When you reach the point in Helldivers 2 where heavy weapons become part of your regular loadout, you’ll eventually face one big question: Should you run the M-1000 Maxigun or the Autocannon? Both are strong, both can shred enemy armor, and both feel great to fire. But they play very differently, and choosing the right one can completely change how your squad handles high-pressure fights.

Below, I’ll break the comparison down using a simple question-and-answer format so it’s easy to follow, even if you’re still learning the game’s heavy-weapon rhythm.

What makes the Maxigun appealing compared to the Autocannon?

The biggest reason players fall in love with the Maxigun is its constant stream of fire. You don’t have to reload, the spin-up is fast once you get used to it, and it melts anything without heavy armor. If your squad often gets overrun by swarms or you like playing a frontline role, the Maxigun feels incredibly comfortable.

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Why do some players prefer the Autocannon instead?

The Autocannon is the complete opposite: slower, heavier, but devastating against armored targets. If your squad struggles with Chargers, Bile Titans, or thick Terminid plates, the Autocannon does the job with fewer shots and far more reliability.

The catch is that it forces you to play more carefully. You reload often, positioning matters more, and many players end up relying on teammates to spot targets while they anchor a firing line. But if you enjoy feeling like the squad’s primary tank-buster, nothing fits better.

I remember a few missions where my team ran double Autocannons just to bully outpost objectives. It was overkill in the best possible way.

Which weapon is better for clearing swarms?

If you’re dealing mostly with Hunters, Stalkers, or regular bugs, the Maxigun wins every time. The stream of bullets keeps them staggered, which is something the Autocannon can’t do consistently.

The Maxigun is essentially its own suppression field. A single player with good trigger discipline can protect an entire flank. If your goal is to help newer teammates survive chaotic fights, this is the easier pick.

Which weapon is better against armored enemies?

This one isn’t even close: Autocannon all the way.

Chargers, Bile Warriors, Devastators, and similar enemies go down much faster when hit with explosive, high-impact shells. Even skilled Maxigun users eventually hit its armor ceiling. You can chip at big enemies, sure, but you’ll feel the weapon struggling.

If your group is doing higher-difficulty missions where armored units spawn constantly, the Autocannon becomes nearly mandatory.

Which one is easier for new players to use?

The Maxigun is definitely easier. You don’t have to reload mid-fight, the aim forgiveness is better, and the recoil feels manageable once warmed up. The only learning curve comes from the spin-up time, but that becomes muscle memory pretty quickly.

The Autocannon demands more from the player. You need to know when to reload, track armored weak spots, and avoid shooting teammates. It’s more punishing if you miss critical shots.

Does movement affect which one you should use?

Absolutely. Both weapons slow you down, but they do so in different ways.

The Maxigun’s slowdown is consistent, so you always know how it feels. It’s predictable, and predictability in Helldivers 2 is a big deal.

The Autocannon, on the other hand, slows you more dramatically during ADS and reloads. If your mission takes place in sandstorms, snowstorms, or narrow terrain, you’ll feel it even more.

Players who value mobility usually lean toward the Maxigun for this reason.

Which weapon works better with squad synergy?

If your team coordinates well, the Autocannon becomes far more powerful. A buddy who covers your reloads or calls target positions turns you into a mobile artillery platform.

But if you often play with random teammates, the Maxigun performs more consistently. You can adapt to whatever chaos others create.

Are there build or loadout differences between the two?

Yes, each weapon pairs differently with perks and stratagems.

Maxigun players often combine it with mobility perks or defensive stratagems so they can stay on the frontlines longer. They tend to carry fewer high-impact weapons and instead focus on overall team support.

Autocannon players usually build around armor penetration. They bring Eagle strikes, railgun backups, or armor-breaking grenades. If you’re trying to unlock gear quickly for these builds, some players mention using services like U4GM, especially when looking for ways to buy helldivers 2 medals safe from U4GM to test multiple loadouts faster. As always, stick with trusted platforms.

So which one is actually better?

The honest answer is: neither is outright better. It depends entirely on your mission and your team.

Pick the Maxigun if you want: – Easy swarm control – A steady firing rhythm – Less pressure on reload timing – Strong frontline presence

Pick the Autocannon if you want: – Reliable anti-armor damage – Precision burst power – Higher-difficulty consistency – A squad-supporting heavy role

Many experienced players end up mastering both and swapping depending on the operation.

Final Thoughts: Which should you choose as your main heavy weapon?

If you’re still learning the game or prefer a flexible role, the Maxigun is hands-down the easier weapon to live with. It forgives panic moments and turns you into a reliable anchor for your squad.

If you’re already comfortable with Helldivers 2’s enemy types and want to contribute massive single-target damage, the Autocannon becomes one of the strongest tools in your arsenal.

Personally, I keep both in rotation. Some missions just call for a certain vibe, and sometimes that vibe is spraying a wall of bullets; other times it’s dropping armored elites with satisfying precision shots.

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