Hulk (Helldivers 2)

As with all Automaton units, the plodding Hulk is brainlessly optimized to do nothing except deliver heavy firepower. If encountered, the recommended protocol for Helldivers is to immediately call in the largest Orbital bombardment available.

They can be divided into three types:


 * Bruiser - Hulks equipped with an autocannon and a rocket launcher.
 * Scorcher - Hulks equipped with a flamethrower and a buzzsaw. Will attempt to aggressively close the distance instead of bombarding their targets from range.
 * Obliterator - Hulks equipped with a rocket pod.

WARNING: Owing to the large, freedom-hating reactors needed to power such a despotic machine, all variants of Hulk will explode violently upon destruction. It is advised by Super Earth High Command to take down Hulks from as long a range as possible to avoid being caught in the blast.

Tactics

 * Hulks have two weak spots: their small, heavily armored head and a large but lightly armored power pack mounted on their back. Continuous fire even from medium weapons can eventually destroy it but anti-tank weaponry is required to destroy the head.
 * Destroying the "head" of a Hulk will instantly kill it. The "head" is the area around their small glowing red eye. The R-36 Eruptor, Anti-Material Rifle, Railgun, Quasar Cannon or Expendable Anti-Tank can achieve this easily.
 * The Orbital Railcannon Strike, Orbital Laser and Eagle 500kg Bomb are very effective against hulks, other explosive stratagems can also pierce their armor.
 * The Autocannon can prove effective against the head of a Hulk. Hitting the red visor twice will destroy any Hulk variant. This is a very difficult shot owing to the small size of the visor, so crouch or get into a prone position and use the sight to avoid missing. The visor will erupt in flames on the first successful hit, while a miss will be indicated by a blue flash and ricochet.
 * Scorchers can be particularly deadly due to their relentless speed and flamethrower, there is a common bug where the flamethrower kills a player instantly on contact rather than setting them ablaze. Helldivers should prioritize Scorchers out of the 3 hulk variants and eliminate them immediately.
 * Their arms can be shot off, turning it into a slow melee unit that can be killed off or ignored for more active threats. Shooting their arms off also puts it in a "bleed out" state where it will eventually die after a certain amount of time, even without taking more damage from Helldivers.
 * On Normal difficulty or higher, Hulks sometimes appear as targets of elimination for missions much like Chargers and Bile Titans. It’s highly recommended to bring dedicated anti-tank weaponry. The Hulk usually can be found underneath a large service crane within an Automaton facility.
 * If a diver isn't confident in their ability to hit the head a strike to the legs can in some cases be easier. Using a weapon like the Quasar Cannon a diver can cripple a leg of the Hulk, slowing it considerably. If the other leg is then hit the Hulk will collapse and explode. This tactic is especially useful against Scorchers as their weapons are designed for close range, meaning that slowing them down will help reduce their threat.
 * The Bruiser variant can easily be eliminated from a safe distance away with anti-tank weaponry, as it stands still and makes it easy for Helldivers to shoot it in the eye. The same can be said for the Obliterator variant however caution should be advised.
 * Much like Bile Titans Hulks can be crushed with a Hellpod.

Trivia

 * The Hulk appears to be based off the Castraferrum Pattern Mark V Dreadnought for the arms and legs, while the torso piece is a Redemptor Pattern Dreadnought, both used by the Space Marines from Warhammer 40,000.
 * The Hulk's name is likely derived from an enemy from the first game. However, it is far more resemblant of the Warlord.
 * Unlike the standard Hulk Bruiser, the Scorcher variant visually has no shoulder armor, but has pointed spikes wrapped in barbed wire adorned with skulls and laughs much like a berserker while pursuing a target. The Hulk Obliterator also wears an Automaton flag war banner on its back.