How to Locate and Destroy Annihilator Tanks in Helldivers 2

Annihilator tanks are the largest and most dangerous Automatons in Helldivers 2. They can carry either a heavy cannon or heavy machine guns. Either way, I’ll show you how to locate and destroy Annihilator tanks in Helldivers 2, including the best stratagems against them.

Helldivers 2: How to Find Annihilator Tanks

Annihilator tanks spawn only on Autmaton planets and only on difficulties Hard and above. It’s still possible to encounter some tanks at Medium difficulty, but that would be a very rare occasion. However, I discovered that there are two specific types of missions when Annihilator tanks spawn the most. These include:

• Extreme missions.
• Eradication missions.

During Extreme missions, you need to protect a research facility, a convoy, or a strategic point from the waves of Automatons. The Eradication missions focus on eradicating enemy strongholds and ensuring that no Automatons survive in the process. But regardless of the chosen type of mission, I was able to spot two types of Automaton tanks:

• Annihilator Tank, equipped with a heavy cannon.
• Shredder Tank, equipped with quad-heavy machine guns.

Helldivers 2: How to Defeat Annihilator Tanks

Both types of tanks look the same and have the same stats, except for the weapons they carry. Both are extremely dangerous, so here’s what I suggest when it comes to destroying these machines:

• Target their weak spots, which usually glow with a red color. Aim your heaviest weapons, such as AC-8 Autocannon or RS-422 Railgun, at these spots to deal significant damage.
• Use heavy explosive stratagems, such as Expendable Anti-Tank stratagem or Railcannon Orbital stratagem. Both can deliver devastating damage to both types of Automaton tanks.
• If you can, climb on top of the tank. In this way, you can ensure that its weapons won’t be able to hurt you, although it may be problematic at first.
• While playing on a team, ask one of your teammates to serve as bait and distract the tank’s attention. At the same time, others can focus on shooting the tank in its back vents, which aren’t protected.
• If you play solo, then the only option is to find a solid cover against its cannon or machine guns. Once you destroy one tank, you can use its body as a cover against other tanks on the field.
• Use a rocket launcher or grenades to deplete the tank’s top armor, which is thinner. Another option to remove the tank’s armor is to use the Spear stratagem.

Once you destroy Annihilator tanks during any of the Extreme missions, you’ll be rewarded with random high-level items, which include badges, samples, currency, and other valuable items.

That’s it for my guide on how to locate and destroy Annihilator tanks in Helldivers 2. Stay tuned for more HD2 tips and tricks articles, including the complete list of all Stratagem Codes and how to get & use LAS-16 Sickle.