For Helldivers looking to expand their tactical options for dealing with heavy armor and fortified objectives, the REC-6 Demolisher is a unique tool. Unlike more straightforward anti-tank weapons, it requires more planning but offers greater versatility. This guide breaks down how it works in practice, based on common player use.
What is the REC-6 Demolisher and How Do You Get It?
The REC-6 is a satchel charge, essentially a powerful explosive with a handle that you throw like a grenade. Its key feature is remote detonation; you decide when it blows up by pressing the reload button. It is part of the Demolitionist equipment kit, which is a DLC pack. Once purchased, it is available to use at any rank. Its stratagem code is Down, Left, Right, Up, Up.
How Do You Use It Effectively in Missions?
In practice, most players use the REC-6 in two main ways: as a planned anti-tank weapon or as a trap.
Against Heavy Enemies: To reliably destroy targets like Cyborg Hulks or Bug Behemoths, it's generally best to throw the charge at their feet and detonate it once it lands. Detonating it in mid-air is possible but less consistent for damage. A direct hit from a grounded charge is usually enough to take out most heavy foes. If a target like a Warlord survives the blast, it can often be finished off with a few shots from a high-damage sidearm or primary weapon.
Setting Traps: A common tactic is to throw charges in the path of an enemy patrol or at a choke point. When the enemies gather around it, you detonate remotely. This is very effective for crowd control and significantly reduces the risk of friendly fire compared to weapons with impact explosions.
For Objectives: The REC-6 can destroy Bug Nests, Illuminate Beacons, and Cyborg AA Guns without requiring a Hellbomb. For Nests, detonating the charge in mid-air directly above the hole works reliably. For AA Guns and Beacons, you need to get the charge to physically roll or land at the very base of the structure to damage it.
What Are the Key Upgrades?
The REC-6 has two upgrades purchased with Research Points:
Mk 2: Increases the number of charges per stratagem call from 3 to 5. This is almost always the first priority, as it greatly increases your available firepower per cooldown.
Mk 3: Increases the anti-personnel blast radius with tungsten fragments. This is useful for clearing groups of lighter enemies but is often considered secondary to carrying more charges.
What Should Players Be Aware Of When Using It?
There are several mechanical details that affect how you use the Demolisher:
One Detonator, All Charges: When you call down a REC-6 pod, you get a batch of charges and a single detonator. All charges from that batch are linked. Pressing reload detonates every placed charge from that batch at once. You cannot selectively blow up one at a time.
Cooldown and Limits: The stratagem has a 180-second cooldown. A player can only carry one batch at a time. If you call down a new pod and pick it up, it replaces your old batch and detonator.
Permanence and Bugs: Once thrown, a charge cannot be picked up again. Also, be aware of a known bug: if too many charges are on the ground, sometimes pressing reload will fail to detonate some of them, leaving them as inert objects.
Strategic Trade-offs vs. EAT-17: Most players compare the REC-6 to the disposable EAT-17 recoilless rifle.
The REC-6 offers more charges (up to 5) per use for one player, while an EAT-17 drop gives two launchers that can be shared by two divers.
The REC-6 has a longer cooldown (180s vs. 120s).
The REC-6 is better for traps, hitting enemies behind cover, and safer team play due to remote detonation. The EAT-17 is better for quick, reactive shots against sudden heavy enemy appearances.
Can You Use the Pod Itself as a Weapon?
Yes. Like all stratagem hellpods, the pod that delivers the REC-6 charges can crush enemies it lands on. A well-timed call-in can destroy heavy units. While theoretically possible to destroy objectives like AA Guns by dropping the pod on them, this is very difficult and unreliable, so it's not a recommended tactic.
Any Other Useful Tips?
A useful trick involves the Resupply Pack. If you have the pack and your REC-6 ammo counter shows "0" (meaning you've thrown all your charges from the current batch), interacting with the resupply pack will give you a fresh batch of charges. This works even if your other weapons are fully loaded, effectively allowing you to bypass the cooldown if you have a steady supply of ammo packs.
In summary, the REC-6 Demolisher is a strategic tool that rewards foresight. It is less about instant reaction and more about area denial, trap-setting, and planned demolition. It fits well into teams that coordinate their load-outs and communicate about upcoming threats.
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