Best armor in Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 has a bunch of different loadouts for players to try, but not every item is created equal. Here’s the best armor to equip right now in Helldivers 2.

Helldivers 2 has had a phenomenal launch, breaking records on Steam and garnering plenty of praise from fans. The third-person shooter has options for co-op and solo play, offering players different ways to tackle the game and unlock the story.

Armor is the first line of defense for any intrepid defender of democracy in Helldivers 2. So what’s the best armor to choose? Well, it helps to understand a bit about how armor works in the game first.

How does armor work in Helldivers 2?

Arrowhead Game Studios

There are three types of armor in Helldivers 2, Light, Medium and Heavy. Light and Medium armor provide the best mobility, while Heavy sets will sacrifice movement speed and regen for durability.

But armor stats in Helldivers 2 aren’t as important as the Passive buff they provide. There are seven armor passives available, and each one provides a different perk. Some decrease the chance of dying from lethal damage, or the chances of enemy detection. Others provide perks like additional capacity to carry stims or grenades.

The game launched with a total of 19 armor sets players can unlock with their Super Credits or medals. While there are plans to introduce more armor sets to Helldivers 2, these are the best options available, no matter your playstyle.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for more health

Those looking to last longer in combat can’t go past armor with the Democracy Protects passives.

Arrowhead Games Studio

DP-40 Hero of the Federation

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Democracy Protects – 50% chance to not die when taking lethal damage.
  Prevents all damage from bleeding if chest hemorrhages.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for speed

Avoiding combat is a perfectly legitimate playstyle in Helldivers 2 and provides just as much of a challenge as diving in headlong into the fray. Players opting for speed should aim for armor with the Scout passive.

Arrowhead Games Studio

SC-30 Trailblazer Scout

• Armor Rating: 075
• Speed: 525
• Stamina Regen: 113
• Passive: Scout – Markers placed on the map will generate radar scans every 2.0s.
  Reduces range in which enemies can detect the wearer by 30%.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for tank builds

Those players who want to take the brunt of the damage for their team will need some of the beefiest armor Helldivers 2 can offer. Both the Democracy Protects and Servo-Assisted passives make good choices for tank builds. The DP-40 Hero of the Federation, mentioned earlier, is a great pick for tank builds, but there are some other choices later in the Warbonds too.

Sony

DP-11 Champion of the People

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Democracy Protects – 50% chance to not die after taking lethal damage.
  Prevents bleeding damage when chest hemorrhages from attacks.

SA-25 Steel Trooper

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Servo-Assisted – Increases throwing range by 30%
  Provides +50% limb health

One thing to note about the Servo-Assisted passive: it’s only available on armors in the Premium Warbond or from the Superstore.

Players can save up their Super Credits to purchase the Premium Warbond and gain access to the SA-25 Steel Trooper armor. The Premium Warbond costs 1,000 Super Credits.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for sniper builds

While there aren’t any specific classes in Helldivers 2, there’s plenty of flexibility in loadouts to try different builds. Those wanting to kit out a sniper-style diver can check out armors with the Engineering Kit passive or the Fortified passive.

Arrowhead Games Studio

CE-35 Trench Engineer

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Engineering Kit – Further reduces recoil when crouching or prone by 30%.
  Increases initial inventory of holding capacity of grenades by +2.

FS-05 Marksman

• Armor Rating: 144
• Speed: 456
• Stamina Regen: 56
• Passive: Fortified – 30% reduced weapon recoil while crouched or prone
  50% percent explosive damage resistance.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for support builds

Support builds provide staying power and focus on reinforcing their teams. And when it comes to keeping a team of divers alive, players can’t go past armor with the Med-Kit passive. The CM-09 Bonesnapper is always a good option in the early game. Those wanting something a little fancier looking with comparable stats, there’s another option for 70 Medals.

Arrowhead Games Studio

CM-09 Bonesnapper

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Med-Kit – Increase initial inventory and holding capacity of stims by +2.
  Increases stim effect duration by +2.0s.

CM-14 Physician

• Armor Rating: 100
• Speed: 500
• Stamina Regen: 100
• Passive: Med-Kit – Increase initial inventory and holding capacity of stims by +2.
  Increases stim effect duration by +2.0s.

Best Helldivers 2 armor for solo players

Solo-players will want a well-rounded armor set to help them tackle everything the game’s going to throw at them. A Light armor set is best, and the Scout passive is a solid pick to help avoid unnecessary combats. The Med-Kit option isn’t bad either, if survivability is more of a concern. Both the CM-09 Bonesnapper and the SC-30 Trailblazer Scout mentioned above are good options. But for a solid early game pick, players can try the Infiltrator.

SC-34 Infiltrator

• Armor Rating: 075
• Speed: 525
• Stamina Regen: 113
• Passive: Scout – Markers placed on the map will generate radar scans every 2.0s.
  Reduces range in which enemies can detect the wearer by 30%.