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Choosing the right weapon can be the difference between successfully spreading managed democracy inHelldivers 2and becoming bug food. The LAS-16 Sickle has long been considered one of the best primary weapons in the game. However, with the release of theServants of Freedom Warbond, a new challenger is stepping into the arena: the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle.
The energy-based big brother to the standard Sickle removes all overheating protections, allowing for continuous sustained fire with no need to reload. The catch? The longer you fire, the hotter it gets until the heat starts burning through your armor.
So, considering the trade-off between power and risk, is the new LAS-17 a superior choice or does the classic LAS-16 still hold the crown inHelldivers 2? We will be answering just that by doing a detailed comparison that dissects both weapons, compares their strengths and weaknesses, and highlights tactical advantages.
Gear up. You are about to find out which of the two Sickles will give you the edge you need to overcome any challenge Super Earth throws your way.
How to Unlock the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle
The all-new LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle can be found onthe first page of the Servants of Freedom WarbondinHelldivers 2. You have to purchase the premium Warbond for1,000 Super Creditsand then unlock the energy-based weapon for35 Medals.
The standard LAS-16 Sickle, on the other hand, ispart of the Cutting Edge Warbond. It costs the same amount of Super Credits but requires only20 Medalsto unlock.
The arrival of the Illuminate faction has made it even easier tofarm Super Credits for free inHelldivers 2. Their new urban maps are packed with tightly clustered points of interest, significantly improving your chances of finding SC loot piles during every mission. You can potentially buy a premium Warbond after grinding a whole day.
55 (more after overheating)
55
700 rounds per minute
750 rounds per minute
15 seconds (or around 165 rounds) before igniting the player
7 seconds (or around 85 rounds) before overheating
2.8 seconds
1.9 seconds
24 seconds to cool down after reaching maximum heat
12.5 seconds to cool down after reaching maximum heat
25, 50, and 100
Selling Feature
Gain increased damage and infinite ammo for as long as you do not succumb to burn damage
Gain infinite ammo with strategic heat management
The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is a modified version of theLAS-16 Sickle inHelldivers 2, sharing the same energy-based heat sinks and durable damage. However, unlike the LAS-16, the LAS-17 has no built-in overheating protection system.
So, while you are forced to reload after overheating the standard LAS-16 Sickle, you can keep firing the Double-Edge Sickle even after it overheats. This unique overheating system comes with a trade-off:longer bursts of fire with increased damage, but at the risk of burning to death. Here is how it works:
Watch the footage below and keep an eye on the health bar as the LAS-17 overheats. See for yourself how long you may keep firing the weapon before succumbing to burn damage.
According to its official description, the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle does increased damage after overheating. However, at launch, the weapon does the same damage even after overheating, which is probably a bug that needs fixing.
Another key benefit of the LAS-17 is itsarmor-penetrating rounds inHelldivers 2. Unlike the standard Sickle,the Double-Edge Sickle penetrates medium armor, making it highly effective against enemies like Hive Guards, Bile Spewers, Scout Striders, and Overseers. Combine that with its prolonged sustained fire, and you have a primary weapon capable of shredding entire hordes inHelldivers 2without moving an inch.
Should You Get the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle or the LAS-16 Sickle in Helldivers 2?
The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is a worthy contender for being one of thebest primary weapons inHelldivers 2, an honor that the LAS-16 Sickle has held since its release. That, however, is not saying you can ignore the standard Sickle. Both energy-based weapons are excellent in their own ways, providing varying tactical advantages to suit different playstyles.
The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is perfect for players who
The LAS-16 Sickle is perfect for players who
Prefer aggressive playstyles, or want to take on large groups of enemies without wasting stratagems.
Prefer a more forgiving weapon, or are relatively new to the game.
Have the right gear to manage heat and self-damage effectively.
Do not have to worry that much about heat management.
Tactical Advantages
The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is one of the few weapons inHelldivers 2that only performs optimally with the right loadout. Its unique overheating mechanics is behind thesudden popularity of flame-resistant armor among players. TheInflammable armor passivesignificantly reduces the light burn damage after reaching the first overheating threshold.
Furthermore, two boosters can make you nearly immune to self-damage.Vitality Enhancementis a must to mitigate the initial burn ticks. Secondly, when you get ignited, anExperimental Infusion Stimmakes you take zero damage; basically, giving you an extra life for a few seconds before the LAS-17 ignites you again, after which you can inject another Experimental Infusion Stim. This setup greatly mitigates the self-damage, doubling the duration of sustained fire to increase your damage per second for as long as you have health.
Going prone massively reduces self-damage, allowing you to fire the LAS-17 for much longer before requiring to use a Stim.
Hence, the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is quite a powerful weapon, but one that requires investment from players. You need to have unlocked an armor that grants fire resistance, and, of course, the Vitality Enhancement Booster to increase your overall damage output. The LAS-16 Sickle, on the other hand, has no such requirement. You can use it straight out of the box.
