Helldivers 2: How to Destroy Factory Striders - Weak Points and Strategies

[FrostStrikeX]

If you've been fighting on the Automaton front, you've likely seen them: massive, four-legged walkers that dominate the battlefield. Known as Factory Striders, these are some of the toughest single enemies in Helldivers 2. This guide breaks down how they work and, most importantly, how to take them down based on common player tactics.

What is a Factory Strider, and what does it do?
Think of a Factory Strider as a mobile, heavily armored factory and weapons platform. In general, you'll encounter them in two ways: they can be stationed at major Automaton outposts, or they can be dropped in by a large dropship during a mission. Their primary functions are area denial and force multiplication. They fire a large plasma cannon from their back, use dual chin-mounted miniguns for close defense, and continuously fabricate Standard Devastator troops from their undercarriage. Their presence significantly increases the difficulty of any mission.

What are the main variants?
There are two types you need to distinguish:

Standard Factory Strider: The main variant equipped with the dorsal plasma cannon. Note that Striders patrolling inside city maps often have this cannon removed.

Strider Jammer: This variant replaces the plasma cannon with a Stratagem Jammer. You'll primarily find these in "Strider Convoy" side objectives. It doesn't block stratagems like a tower, but it scrambles your input codes every 5 seconds, forcing you to re-learn the sequence mid-fight. It also fires signal flares to call in reinforcement drops directly on your squad's position, making it a high-priority target.

What are a Factory Strider's weak points?
Despite its "Anti-Tank" level armor, it has vulnerable spots. The most reliable weak point for most players is its undercarriage (the "stomach" where it drops Devastators), which has medium armor. Other key points are:

The "Eye": The small red light on its face. A direct hit from a Recoilless Rifle here is an instant kill, but it's a very small, risky target.

Weapon Turrets: The chin miniguns and the dorsal cannon have less armor than the main body. Destroying these first greatly reduces its threat.

Legs/Feet: Destroying a foot will kill the Strider, but the feet are heavily armored.

What are the most effective strategies to destroy one?
Most players focus on either overwhelming firepower or precise targeting. Here are the most common and practical methods:

Anti-Tank Weapons: The standard approach. The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle and FAF-14 Spear take two direct hits to the body. The EAT-17 and LAS-99 Quasar Cannon take three. Aim for the undercarriage or the main body after armor is stripped.

Orbital and Eagle Stratagems: The Orbital Laser will kill a Strider if it lasts the full duration. A direct hit from an Eagle 500kg Bomb on its face is devastating. Most orbital barrages are effective due to the Strider's large size and slow movement.

Hellpods and Explosives: Landing roughly 5 Hellpods (from reinforcements or called-in gear) on its back will destroy it. Anti-tank mines are extremely effective; simply place them in its path. The SEAF Artillery Mini Nuke or any Hellbomb variant will obliterate it instantly if within the blast radius.

Unconventional Tactics: A riskier method involves using an MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun at max RPM, mag-dumping into its vulnerable undercarriage. Two thermite grenades stuck to the undercarriage will also usually do the trick. Some players look for shortcuts to progress faster, like those who search to buy helldivers 2 medals cheap, but the most reliable and rewarding method is mastering these in-game tactics with your squad.

What is the practical order of engagement during a fight?

Prioritize the Jammer: If one is present, focus your squad's initial fire on the Strider Jammer to stop its code scrambling and reinforcement flares.

Disarm It: Destroy the dorsal plasma cannon first to remove its long-range threat. Then, take out the chin miniguns so you can safely approach its front.

Clear Escorts: Deal with the Devastators it produces and any other Automaton troops. A Strider with no weapons will often just stand still and produce bots, giving you time to breathe.

Finish It: Focus your remaining anti-tank fire on its undercarriage or body. Always retreat from a dying Strider. Its explosion is massive and will kill anyone too close.

Any important tips for dealing with Strider Convoys?
These high-level side objectives feature multiple Striders (4-6, including one Jammer). The key is not to get overwhelmed. Use the terrain for cover, focus on one Strider at a time using the priority order above, and utilize stratagems that can damage multiple targets, like a Walking Barrage placed along the convoy's line of march. Team coordination is essential here more than anywhere else.