Helldivers 2 Leviathan Strategy: How to Bypass Armor and Hit Weakest Spots
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AriEdenJace
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Helldivers 2 Leviathan Strategy: How to Bypass Armor and Hit Weakest Spots
Facing off against the Illuminate Leviathan is easily one of the most intimidating encounters currently in Helldivers 2. Boasting a massive Tank Level 1 rating with Armor Value 5, this mechanical beast laughs off regular fire, leaving many squads scrambling as its laser turrets melt their positions. However, it isn't invisible, and it certainly isn't invincible. The key to taking it down lies in stripping away its heavy exterior plating using dedicated Anti-Tank hardware. Once those specific structural joints crack open, the Leviathan's soft interior becomes completely vulnerable to standard heavy armor-piercing support weapons.
If you and your squad want to clear the skies efficiently without wasting half your stratagem budget, here is the exact breakdown of the true weak spots and the loadouts you need to bring.
The True Weak Spots and How to Expose Them
The Side Wings / Fins (Best Group Strategy)
Taking out the side wings is by far the most reliable method for a coordinated squad. You want to target the wings with either 2 to 3 Recoilless Rifle shots or 3 Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT) rockets. Be incredibly precise here: avoid striking the wing-mounted laser turrets directly, as they will absorb the impact without transferring any real damage to the wing structure itself. Once the wing breaks, it will expose glowing blue flames and thick smoke. At this point, the heavy armor is gone. Have your teammates immediately open fire into those blue flames using Heavy Armor Penetration (AP4) weapons like the Autocannon or Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) to rapidly drain its core health pool.
The Three Underbelly Rings
If you can get a clean angle underneath the beast, look for the three glowing blue disk panels positioned along the bottom hull. Hit each ring with heavy anti-tank munitions until they shatter and spark. If your squad manages to target and destroy all three of these engine components, it completely destabilizes the Leviathan, causing it to drop out of the sky instantly.
The Tail Section
Another excellent target for breaking the Leviathan's posture is the base of the tail. Cracking this open requires 2 well-placed Recoilless Rifle shots. Once broken, a massive structural crack opens up. This allows your squadmates to pump medium or heavy armor-penetrating rounds directly into its vulnerable innards, bypassing the heavy armor requirements entirely.
Recommended Loadout and Stratagems
Bringing the right tools to the drop zone is half the battle. Below is a breakdown of the top meta choices for dismantling the Leviathan based on current combat effectiveness:
Anti-Tank Emplacement: The best overall option available. It deploys instantly and can completely down a Leviathan by focusing down a single wing or ripping through the front turbine circle panel in a matter of seconds.
SPEAR Support Weapon: Highly effective. It consistently locks onto the front head hull, securing a reliable and safe kill from a distance in roughly 4 to 5 well-placed rockets.
Recoilless Rifle: Excellent for duos. It requires about 5 to 6 direct hits to the hull core or weak spots to secure a kill. Make sure to utilize team-reloading with a buddy to wipe them from the sky almost instantly.
Emancipator Exosuit: Provides massive burst damage. The dual autocannons can melt a Leviathan very quickly, though you should be mindful that doing so will consume roughly half of your total ammunition reserves.
Thermite Grenades: A viable niche or solo technique. If you manage to cling 5 to 6 Thermite Grenades directly to the spinal columns, the burning thermite will melt through the armor plates and trigger a catastrophic internal explosion.
Coordinate with your team, make sure at least two of you are running heavy anti-tank options, and focus on one structural weak point at a time. Clear skies, Helldivers!
If you and your squad want to clear the skies efficiently without wasting half your stratagem budget, here is the exact breakdown of the true weak spots and the loadouts you need to bring.
The True Weak Spots and How to Expose Them
The Side Wings / Fins (Best Group Strategy)
Taking out the side wings is by far the most reliable method for a coordinated squad. You want to target the wings with either 2 to 3 Recoilless Rifle shots or 3 Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT) rockets. Be incredibly precise here: avoid striking the wing-mounted laser turrets directly, as they will absorb the impact without transferring any real damage to the wing structure itself. Once the wing breaks, it will expose glowing blue flames and thick smoke. At this point, the heavy armor is gone. Have your teammates immediately open fire into those blue flames using Heavy Armor Penetration (AP4) weapons like the Autocannon or Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) to rapidly drain its core health pool.
The Three Underbelly Rings
If you can get a clean angle underneath the beast, look for the three glowing blue disk panels positioned along the bottom hull. Hit each ring with heavy anti-tank munitions until they shatter and spark. If your squad manages to target and destroy all three of these engine components, it completely destabilizes the Leviathan, causing it to drop out of the sky instantly.
The Tail Section
Another excellent target for breaking the Leviathan's posture is the base of the tail. Cracking this open requires 2 well-placed Recoilless Rifle shots. Once broken, a massive structural crack opens up. This allows your squadmates to pump medium or heavy armor-penetrating rounds directly into its vulnerable innards, bypassing the heavy armor requirements entirely.
Recommended Loadout and Stratagems
Bringing the right tools to the drop zone is half the battle. Below is a breakdown of the top meta choices for dismantling the Leviathan based on current combat effectiveness:
Anti-Tank Emplacement: The best overall option available. It deploys instantly and can completely down a Leviathan by focusing down a single wing or ripping through the front turbine circle panel in a matter of seconds.
SPEAR Support Weapon: Highly effective. It consistently locks onto the front head hull, securing a reliable and safe kill from a distance in roughly 4 to 5 well-placed rockets.
Recoilless Rifle: Excellent for duos. It requires about 5 to 6 direct hits to the hull core or weak spots to secure a kill. Make sure to utilize team-reloading with a buddy to wipe them from the sky almost instantly.
Emancipator Exosuit: Provides massive burst damage. The dual autocannons can melt a Leviathan very quickly, though you should be mindful that doing so will consume roughly half of your total ammunition reserves.
Thermite Grenades: A viable niche or solo technique. If you manage to cling 5 to 6 Thermite Grenades directly to the spinal columns, the burning thermite will melt through the armor plates and trigger a catastrophic internal explosion.
Coordinate with your team, make sure at least two of you are running heavy anti-tank options, and focus on one structural weak point at a time. Clear skies, Helldivers!
