AR-19 Liberator

Fully automatic assault rifle, "perfect for liberating foes from life." Reliable and powerful, it is good for dealing with most threats.

Unlock Requirement
The Liberator is the standard-issue service rifle, available to all Helldivers regardless of rank.

Upgrades
Bayonet
 * Simple but effective, a long blade is attached under the barrel of the gun. This allows the user to stab whatever is coming at him and is enough to finished off most wounded opponents.

Recoil Absorber
 * A heavy muzzle brake is attached to the barrel of the gun, directing the escaping gases in such a way that it compensates for a larger portion of the recoil.

Extended Magazine
 * Increases the amount of rounds in the magazine. The amount of extra ammunition in each magazine varies from weapon to weapon. Whether it is a longer magazine, drum, or box, extended magazine is the collective name for more bullets before you need to reload, something that is almost always desirable.

Weapon Stats

 * Helldivers start with 6 magazines of Liberator ammunition, and can carry up to 12. Each magazine contains 30 rounds (45 with the Extended Magazine upgrade). If 10 or less rounds remain in the magazine when the weapon is fired, the 'low ammunition' warning sound will play.
 * This is much earlier compared to other assault rifles such as the AR-22C Patriot or AR-20L Justice, and was possibly intended as an early warning mechanism to make sure fresh recruits don't forget to reload in a timely manner.


 * Reload time for a fully emptied magazine is 2.5 seconds; if reloaded while there are still rounds in the magazine, this drops to 1.25 seconds. In addition, this keeps a round in the chamber. This means a Liberator with the Extended Magazine upgrade and a chambered round gives a total of 46 shots before needing to be reloaded.

Gameplay Tips

 * The Liberator is best utilized in short, controlled bursts as it tends to spray its bullets over a wide area when fired in full-auto. The Recoil Absorber upgrade is recommended for those who like to hold down the trigger.


 * Adding a Bayonet to this weapon will greatly increase its lethality in close quarters combat. Most medium-level enemies can be killed with one or two stabs of the bayonet. A drawback is that it slows down the Helldiver's melee attack, which can lead to problems when engaging individually weak but numerous enemies such as Bug Scouts.
 * Unshielded Helldivers die instantly to a bayonet attack, unless they are wearing Heavy Armour. The bayonet upgrade extends the range covered by the 'Melee Dodge' technique. Without a bayonet, it requires more precise timing to reliably use the dodge.