| “ | A high-caliber assault rifle with a restrictive magazine size but more stopping power. | „ |
| ~ Armory Description |
The AR-61 Tenderizer is an assault rifle utilized in Helldivers 2.
The weapon is a powerful select-fire, low-recoil assault rifle that possesses phenomenal burst damage and stability, at the cost of ammo capacity and armor penetration.
It is unlocked in the first page of the Warbond: Polar Patriots.
Role:[]
As of update 1.000.400, the AR-61 is the most powerful assault rifle in the armory. Possessing the highest damage per-shot AND burst DPS of any assault rifle currently available, while simultaneously being more controllable than the AR-23, and having higher stagger strength. Its only drawbacks are that it can only penetrate light armor and middling magazine size.
The weapon overall functions as a bridge between the AR-23 Liberator and the heavier BR-14 Adjudicator.
Attachments[]
Note: Base stats are taken from the weapon with its default sight and magazine attachment equipped, along with no muzzle or underbarrel attachment equipped.
| Name | Unlock Level | Stat Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2x Tube Red Dot | Default | N/A |
| Reflex Sight | Level 2 | +3 Ergonomics |
| Holographic Sight | Level 9 | +3 Ergonomics |
| Reflex Sight Mk2 | Level 14 | +3 Ergonomics |
| Iron Sight | Level 18 | +8 Ergonomics |
| 4x Combat Scope | Level 24 | -3 Ergonomics |
| Name | Unlock Level | Stat Changes |
|---|---|---|
| No Underbarrel | Default | N/A |
| Laser Sight w/ Flashlight | Default | -5 Ergonomics |
| Vertical Foregrip | Level 7 | -3 Vertical Recoil -5 Ergonomics |
| Angled Foregrip | Level 12 | +4 Vertical Recoil +5 Ergonomics |
| Flashlight Vertical Foregrip | Level 16 | -3 Vertical Recoil -7 Ergonomics |
| Laser Sight Angled Foregrip | Level 21 | +4 Vertical Recoil +3 Ergonomics |
| Name | Unlock Level | Stat Changes |
|---|---|---|
| No Attachment | Default | N/A |
| Muzzle Brake | Default | -3 Horizontal Recoil -5 Ergonomics |
| Flash Hider | Level 13 | -2 Horizontal Recoil -2 Vertical Recoil -3 Ergonomics |
| Compensator | Level 22 | -4 Vertical Recoil -5 Ergonomics |
Gameplay Tips[]
- The weapon is very well-rounded.
- It can easily dispatch everything in the Terminids' forces that isn't a heavily-armored opponent.
- It is reliably capable of killing Automaton Devastators with headshots, thanks to its high damage and low recoil.
- It is capable of tearing through hordes of Illuminate Voteless, but its inability to penetrate Overseer helmets may prove less than ideal in some cases.
- Due to its small magazine and fairly high RoF, it is advised to fire in bursts outside of close range.
- A recent patch gave the AR-61 the unique ability to toggle its rate of fire between 600/850, much like a machine gun. This gives it an extra layer of versatility where 600 can be used for standard combat, and 850 can be used to magdump on the weakspot of high-threat enemies up-close to quickly dispatch them.
Trivia[]
The AR61's original colors.
- On release, the AR-61 had a different color scheme of green and tan two-tone. This was later changed to the black and gray two-tone as seen in the trailer.
- This color scheme cannot be replicated, even with the forst camo available to the AR-61.
- This is the first non-machine gun weapon to have a variable rate of fire.
- The weapon appears to be based on the Morita Assault Rifle from the Starship Troopers series, as indicated by its all-grey finish, bullpup configuration, and abnormally-long carry handle.