Why Is the Factory Strider So Hard to Defeat in Helldivers 2?
If you’ve ever walked into a mission thinking you were ready for anything, only to hear the heavy thumping of a Factory Strider rolling in, you already know how intimidating this thing can be. The Strider isn’t just a bullet sponge; it’s a mobile Terminid-breeding nightmare that forces you to stay sharp, move smart, and think ahead. Its height alone makes it feel like a walking fortress, and the constant stream of bugs around it can easily overwhelm you if you’re not prepared.
The first time I fought one, I underestimated how fast it could melt a careless team. I went in guns blazing, only to end up respawning repeatedly while my squad tried to drag what was left of the mission to the finish line. After a few attempts and lots of trial and error, I realized the key is not brute force but teamwork and knowing exactly where to hit.
So let’s break down the real question: how do you reliably bring down a Factory Strider without turning the mission into a chaotic failure reel?
Where Are the Factory Strider’s Weak Points?
The main thing players misunderstand at first is that the Strider doesn’t take meaningful damage everywhere. Shooting its massive legs might feel satisfying, but you’re mostly wasting ammo. What actually matters are the hatches on its sides. These openings are where the Terminids spill out, and they double as the Strider’s most vulnerable weak points.
When the hatches open to release bugs, that’s your moment. Focus fire with high-damage weapons like the Railgun, Autocannon, or EAT. If you coordinate with your teammates so multiple shots land at the same time, you can burst down a hatch faster than you’d expect. Once a hatch is destroyed, fewer bugs spawn, and the fight becomes way more manageable.
If you’re playing solo or your team doesn’t communicate much, you can still do this by learning the rhythm of the hatch openings. Time your shot, stay patient, and resist dumping ammo into the armored sides. It feels slower, but it’s actually the most efficient way to take it down.
What Loadouts Work Best Against the Factory Strider?
Choosing the right loadout makes the difference between a clean takedown and a messy bug-filled disaster. Heavy-damage Stratagems are your best friends here. Things like the Orbital Railcannon, Eagle 500kg Bomb, or Autocannon Sentry can help soften the Strider or keep surrounding bugs off your back.
For your personal weapons, I hugely recommend the Railgun or the Breaker. The Railgun hits extremely hard and can precisely target weak spots, while the Breaker handles the bug waves that pile up while you're dealing damage. Extra grenades can help clear the area too, especially when the Strider decides to spawn larger swarms.
There are also times when I’ve stocked up on extra gear using outside services before heading into tougher missions. For instance, some players buy helldivers 2 super credits when they want to quickly try out different loadouts or unlock new equipment without grinding too long. A bit of experimenting can really help you figure out which setup matches your playstyle.
How Do You Handle the Terminids the Factory Strider Spawns?
Even if you’re landing clean shots on the weak points, the Strider becomes a problem when it overwhelms you with waves of bugs. Chargers and Hunters can knock you off balance, turning a simple takedown into a runaway train of deaths.
One trick I’ve learned is to control the fight’s pace. Don’t rush the Strider. Try to clear the surrounding area first, especially if you're playing on a higher difficulty where spawns are constant. Once the field is more manageable, move in and start targeting the hatches.
Your team should split roles too. One or two players focus the Strider directly, while another teammate controls the incoming bug waves. A well-placed Flamethrower or Arc Thrower can keep big groups from overwhelming the damage dealers.
In some missions, especially when I'm trying new builds, I grab extra supplies through services where players buy helldivers 2 items online. It’s useful when you want more flexibility to test or prepare new loadouts before going into tougher bug-heavy missions.
Can You Beat the Factory Strider Solo, or Do You Need a Squad?
Short answer: yes, you can beat it solo, but it’s definitely tougher. The Strider itself isn’t impossible alone, but the bug waves it generates can easily surround you. If you go solo, you need excellent movement, precise aiming, and a loadout built for survival.
I’ve done solo clears by using mobility-based gear and Stratagems that let me reposition quickly. Stun Grenades, Orbital Gatlings, and the Autocannon can keep enemies off you long enough to expose the weak points. But honestly, the fight feels way more fun and less stressful with even one teammate to split responsibilities.
In squad play, communication is huge. Even a quick callout like aiming for the left hatch or dropping a Stratagem behind the Strider helps keep everything organized. It’s satisfying when your team melts a hatch in seconds because everyone’s on the same page.
Is There an Easy, Guaranteed Strategy for Beating the Factory Strider?
There’s no single magic solution that works in every situation, but there is a reliable formula I follow every time:
Clear the surrounding bugs first.
Aim only at the hatches; ignore the legs and armored sections.
Use high-damage Stratagems to break the hatches faster.
Keep moving to avoid being surrounded.
Communicate with your team so everyone attacks the same weak point.
Once you destroy multiple hatches, the Strider becomes far less dangerous, and the rest of the fight is smooth. It turns from a terrifying boss into a manageable target with the right coordination and patience.
Some players also like grabbing supplies or experimenting with builds through sites like U4GM, especially before going into higher difficulties. It doesn’t automatically make the fight easy, but having more gear options to test can help you find what works best.
Final Thoughts: Is Defeating the Factory Strider Worth the Effort?
Absolutely. The Factory Strider might feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand its weak points and how to control the flow of bugs, the fight becomes much more manageable. I actually enjoy it now. There’s something satisfying about watching a huge machine crumble because your team worked together and landed perfectly timed shots.
So next time you hear that heavy thumping in the distance, don’t panic. Take a breath, check your gear, regroup with your squad, and get ready to take down one of the most iconic threats in the game. With the right strategy, you’ll turn the Factory Strider from a mission-ending nightmare into another victory for Super Earth.
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