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Acer Chromebook 516 GE: The Best Gaming Chromebook on Market
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE unites the simplicity of a Chromebook with the beauty of gaming. This is perhaps surprising, as Chromebooks are traditionally regarded as slimmed-down computers fit for taking on simple computing tasks. Built for gamers and armed with cutting-edge video decoding technology suitable for cloud gaming, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE packs a serious punch. The Chromebook includes a speedy refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth and realistic gaming motions for an enhanced gaming experience. Here are some of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE’s key specifications.
* Processor: up to a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 P-series processor
* Graphics Card: Iris Xe Graphics
* Memory: 16 GB
* Storage: up to 256 GB
* Ports 1 x HDMI port, 1 x RJ-45 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) LAN port, 2 x USB 3.2 Type-C ports, and 1 x USB 3.2 Type-A port
* Wireless: Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
* Power Supply: 65 W max
* Weight: 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg)
* Keyboard Features: Keyboard with RGB 3 Zones Backlight
* Operating System: ChromeOS
What is a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are laptops that run on ChromeOS, a fast and simplified operating system provided by Google. They are not intended to run desktop software, instead relying on a cloud-based working environment. Chromebooks are great for creating and editing Google Docs, everyday email communication, and web browsing, and they do not get bogged down by unnecessary software. They are user-friendly and are designed with a focus on speed and affordability.
Are Chromebooks usually used for gaming?
Chromebooks might seem to be an unlikely candidate for gaming. Traditional Chromebooks are lean devices with limited capabilities and are intended to run web-based programs as they do not have the necessary GPU and CPU to support gaming or high-level processing. In addition, they do not have heaps of internal storage like laptops do and feature a light solid-state drive instead of a hard disk drive. These features help to maintain Chromebooks’ sleek image, but how does the Acer Chromebook 516 GE handle gaming sessions?
What is cloud gaming?
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is uniquely designed to handle modern-day gaming via the cloud. Server-based cloud computing provides fluid graphics that let gamers immerse themselves in fast-paced games without glitches. Cloud gaming offloads the graphics and input processing to a remote server with sophisticated graphics hardware. This relieves Chromebook devices of storage demands, keeping them light while allowing gamers to play real games like they would on a laptop or gaming PC.
Cloud gaming lets users play games on any device, anywhere, and is a game-changer for gamers on a budget. It opens the gaming world to everyone, requiring a stable internet connection instead of costly hardware. Moreover, cloud gaming lets users save their progress mid-game and pick up where they left off on another device. As games are streamed over the internet, there is no need for additional software, cables, or storage space. Gamers can simply load the cloud gaming platform on their favorite device and immerse themselves in their chosen game.
Why you should choose the Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is one of the first Chromebooks for gaming and is expected to set a precedent for a new wave of ChromeOS-powered cloud-based gaming devices. With high bandwidth, a built-in RJ-45 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) LAN port, and Wi-Fi 6E support, the Acer gaming Chromebook offers a true gaming experience for users. Acer also offers a free 3-month trial of GeForce NOW, NVIDIA’s highest-performance cloud-based gaming tier. Here are some more benefits of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE.
1. Stunning visuals
Acer’s gaming Chromebook features a 120Hz 16-inch WQXGA (2560 X 1600) IPS narrow-bezel display with 100% sRGB coverage for intense and highly accurate colors. Its 16:10 aspect ratio lets users see even more screen space while they game, enhancing the overall experience.
2. Crystal-clear audio
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE offers unrivaled audio through its DTS® Audio and Smart Amplifier, providing top-quality, distortion-free sound. The device eliminates unwanted sound vibrations via force-cancelling woofers that work in opposite directions.
3. Anti-ghosting keyboard
Preset backlight modes allow gamers to personalize the color of their keyboard keys so they can type and game in low-light conditions. The device’s anti-ghosting technology allows gamers to use more key combinations at lightning speed with enhanced accuracy.
4. Smooth keypad
With a glass-like touchpad, Acer has pulled out all the stops to maximize the user-friendliness of its gaming Chromebook. The moisture-resistant touchpad is made with OceanGlass, which is reclaimed plastic debris from the sea and can withstand sweaty palms or light spillages.
Conclusion
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a Chromebook device with an emphasis on cloud-based gaming. Thanks to the cloud, it is a budget-friendly alternative to gaming laptops and does not require expensive hardware. Acer’s gaming Chromebook offers handy features to streamline the gaming experience, such as an anti-ghosting keyboard and ultra-smooth keypad. With colorful visuals and a high refresh rate, users can enjoy gaming without lag or glitches. Get your budget-friendly gaming Chromebook from the Acer Store or authorized retailers, and join the future of cloud-based gaming.
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WhatsApp’s New Formatting Features Improve Message Readability
WhatsApp users now have four additional options for formatting text messages: bulleted lists, numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code. Whether you’re sending a grocery list to your partner or communicating technical data to your colleagues, these new features enable you to compose clearer, and more organized and readable messages.
How to Use the New WhatsApp Formatting Options
Here’s a quick guide to applying the new text formatting features on WhatsApp:
Bulleted Lists
To start a bulleted list, use a hyphen (–), followed by one space.
Use Case Examples: Shopping lists; to-do lists; meeting agendas that are unranked
Numbered Lists
To start a numbered list, type one or two digits (for example, the number 1), followed by a period (.) and one space.
Use Case Examples: Recipes and other items with step-by-step instructions; meeting agendas or program lists where the items are ranked by priority or in chronological order
Block Quotes
To introduce a block quote (this refers to text that will be indented and easily distinguishable from other messages), type a greater-than (>) symbol and a space, followed by the text or quote.
Use Case Examples: Emphasizing or reiterating something that a colleague had said in the group chat; highlighting quoted lines from content like articles, books, podcasts, and movies
Inline Code
To introduce inline code (a formatting technique where computer code, such as a code snippet, a command, or a variable, is embedded within regular text), wrap the text with backtick (`) symbols.
Use Case Examples: Giving technical instructions; quoting logs or errors; referencing code elements like variables, functions, or method names
With the introduction of these four options, the recent WhatsApp update expands the messaging platform’s text formatting toolbox, which already includes bold, italic, monospace, and strikethrough. All formatting options are available on WhatsApp Web, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Platforms like WhatsApp allow students and professionals to connect, communicate, and collaborate seamlessly and efficiently, regardless of geographical location. You can pair these instant messaging platforms with PCs that are also designed for staying productive on the go, like the Acer TravelMate P4 Laptop.
Why Formatting Options Help Improve Message Readability
Whether you’re using messaging platforms on desktop or mobile, being able to add text formatting such as bold, italics, bulleted or numbered lists, and block quotes is helpful for several reasons. Here are some examples:
* Adding Emphasis: Formatting allows users to emphasize certain words or phrases, making it easier to convey tone, intention, or importance in a message. For example, bold text can indicate headings or key points, while italics can be used for emphasis or to denote titles.
* Organizing and Differentiating Message Contents: Bulleted lists, numbered lists, and indentation (such as in block quotes) help organize information so messages are more readable and easier to understand. Formatting options also enable users to differentiate easily between different types of content within a conversation.
* Increasing Visual Appeal: Using the appropriate formatting options can make messages more engaging and visually pleasing to read. Well-formatted messages are often perceived as more polished and professional.
* Providing Expressiveness and Clarity: Users can express themselves more accurately with various formatting tools at their disposal. They can add nuance, emotion, or emphasis to their messages. The ability to do so fosters improved communication and deeper connections with others.
The extent to which text formatting options benefit users of instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp also varies in different contexts. They can be especially useful in the workplace, where communication between colleagues and collaborators should be clear, understandable, and professional. Formatting isn’t just about jazzing up your messages, but also unlocking greater levels of articulation and engagement in your conversations with others.
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About Micah Sulit: Micah is a writer and editor with a focus on lifestyle topics like tech, wellness, and travel. She loves writing while sipping an iced mocha in a cafe, preferably one in a foreign city. She's based in Manila, Philippines.
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AMD Ryzen 8000 Series: Taking Productivity and Gaming to the Next Level
In January 2024, AMD announced the expansion of its current portfolio, with the view to delivering “premium experiences to gamers, content creators, and everyday users” through enhancing performance and with added AI-capabilities. Among these updates was the introduction of the new and cutting-edge Ryzen 8000 series processors for the AM5 platforms.
AMD Ryzen 8000G Series: Greater Productivity, Better Graphics
With the rise of new software, including AI and data processing, users have been craving high-powered machines that can seamlessly handle workflows without interruption. AMD seems to have given them just that. Powered by up to 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen 8000 series is built to endure intensive workloads, including heavy-duty gaming, video editing, and other content creation.
The processors are highly efficient, combining AMD’s Zen 4 architecture with an RDNA 3 graphics core and XDNA AI engine maintaining a low power draw without compromising on performance.
At the top end, there’s the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G series with all 8 cores and 16 threads, 24MB of cache, and Radeon 780M graphics. The less premium option is the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G with 6 cores and 12 threads, 22MB of cache, and Radeon 760M graphics.
Both include a brand new superpowered “Hawk Point” AI neural processing unit (NPU), increasing the NPU’s power by 6 trillion or tera operations per second (TOPS), built to optimize AI efficiencies and improve workflow.
AMD’s Integrated Solution or a Standalone Graphics Card?
The avid gamer would point out that an integrated solution isn’t ideal for their needs, particularly when they play games at maximum specification. But for the budding gamer on a budget who doesn’t want to splash out on a high-end graphics card, it could be the perfect solution.
The 8000 series’ flagship processor, the Ryzen 7 8700G, will have 8 SMT-enabled Zen 4 processor cores with a maximum turbo clock speed of 5.1GHz. On a low game setting of 1080P, users can have a seamless and fruitful gaming experience.
But how does it compare with a new-gen graphics card? AMD has been realistic with expectations of exceeding the performance of cutting-edge standalones, pitching the integrated 8000 series as an alternative to not having to buy a graphics card at all or as a replacement for an older graphics card, with suggestions the 8700G can outperform the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650.
Acer Swift Laptops Debut AMD Ryzen 8000
Among the pioneers to adopt the Ryzen 8000 series are the Acer Swift 16 Edge and the Swift Go 14, both of which are getting a refresh with new AI capabilities.
What You Can Expect from the Acer Swift Edge 16 and Swift Go 14
Available specs for the updated Swift Edge 16 include a generous 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, as well as a stunning 3200x2000, 120Hz OLED display. It will house the Ryzen 7 8840U and Ryzen 5 8640U processors and bear the same 1.23 kg weight as its predecessor.
Meanwhile, there are a couple of upgrades on the Swift Go 14, including the new Ryzen 8000 processors and a larger trackpad. It will be available as a 14-inch laptop with specs that include 2880x1800 OLED and three options for processors: the Ryzen 9 8945HS, the Ryzen 7 8845, or the Ryzen 5 8645HS.
Both laptops include AcerSense key, with new AI-specific features to be added over the year. AI-based features on these new machines include LiveArt, which enables users to edit photos with the help of AI, including removing backgrounds and more.
What’s to come?
Much has been said about AMD’s Zen 4 architecture. However, in the latter half of 2024, AMD is planning to launch Zen 5, with even greater promise around performance and seamless workflow.
Additionally, AMD will maintain its focus on producing AI-powered PCs, with a line-up of next-gen Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5-powered notebooks that are said to improve AI-NPU performance threefold, thanks to a new and improved Ryzen AI “XDNA 2” engine. The future does indeed look bright for PC gamers, content creators, and data scientists alike.
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About Nikhil Lakhani: Nikhil is a content professional with more than 10 years’ experience writing across different niches from automotive to technology. He has a vested interest in video games and PC tech as well as health and well-being.
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Why You Should Capture Humans in Palworld
Palworld, the hit game by Pocketpair, took the gaming world by storm in early January. Amassing over 2.1 million concurrent players at its peak, this overnight sensation is a survival shooter game featuring capturable creatures, called Pals, that you can use in battle or for base-building. However, did you know that aside from capturing Pals, you can also capture the human residents of Palpagos Island?
But why would you do this? Isn’t the game primarily about capturing Pals, not humans? The simple answer: it's a game mechanic designed to enhance your experience. Why not explore it to its fullest?
Jokes aside, the game explicitly labels the capturing of humans as a ‘cruel’ and ‘inhumane’ practice, frowned upon by Palworld society. Yet, I have observed no significant long-term repercussions in my gameplay from capturing humans.
In reality, capturing humans in Palworld offers limited benefits. As combat units, humans possess only a basic weak skill, ‘punch,’ and cannot use any weapons. They are equally ineffective at base work, having only a level 1 Handiwork skill. Moreover, humans are challenging to catch with the Pal Sphere, making them poor choices for both combat and base labor.
Despite these drawbacks, there are compelling reasons to capture humans. Read on to discover why!
1. Collect humans like Pals
Contrary to expectations, the developers have placed significant emphasis on human NPCs in the game. A Reddit user, Glynnavyre, compiled a comprehensive list of unique humans in Palworld, which I've expanded to include the Reincarnated Guy (Uncatchable but offers free pizza) and Tower Bosses.
List of all unique humans in Palworld
Open World:
* Black Marketeer
* Burly Merc
* Cowardly Islander
* Cowardly Victim
* Desert Runaway
* Expedition Survivor
* Guard (unique PIDF that guard some Red Wandering Merchants)
* Mercenary With a Wounded Knee
* Reincarnated Guy (Uncatchable)
* Resigned Islander
* Skilled Islander
* Vagrant Challenger
Fisherman’s Point:
* Flame-worshipping Villager
* Fish-loving Villager
* Over-caring Villager
* Pal Merchant
* PIDF Slacker
* Sensitive-nosed PIDF Officer
* Star-loving Villager
* Wandering Merchant (1)
* Wandering Merchant (2)
Small Settlement:
* Enthusiastic Amateur Researcher
* Gossiping Villager
* Innkeeper
* Pal Merchant
* Reliable PIDF Officer
* Village Chief
* Wandering Merchant
Duneshelter:
* Kind Desert Inhabitant
* Pal Merchant
* PIDF Bonfire-lover
* PIDF Goody Two-shoes
* PIDF Grunt
* Timid Desert Inhabitant
* Wandering Merchant (1)
* Wandering Merchant (2)
* Warmblooded Desert Inhabitant
Enemies:
* Brothers of the Eternal Pyre Martyr
* Free Pal Alliance Devout (Bat)
* Free Pal Alliance Devout (Crossbow)
* PAL Genetic Research Unit Executioner
* PIDF Elite
* PIDF Guard
* PIDF Infantry
* Syndicate Cleaner
* Syndicate Crusher
* Syndicate Elite
* Syndicate Grenadier
* Syndicate Gunner
* Syndicate Hunter
* Syndicate Thug (Bat)
* Syndicate Thug (Gun)
Tower Bosses (Uncatchable as of patch 0.1.5.0):
* Zoe & Grizzbolt
* Lily & Lyleen
* Axel & Orserk
* Marcus & Faleris
* Victor & Shadowbeak
Unlike Pals, who are recorded in the Paldex, tracking captured humans requires manual effort to ensure you've collected them all. Before patch 0.1.5.0, a glitch allowed players to capture Tower Bosses, but this has since been corrected. However, the feature might return in future updates, or you can experience it now via a Palworld mod.
2. Sell them
Just like Pals in the game, humans can be sold to merchants. However, only the Black Market Merchant is willing to purchase humans, as other merchants will become suspicious of you if you attempt to sell humans. Humans in Palworld range from anywhere between 200 gold to 2500 gold, depending on their level. While it may not be as profitable or efficient as other methods of making money, this is still a quick way to raise some capital if you ever find yourself short a few gold.
3. Capture merchants for easy trade access
Capturing human merchants is the most common reason players choose to capture a human in Palworld. Merchants are unique humans who sell equipment, weapons, crafting goods, and Pals. There are four types of merchants in the game:
* Wandering Merchant (Green)
* Wandering Merchant (Red)
* Pal Merchant (Blue)
* Black Marketeer
Each merchant found in the game carries unique items that may not be found with the same merchant in another region. Additionally, merchants are scattered all over Palworld, and accessing them can sometimes be a hassle. So, instead of tracking down the specific merchant that carries the supplies you need, why not capture them all and keep them in your base so you can have access to them whenever you want?
To access their inventory, you can:
* Assign them as a base Pal and access their inventory by talking to them.
* Put them in a Viewing Cage and access their inventory by talking to them. This method can be a bit more tricky because it requires the merchant to be near the edge of the viewing cage for you to be able to talk to them. Alternatively, you can use the Viewing Cage hole and bed glitch to get easier access to the merchants in your Viewing Cage.
Note: If you are playing on a multiplayer server and capture a merchant, that merchant will not respawn for a long while. You can theoretically deny other players access to merchants by capturing them every time they respawn. Just keep in mind that this is a form of griefing, and moderators of that server may not tolerate this behavior.
4. Butcher them
If capturing humans is considered inhumane, then the act of "butchering" a human NPC can be considered a war crime in Palworld. Similar to Pals, who drop items when butchered using the Butcher Knife, humans will also drop items upon being butchered. These items can range from gold and bread to ammo and Pal Spheres. While you can use this method if you need items or gold, it is generally more profitable to sell humans than to butcher them for items.
5. Roleplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twGxIt15-EQ
Palworld is a game that celebrates creativity in building infrastructure. It offers hundreds of unique items that players can use to construct and decorate their bases. With these tools, players can create nearly anything they imagine, ranging from cozy wooden cabins to full-on castles. Captured humans can be used as additional decorations for your structures. For example, you can create a cool-looking bar tavern and then assign your humans to the area, making it appear like a bustling tavern.
A Reddit user, Prusyakish, took this mechanic to an inventive level by constructing a full-blown maximum-security prison that housed over 150 human Black Marketeer merchants and a handful of PIDF Security Guards acting as wardens.
This highlights the vast creative potential in Palworld, where your imagination sets the boundaries. Dive in, capture some humans, and see what unique creations you can bring to life.
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Is OnlyOffice a Worthy Alternative to Other Office Software Suites?
OnlyOffice is a dynamic, versatile suite of office productivity tools designed to meet the needs of modern businesses and individuals. Developed by Ascensio System SIA, OnlyOffice stands out as an alternative to other office productivity software suites, providing users with a powerful yet user-friendly platform for document creation and collaboration.
The suite offers the following features:
* Document Editor: A robust word processing tool that supports a wide range of formats, letting users create and edit text documents easily. It offers advanced formatting options, spell-checking, and collaboration features.
* Spreadsheet Editor: A feature-rich spreadsheet application that enables users to analyze data, create charts, and perform complex calculations. It supports formulas, pivot tables, and macros, making it suitable for various business tasks.
* Presentation Editor: An intuitive tool for creating dynamic presentations with multimedia content, animations, and transitions. It offers a wide range of templates and design options to help users deliver impactful presentations.
* PDF Editor: A versatile PDF reader, editor, and converter that allows users not only to view PDF files online or locally, but also to create and annotate them, and to convert PDF to DOCX and vice versa.
* Fillable Online Form Creator: A flexible program for generating fillable forms from scratch, from templates, or from text documents. Users can customize the format and add various fields.
https://youtu.be/SKGz4pmnpgY?si=Busslbh9h7d6O26z
Key Benefits of Using OnlyOffice
Here are a few advantages of using OnlyOffice, whether you’re creating a spreadsheet in a corporate setting, writing a group report for a project, or working on your novel in a coffee shop.
* Privacy and Security
OnlyOffice offers both cloud-based and on-premises deployment options. This gives users the flexibility to choose the method that aligns with their security requirements and best protects sensitive information.
* User-Friendly Interface
There’s no steep learning curve involved. The intuitive interface provides familiar tools and functionalities, ensuring a smooth transition for users accustomed to other office software.
* Customization
OnlyOffice lets users tailor the suite according to their specific needs. With customizable interface layouts and a wide range of plugins and extensions, users can optimize their workflow and enhance productivity.
* Seamless Collaboration
By facilitating real-time collaboration, OnlyOffice allows multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. This fosters teamwork and enhances productivity.
* Cloud Integration
Through smooth integration with popular cloud storage services, OnlyOffice ensures that documents are accessible anytime, from anywhere, and on any device, be it a mobile phone or a laptop like the Acer Aspire Go 15 and the Aspire 3.
* Cost-Effectiveness
OnlyOffice offers a free version of its office software suite, making it an attractive option for individuals and small businesses looking to reduce their operating costs. Additionally, there are several competitive pricing plans for businesses, developers, and home users.
* Enhanced Accessibility
Online and desktop editors in OnlyOffice 7.5 and later versions provide fully functional screen readers that allow users with visual impairments or learning disabilities to manage content better. Enabled via hotkey or through the interface setting, these screen readers convert images and text into speech, enabling users to interact with text documents, presentations, and spreadsheets in a non-visual manner.
Planned Updates
Future releases will include further refinements to OnlyOffice’s capabilities and ease of use. With the form creator and filler, for example, users can expect additions like field navigation, role-based form filling, and signatures. Also in the works are enhancements to right-to-left (RTL) support in documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, improvements aimed at facilitating complex formatting and automatically detecting the proper alignment for different types of text.
OnlyOffice: An Alternative Worth Considering
OnlyOffice presents itself as a strong contender in the realm of office productivity software, offering a suite of tools that provides a wealth of familiar, useful features, as well as compatibility with MS Office files. Its seamless collaboration capabilities, cloud integration, and customization options make it a compelling choice for businesses and individuals alike. As the demand for versatile and cost-effective office software continues to grow, OnlyOffice is well-positioned to carve out its place as a leading choice in the market.
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About Lalaine Capucion: Lalaine has been working as a freelance writer and editor for more than 12 years, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and wellness. When she isn’t writing, she's most likely curled up with a good book or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. She lives in Metro Manila, Philippines.
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Best Weapons Tier List for Helldivers 2
In Helldivers 2, success hinges on strategically selecting weapons to tackle a wide array of enemies, from the swarm-like Terminids to the robust Automatons, and facing off against both swarms of lesser foes and towering bosses like the Bile Titans. The game's design emphasizes the need for team diversity in armament choices, as no single player can monopolize the best tools for every situation. This necessitates adaptability in your weapon selection based on the enemy faction and mission at hand.
Some weapons naturally outperform others, either by excelling in their designated roles or by offering broad utility across various scenarios. However, the key to mastering Helldivers 2 is not just about individual prowess but ensuring the collective firepower and versatility of your squad.
To streamline your decision-making and squad preparation, I've put together a weapon tier list. This guide is rooted in both personal gameplay analysis and broader player feedback, aiming to highlight the most effective weapons in Helldivers 2. This list is intended to simplify your gear choices, ensuring you're well-equipped to face the game's challenges head-on, without unnecessary fluff or bias. The list below will include weapons from loadout and stratagem.
Tier List Breakdown
* S-tier: God-tier weapons valuable in any situation.
* A-tier: Powerful but not quite S Tier.
* B-tier: Balanced or niche, can swing to A or C Tier based on skill.
* C-tier: Underperforming weapons that don't feel good to use.
* D-tier: Not worth using.
S-tier Weapons:
* Autocannon (Stratagem): Preferred for its high ammunition capacity and rapid rate of fire, the Autocannon outshines the Grenade Launcher in handling enemy swarms and destroying infrastructure, despite needing a backpack slot for ammo. It's especially effective in prolonged fights and higher difficulty levels, making it a top choice for sustained combat effectiveness.
* Laser Cannon (Stratagem): Buffed recently in Patch 01.000.100, the Laser Cannon is a gun that shoots enemies with a continuous beam, requiring no ammunition. Its long range, high armor penetration, and increased damage make it a top choice in the Helldiver 2 meta. Just be careful not to overheat the weapon.
* Impact (Grenade): A zero-fuse explosive, ideal for precision blasts, is also effective for eliminating groups of enemies and penetrating medium frontal armor. Currently, the best grenade to have in your loadout.
* P-19 Redeemer (Secondary): The Redeemer is the ultimate sidearm, offering precise, high-accuracy fire that's effective against both bugs and Bots, providing crucial breathing space in combat. Its upgrade from the Peacemaker is marked by lower recoil and a significant fire rate increase, enabling easy elimination of enemy groups. Ideal for missions requiring mobility or as a backup when primary ammo runs out, the Redeemer combines the rapid-fire capability of an Uzi with efficiency, making it a reliable choice for dispatching enemies quickly.
* Railgun (Stratagem): Previously the dominant weapon of choice in Helldivers 2, this once powerful gun was hit with a nerf in Patch 01.000.100. Its overall damage and armor penetration were reduced, making it less effective at killing or stripping armor away from larger enemies such as the Bile Titan or Hulk. However, despite the recent nerfs, it is still a powerful gun that is still being used in higher-level play.
* Recoilless Rifle (Stratagem): A powerful single-shot weapon effective throughout the game, ideal for clearing swarms and damaging armored enemies like Tanks and Dropships. Its main drawback is slow reload time, which can be mitigated by a teammate's assistance, making it a solid alternative to the Expendable Anti-Tank Stratagem with higher ammo capacity. Best utilized when only one player per game carries it for optimal team efficiency.
* SG-225 Breaker: The SG-225 Breaker, even with the recent nerf to clip size and recoil, is still the best shotgun in Helldivers 2, excelling in semi-automatic mode for efficient enemy shredding. Surprisingly effective at both short and mid-range, it performs well against Automatons and Terminids and can strip armor from larger foes like Chargers.
A-tier Weapons:
* Flamethrower (Stratagem): Specializing in controlling bug populations and denying area access, its effectiveness is balanced by a short operational range and niche application. The recent patch, which introduced a 50% increase in damage to the weapon, has made it more viable in harder difficulties. However, this weapon still has the downside of potentially setting teammates on fire by accident. Additionally, enemies set ablaze don’t always perish immediately, so there's a significant chance of taking damage while setting them on fire. Against melee-focused units, this weapon is amazing, but against ranged enemies, like most of the Automatons, this weapon puts the player at too much risk to use effectively.
* Grenade Launcher (Stratagem): A versatile launcher with a large capacity, suited for combating medium-tier enemies and dismantling enemy structures. It’s like the Autocannon but doesn’t require a backpack to hold ammunition; however, its ammunition capacity is significantly less than the Autocannons.
* High Explosive (Grenade): The starting grenade stands out due to its high damage and some armor penetration, compensating for its small blast radius. It's reliable for eliminating threats, especially once you master the timing for maximum effect.
* Machine Gun (Stratagem): Offers more firepower than the Stalwart at the cost of speed and mobility, but significantly increases damage dealt, which in later difficulties is more critical than aim.
* P-2 Peacemaker: The P-2 Peacemaker is an effective secondary weapon with good damage and usability in one-handed scenarios, essential for certain missions. Although it shares similar damage characteristics with the S-tier P-19 Redeemer, its higher recoil and lower fire rate place it slightly below, highlighting its role as a strong but slightly less versatile supporting weapon.
* Scorcher: The Scorcher shines as an A Tier weapon, thriving in a support capacity with its ability to deliver ranged explosive damage. It proves especially effective against Terminids and Bots, offering substantial battlefield utility.
* SG-2251E Breaker Incendiary: Commonly known as the Fire Shotgun, this variant of the Breaker shotgun fails to match the effectiveness of its original model, suffering from lower damage despite its slightly reduced recoil, higher capacity, and ability to set enemies ablaze.
* SMG-37 Defender: The SMG-37 Defender offers superior control over the MP-98 Knight, with significantly less recoil and reticle sway. Its ability to shoot one-handed enhances mobility, making it a versatile A-tier weapon despite its lower fire rate and high ammo consumption. It lacks penetration but is highly effective when paired with a ballistic shield, showcasing its well-balanced design without needing further improvements.
* Spear (Stratagem): An auto-aim rocket launcher designed for taking down heavily armored Automaton units, effective against tanks and dropships. Its low ammunition count and long reload make it weaker than the Recoilless Rifle.
B-tier Weapons:
* AR-23 Liberator: The AR-23 Liberator, despite being the starting weapon, proves to be reliable throughout the game due to its low recoil and high fire rate, though it consumes ammo quickly. It excels at eliminating light targets with great handling, making it a solid B-tier choice. Its main drawback compared to the Defender is mobility, and an increase in ammo capacity could enhance its utility.
* AR-23E Liberator Explosive: The AR-23E Liberator Explosive, with its higher recoil and slower fire rate than the standard Liberator, still performs effectively. It features precision aiming modes and delivers impactful explosive shots, making it highly effective against light enemies and serving well as a support weapon. Its ability to stun targets adds to its utility in combat against bugs. However, I feel it’s not worth using Super Credits to unlock.
* Expendable Anti-Tank (Stratagem): A quick-response tool for dealing with armored threats, though it falls short of the Recoilless Rifle's effectiveness. Its advantage lies in a minimal cooldown, allowing for frequent deployment.
* Incendiary (Grenade): Useful for area denial, particularly in extraction or defense missions. While niche, it's effective at softening or clearing light targets in congested areas, and equally capable of destroying spawn points and structures, making it a solid choice for specific situations.
* Jar-5 Dominator: With high recoil but good medium armor penetration and stopping power, the Jar-5 Dominator has the potential to be a lethal weapon in skilled hands despite its clunky handling.
* MP-98 Knight: The MP-98 Knight, while fast-firing, is better suited as a secondary weapon due to its rapid ammo consumption and higher recoil compared to the Defender. Its effectiveness in taking down groups of smaller enemies does not justify choosing it over the Defender, especially given its status as a special edition paywall item.
* SG-8S Slugger: The SG-8S Slugger offers strong damage and performs well at longer ranges but is limited by its rate of fire and recoil, making it a niche choice for shotgun enthusiasts.
* SG-225SP Breaker Spray&Pray: Despite its initial underperformance and the required investment to unlock it via Warbond progression, the SG-225SP Breaker Spray & Pray Shotgun received a buff to improve its effectiveness. Enhancements include increased armor penetration, a fire rate boost from 300 to 330, a rise in pellets per shot from 12 to 16, and a reduced magazine size from 32 to 26. Even with these updates, the Breaker Spray & Pray still falls short when compared to the SG-225 Breaker. But it is now significantly better at dealing with small to medium-sized enemies, which is why I believe it deserves a spot as a B-tier weapon.
* Smoke (Grenade): Valuable in higher difficulty levels, the smoke grenade helps in evading dense enemy clusters, providing a tactical option for retreat or repositioning, despite evasion not being a primary focus in Helldivers 2.
* Stalwart (Stratagem): A more compact counterpart to the standard Machine Gun, the Stalwart trades off some damage and armor penetration for improved accuracy. However, when facing hordes that close in quickly, the reduction in damage becomes a notable disadvantage, particularly in higher difficulty levels where firepower often takes precedence over precision.
C-tier Weapons
* Anti-Materiel Rifle (Stratagem): This sniper rifle excels in long-range engagements, offering armor-piercing capabilities as a viable Railgun alternative for early-level players. However, its effectiveness diminishes in later difficulties, as the increased volume of enemies rushing towards you reduces the time available to aim accurately.
* Arc Thrower (Stratagem): An energy weapon that conserves ammunition by chaining attacks between multiple targets. However, its overall damage is modest, and there's a significant risk of inadvertently striking allies.
* AR-23P Liberator Penetrator: The AR-23P Liberator Penetrator, despite its higher armor penetration, disappoints with increased recoil, reduced damage, and lower ammo capacity. It performs better against Automatons than Terminids but doesn't offer a compelling reason to switch from the standard AR-23 Liberator.
* Frag Grenade: This grenade balances blast size with power, aimed at dispersing enemy groups. However, its effectiveness is inconsistent, suggesting a need for adjustments to its blast radius or damage consistency to improve its utility.
* Las-5 Scythe: The Las-5 Scythe is effective in specific scenarios against smaller groups but is overly situational and prone to overheating, making it less suitable for higher levels. A redesign focusing on sustained fire and heat management could improve its utility.
* P-4 Senator: The P-4 Senator Pistol delivers powerful close-range shots but is less effective at distance due to slow reload times and the requirement for multiple shots against lower-level enemies, limiting its appeal to certain players.
* R-63 Diligence: The R-63 Diligence Marksman Rifle offers lower recoil and higher capacity compared to its counterpart, the Counter Sniper, but is hindered by significant reticle sway. It's most effective in stationary, covered positions and struggles against heavily armored enemies and large swarms without team support, placing it lower in our rankings.
* SG-8 Punisher: While the SG-8 Punisher delivers substantial damage, its slow operation and reload speed, compared to alternatives like the Breaker, highlight its shortcomings and inconsistencies. Even with the recent buffs, this weapon still does not see viable play, especially in harder difficulties.
D-tier Weapons
* R-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper: Featuring higher damage than the R-63 Diligence, the Counter Sniper variant struggles with higher recoil and similar control issues, making it challenging to use effectively.
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