Helldivers 2 Stalwart Bug Build Guide

The M-105 Stalwart is unique because its high mobility and fire rate allow it to function effectively as your "primary" weapon. Because it lacks armor penetration, a successful Stalwart build must focus on supplementing your kit with tools to handle medium and heavy armor.

The "Stalwart-as-Primary" Bug Build

This is the most popular configuration for Terminid missions, allowing you to mow down endless waves of chaff while your primary handles the heavy lifting.

• Support Weapon: M-105 Stalwart. Set to maximum RPM (1150) to instantly shred hunters and shriekers.
• Primary Weapon: R-36 Eruptor or Explosive Crossbow. These provide the medium armor penetration and explosive utility (closing bug holes) that the Stalwart lacks.
• Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol for additional utility or P-4 Senator for medium-penetration backup.
• Grenade: G-123 Thermite to deal with Chargers and Impalers directly.
• Armor: Light armor with the Peak Physique or Siege Ready passive to improve weapon handling and recoil.

Essential Stratagems

Since the Stalwart takes your support slot and is weak against heavies, your remaining stratagems must prioritize anti-tank and sustainability:

• Supply Pack: Essential for maintaining the Stalwart’s high ammo consumption and restocking grenades/stims.
• Eagle 500kg Bomb or Orbital Precision Strike: Necessary for killing Bile Titans and heavy structures.
• Rocket Sentry or Autocannon Sentry: Provides fire support against medium/heavy targets while you focus on clearing the smaller enemies.

Tactical Tips

• Crank the RPM: Always hold the reload button to switch the fire rate to 1150 RPM. It increases your DPS significantly for clearing swarms.
• Reload on the Move: Unlike the MG-43, the Stalwart can be reloaded while running. Never stand still during a reload.
• Target Weak Points: For medium enemies like Devastators (Bots) or Hive Guards (Bugs), aim for the head or unarmored joints, as bullets will bounce off armored plating.

Core Damage Statistics

As of the most recent updates, the Stalwart's damage profile is as follows:

• Standard Damage: 90
• Durable Damage: 22 (damage against "tougher" non-armored parts)
• Armor Penetration: Light (Level 2). It will ricochet off medium or heavy armor.
• Fire Rate: Adjustable between 700, 850, and 1150 RPM.

DPS (Damage Per Second):

• 700 RPM: 1,050
• 850 RPM: 1,275
• 1150 RPM: 1,725

Key Features

• Magazine Capacity: 250 rounds per box, with 3 spare magazines.
• Mobility: It is the only machine gun that allows you to reload while running.
• Stagger: Provides a stagger force of 15, allowing it to stun smaller enemies slightly.

Combat Utility

• Best Against: Terminid "chaff" (Scavengers, Hunters, Warriors) and unarmored Automaton troopers.
• Weak Against: Anything with medium armor or higher (Hive Guards, Devastators, Chargers). You must target unarmored weak spots, such as a Charger's butt or a Hulk's back heat sink.
• Loadout Tip: Because it functions like a "Super Liberator," many players pair it with a Medium Penetration Primary like the Jar-5 Dominator or Eruptor to handle tougher targets while using the Stalwart for pure horde clearing.

Helldivers 2 Stalwart Vs Machine Gun

In Helldivers 2, choosing between the M-105 Stalwart and the MG-43 Machine Gun depends on whether you prioritize high-speed mobility or raw stopping power against armor.

Bugs: Stalwart is often preferred for clearing endless swarms of Hunters and Scavengers while staying mobile.

Bots: Machine Gun is superior because it can actually penetrate the armor of most common Automaton units.