01-06-2026, 08:28 AM
If you've been looking for a weapon to clear out swarms of bugs or squads of Illuminate soldiers, you've probably considered the Obliterator Grenade Launcher. It's a powerful tool, but it comes with significant risks. This guide breaks down common questions based on how most players actually use it in missions.
What is the Obliterator, and how do I get it?
The Obliterator is a single-use Stratagem weapon. You call it down during a mission using the controller input sequence: Down, Left, Up, Left, Down.
To unlock it permanently for your loadout, you need to complete all missions on its specific assignment planet. This is typically a medium-difficulty planet, around difficulty levels 4 to 6. Once you finish that planetary campaign, the weapon is yours.
How does the weapon actually work in practice?
It's a rapid-fire grenade launcher. You hold the trigger to aim, showing a fixed arc for the grenade's trajectory. Releasing the trigger fires a single grenade that explodes on impact with anything—an enemy, the ground, a rock, or an unfortunately placed teammate.
It comes with 4 magazines, each holding 6 grenades (24 total). A full reload from empty takes about 3 seconds, but you can reload faster if you interrupt the animation or swap mags before they're completely empty. A key advantage is that you can reload while walking or even running slowly.
What are the upgrades, and are they worth it?
The weapon has two upgrades, purchased with Research Samples on your ship:
Mk 2 (2 Samples): Increases magazine capacity from 6 to 8 grenades. This is a very useful quality-of-life upgrade. It means less frequent reloading during intense fights, which can be a lifesaver.
Mk 3 (3 Samples): This is the major upgrade. It changes the grenades to phosphorus rounds, which set fire to anything they hit. The fire deals damage over time, which is excellent for area denial and finishing off wounded enemies.
Most players prioritize getting the Mk 3 phosphorus upgrade as soon as possible, as it fundamentally changes the weapon's utility.
What is the Obliterator good for, and what is it bad for?
Its strengths:
Crowd Control: It excels at wiping out groups of light and medium infantry. A few shots into a bug breach or a squad of Borg soldiers can clear the area quickly.
Indirect Fire: The fixed arc lets you fire over low cover, objectives, or even crouching teammates to hit enemies on the other side. This is its most unique and tactical advantage.
Fire Damage (with Mk 3): The lingering fire from phosphorus grenades softens up heavier targets, blocks choke points, and continues to damage enemies that survive the initial blast. Unlike some other incendiary weapons, it can ignite most armored enemies.
Its weaknesses and dangers:
Extreme Friendly Fire: This is the biggest drawback. The grenades detonate on contact with any object. If a teammate walks into your line of fire, or if you fire while standing too close to a wall or tree, the grenade will explode instantly in your face. This weapon is a leading cause of accidental team kills.
No Anti-Armor: It cannot damage heavily armored targets like Cyborg IFVs (tanks) or Bug Nests/Borg Factories. Don't waste ammo on them.
Unpredictable Collisions: Grenades can collide with strange things—ejected shell casings from other guns, enemy projectiles, or players using Jump Packs. This can cause unexpected mid-air explosions.
What are some crucial gameplay tips for using it safely?
Maintain Distance: Never fire the Obliterator if you are close to any solid object, including walls, trees, or other players. Always take several steps back from cover before firing over it.
Communicate: Use your mic or ping to let your team know you're about to fire an arc over their heads. A surprised teammate who stands up can easily get killed.
Mind the Arc: Practice the trajectory. The grenade will land where the arc ends, but it can hit anything along that path. Be absolutely sure the flight path is clear.
Use it Defensively: It's fantastic for holding a position. When your team is defending an objective, you can fire over your front line to break up enemy charges.
Don't Chase Minor Rewards: Your primary goal is completing the mission for your team, not farming every last resource. It's a common mistake for players to risk team wipes by using dangerous weapons carelessly while hunting for samples or medals. For instance, you should never feel pressured to buy Helldivers 2 medals safely on U4N or any other site; playing the game strategically with your squad is the reliable way to earn what you need.
In general, the Obliterator Grenade Launcher is a high-skill, high-risk weapon. In the right hands, with good team awareness, it's a powerful asset for managing enemy numbers. In rushed or careless hands, it becomes the squad's biggest threat. Always prioritize positioning and communication over getting off one more shot.
What is the Obliterator, and how do I get it?
The Obliterator is a single-use Stratagem weapon. You call it down during a mission using the controller input sequence: Down, Left, Up, Left, Down.
To unlock it permanently for your loadout, you need to complete all missions on its specific assignment planet. This is typically a medium-difficulty planet, around difficulty levels 4 to 6. Once you finish that planetary campaign, the weapon is yours.
How does the weapon actually work in practice?
It's a rapid-fire grenade launcher. You hold the trigger to aim, showing a fixed arc for the grenade's trajectory. Releasing the trigger fires a single grenade that explodes on impact with anything—an enemy, the ground, a rock, or an unfortunately placed teammate.
It comes with 4 magazines, each holding 6 grenades (24 total). A full reload from empty takes about 3 seconds, but you can reload faster if you interrupt the animation or swap mags before they're completely empty. A key advantage is that you can reload while walking or even running slowly.
What are the upgrades, and are they worth it?
The weapon has two upgrades, purchased with Research Samples on your ship:
Mk 2 (2 Samples): Increases magazine capacity from 6 to 8 grenades. This is a very useful quality-of-life upgrade. It means less frequent reloading during intense fights, which can be a lifesaver.
Mk 3 (3 Samples): This is the major upgrade. It changes the grenades to phosphorus rounds, which set fire to anything they hit. The fire deals damage over time, which is excellent for area denial and finishing off wounded enemies.
Most players prioritize getting the Mk 3 phosphorus upgrade as soon as possible, as it fundamentally changes the weapon's utility.
What is the Obliterator good for, and what is it bad for?
Its strengths:
Crowd Control: It excels at wiping out groups of light and medium infantry. A few shots into a bug breach or a squad of Borg soldiers can clear the area quickly.
Indirect Fire: The fixed arc lets you fire over low cover, objectives, or even crouching teammates to hit enemies on the other side. This is its most unique and tactical advantage.
Fire Damage (with Mk 3): The lingering fire from phosphorus grenades softens up heavier targets, blocks choke points, and continues to damage enemies that survive the initial blast. Unlike some other incendiary weapons, it can ignite most armored enemies.
Its weaknesses and dangers:
Extreme Friendly Fire: This is the biggest drawback. The grenades detonate on contact with any object. If a teammate walks into your line of fire, or if you fire while standing too close to a wall or tree, the grenade will explode instantly in your face. This weapon is a leading cause of accidental team kills.
No Anti-Armor: It cannot damage heavily armored targets like Cyborg IFVs (tanks) or Bug Nests/Borg Factories. Don't waste ammo on them.
Unpredictable Collisions: Grenades can collide with strange things—ejected shell casings from other guns, enemy projectiles, or players using Jump Packs. This can cause unexpected mid-air explosions.
What are some crucial gameplay tips for using it safely?
Maintain Distance: Never fire the Obliterator if you are close to any solid object, including walls, trees, or other players. Always take several steps back from cover before firing over it.
Communicate: Use your mic or ping to let your team know you're about to fire an arc over their heads. A surprised teammate who stands up can easily get killed.
Mind the Arc: Practice the trajectory. The grenade will land where the arc ends, but it can hit anything along that path. Be absolutely sure the flight path is clear.
Use it Defensively: It's fantastic for holding a position. When your team is defending an objective, you can fire over your front line to break up enemy charges.
Don't Chase Minor Rewards: Your primary goal is completing the mission for your team, not farming every last resource. It's a common mistake for players to risk team wipes by using dangerous weapons carelessly while hunting for samples or medals. For instance, you should never feel pressured to buy Helldivers 2 medals safely on U4N or any other site; playing the game strategically with your squad is the reliable way to earn what you need.
In general, the Obliterator Grenade Launcher is a high-skill, high-risk weapon. In the right hands, with good team awareness, it's a powerful asset for managing enemy numbers. In rushed or careless hands, it becomes the squad's biggest threat. Always prioritize positioning and communication over getting off one more shot.