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What threats should your loadout cover?
Automatons include Troopers, Scout Striders, Berserkers, several Devastator variants, Hulks, Tanks and Dropships. Rocket-armed Devastators and different Hulk configurations add further variation, so a setup built only for one type of target can leave a gap. PlayStation’s official enemy roster is a useful overview.
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- Routine enemies: Choose a primary weapon you can use consistently against infantry and the threats you expect to meet most often.
- Ranged pressure: Devastators bring different weapons, including arm cannons, machine guns and rockets. Prioritize careful target selection instead of treating every bot as the same problem.
- Heavy targets: Make sure you or a teammate can deal with armored enemies such as Hulks and Tanks. Do not rely on every shot finding a weak point.
- Close-range pressure: Berserkers can force close engagements, but a close-combat secondary is not a substitute for handling threats at range.
How should you choose a support weapon?
Arrowhead’s September 17, 2024 PATCH 01.001.00 describes distinct trade-offs between specialized anti-tank weapons and more flexible support weapons. Those role descriptions are useful for planning, but the update is old; it should not be treated as a guarantee of current weapon rankings or performance.
| Weapon group | What the cited update says | Planning implication |
|---|---|---|
| Recoilless Rifle and SPEAR | Described in PATCH 01.001.00 as strong, reliable choices against armored targets. | Consider these when your squad wants a dedicated anti-armor role. |
| Expendable Anti-Tank and Quasar | Described in that update as strong against weak spots when aimed accurately. | Useful if you can take deliberate shots at exposed weak points; retain backup coverage for missed shots or several heavy enemies. |
| Commando and Patriot rockets | Described in that update as more aim-dependent. | Factor accuracy and the target opportunity into the choice. |
| Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, Flamethrower and Anti-Materiel Rifle | Described in that update as more viable against heavy armor after its rebalance, though potentially less effective than specialized anti-tank weapons. | These may suit a more flexible role, but the cited notes do not establish a current, universal ranking among them. |
Arrowhead wrote in the 2024 update, “To address this, we’ve reworked armor penetration, anti-tank weapons, enemy armor and health values.” That is why weapon advice tied to a particular patch can age: check later balance updates before treating older comparisons as current. Arrowhead’s official announcements feed lists ongoing updates, but specific balance claims should be matched to the relevant patch notes.
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When should you aim for weak points?
Take a weak-point shot when you can identify it and have a safe opportunity to aim. Arrowhead’s February 3, 2026 Into the Unjust: 4.1.0 update specifically added weak spots at the War Strider’s eyes and rear vents. That is an enemy-specific change, not evidence that every Automaton has the same weak points.
The 2024 anti-tank notes describe the EAT and Quasar as often effective with a single hit to a weak spot in the examples discussed. Treat that as guidance from that update, not a promise for every target or the current patch. Keep another way to handle armor available in case a weak point is obscured, a shot misses or multiple heavy units appear.
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How should a squad divide weapons and equipment?
Agree on roles before deployment. A squad that covers both routine enemies and heavy armor is less exposed to a bad matchup than one in which every player makes the same support-weapon choice by default. Match any duplication to the mission’s likely threats and your squad’s preferences rather than assuming one configuration is always optimal.
- Ask what support weapons teammates are bringing. Decide who is prepared for heavy armor and who is set up for more flexible or routine threats.
- Check the backpack icons in the loadout screen. Arrowhead’s September 22, 2026 Devoid of Liberty: 7.0.0 says the icons identify weapons that require a backpack and weapons that cannot be reloaded.
- Plan assisted reloads around the correct backpack. Under the same update’s guidance, the weapon wielder or the assisting teammate can have the required backpack; the helper does not always have to carry it.
- Account for mission modifiers. SEAF support may appear as a planet modifier, bringing friendly forces and additional tools. It is situational, not a universal loadout requirement.
What should you bring if you prefer close-range weapons?
SMGs and pistols can suit close combat, but they are a poor choice as your squad’s general answer to distant pressure. Arrowhead’s August 30, 2026 Into the Unjust: 6.0.1 describes them as close-combat weapons that are less effective at range because of increased drag. If you choose one, make sure the rest of your setup and squad can cover ranged enemies.
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How current are these recommendations?
Arrowhead’s latest update among the cited notes is Devoid of Liberty: 7.0.0, published September 22, 2026. It covers SEAF support, assisted reload and clearer loadout icons; it does not establish a definitive current ranking of Automaton weapons. The detailed weapon-role comparisons above come from the older PATCH 01.001.00, while the weak-point and SMG guidance comes from 2026 updates. Recheck the latest versioned notes for balance changes before relying on a specific weapon matchup.
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