As someone who primarily fights on the Terminind front, I need a powerful weapon, like an ultra-portable shotgun capable of taking down the toughest bugs on any planet. Here is how to unlock the SG-8 Punisher in Helldivers 2.
How to Unlock the SG-8 Punisher in Helldivers 2
You’ll unlock the SG-8 Punisher in Helldivers 2 relatively early by spending Warbond Medals in Helldivers Mobilize. It’s on page two, in the top right corner, and is available for the tidy sum of just four Medals. Overall, that’s an inexpensive price tag for one of the most powerful shotguns in the early game of Helldivers 2.
Once you unlock the Punisher in Helldivers 2, you can auto-equip it from the Helldivers Mobilize page or visit the terminal in the center of your cruiser to change your loadout. It’s a strong, albeit slow, shotgun capable of taking down many of the Termininds in the game in a single shot.
Eventually, however, you’ll likely replace the Punisher with the SG-552 Breaker, a fully automatic shotgun.
SG-8 Punisher Stats
| Damage | Capacity | Recoil | Fire Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 405 | 16 | 120 | 80 |
As for its traits, the SG-8 Punisher features two:
- Light Armor Penetrating
- Ideal for small targets with minimal armor.
- Rounds Reload
- You may reload individual shells anytime.
How to Use Shotguns in Helldivers 2 Effectively
Unlike most shooters, shotguns in Helldivers 2 offer exceptional range alongside the usual stopping power. Whether you’re fighting Terminids or Automatons, the SG-8 Punisher and shotguns like it will likely become your go-to primary weapon.
- When using a shotgun, don’t be afraid to pop a shot or two off from a distance. The range of shotguns in Helldivers 2 is quite forgiving, and you can usually hit a target from further away than you might imagine.
- Be wary of friendly fire, as, unlike a submachine gun or assault rifle, a shotgun is typically a one-hit kill for your teammates. I can’t tell you the number of times I accidentally unloaded a shell into the back of my teammate’s helmet.
- Remember to strategically reload whenever you have downtime. The SG-8 Punisher features the Rounds Reload perk, which allows you to reload to full without losing any of the ammunition in the weapon.
Once you’re adequately equipped with a broomstick, learn how to destroy fuel reserves to full effect for Super Earth.
