AR-22C Patriot

A carbine version of the AR-19 Liberator, it has a slightly extended magazine and much higher fire rate. Seldom used since the ammunition expenditure is higher than any other Helldiver weapon.

The Patriot is best fired in short, controlled bursts to maximize accuracy and minimize waste of ammunition. While it has a bit of a learning curve, the Patriot can rapidly deliver large amounts of with high accuracy, even though it lacks the armor-piercing capabilities of the AR-20L Justice or AR-14D Paragon assault rifles. The Extended Magazine upgrade is highly recommended since it more than doubles the amount of rounds per magazine.

Weapon Stats
Helldivers start with 6 magazines of Patriot ammunition, and can carry up to 12. Each magazine contains 35 rounds (or 75 with the Extended Magazine upgrade). If 3 or less rounds remain in the magazine when the weapon is fired, the 'low ammunition' warning sound will play.

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 Patriot with the Extended Magazine upgrade and a chambered round gives a total of 76 shots before needing to be reloaded.

Unlock Requirement
The Patriot unlocks at rank 11.

Bayonet
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 enables much more effective use of the 'Melee Dodge' move.