Like plinking enemies from afar with well-placed high-caliber bullets? Then the APW-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle should be one of the first Stratagems you get and unlock in this alien-busting game. But you have to know more than just pulling triggers and popping heads to fully utilize this weapon’s strengths. Whether you’re a pro sniper or just want to clear Personal Orders, here are some tips for using the Helldivers 2 Anti-Material Rifle.
Where Can You Get the Anti-Material Rifle in Helldivers 2?
Reach Level 2 and Anti-Material Rifle can be purchased for 5,000 Requisitions in the Patriotic Administration Center part of the Stratagem tab in Ship Management. When fully stocked, it comes with 64 rounds and 7 magazines. The level requirement is low, but during that point, you probably will still be strapped for Requisition Slips.
Thankfully, you can find a random Anti-Material Rifle or other Support Weapons on the map near a soldier’s dead body or by opening Drop Pods. We recommend you prioritize other Stratagems first like Eagles or Anti-Tank to deal with heavier enemies, though.
How to Aim and Use the Anti-Material Rifle
Switch Between Zoom Modes
Call the Anti-Material Rifle Stratagem in Helldivers 2 by pressing Down, Left, Right, Up, Down. After you pick it up, press 3 on a keyboard or press and hold Triangle on a controller to swap to a Support Weapon. You can change between tapping or holding the button to swap via the Weapon Switch Mode option in the Gameplay menu.
However, by default, you will be hip-firing in third-person mode and cannot zoom in. To use the weapon’s scope, press the Switch Aim Mode button to change to first-person mode and aim through the scope. The default setting for Switch Aim Mode is Right Stick press for a controller or Middle Mouse click on a mouse.
Afterward, you can also adjust the Helldivers 2 Anti-Material Rifle’s scope zooms by holding the reload button (R key or Square button) while not aiming. The scope comes in three settings:
- 50 meters.
- 100 meters.
- 200 meters.
Don’t forget that crouching or lying down will make it easier to aim with most weapons. For the Anti-Material Rifle, laying prone will practically remove any sway and recoil you receive after every shot.
The Best Use Cases for Anti-Material Rifle in Helldivers 2
Anti-Material Rifle is recommended for use against Automatons. The Terminid bugs come in swarms and most of the weaker ones are small compared to the humanoid Troopers and Commisars. Automaton units while armed with ranged weapons, are also slower than Terminids, making them easier to be picked off from range.
For that reason, if you’re trying to complete the 60 Anti-Material Rifle Kills Personal Order, we suggest you hunt down some Automatons on Trivial or Easy difficulty. Nevertheless, the Helldivers 2 Anti-Material Rifle can be effectively used against Warriors, Brood Commanders, and Bile Spewers. Any bugs that are not heavily armored or if their weak spots are exposed when chasing your teammates, really.
Helldivers 2 is available on PlayStation 5 and PC.
