Helldivers 2 Double Edge Sickle Build, Core Synergy Loadout

The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle (DES) is a high-risk, high-reward primary weapon that exchanges user safety for scaling damage and armor penetration. To use it effectively, you must build specifically to mitigate its self-damaging heat and fire effects.

Weapon Mechanics

Unlike standard laser weapons that simply stop firing when they overheat, the Double-Edge Sickle has its safety limiters removed.

• Heat-Based Scaling: As you hold the trigger, the weapon's damage and armor penetration increase along with its heat level.
• Self-Damage: Once the heat exceeds 25%, the weapon begins venting heat directly into the user, dealing damage over time.
• Infinite Fire: It can fire indefinitely as long as the user has health to spare, though it will eventually set the user on fire at 91% heat.

Performance Tiers

The weapon’s stats change based on its current heat percentage:

Core Build Requirements

These items are considered non-negotiable for a "meta" DES build:

• Armor: Use Inflammable passive armor (e.g., Salamander heavy or Fire Fighter medium). This reduces the self-damage from heat and allows you to fire much longer before catching fire.
• Booster: Vitality Enhancement is mandatory. It increases your health pool, allowing you to tank the weapon's chip damage.
• Backpack: Supply Pack. The DES eventually requires you to "stim through" the fire damage during intense fights. The Supply Pack ensures you never run out of stims.

Performance Stages

The DES's power scales with its heat level:

• 0-25% Heat: Light armor penetration, 55 damage. No self-damage.
• 26-50% Heat: Medium armor penetration, 55 damage. Minor self-damage.
• 51-90% Heat: Medium armor penetration, 70 damage. Moderate self-damage.
• 91%+ Heat: Heavy armor penetration, 70 damage. You catch fire and take massive damage.

Core Synergy Loadout

The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle (often called the "Dickle" by the community) is a high-risk, high-reward primary that gains power as it heats up. To use it effectively, your loadout must focus on managing the self-inflicted fire damage that occurs when you reach its maximum damage state.

This setup is widely considered the standard for maximizing the weapon's "infinite fire" potential.

• Armor: Any Fire-Resistant armor (e.g., from the Freedom's Flame Warbond). This reduces self-burn damage by 75%, allowing you to stay in the high-heat, heavy-penetration zone for significantly longer.
• Booster: Vitality Enhancement. This increases your health pool, which effectively acts as your "magazine" for this weapon, letting you soak more heat damage before needing a stim.
• Secondary: GP-31 Ultimatum. This powerful sidearm covers the Sickle's weakness against massive single targets or dropships, providing a heavy-hitting fallback.
• Backpack: Supply Pack. Essential for replenishing the stims you will constantly consume to offset the self-burning at high heat.

Double Edge Sickle Vs Sickle

In Helldivers 2, the choice between the LAS-16 Sickle and the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle comes down to reliability versus high-risk power.

Pick the LAS-16 Sickle if you want a reliable, easy-to-use laser rifle that frees up your armor and booster slots for more general utility.
Pick the LAS-17 Double-Edge if you enjoy "building" around a weapon and want a primary that can double as a heavy-killing machine at the cost of your own health. 
 

Double Edge Sickle Vs Coyote

Choosing between the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle and the AR-2 Coyote depends on whether you prefer "infinite" high-risk laser fire or reliable incendiary assault rifle performance.

Use the Double-Edge Sickle if you are willing to build your entire loadout around it for maximum damage. Choose the Coyote for a more traditional, highly effective assault rifle that excels at setting groups of enemies ablaze.