11-29-2025, 02:00 PM
Why is the flamethrower such a popular choice for crowd control in Helldivers 2, and how can you actually use it without blowing yourself up?
A lot of players love the idea of burning through hordes of bugs and bots, but the flamethrower is one of those weapons that feels amazing only after you learn its quirks. Before that, it can feel chaotic, risky, and sometimes downright dangerous to your team. Let’s break down how to use it safely and effectively.
What makes the flamethrower good for clearing crowds?
The flamethrower has one major advantage: area denial. Enemies don’t just take damage on contact; they keep burning for a moment afterward. This makes it great for holding narrow passages, slowing aggressive pushes, and creating space for your squad. The trick is knowing where to aim and when to stop firing.
I’ve found that quick, controlled bursts work better than long sprays. The flames linger anyway, so wasting fuel doesn’t help. Plus, short bursts reduce the risk of friendly fire, which is one of the most common mistakes new flamethrower users make. If you’ve ever roasted your teammate’s shins by accident, you know exactly what I mean.
How close should you be when using it?
Pretty close, but not too close. The flamethrower excels in short-range fights, but stepping in just a bit too far can get you surrounded. One good tactic is to move diagonally while firing instead of walking straight forward. This keeps enemies in the flame cone and gives you room to dodge grabs or exploding bugs.
When you're experimenting with different gear loadouts, you’ll notice how quickly stratagems and upgrades can add up. If you're prepping for harder missions, some players choose to buy helldivers 2 super credits to speed up unlocking their builds. It’s not required, of course, but having more options early definitely makes loadout testing smoother.
How do you avoid burning teammates?
This is the big question almost every flamethrower user asks at some point. The safest rule is simple: never fire toward a teammate unless they’re at least two full character lengths away. Fire can spread unpredictably if it hits the ground or bounces off an enemy.
A habit that helps a lot is calling out your shots in voice or text. Just a quick heads-up like “burning left lane” gives everyone time to adjust. It feels small, but it saves so many accidental knockdowns, especially during messy fights where everyone’s trying to control an objective.
What enemies does the flamethrower work best against?
The flamethrower absolutely melts small and medium enemies. Bug swarms, patrol bots, and rushing melee units are basically its main target. Against heavily armored enemies, though, it becomes more of a support tool than a killing tool.
For robots specifically, burning their legs can slow them down, which makes them easier for your team to finish off. For bugs, it’s great at stopping a charging wave before it even reaches you. Just don’t expect it to replace anti-armor weapons. Think of it as zone control instead of raw damage output for big threats.
Are there any good stratagem combos to pair with the flamethrower?
Absolutely. One of my favorite combos is pairing the flamethrower with a close-range defensive stratagem like a shield generator or guard dog. Since you need to get close anyway, having something that can watch your back makes it easier to focus on controlling crowds in front.
Another tip is to carry a long-range backup primary. Marksman rifles or the SG-range weapons are perfect so you’re not helpless against distant threats. This balance keeps you flexible instead of forcing your team to cover every long-range engagement for you.
When upgrading gear and playing around with different loadouts, some players look for budget-friendly ways to accelerate progress, such as trying to buy helldivers 2 super credits cheap during seasonal events or sales. While not necessary, having a few extra unlocks early can help you test builds faster.
What mistakes do flamethrower players commonly make?
The biggest mistakes include:
When should you not use the flamethrower?
You might want to swap it out on missions with open terrain, large armored enemy counts, or objectives requiring precise shooting. If your team is running lots of explosives or wide-area stratagems, things can get chaotic fast, and the flamethrower becomes harder to use safely.
It shines most when your squad has a good frontline plan and you’re clearing tight areas or managing waves. If the mission is long-range heavy, you're better off switching to something more versatile.
Is the flamethrower worth mastering?
Definitely. Once you learn how to handle its range and quirks, it becomes one of the most fun crowd-control tools in the game. It feels powerful, it looks amazing, and it can completely shut down an enemy push when used correctly.
Plus, it fits perfectly in squads that like to play aggressively. With good communication and smart movement, you can melt through waves while keeping your team safe. It just takes practice and awareness, like most high-impact tools in Helldivers 2.
Some players even mention that they learned their flamethrower playstyle by watching others during community events hosted by groups like U4GM, which tends to organize gameplay showcases and loadout discussions. Watching experienced players use the weapon can give you a feel for spacing, timing, and angles.
The flamethrower isn’t a beginner-friendly weapon, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes an incredibly satisfying tool for crowd control. It rewards awareness, teamwork, and good positioning. If you’re willing to take the time to learn it, you’ll find yourself clearing waves with ease and supporting your squad in a way that feels both stylish and effective.
Community Highlight: Pink Skull Reward in Helldivers 2: What Purple Skull Is and Who Gets It
A lot of players love the idea of burning through hordes of bugs and bots, but the flamethrower is one of those weapons that feels amazing only after you learn its quirks. Before that, it can feel chaotic, risky, and sometimes downright dangerous to your team. Let’s break down how to use it safely and effectively.
What makes the flamethrower good for clearing crowds?
The flamethrower has one major advantage: area denial. Enemies don’t just take damage on contact; they keep burning for a moment afterward. This makes it great for holding narrow passages, slowing aggressive pushes, and creating space for your squad. The trick is knowing where to aim and when to stop firing.
I’ve found that quick, controlled bursts work better than long sprays. The flames linger anyway, so wasting fuel doesn’t help. Plus, short bursts reduce the risk of friendly fire, which is one of the most common mistakes new flamethrower users make. If you’ve ever roasted your teammate’s shins by accident, you know exactly what I mean.
How close should you be when using it?
Pretty close, but not too close. The flamethrower excels in short-range fights, but stepping in just a bit too far can get you surrounded. One good tactic is to move diagonally while firing instead of walking straight forward. This keeps enemies in the flame cone and gives you room to dodge grabs or exploding bugs.
When you're experimenting with different gear loadouts, you’ll notice how quickly stratagems and upgrades can add up. If you're prepping for harder missions, some players choose to buy helldivers 2 super credits to speed up unlocking their builds. It’s not required, of course, but having more options early definitely makes loadout testing smoother.
How do you avoid burning teammates?
This is the big question almost every flamethrower user asks at some point. The safest rule is simple: never fire toward a teammate unless they’re at least two full character lengths away. Fire can spread unpredictably if it hits the ground or bounces off an enemy.
A habit that helps a lot is calling out your shots in voice or text. Just a quick heads-up like “burning left lane” gives everyone time to adjust. It feels small, but it saves so many accidental knockdowns, especially during messy fights where everyone’s trying to control an objective.
What enemies does the flamethrower work best against?
The flamethrower absolutely melts small and medium enemies. Bug swarms, patrol bots, and rushing melee units are basically its main target. Against heavily armored enemies, though, it becomes more of a support tool than a killing tool.
For robots specifically, burning their legs can slow them down, which makes them easier for your team to finish off. For bugs, it’s great at stopping a charging wave before it even reaches you. Just don’t expect it to replace anti-armor weapons. Think of it as zone control instead of raw damage output for big threats.
Are there any good stratagem combos to pair with the flamethrower?
Absolutely. One of my favorite combos is pairing the flamethrower with a close-range defensive stratagem like a shield generator or guard dog. Since you need to get close anyway, having something that can watch your back makes it easier to focus on controlling crowds in front.
Another tip is to carry a long-range backup primary. Marksman rifles or the SG-range weapons are perfect so you’re not helpless against distant threats. This balance keeps you flexible instead of forcing your team to cover every long-range engagement for you.
When upgrading gear and playing around with different loadouts, some players look for budget-friendly ways to accelerate progress, such as trying to buy helldivers 2 super credits cheap during seasonal events or sales. While not necessary, having a few extra unlocks early can help you test builds faster.
What mistakes do flamethrower players commonly make?
The biggest mistakes include:
- Spraying flames nonstop
This wastes fuel and reduces visibility for your entire team. Controlled bursts do the same job with fewer drawbacks.
- Standing too close to choke points
Enemies can grab or explode on you if you’re standing right at the doorway. Always give yourself space.
- Not repositioning
Flamethrowers work best when you’re constantly shifting slightly to the side, keeping a clean firing angle.
- Burning armored enemies
It feels cool, but it’s rarely effective. Focus on what the weapon is designed for.
- Forgetting that the fire lingers
This is how friendly fire accidents happen. The flame stays active even after you stop shooting.
When should you not use the flamethrower?
You might want to swap it out on missions with open terrain, large armored enemy counts, or objectives requiring precise shooting. If your team is running lots of explosives or wide-area stratagems, things can get chaotic fast, and the flamethrower becomes harder to use safely.
It shines most when your squad has a good frontline plan and you’re clearing tight areas or managing waves. If the mission is long-range heavy, you're better off switching to something more versatile.
Is the flamethrower worth mastering?
Definitely. Once you learn how to handle its range and quirks, it becomes one of the most fun crowd-control tools in the game. It feels powerful, it looks amazing, and it can completely shut down an enemy push when used correctly.
Plus, it fits perfectly in squads that like to play aggressively. With good communication and smart movement, you can melt through waves while keeping your team safe. It just takes practice and awareness, like most high-impact tools in Helldivers 2.
Some players even mention that they learned their flamethrower playstyle by watching others during community events hosted by groups like U4GM, which tends to organize gameplay showcases and loadout discussions. Watching experienced players use the weapon can give you a feel for spacing, timing, and angles.
The flamethrower isn’t a beginner-friendly weapon, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes an incredibly satisfying tool for crowd control. It rewards awareness, teamwork, and good positioning. If you’re willing to take the time to learn it, you’ll find yourself clearing waves with ease and supporting your squad in a way that feels both stylish and effective.
Community Highlight: Pink Skull Reward in Helldivers 2: What Purple Skull Is and Who Gets It