The elite soldiers ofHelldivers 2always carry some ofthe best weaponsand armor sets to fight against the enemies of the Super Earth. While there is no shortage of weapons to make builds that get you through Helldive difficulty, running and gunning using a build that suits your playstyle should always be the objective.

The Punisher Plasma is a weapon addition featured inThe Cutting Edge Warbond. Even though it is a shotgun, this weapon offers a dynamic playstyle and versatility. This guide breaks down the complete Punisher Plasma build you should consider in the loadout.

A player running away from Bile Titan with Plasma Punisher equipped in Helldivers 2

The Best Weapon Choices

Punisher Plasmais the go-to weaponin the build, and you shoulduse it to cover fire, support, and take offensive and defensivemeasures. This weapon fires a plasma grenade that acts more like a projectile and less like a bullet.

Theplasma projectilefired from the Punisher Plasma gunis explosive. It hasmassive stagger poweranddeals high explosive damage. These two elements make Punisher Plasma a high-risk, high-reward weapon in the game that must be used cautiously.

A player running with PP-19 secondary weapon in Helldivers 2

Enemies such as Stalkers, Devastatros, Hulks, and Chargers stand no chance against Punisher Plasma’s projectiles. Thestagger power and explosive projectile consistently stopthese high-value threats anddeal a ton of weak spotdamage.

Therate of fire is slow, and the time from firing a projectile to landing it on a target is even slower. That is whyyou should never be a front-line playerand always allow another teammate to lead an assault while giving cover from behind.

Stun grenade showcase in the Armory of Helldivers 2

Secondary Weapon

ThePP-19 is one of the best secondary weaponsin the game. It is effective, deals decent damage, and therate of fire, 1100 RPM, is much better than the rest of the secondary guns.

Since you will be using the Punisher Plasma weapon as your go-to gun in this build, you shouldonly use PP-19 whenever the target is dead closeto you. ThePunisher Plasma weapon will instantly blow you upif you fire the projectile at a target very close to you.

A player selecting Stratagems to kill Bile Titan in Helldivers 2

Stun Grenade

TheCutting Edge Warbond brings the Stun Grenade, and ithalts the movement of all targetsfor a few seconds.

Using the Stun grenade on an approaching swarmwill instantly cease their motion, giving you anopening to land a couple of Punisher Plasmaprojectiles. This strategy will ensure maximum damage and effective combat usage of the gun as it is supposed to eliminate threats to your squad.

M-105 Stalwart weapon showcase screen in Helldivers 2

Alwaysreserve the Stun grenadesfor larger targets,like the Chargerand Bile Titan. If you see them stunned, launch the Punisher Plasma’s projectiles at the weak spots.

Punisher Plasma can potentially kill a charger with three to fourprojectiles.

A diver using jump pack from a higher ground in Helldivers 2

The Best Stratagems For A Support Build

The Punisher Plasma can only get you so far. You still need to equip some of thebest stratagemsthat synergize with the build for maximum combat efficiency. For this, a higher RPM support weapon will significantly aid in combat effectiveness. You also need to distance yourself from incoming threats and be more mobile than the rest of your teammates.

Stalwart

Stalwart is one of the best machine gunsin the game. It packs a punch andshreds bugs and bots. you may also change the rate of fire for Stalwart fromthree RPM configurationsand control the recoil.

While thePunisher Plasma shotgun is enough for crowd controland threat elimination, you shouldreserve it for targets with medium to heavy armor,such as Chargers andrelentless bugs like Stalkers.

Orbital Airburst Strike killing bugs in Helldivers 2

Other than that, you shouldalways use Stalwart against Hunters, Brood Commanders, and Warriors. The rounds go through these bugs and shred them to pieces in seconds.

Jump Pack

As a threat eliminator role and using a risky weapon such as Punisher Plasma weapon, there will be moments whenyou need to distance yourself from a swarm.The Jump Packis an excellent stratagem thatallows you to reach vertical heights or run awayfrom a pack of Hunters.

Stacked containers or vertical rockscan beclimbed using the Jump Packstratagem. This gives you an advantage and most enemies, except the hunters, will never be able to reach you. you may then unleash a barrage of projectiles from Punisher Plasma and sweep the ground easily.

A player calling down Eagle Airstrike in Helldivers 2

Orbital Airburst Strike

Running with the Punisher Plasma gun puts you in a threat elimination role. There is no better stratagem toclear light to medium armor enemiesthanusing the Orbital Airburst Strike.

The100-second cooldownand thethree burst shrapnel rounds in a large area of effectare the two best reasons tonot sleep on the Orbital Airburst Strike. This stratagem has the potential to kill multiple Chargers, and even Tanks, if you aim and throw it at the sweet spot.

DP-40 Hero of the Federation armor stats in Helldivers 2

Eagle Airstrike

While the Orbital Air Strike is best at taking out light to medium armor foes, theEagle Airstrike wipes off even the heavy-armored ones. This is theultimate stratagem for crowd controlin the Punisher Plasma build.

TheEagle Airstrike always lands in a perpendicular directionto you. Clearing bug hole nests or Automaton Fabricators, where there are more than ten enemies, is very easy using this stratagem. This can even kill more than one Bile Titan if multiple explosions catch them.

Stamina Enhancement Booster screen in the Booster tab of Helldivers 2-1

The Best Armor

Amedium armor set will give you enough stamina and physical protectionto provide support for the squad. For this, theDP-40 Hero of the Federation is the best armorfor a Punisher Plasma build in the game.

The Democracy Protectsarmor passive gives you a 50 percentchance tonot die while taking lethal damage. This is huge, saving you most of the time from your teammates' Eagle Cluster Bomb or the Eagle 500 Kg Bomb.

Booster Selection: Stamina Enhancement

Staying mobile is one of the core elements of the Punisher Plasma build. TheStamina Enhancement isthe best boosterin the game, and you mustensure at least one teammate equips itbefore you drop from the hellpods.

SG-BP Punisher Plasma Build Playstyle

You dedicate yourself to thesupport role if you are running with the Punisher Plasma build. This means you should always stay behind at least one DPS teammate and just provide the supporting fire.

You can alwayslead or go solo using the Punisher Plasma weapon,but keep in mind theexplosive nature of it. It can quickly become asuicide gun if you are not carefulwith your targets.

Alwayskeep an eye out for large-sized foesor enemies that are hard to kill for your teammates.Stalkers, Chargers, and Bile Spewers are team killers. Maintain your distance from these foes and take them out as quickly as possible.

If you areswarmed by smaller targets or multiple larger bugs, use the Jump Packto reach a vertical spot or run away. Other than that,always look out for ammunition. Most of these can befound on POIs, so whenexploring or running between objectives, ensure yourammo is stocked.