If you've dropped onto a bot-infested planet, you know the Automatons are a different kind of fight compared to the Terminids. This isn't just about lore; understanding their background can help you grasp their in-game behavior and why the community fights them the way it does. Let's break down what most players accept about this persistent enemy.
Who Are the Automatons, Really?
In short, the Automatons are the mechanical successors to the Cyborgs from the first Helldiver war. After the Cyborgs were defeated and imprisoned on their homeworld, Cyberstan, they built the Automaton Legion to continue the fight against Super Earth. This isn't just propaganda; intercepted transmissions confirm the Automatons were created to one day liberate their creators. In practice, this means they are a highly organized, tactically rigid enemy that uses combined arms and fortifications, unlike the swarm-like bugs.
How Do They Fight on the Ground?
Their origin explains their unit structure and tactics. Most players notice that Automaton patrols are more disciplined and have longer sight lines than Terminids. A common patrol usually consists of a mix of Troopers, supported by a Devastator or a Raider. Because they are a constructed army, not a hive mind, they rely on communication and infrastructure. This is why missions often target Fabricators (their unit production buildings) and Communication Arrays. Destroying these weakens their local coordination, making subsequent attacks easier. If you leave Fabricators standing, you'll usually be overwhelmed by an endless stream of dropships.
What's the Deal with Their Major Offensives?
The in-game "Major Orders" often reflect the broader narrative of the Automaton war. Events like "Operation Swift Disassembly" or "The Reclamation" aren't just flavor text. When the game announces a major bot offensive, it usually translates to several real-world days where multiple planets in a sector come under simultaneous attack. The community's general behavior is to rally to the defense of these sectors to push back the frontline. Failing a major order, like losing a key sector, can sometimes unlock new, tougher Automaton units on all fronts, as their narrative gains momentum.
Why Are Some Planets More Contested Than Others?
Planets like Malevelon Creek or Tibit have become infamous because of their history in the game's narrative. They are often strategic objectives in Major Orders. Players often flock to these planets not just for the order, but because higher difficulty missions there tend to be more populated, leading to a cycle of intense fighting. The "Malevelon Creek Memorial Day" mentioned in lore is a community in-joke and point of pride for veterans who fought there during those early, brutal campaigns.
Should I Fight Them Differently Than Terminids?
Absolutely. General player strategy diverges significantly between the two factions. Against bugs, mobility and area control are key. Against bots, most players prioritize precision and taking cover. Bringing armor-piercing weapons and stratagems like the Railgun or Expendable Anti-Tank is considered standard for higher difficulties. Because bots shoot back with accurate, sustained fire, the common behavior is to move from cover to cover, methodically clearing patrols before they can call in reinforcements. Charging in like you might against Terminids is a quick way to get deleted.
What About Their Future and New Units?
The lore shows the Automatons adapt. They scavenge technology and create new units like the Jet Brigade in response to losses. For players, this has translated into the developers occasionally adding new enemy types to the Automaton roster, especially after major narrative events. Staying updated on community notes is helpful, as these new units can change effective loadouts. For those looking to optimize their loadout without the grind, some players seek out Helldivers 2 items for sale on trusted site U4N, though acquiring gear through gameplay is the intended path. The key takeaway is that the Automaton threat evolves, so your tactics should too.
Why Does This Background Matter for Gameplay?
Knowing they are a calculated, industrial foe explains mission design. You're often attacking their supply chain: destroying fuel depots, missile sites, and factories. It also explains their resilience on the galactic map. Even when seemingly pushed back to Cyberstan, they are capable of launching massive surprise invasions, keeping the western front perpetually active. For a player, this means the Automaton war never truly ends; it just ebbs and flows based on community effort.
In the end, fighting Automatons is a war of attrition and strategy, both on the ground and on the galactic map. Understanding that you're facing a deliberate, adaptive military force, not just mindless enemies, will make you a more effective Helldiver. Now get out there, and remember: a controlled, precise dive is better than a heroic, reckless one against the bots.
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