While adventuring through the thrilling universe of Helldivers 2, if you are looking to obtain a strong weapon to carry you through your late-game missions, the SG-8S Slugger is the perfect gun you should have. This weapon is a variant of the SG-8 Punisher and differentiates itself by firing slugs instead of the usual buckshot, making it a more precise but demanding weapon.
The SG-8S Slugger is a shotgun that fires heavy, high-damage slug rounds and is particularly effective against bigger robots like Brood Commanders and Hunters. It stands out for its ability to inflict heavy damage and stagger, but it does have a lower fire rate and significant recoil, which can be quite a problem during fast-paced combat.
How to Unlock the SG-8S Slugger in Helldivers 2
To unlock the SG-8S Slugger, you need to get through the Warbond system in Helldivers 2. The Slugger is available on the 8th page of the free Helldivers Mobilize! Warbond battle pass. Specifically, it appears on page eight, but getting there is no small feat. You’ll have a spend a lot of Helldivers 2 medals to buy a lot of items along the way until you access that page. It’s because you can’t access the new page until you have unlocked everything in the current one. So, it will cost you a total of 450 Warbond medals—390 to access the specific gun page and an additional 60 to claim the SG-8S Slugger itself.
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Helldivers 2 SG-8S Slugger Stats and Use
| Weapon Name | Weapon Type | Weapon Stats | Weapon Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG-8S Slugger | Shotgun | Damage: 280 -> 250
Capacity: 16 Recoil: 120 Fire Rate: 80 |
Rounds Reload
Medium Armor Penetrating |
The Slugger offers some unique and nice traits like Medium Armor Penetration and Rounds Reload, which lets you load each slug individually. This feature can be a double-edged sword; it allows for careful shot management but requires good timing to avoid being vulnerable. It’s a weapon that rewards precision and tactical planning, particularly effective in mid-range combat due to its scope, which helps in targeting weak points on enemies.
Given its high damage output and ability to penetrate through many foes with one shot, the SG-8S Slugger is suitable for clearing the surrounding areas for yourself and your group. To make things easier, use it with the combo of Sentry or Cluster Bomb Stratagems to compensate for its low rate of fire in scenarios where you are overwhelmed by enemies.
While the SG-8S Slugger packs a punch, it’s crucial to be aware of its limitations. It struggles against heavily armored robots but is a great deal against Bile Spewer or the Crusher, so you might want to have alternative weapons or strategies ready for such enemies including Striders or Hulks. So, when these heavy armored enemies come at the front, get your Railgun in hand and start blasting them. Practicing with the Slugger to understand its reload mechanics and recoil pattern is crucial for mastering this weapon.
For those who may find the SG-8S Slugger’s requisites and handling a bit daunting, the SG-225 Breaker is still the top priority as a shotgun. It’s an automatic weapon available early in the game, delivers great damage, and doesn’t require you to grind through the battle pass. However, the Slugger is indeed a weapon of choice for those who appreciate precision and power, provided you’re willing to put in the effort and invest medals to unlock it.