| “ | This shotgun blasts a wide burst of high-voltage electricity that arcs between all units—enemy or otherwise—within range. | „ |
| ~ Armory
Description |
The ARC-12 Blitzer is a unique type of energy shotgun that fires a barrage of electrical currents over a short distance. Unlike other "infinite" ammo primary weapons, only the Blitzer has true infinite ammo, as it does not have a heatsink that has to be swapped out incase it overheats.
Role[ | ]
The Blitzer excels both at clearing hordes of fodder enemies, and taking down medium-armored threats up-close. It not only also stuns enemies briefly, it also cancels some of their actions aswell, potentially immobilizing entire groups. The gun however, is short-ranged, only remaining viable within 50m. The shooter also has no complete control over what exactly the bolts will attack, and can shock anything from an already-dead enemy, to a fellow nearby Helldiver.
Due to its short range, it excels primarily against Terminids, able to kill multiple Scavengers, Hunters and sometimes even Warriors with a single shot. It also works well against lighter Automaton enemies, able kill multiple Troopers with a single shot as well as stun-lock all Devastator types.
Gameplay Tips[ | ]
- The Blitzer has unlimited ammo and shoots 5 bolts that each lock onto an enemy within range and do 50 damage each, with a total of 250 damage. Its main drawbacks are a comparatively low fire rate and the fact its projectiles physically do not travel further than 50 meters, putting a hard limit on its effective range.
- The bolts the Blitzer fires are somewhat inconsistent, it may sometimes fire all bolts into a single enemy, it may scatter them between everyone on the screen, it may shock a corpse, it may shock a rock, or it may also shock a fellow Helldiver unlucky enough to be nearby.
- Unlike most other shotguns, it can technically do maximum damage anywhere within its effective range, if all 5 bolts target the same enemy. Its inconsistent targeting can be exploited into (somewhat) consistently targeting a single enemy by aiming down sights, which seems to significantly reduce its spread, and aiming directly at the closest enemy.
- The Blitzer's bolts do not jump between targets, unlike the arc thrower and tesla tower.
- This makes it terrible at taking out Scout Striders, since the bolts will lock onto the vehicle itself and not the Trooper controlling it, even when shot from behind.
- The Blitzer "bypasses" medium armor and personal shields. Most medium-armored units will take damage and be stunned by the weapon, even if shot at their armored parts.
- This makes it more useful against Hive Guards and Heavy Devastators than most non-armor penetrating weapons.
- The weapon stuns anything it successfully hits, which makes it very handy against Stalkers, Spewers, all Devastators and Berserkers as the constant barrage of bolts stun-locks them and prevents them from performing special actions.
- It is recommended to have a good sidearm ready in case a teammate is nearby. While the Blitzer isn't completely lethal unless you aim it at them directly, a stray bolt will cause them to ragdoll to the ground, putting them at the mercy of whatever you're trying to hit. If it must be used in close-proximity to other teammates, aim down sights as often as possible.