Helldivers 2 “How to Airburst Rocket Launcher” educates players on the dos and don’ts of the latest Stratagem

Follow these simple rules to spread more democracy.

using airburst rocket launcher in helldivers 2

A Helldivers 2 player has created a fantastic educational video for the latest Stratagem, the Airburst Rocket Launcher, that sticks close to the game’s satirical war style and is all the better for it.

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After most players in the community made their choice in the current Major Order in Helldivers 2 to liberate Penta and unlock the Airburst Rocket Launcher Stratagem, one player has taken it upon themselves to create a “dos and don’ts” educational video for it. This is sorely needed, as the weapon is highly volatile and will kill its user as it will a swarm of Terminids or Automatons.

Players need you to watch “How to Airburst Rocket Launcher” to protect them while playing Helldivers 2

killing a charger with the airburst rocket launcher in the wrong way in helldivers 2
Screenshot via Reddit

The Airburst Rocket Launcher is a Stratagem in Helldivers 2 that allows players to fire off a rocket that explodes into roughly a dozen miniature rockets that then detonate in a fairly large area around that rocket. As you might imagine, in a game where aiming can be considered a luxury, this weapon is an absolute liability. That’s exactly why Reddit user Emptynesz created this Dos and Don’ts-style video on how to use it.

While the video itself doesn’t have voiceover, I can hear a slick 1950s actor shouting into a low-quality microphone so that there’s static all around their words as they emphasize every “do” and “don’t” while the footage plays. It feels like the audio that comes over the classic radio channels in Fallout 3 would fit perfectly.

The Helldivers universe is packed with humor no matter where you look—from the dialogue each Helldiver comes out with to your Democracy Officer or the reviews that show up in the Superstore. By far, the best example of the game’s satirical comedy is in its launch trailer, which is also the cinematic video that plays every time you launch the game.

As far as I’m concerned, “How to Airburst Rocket Launcher” is a lore-perfect video because it hits every note it needs to in terms of tone and style. You could tell me that Arrowhead Game Studios put this together, and I’d believe you if I saw the official Helldivers 2 Twitter account posting it.

Yet again, I am stunned by the creativity this community demonstrates and the dedication to putting together videos that can chill you to your core or make you laugh out loud. While this weekend’s Major Order might have felt like a bit of a bust after the Automaton defense exhaustion we suffered, this Stratagem movie more than makes up for it.

About The Author
Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp
Jamie is a Staff Writer on Destructoid who has been playing video games for the better part of the last three decades. He adores indie titles with unique and interesting mechanics and stories, but is also a sucker for big name franchises, especially if they happen to lean into the horror genre.
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