when used correctly. Just remember—it’s not about getting the most kills, it’s about getting the right kills.
7. Personal Tips from Experience
After using this weapon across countless missions, one of my key takeaways is to stay mobile and patient. Don’t get tunnel vision trying to take the perfect shot while enemies close in. Fire, reposition, reload, repeat.
Another tip: if you find yourself struggling with resource management, many players use platforms like U4GM to get additional in-game items. Some even buy Helldivers 2 super credits at U4GM to unlock cosmetic or equipment upgrades faster. While it’s completely optional, it can help players who want to experiment with builds without spending as much time grinding for every unlock.
The Anti-Material Rifle in Helldivers 2 isn’t for everyone—but once you master its rhythm, it becomes one of the most satisfying weapons in the game. It rewards skill, patience, and awareness, turning you into a precision powerhouse capable of swinging the tide of battle.
If you enjoy a strategic, methodical playstyle and like the idea of taking out heavy targets with one well-placed shot, this weapon might just be your new best friend. Just remember: aim true, stay mobile, and trust your team to handle the rest.