Helldivers 2 AR-61 Tenderizer Guide – Best Builds and Strategies
Verfasst: Do 18. Sep 2025, 02:31
When it comes to taking down heavily armored enemies in Helldivers 2, few weapons spark as much debate as the AR-61 Tenderizer. Known for its raw stopping power and versatility in mid-to-close range combat, the Helldivers 2 AR-61 Tenderizer Guide – Stats, Loadouts & Tactics is essential for players looking to maximize their firepower on the battlefield. This guide breaks down the weapon’s stats, the best loadouts to pair it with, and effective tactics to get the most out of it.
AR-61 Tenderizer Stats Overview
The AR-61 Tenderizer sits between a standard assault rifle and a heavy weapon. While not as mobile as lighter rifles, it brings higher per-shot damage and reliable armor penetration, making it ideal against larger insect warriors and lightly armored bots.
Fire Rate: Moderate, slower than the AR-23 Liberator but more deliberate
Damage: High single-shot damage, excellent against medium-tier enemies
Accuracy: Good up to medium range, with noticeable recoil management required
Reload Speed: Slightly slower than standard rifles, so timing is crucial
In short, it’s a weapon that rewards players with precision and discipline rather than spray-and-pray firing.
Recommended Loadouts
Pairing the Tenderizer with the right gear is what makes it shine. Here are a few proven setups:
Anti-Bug Specialist
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: P-19 Redeemer (for quick crowd clearing)
Stratagems: Eagle Cluster Bomb, Incendiary Mines, Supply Pack
This build is all about holding choke points and thinning waves of Terminids before they overwhelm your squad.
Anti-Bot Enforcer
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: SMG-37 Defender (for mobility in close combat)
Stratagems: Recoilless Rifle, Anti-Tank Mines, Shield Generator Pack
Great against Automaton patrols where armor piercing is more valuable than raw volume of fire.
All-Rounder Loadout
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
Stratagems: Orbital Precision Strike, Ammo Drop, Guard Dog Rover
Balanced for squads without a clear role distribution.
Tactics for the AR-61 Tenderizer
Mastering this weapon means understanding when to push and when to play defensive.
Pick Your Targets – Don’t waste ammo on small trash mobs. Let your sidearm or teammates handle those. Save the Tenderizer for medium enemies and armored threats.
Controlled Bursts – Fire in 2–3 round bursts for maximum accuracy at range. Continuous fire will punish you with recoil.
Stay Supplied – The AR-61 chews through ammo faster than you expect. Always know where your supply drops are or coordinate with your support player.
Team Synergy – The Tenderizer works best when paired with high-volume weapons like the Breaker or Support weapons. You eliminate priority targets while your allies mop up the rest.
The AR-61 Tenderizer is not a beginner-friendly rifle, but once mastered, it can be a squad’s backbone against high-threat enemies. By focusing on smart ammo use, precision shooting, and synergizing with your team, you’ll find the Tenderizer to be one of the most rewarding weapons in Helldivers 2.
For players looking to sharpen their edge, the Helldivers 2 AR-61 Tenderizer Guide – Stats, Loadouts & Tactics serves as a practical foundation to dominate the battlefield with one of the most versatile tools in the game.
AR-61 Tenderizer Stats Overview
The AR-61 Tenderizer sits between a standard assault rifle and a heavy weapon. While not as mobile as lighter rifles, it brings higher per-shot damage and reliable armor penetration, making it ideal against larger insect warriors and lightly armored bots.
Fire Rate: Moderate, slower than the AR-23 Liberator but more deliberate
Damage: High single-shot damage, excellent against medium-tier enemies
Accuracy: Good up to medium range, with noticeable recoil management required
Reload Speed: Slightly slower than standard rifles, so timing is crucial
In short, it’s a weapon that rewards players with precision and discipline rather than spray-and-pray firing.
Recommended Loadouts
Pairing the Tenderizer with the right gear is what makes it shine. Here are a few proven setups:
Anti-Bug Specialist
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: P-19 Redeemer (for quick crowd clearing)
Stratagems: Eagle Cluster Bomb, Incendiary Mines, Supply Pack
This build is all about holding choke points and thinning waves of Terminids before they overwhelm your squad.
Anti-Bot Enforcer
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: SMG-37 Defender (for mobility in close combat)
Stratagems: Recoilless Rifle, Anti-Tank Mines, Shield Generator Pack
Great against Automaton patrols where armor piercing is more valuable than raw volume of fire.
All-Rounder Loadout
Primary: AR-61 Tenderizer
Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
Stratagems: Orbital Precision Strike, Ammo Drop, Guard Dog Rover
Balanced for squads without a clear role distribution.
Tactics for the AR-61 Tenderizer
Mastering this weapon means understanding when to push and when to play defensive.
Pick Your Targets – Don’t waste ammo on small trash mobs. Let your sidearm or teammates handle those. Save the Tenderizer for medium enemies and armored threats.
Controlled Bursts – Fire in 2–3 round bursts for maximum accuracy at range. Continuous fire will punish you with recoil.
Stay Supplied – The AR-61 chews through ammo faster than you expect. Always know where your supply drops are or coordinate with your support player.
Team Synergy – The Tenderizer works best when paired with high-volume weapons like the Breaker or Support weapons. You eliminate priority targets while your allies mop up the rest.
The AR-61 Tenderizer is not a beginner-friendly rifle, but once mastered, it can be a squad’s backbone against high-threat enemies. By focusing on smart ammo use, precision shooting, and synergizing with your team, you’ll find the Tenderizer to be one of the most rewarding weapons in Helldivers 2.
For players looking to sharpen their edge, the Helldivers 2 AR-61 Tenderizer Guide – Stats, Loadouts & Tactics serves as a practical foundation to dominate the battlefield with one of the most versatile tools in the game.