Helldivers 2: All Melee Weapons Ranked

Here we rank the Helldivers 2 melee weapons range from the Stun Baton to the One True Flag, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and use cases.

Melee weapons in Helldivers 2 are primarily used as secondary weapons to cut through enemies who get too close. With the Peak Physique armor bonus, a shield, and a one-handed primary weapon, melee weapons can become part of an effective build against the Terminids and Illuminate. Here are the best melee weapons in Helldivers 2 to use in your loadouts.

Helldivers 2 Melee Weapons Ranked

5) Stun Baton

Damage: 50
Penetration: Medium
Attack Speed: 150
Effect: Stun

The CQC-30 Stun Baton is a fast-attacking weapon unlocked from the Superstore for 200 SC (Super Credits). Although it doesn’t deal high damage, its medium armor penetration and rate of attack make it formidable against smaller targets. Its main strength, of course, is the stun effect, which stops pursuing enemies in their tracks. However, the weapon’s short range limits its effectiveness, letting enemies easily launch attacks at the user during close-quarters engagements.

4) Entrenchment Tool

Damage: 110
Penetration: Medium
Attack Speed: 150
Effect: Digging Holes

The Entrenchment Tool, or shovel, is a support weapon only found during missions in minor points of interest, like bunkers and destroyed houses. Its main use is to dig craters in the ground to entrench the user or their turrets, primarily against the Automatons. The shovel also deals high damage with fast attacks, but since it takes up a support weapon slot, its usefulness is fairly limited.

3) One True Flag

Damage: 110
Penetration: Medium
Attack Speed: 117
Effect: Stun

The One True Flag is a support weapon stratagem obtained through the Masters of Ceremony Warbond. The flag acts as a spear, allowing the user to skewer enemies at a decent range, making it easier to aim for weak points. The weapon’s stun effect makes the target helpless to follow-up attacks.

The flag has a few non-combat features for optics and to raise squad morale. It can be planted by dropping the weapon and waved by using the inspect button. Although the One True Flag is a good melee weapon, it doesn’t have any outstanding combat potential that can justify using a stratagem and support weapon slot for it.

2) Combat Hatchet / Machete / Saber

Damage: 110
Penetration: Medium
Attack Speed: 150

The Combat Hatchet, Machete, and Saber are effectively the same weapon, as they feature the same stats. The Combat Hatchet and Machete are purchasable from the Superstore for 200 SC, while the Masters of Ceremony Warbond offers the Saber. All weapons deal heavy damage and have a quick attack rate, making them the deadliest weapons for a melee-focused build. Their main weakness is short range, which leaves the user open to attack.

1) Stun Lance

Stun Lance in Urban Legends Warbond (Image via PlayStation)

Damage: 110
Penetration: Medium
Attack Speed: 117
Effect: Stun, Knockback

The CQC-19 Stun Lance is unlocked through the Urban Legends Warbond. It combines high damage with decent attack speed and matches the stats of One True Flag. The weapon’s range, stun, and knockback make it ideal as a tool to create distance with approaching melee enemies. The Stun Lance is especially effective against the Terminids, stunning and easily dispatching Stalkers, which most loadouts struggle against. It can even kill a Charger quickly by targeting an exposed leg or its rear with Peak Physique equipped.

The CQC-19 Stun Lance is the best melee weapon because its features allow it to become an integral part of a practical build rather than being used only as a meme weapon. For example, using a Crossbow and Ballistic Shield with the Stun Lance can be part of a viable build against the Terminids and the Automatons.