Helldivers 2’s New Underbarrel AR: A Practical Weapon Worth Picking Up

The latest gameplay footage showcasing the new assault rifle with an underbarrel grenade launcher in Helldivers 2 gives a surprisingly clear picture of how this weapon behaves in real missions. After spending some time watching players test it in chaotic conditions, its strengths and weaknesses start to become obvious. If you enjoy flexible weapons that can adapt to different threats without switching your loadout, this one definitely stands out.

The rifle itself fires 8 mm rounds and features a manageable fire rate that sits slightly above the Liberator. The most striking thing is the recoil. Despite the higher output, the gun barely kicks. Anyone who has used the Liberator long enough knows how its recoil can stack up during long bursts, but this new rifle somehow stays steadier, making headshots—and especially weak-spot chains—much easier to land. In many of the clips, players snap from target to target with next to no muzzle climb, which immediately makes the weapon feel more premium than its basic appearance suggests.

One detail new players might overlook is ammo economy. Each resupply only restores one magazine, so you’re encouraged to control your fire or supplement the rifle with stratagems. For players who like to cycle objectives quickly or grind longer missions, it’s the kind of scenario where people sometimes look for ways to buy helldivers 2 medals to accelerate their unlock paths. But even without that, the rifle’s efficiency helps offset its limited total ammo because you simply waste fewer bullets.

The real draw, of course, is the underbarrel grenade launcher. It functions a lot like the dedicated grenade pistol but fires noticeably smoother and with a more predictable arc. Damage numbers appear to match the standard grenade pistol, landing around the mid-90s. It’s not meant for armored targets, but it absolutely melts clusters of medium bugs and deletes bug holes in two to three well-placed shots. The reload animation is clean and fast, making it easy to swap between firing modes during fights.

The grenade launcher also pairs extremely well with the supply backpack. One of the pleasant discoveries in the footage is that resupplying through the backpack restores all grenade rounds—not just one. Because you only carry a few shots at a time, this becomes a core loop: fire off your grenades, grab more from the backpack, and repeat during major breaches. That alone pushes the weapon beyond a niche tool and into a highly practical all-rounder.

Speaking of practicality, there’s something refreshing about not needing to bring the grenade pistol or pyros just to handle bug holes. With this rifle, you can take gas grenades, thermite, or any utility you prefer while still having reliable anti-hole options built in. This opens up more diverse builds, especially for squads that coordinate their roles. And if you want a cheaper way to expand your toolkit early on, some players mention looking for cheap helldivers 2 medals options to speed things up, though this isn’t required to enjoy the weapon.

One of the more interesting discoveries from the gameplay is how the weapon interacts with armor passives. There’s speculation about whether Siege Ready increases grenade ammo or only boosts primary ammo. While that’s still unclear, the faster reload from certain armors definitely makes the grenade launcher feel snappier. It’s the kind of small optimization veteran players love experimenting with, especially in missions filled with shriers, bile titans, and impalers.

Throughout the footage, the player swaps constantly between rifle fire and grenade shots—sometimes to great effect and sometimes nearly blowing themselves up. This really highlights the weapon’s learning curve. You need to remember which mode you’re currently in, especially when enemies rush you. A new hotkey shortcut was added to switch firing modes more easily, and it helps, but using the underbarrel smoothly still takes a bit of practice.

Against heavy enemies, the rifle behaves almost exactly like the Liberator. Two magazines seem to be enough to break down an impaler, assuming consistent weak-spot shots. The grenade launcher doesn’t add much against these targets, but the improved recoil control makes it easier to sustain pressure safely. Combined with stratagems like EATs, gas grenades, and eagle strikes, the rifle fits naturally into the usual Helldivers rhythm.

When the player uses this weapon alongside sentry guns and EATs, you can really see its versatility shine. It’s perfect for clearing waves, reinforcing choke points, and deleting nests when you don’t want to waste stratagems. The only real drawback shown in the footage is swapping fatigue—rapid switching and reloading across two modes can get overwhelming in chaotic moments.

Still, by the end of the gameplay session, it’s difficult not to view the rifle as a clear upgrade path from the basic Liberator. The damage bump is small, but the utility jump is huge. The underbarrel launcher removes the need for multiple grenade-based tools and makes every engagement type feel manageable. If you’ve ever wanted a dependable rifle that doubles as a hole-breaker, this is one of the most enjoyable options the game has delivered so far.

As for where this weapon sits overall, it feels like the simplest comparison is also the most accurate: it’s just the Liberator, but better equipped and more adaptable. Players who enjoy a balanced playstyle—firing at range, clearing clusters, and handling objectives without constantly switching gear—will find a lot to love. This is also the kind of gear that players often discuss when browsing services like U4GM while planning their builds or checking progression routes, though the weapon itself performs great even without any paid shortcuts.

This new assault rifle isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the most well-rounded weapons shown in recent updates. Its stable recoil, fast reloads, and incredibly useful underbarrel launcher make it ideal for players who want one weapon that can handle most mission types. If you enjoy flexible loadouts and steady damage output, this gun will likely become one of your go-to choices.

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