Ballistic Shield Guide To Git Gud

Unlock your potential with the Ballistic Shield! This Helldivers 2 Guide will help you master the Ballistic Shield by getting you the right build and strategies that make it shine like the bells of Liberty. As a Helldivers fan I think every weapon has it's place in bringing Glory for Super Earth!
Music Acknowledgments:
Like the Music? Check out the artists below:
- Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

[@Luke31531]

As somebody who has been maining Ballistic Shield for a while now, I personally find the AMR to be better than the Laser Cannon. It kills devastators, rather than needing help from the SMG, and doesn't really need stun grenades for hulks. Not taking stuns allows you to take impacts, which can help with the ammo problems the AMR has against tanks and turrets, since impacts do a lot of damage to their heatsinks. Additionally, not needing stuns opens up my secondary for the senator, which I think is really slept on in this video. The shield opens up more time to hit those 1-shots on devastators and it can 1-hit all small bots, which saves ammo for the SMG since it has rounds reload.

[@Luke31531]

Also, AMR can take out striders in 1 shot to the upper leg, and it great in a pinch vs berserkers in close range, even without a proper aim recital in 3rd person. Admittedly, the Laser Cannon's better for tanks and Factory striders.

[@FOX2002SWORD]

Your a Rare Specimen liking the shield 😂 Shield pack better 😊

[@renegadetomgaming]

The AMR and Laser Cannon were a real tossup for me until I settled on the Laser Cannon, but the AMR is also a fantastic support weapon for the Ballistic Shield for all the reasons you pointed out! I'll admit I did sleep on the Senator; I kept using it when berserkers were chasing me and didn't like the result (likely my bad aim with it). Awesome that you found another great build using the Ballistic Shield!

[@vamp576]

Honestly I love the senator, but the only thing that holds it back for me is the terrible first person sight, it has no front sight it's just a rear sighted window which just doesn't work

[@balzaak4803]

​@@Luke31531the amr handles both just fine

[@ehrenmurdick]

fun to see someone stumble on my go-to build for quite a while. laser cannon doesn't even need to see the vents to kill mortars and AA guns, you can zap them from any angle

[@renegadetomgaming]

Oh snap! I didn't even try that, I just figured you had to shoot the vents. Thanks for the tip!

[@uss_04]

I want to like the laser cannon but since I run stuns (For my hulk/groups + Precision strike), I use quasar when i close in on factories. Havent found a way to really kill producers with laser cannon, but if I did I'd change.

[@TrixterTheFemboy]

@@uss_04 If you run the Grenade Pistol as your secondary, that can do it

[@slipperyfish]

Shield, 50% boom resistance armour, stun grenade, pummeller, AMR is my new go to. Sticking with Revolver/Deagle for that Chadwick Chaderson energy.

[@ObliviousNaga]

I didn't think about the laser cannon. Used everything else on the list lol.

[@renegadetomgaming]

That's exactly what I did lol. I really didn't even consider it until I saw one on the ground randomly! It probably deserves it's own Git Gud video, near future for sure

[@rakkasaniron1696]

This is straight-up the best Helldivers 2 guide channel.

[@rentaspoon219]

Laying down gives you massive coverage when it's on your back perfect for reloading

[@codyconnor6981]

After the buffs I’ve found that the default assault rifle, pistol of your choice, and the recoilless rifle is a preferred solid loadout against Terminids.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Classic and effective, nice!

[@vamp576]

I prefer using the defender smg for bugs

[@Zlittlepenguin]

I really love this series. I like to bring random off-meta stuff so this is the second video now that has inspired me to pick something up that I haven’t really used 👍🏻

[@renegadetomgaming]

That's what it's all about! Glad you're enjoying the series

[@terra_9832]

another tip from me : if you feel extra silly you can use a armor that cuts explosive damage by 50% which makes the damage received from getting hit by a rocket near zero that is if the rocket hits the shield and then goes through

[@uss_04]

I run close with the Ballistic shield. Plasma shotgun and shield works great. Close in, get in range, get behind cover, lob plasma to stunlock anyone trying to get you. If overwhelmed, you can back off and the shields got your back literally.

[@Pvt_Kyle]

ballistic team mate with that heavy machine gun godlike teamwork

[@COA5T]

Awesome video. Learned quite a bit even as an experienced Helldiver.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@cheetodust8051]

Ah the ballistic shield. I love it. Easily misused though, hence why so many people wont use it. I found one single other shield user and we bacame instant friends lol. Hopefully this video encourages more to try it! I would recommend the senator pistol as an alernative to the grenade pistol, but i cannot deny how useful the grenade pistol is with the shield

[@MidiorGaming]

Great Video! Just started tinkering with the ballistic shield, this video has helped a lot!

[@spikemaw]

Actually looks like an amazing build, thanks!

[@renegadetomgaming]

Hope you have fun with it!

[@cameronmeade4200]

Enforcer armor has been my favorite to run with this build, you really feel the 130 armor and the fortified passive a *lot* helps with survivability

[@renegadetomgaming]

Interesting, I'll have to try that!

[@Pondering133]

I'll second this, Fortify passive is huge against the rockets the Automatons toss at you.

[@henrydillon3464]

Tom, these guides are awesome. Thank you very much. Subbed :)

[@renegadetomgaming]

Really encouraging, I appreciate that! These guides are fun to make and I'm looking forward to finishing the next one!

[@NisnaAflayka-sb1lb]

Nice , short and quite funny :) well done for a good video .

[@CalAndAly]

HUGE tip on picking up the hard drive!

[@CalAndAly]

Maaaan I’ve been rocking this exact build with the AMR and loving it, but ya always an ammo eater! I wasn’t sure I could make the laser cannon and make it work, but THANK YOU!!

[@renegadetomgaming]

That's awesome! AMR is a beast and excellent for this build as well. Glad you found the video helpful!

[@cas9564]

The Pummler SMG is also a fantastic choice with the ballistic shield, even with the reduced damage, the added stagger effect massively helps out when it comes to stopping bigger bots. Especially Rocket Devestators, you can pause their rocket launch giving you more time for either cover or to use the laser on them. It also absolutely STUNLOCKS Beserkers, they legit can't do shit if you shoot at them with the Pummler.

[@Skullwalker]

So thats why i was losing my shield...ty🎉

[@renegadetomgaming]

I got so frustrated when I didn't know what was destroying it! I only figured it out when reviewing the footage. Glad I could share the knowledge!

[@lightyagni8327]

awesome content my dude

[@ZephyrusAsmodeus]

As soon as i saw that Devastator armor when i started a few weeks ago, I knew I'd end up with a build like that, and when i got the armor, the Polar Patriot bond released and handed me the best smg in the game. So I have insane protection from the front or my back when not holding it, I have an smg with built-in stun capabilities, I have a quasar, AMR or EAT for heavies, I have 50% explosive resistance and tighter aim and recoil (can hardly tell with the tighter aiming, tbf). Which leaves two strat slots open for support or fun, three if the team is sharing and providing the support weapon.

[@rezalx7]

This build is so good

[@Damglador]

One day this thing won't have a ton of bugs and will be viable to use

[@vladsychov4484]

Been using this exact build for a couple weeks already, glad somebody finally figured it out. P.s. AMR is still solid here

[@richardachildress]

Nice! Havent used this strategem since it meant missing out on something offensive, but it looks worth it!

[@renegadetomgaming]

And this build leaves you with 2 open strategym slots to bring whatever else you want. Freedom Never Sleeps!

[@MuertaEterna]

That's a sub from me man great work

[@leonardovelasco5625]

Been running this exact build for weeks!! I feel like I have an answer for everything!! Gunships, fabricators, tanks, HULKS!! I actually prefer it over the shield generator too!! The ballistic shield allows me to face tank any enemy using laser weapons, and for those armed with rockets (the bane of my existence, the rocket devastators), the laser Canon easily dispatches them when firing at their launchers.

[@renegadetomgaming]

You figured it out faster then I did lol! It's hard to find another build against the automatons that puts in this much work. This is one of my favorite loadouts now, And it still leaves room to bring 2 other strategyms of your choice!

[@leonardovelasco5625]

@@renegadetomgaming TRUE! Makes your choices very flexible depending on the mission. Defend missions? Take a couple of sentries. Destroy dropships or bunkers? Bring the laser orbital and the 500 kg.

[@THeo-fd4nx]

Been loving this build for the two weeks I've been using it. I bring the AMR though, since with the Defender you pretty much want to use resupply on cooldown anyhow, so ammo is never an issue. Here's hoping they buff the Ballistic shield so it can reliably block melee attacks as well so we can bring it against the bugs.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Awesome, the AMR is a great weapon for it and it sounds like you solved the ammo issue I was having. And yes I hope they buff the ballistic shield for melee, I'd love to be able to stand my ground more against berserkers!

[@Gyallarhorn1]

I still like to run heavy armor and the heavy machine gun for this, turning me into a super heavy Infantry unit. The HMG can also kill everything the Laser can, but with more Style. The reloading is a hassle though and you have to resist the urge of going full rambo with it.

[@LegaltTO]

Another great video, thanks. So much to learn and consider, and I'm nearly level 50. Will probably be the same even at 150. This game is too good.

[@renegadetomgaming]

This game is a gem for sure! Seems there's so much to try out and learn

[@Samagryn]

Been running a similar setup with the executioner armor. Explosive resistance + reduced recoil is really, really good. The ragdoll does more damage to me than the actual rockets anymore.

[@PhotosaurusFlex]

Wow! I thought the laser cannon and the shield were both worthless thank you.

[@Kimo-Cyrus]

The shield and smg was my go to for awhile and then switched it up when the plasma punisher was released just to try something new. Need to try the combo again now that they fixed the shield a bit

[@renegadetomgaming]

The changes to the shield made it a whole new experience! Hope you have fun trying it out again!

[@juanramirez4956]

I mainly use it with the Eruptor, Revolver, and Anti-Materiel Rifle. It allows me to have utility and short-distance control as the revolver can headshot devastators consistently. It allows me to reload easily under fire and the Eruptor/AMR combo lets me clear out anything I face quickly. It’s perfect for run/gun playstyle. I bring smoke grenades to disengage and lose aggro between Obj/Poi. I use the light armor that has 50% explosive damage resistance for the times I get hit by rockets and the accuracy increase.

[@renegadetomgaming]

I'm going to try this, sounds really good! Thanks for sharing this!

[@FurieMan]

I love the ballistic shield.

[@renegadetomgaming]

It's so fun! After using it for the past couple weeks I switched to a different loadout and I miss it. Like wearing a watch for years and then loosing it lol

[@VlRU7S]

“Well the ballistic shield had it covered, litterally!”

[@renegadetomgaming]

Glad you noticed that lol

[@kalebv1860]

Im gonna try this

[@renegadetomgaming]

I hope it elevates your game!

[@Commanderzavala66]

I find the EAT is good with it since its a really quick cooldown and can pretty much anything

[@AlphaOfCrimson]

I've been meaning to try the Laser Cannon against the Bugs. I'm not sure if I ever have before but it has fantastic damage and penetration. So I would think it could be good against the bigger bugs.

[@madthane_]

I wanted to like this. Aside from the lack of SMG options, I just feel like it needs a little bit more to be more viable in difficulty 9. If they add a temporary rocket dampener that lets you soak 1 or 2 rocket volleys from a rocket devestator, this will be a solid pick. Till then, it's a meme pick at higher difficulties.

[@michaelmurphy3774]

I have used a similar build on difficulty 9. The polar patriot warbond has the pummeler SMG which can stun rocket Devastators. Like he said target prioritization is key, but the pummeler is not a one man army weapon. Get a teammate with a high damage weapon to drop the devastators you stun. This increases the ammo efficiency.

[@Akabeche]

This is my main build and I mostly play solo so I can attest to its efficacy. (Using the AMR over the lascannon since ammo isn't an issue when playing solo and using a heavy explosion resistant armor to tank rocket devastators) One recent bug fix that made the build 100 times better is the fact that stimming no longer forces you to put your shield on your back. I've had so much more success since then.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Yeah I'm so glad they fixed the stim issue, and I totally agree that the explosion resistance will come in hand with this build as well!

[@stoywarshockofficial9984]

SWEET LIBERTY!!

[@renegadetomgaming]

Freedom Never Sleeps!

[@campbellblk7484]

I’m gonna try the build and go Captain America on their asses!

[@BHam336]

Dodgeball reference = double plus good

[@christmasisawesome9348]

This build is good. You can run away with the shield behind you, and the bullet storm won't get through it. You can use their bases, but you have to look out for missile bots. The build is so good, but it's a bit less fun to use for me. Try Defender in semi mode, shield, quasar, Laser cannon, or AMR. Eagle 500 or maybe cluster? If you are good with sentry placement, Autocannon can make the crowd more managable for you.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Gotta go with what you have the most fun with! My brother runs the autocannon emplacement and you're right, it demolishes the crowds! I love that we have so many choices for our cup of Liber-Tea!

[@christmasisawesome9348]

@renegadetomgaming For sure. If you could, do a video on Sentry placement tips. There isn't a single video about the placement strategy itself.

[@chikirin9349]

currently lasermaxxing with the Dagger, Laser cannon, and shield, never felt so free

[@renegadetomgaming]

Don't forget the Orbital Laser! Sounds like a lot of fun lol

[@user-ev4uh4iy3s]

Just like the video I uploaded on my channel a few days ago, This equipment can really deal with most bot enemies very easy.

[@renegadetomgaming]

I need to check out your video too then! Let me know what you're channel name is and I'll check it out

[@Lucifishy]

2:16 Ehhhh. It's really effective as a tank build so long as you have explosive resistant heavy armor equipped. Other than that though, great stuff!

[@elfireii328]

You should also give the arcthrower a try. It staggers hulks and rocket devastators. But cant really deal with tanks or striders. Turn around while charging to use the shield as cover if not available for the first shot, then dont stop firing.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Didn't think about that... Maybe the shield will return when I make a video on the arcthrower!

[@quietgaming6524]

What if you could mount yourself on to a friendly shield like gears of war and move as one unit. Like how the team reload works

[@judkunokin268]

For team play when theres a dedicated anti air player, I run the arc thrower so I can stagger hulks and devastators.

[@renegadetomgaming]

You're not the only one to bring that up, I've never tried that but now I'm curious to give it a try. Thank you for the tip!

[@Phier554]

Amr is definitely better for the build but you're right the ammo is awful on it if they fix the ammo ship module for it anytime soon you might want to revisit it.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Fixing the ship module will really help with that a ton!

[@adibpranata9986]

you what else we need? a melee weapon

[@renegadetomgaming]

That would be sick! Chainsaw sword would by my vote. If they made a shield that was good against the bugs and you got some kind of melee weapon I bet the community would love it

[@MuertaEterna]

I literally said don't at the same time as you 😂

[@michaelsutton617]

When can we get an update to use the shield as a sled when diving into the snow or mud?

[@renegadetomgaming]

That would be amazing!

[@guilhermeribeiro7668]

Hey man, you have visibility, can you talk about the Ship Module - Rapid launch System " Emplacement stratagems are deployed instantly " ? This thing is not working as well

[@renegadetomgaming]

That's a good idea! I'll work on putting that together tonight

[@user-bm7mo2ck6r]

I love the ballistic shield but it’s a bummer we don’t have better one handed primaries

[@renegadetomgaming]

Agreed, I'm hoping one of the monthly warbonds specializes in one handed weapons here soon!

[@MuertaEterna]

I hope they add a defense turret that can neutralize enemy rockets

[@renegadetomgaming]

That's a great idea! Maybe like a jamming or signal scrambling tower that causes enemy rockets to spin off and go everywhere. The chaos would be fun to fight through!

[@ohlisamarie]

Each video never fail us, Capt 🫡 Thanks for yet another great one! Also, you have such a podcast voice 🤌🏻

[@renegadetomgaming]

Much appreciated!

[@Curseofculture]

I enjoy it but there’s not enough viable 1 hand weapons to make it worth it at least for the higher difficulties

[@KingLouisII]

How's the Senator with this build with the new buff?

[@renegadetomgaming]

It works well for hitting the devastators in the head, so if you want to change your primary to something else that can eliminate the fodder and use the Senator Shield combo on devastators, I'd say that's a worthwhile build!

[@ammaterra]

I'll wait until arrowheads allow to use stims behind the shield. Now it's very annoying to use it.

[@25xxfrostxx]

I run this with the quasar. It kills everything I need it to. If I run into a tank when I'm by myself the laser just doesn't do the job.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Nice, I think the time between the charges deterred me from that option. But I'll try it again and see how it feels. It's a lot easier to use the quasar against tanks and towers since you don't need to see the vents!

[@25xxfrostxx]

@@renegadetomgaming Well, they just nerfed it in today's patch to a 15 second cooldown between shots from 10 so it may be a less attractive option now.

[@silvioaviles7724]

9:49 how is there 5 total slots of Strats being used!?!?

[@Urrelles]

Hold the heck up! How is he standing toe to toe against shield devestators? Everytime i do that their gatlings penetrate my shield, force me to drop it, then ragdoll me. Even taking shredder tank fire? They must have buffed the shield because last month i couldnt take any fire outside guns.

[@ghoulthebraineater]

Yeah, it was buffed somewhat recently. It was in one of the last bigger patches.

[@renegadetomgaming]

Yes sir, should make it a lot more fun for you to try out again!

[@ammaterra]

Even before the patch, the shield could withstand the fire of machine gunners with shields. But there were some holes where they could sometimes punch. The shield can even save you from a shot from a tank, although it will break and throw you back. It can also be broken by several missile hits. But it doesn’t break down from small and medium caliber, no matter how many bots shoot at you.

[@killian9314]

Was that a Critical Drinker reference in the first minute i heard? lol

[@renegadetomgaming]

Totally lol love that guy!

[@robertluong3024]

I dislike him and his anti-woke crusade stuff.

[@theredbar-cross8515]

Why would you not use the armor that gives you 50% explosion resistance? That's a no-brainer pick for any Bot mission.

[@renegadetomgaming]

I think thats a good pick, personally though I rather have the recoil reduction and extra grenades for this particular build.

[@leznets91]

Try legging the hulks

[@lupvirga]

you're still using it wrong. the ballistic shield is the best when you have another player support you from behind. by being that mobile cover, your basically being that wall that protects them and you can focus on the smaller units while your team goes for more dangerous threats.

[@genericbackgroundcharacter8431]

How to get good Step 1: use shield generator Step 2: you're done

[@james2042]

I dont get why people like soloing in this game, half the fun is playing with other people. Not like rewards are split