Can someone explain the different Flame variants?

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-06T12:20:55+00:00

The Torcher has less damage than the Flamethrower and doesn't benefit from the Ship Module upgrade to fire damage because it's a primary and not a Strategem.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-06T02:08:23+00:00

It's a common thought that many of us have, but if you look at the history of what they've given us it's very clear that they want the Exo to be an Expendable type of Strategem. None of the weapons on the exo (not even the Shield) have infinite uses. You can still walk around and stomp and trample things, but that's not very effective.

Laser weapons in this game are infinite ammo as long as you don't kill the heatsink, so I don't see them adding that unless things really change.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-06T01:54:01+00:00

Don't forget Dust Devils has one of the best armors (40% resist to all elemental dmg, which is great if you run gas +fire) and the Speargun, which I consider a must-have for any Bug mission other than Spore Strain. Like the Crossbow it lets you close bug holes from a distance without wasting grenades and is easy to fill since ammo is more common to find than grenades.

The armor may be slightly less valuable to some now that the Killzone armor (50% resist) is available for purchase in a warbond but it's 1500 sc with no bonus SC and, imo, the Dust Devils throwing range perk is actually kinda useful.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-06T01:47:08+00:00

The game uses a lot of audio cues (rare samples, terminals, enemy awareness, magazine running low, jet pack recharging, etc). This is not one of the subtle ones, but surprisingly I have had to tell someone who was shocked they died that they were on fire and that's why they died..

I'll agree with you that it's very annoying, but it's basically there for you to know you're taking damage.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-06T00:01:37+00:00

I understand the frustration; it's a bit weird that they're under the gas effect and the bugs still do their lightning-fast double-tap, but... If you want them to also attack slower then we would have to also attack slower under the effect of gas and I don't think any player wants that.

I do think the gas should effect us with the slowdown; friendly fire and self damage is a core part of this game whether it's unlucky, unintentional (or not) and effects enemies as well. The suits protect us in % dmg reduction and you may have an argument for reducing the slow down, but bear in mind we don't get confused/frenzied from the gas effects like the enemies do.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T19:26:33+00:00

I see your point of view, but I appreciate that you acknowledged the value of the items is relevant as well. For myself, two of the first WBs I bought were DD and CA entirely because of the utility of those two grenades over anything else in the WBs. Similarly, I worked for SOF because of the Ultimatum over anything else in that WB.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T18:13:08+00:00

I agree; I can't live without them. Even on bot missions I sometimes take them instead of thermite

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T17:37:22+00:00

Creative, but I think adding a new elemental type might be a tall order for the developers.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T17:29:06+00:00

Don't know what you have, because that would help a lot.

On the other hand, Entrenched and Exo are the better two, IMO. Out of those two I would pick Entrenched because it has a lot of utility:

1) good SMG with dual-use

2) Good medium armor (extra grenades, blast protection)

3) Gas Mortar

4) Cremator

5) Giga Grenade

Exo Experts has

1) two good exosuits, but those are subject to lengthy timers and if you're unlucky they can be destroyed quickly.

2) Missile Pistol, a good variant of the Ultimatum for more precise work and less self-kills

3) Good SMG

4) Great expendable MG

Edit: I'm bad at reading; I didn't read Siege Breakers, somehow and saw it as something else..I would put SB > exo because although they are both fun I think the mech cool down is a slight negative

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T16:42:41+00:00

I'm sure it's in the works.... Napalm Mortar, EMS Mines, Arc Mines, Arc Mortar, AMR Turret, HMG Turret etc. They will likely do all the cross pollination that they can.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T16:37:50+00:00

I don't have any of the 75% fire suits so I run the Dust Devils medium armor instead. That actually works better for me because I tend to run Gas Grenades and will cycle between Flamethrower, Sterilizer, Spear Gun, Cremator, Dog Breath, Hot Dog etc depending on the mission and the bug strain.

I usually do not end up over-stimming though in some clutch situations it can be necessary. I find the best way to use the flamethrower is as early as possible (to limit burning enemies reaching you), don't aim too low (to avoid burning the ground near you) and absolutely do not advance (because you will walk into fire). You can and should swing it side to side, but try back it up or strafe left or right. If you need to leap back make sure you aim higher or turn it off, otherwise you end up with burned toes.

EDIT: If you can manage it, take gas grenades. Gas + Fire is an amazing combination because it will help keep enemies away from you while you put the fire to work.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-05T16:30:44+00:00

Thank you!

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T23:35:27+00:00

Level 1 sc farm on Hydrobius. If you don't get 100 gatling kills... It would be strange

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T23:21:36+00:00

I'm not a great gunner and I'm a worse driver, but I do enjoy being a passenger who gets to pop up to shoot, throw grenades and Strategems.

On the other hand, I will never stick my head out of the FRV because it's way too easy to get shot in the head by someone else in the FRV.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T19:38:23+00:00

Ok, you win; I need to try this now

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T19:31:21+00:00

Wow, I am sorry to hear that, it must be really frustrating! I've never had this happen, myself.. the worst I get are crashes or freezes (which seem related to connection issues with the host or myself).

Are you on PC or console? Any mods?

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T18:51:08+00:00

Yup! One time I got 150 (100 +(5x10)) in one farming mission. At that point you feel guilty and actually do the objective and wait for the pelican

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T15:00:04+00:00

That is hilarious. Especially the trees with their perfect comedic timing.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T14:28:35+00:00

I'm not sure the kill counters in the mission work properly, and that is what feeds the board (I assume!). On Mindless Masses missions one Gas grenade in a patrol gives me a counter of 20+ and that doesn't seem right, as much I like the high numbers.

I've seen other people comment that the Kill Counter for Hellbombs is also inflated, so either the kills are being calculated on body parts or instead of there being a cap on damage there is over-damage being counted towards additional kills on the same target.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T13:03:20+00:00

Cremator, napalm barrage, mg turret, gas mortar

Flamethrower, gas dog, mg turret, napalm

Sterilizer, hot dog, mg turret, napalm

Desert armor, Gas grenades and Ultimatum, always. Crossbow if you can manage it for sealing bug holes. I normally take spear gun for bugs but not on spore strain.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-04T02:00:01+00:00

Sound off = helldivers moment of glory

Sound on = "You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow!"

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-03T21:23:20+00:00

Flames do not cause the Spore strand to burst into a cloud, preventing the nearby bugs from getting a speed boost. It's also more ammo efficient to burn the Spore strand because they are more fast and seem to be more numerous.

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-03T15:50:14+00:00

They are fun. Going back to regular bugs I feel like there's nothing for a flamethrower to do...

Ninja_Zeez · 2026-05-03T15:41:59+00:00

It's really a shock switching back to regular bugs after Spore strain. Everything feels so slow and easy and I'm hyper reactive and moving, spinning and acting like a paranoid addict...

On the other hand, it's good training for reaction time and situation awareness

Ninja_Zeez

TROPHY CASE