Why the AR-2 Coyote Is One of the Best Assault Rifles in Helldivers 2

What if there was a weapon in Helldivers 2 that could keep killing enemies even after you stopped shooting?

That is exactly why the AR-2 Coyote has become one of the most talked-about assault rifles in the game. Since its release, players have praised its unique incendiary rounds, its incredible efficiency against bug enemies, and its ability to deal damage over time while the player is already repositioning for the next fight.

At one point, some fans were even begging the developers not to nerf it.

But is the AR-2 Coyote really the best assault rifle in the game, or is it simply one of the most reliable? Let’s break down its stats, hidden strengths, weaknesses, and the best way to use it.

What Is the AR-2 Coyote?

The AR-2 Coyote is a primary assault rifle introduced through the Dust Devils Warbond. It costs 35 medals to unlock and immediately stands out because it fires incendiary ammunition.

Unlike standard rifles that rely entirely on direct bullet damage, the Coyote applies burn damage over time. That single mechanic completely changes how the weapon is played.

Instead of focusing purely on burst damage and instant kills, the AR-2 rewards players for spreading fire across multiple targets and allowing enemies to burn while moving on to the next engagement.

AR-2 Coyote Stats

On paper, the weapon looks strong but fairly balanced:

• Damage: 75 per shot
• Fire Rate: 600 rounds per minute
• Magazine Size: 45 rounds
• Spare Magazines: 8
• Armor Penetration: Medium
• Recoil: Moderate and controllable

At first glance, these numbers may not seem extraordinary. However, the listed stats do not fully reflect the weapon’s real damage output because they do not account for the burn effect.

Once fire damage is included, the AR-2’s effective DPS becomes significantly higher than it appears on paper.

That hidden damage-over-time mechanic is the reason this weapon feels so powerful in actual gameplay.

How the Fire Damage Works

The AR-2 Coyote’s defining feature is its incendiary ammunition.

After landing just a few shots, enemies ignite and begin taking continuous burn damage for several seconds. This creates an entirely different rhythm compared to traditional assault rifles.

With most rifles, players tend to:

• Focus one enemy
• Empty rounds into the target
• Confirm the kill
• Reload
• Repeat

The AR-2 changes that formula completely.

Instead, the optimal strategy is:

• Tag enemies with short bursts
• Ignite them
• Switch to another target
• Let the fire finish the kills

This means enemies can continue dying even after you have already moved on.

The burn effect also appears to bypass certain armor limitations, allowing the weapon to deal meaningful damage even when direct bullet penetration is not ideal.

That combination of sustained damage and battlefield efficiency is what makes the AR-2 feel so unique.

Best Playstyle for the AR-2 Coyote

The AR-2 is not designed as a run-and-gun spray weapon. It performs best in controlled mid-range combat where players can maximize its fire effect.

The ideal playstyle focuses on discipline rather than aggression.

Use Short Bursts

Instead of dumping entire magazines into single targets, use controlled bursts to ignite enemies quickly.

Once a target is burning, stop wasting ammo and move to the next enemy.

Spread the Fire

One of the strongest strategies with the AR-2 is tagging multiple enemies in rapid succession.

When several enemies are burning simultaneously, the weapon transforms from a simple rifle into a crowd-control tool.

Players who master this rhythm often notice something unusual:
they are constantly killing enemies without actively shooting them.

Reposition Constantly

Since the fire continues dealing damage while enemies burn, players can reposition, reload, or engage other threats without losing offensive pressure.

The rifle rewards mobility and awareness rather than stationary firing.

Strengths of the AR-2 Coyote

Incredible Versatility

The AR-2 is one of the most well-rounded rifles in the game.

It combines:

• Good direct damage
• Strong ammo capacity
• Manageable recoil
• Consistent medium penetration
• Reliable sustained DPS

Even without extensive customization, it performs extremely well in most combat scenarios.

Fire Damage Provides “Free” DPS

The weapon’s biggest advantage is that its damage continues even when the player stops shooting.

While:

• Reloading
• Moving
• Dodging
• Switching targets

the burn effect continues damaging enemies in the background.

That passive pressure dramatically increases efficiency during extended fights.

Excellent Against Bugs

The AR-2 shines particularly brightly against bug enemies and other targets vulnerable to burn damage.

Because enemies continue taking damage after ignition, players can efficiently weaken entire groups without committing excessive ammunition.

Strong Ammo Efficiency

At first glance, the weapon may not seem ammo-efficient. In reality, it often consumes fewer rounds than many traditional rifles.

Since enemies frequently die from burn damage after being tagged, players spend less ammunition manually finishing every target.

Weaknesses of the AR-2 Coyote

Despite its strengths, the weapon is not perfect.

Weak Burst Damage

At 600 rounds per minute, the rifle fires relatively slowly compared to some alternatives.

This means it lacks explosive burst damage and struggles to instantly eliminate threats.

Players relying on immediate kills may find the weapon slower than expected.

Limited Against Heavy Armor

The AR-2 only has medium armor penetration.

Against heavily armored enemies, the burn damage alone is not enough. Players will still need support weapons or anti-armor stratagems to handle elite threats efficiently.

Fire Is Not Effective Against Everything

Not all enemies are equally vulnerable to fire.

Some enemies:

• Resist burn damage
• Die too quickly for the fire effect to matter
• Require direct explosive damage instead

Because of this, the weapon performs better in some missions and enemy factions than others.

Limited Customization

Unlike some other rifles, the AR-2 lacks extensive scaling options.

For example, players cannot significantly increase its magazine size, which limits long-term customization potential.

Community Reaction to the AR-2

When the AR-2 Coyote launched, player reaction was immediate.

Many players called it:

• The best assault rifle in the game
• S-tier
• Overpowered
• A must-pick weapon

Its incendiary mechanic gave it a huge advantage in real gameplay situations, especially during bug missions where damage-over-time effects are extremely effective.

Over time, however, community opinion became more balanced.

Most players now view the AR-2 not as a broken weapon, but as an exceptionally dependable one.

Some even argue that the rifle feels stronger mainly because many other assault rifles struggle to compete at the same level of consistency.

Tips for Mastering the AR-2 Coyote

To get the most out of the weapon:

• Do not dump magazines into single enemies
• Use short controlled bursts
• Ignite multiple targets quickly
• Allow the burn damage to finish kills
• Pair it with anti-armor support weapons
• Use explosive stratagems for heavy enemies
• Focus on sustained pressure instead of burst damage

The more efficiently you spread fire across the battlefield, the stronger the rifle becomes.

Final Verdict

The AR-2 Coyote may not be the flashiest weapon in Helldivers 2, and it may not have the highest raw damage numbers, but it is easily one of the most efficient and reliable assault rifles in the game.

Its incendiary ammunition creates a completely different combat flow that rewards smart target switching, battlefield awareness, and sustained pressure instead of reckless spraying.

Once players learn how to properly use fire damage, it becomes very difficult to go back to traditional assault rifles.

The AR-2 Coyote is not just a weapon that kills enemies.

It is a weapon that keeps killing them long after you stop shooting.