The new “Commando Python” Battle Pass in Helldivers 2 has given players long-awaited weapons for the Helldiver’s arsenal. Among the new items are a knockback-reducing armor set, a belt-fed minigun paired with an ammo pack, and a flamethrower-equipped drone. However, perhaps the most eye-catching weapon is the Defoliation Cannon (read: chainsaw).
While far from the Warhammer 40,000 chainsword fans dreamed of, the Defoliation Cannon still packs a serious punch. It’s a very niche utility weapon, perfect for those Hell Marines mad enough to wield it. In this guide, we’ll explore how this weapon works, which factions it’s most effective against, and offer a loadout to complement this brutal tool in the fight for democracy.
How to Use the Defoliation Tool Effectively
The Defoliation Cannon can be found on the second page of the Commando Python Battle Pass. While most other melee weapons in the game occupy the secondary weapon slot, the Defoliation Cannon, like the Super Earth Flag, is a melee Stratagem weapon and occupies the secondary weapon slot .
The Super-Earth Flag has long been more of a meme choice, but is the Defoliation Cannon any different? It definitely has its advantages. Its attacks have standard medium armor penetration, which can quickly increase to heavy armor penetration if you target a single enemy for a short period of time. This allows for serious damage in close combat.
The Defoliation Cannon can also destroy supply crates, giving it a bit more utility.
The main problem is that the Defoliation Cannon doesn’t deal well with groups of enemies . It seems ideal for mowing down hordes of Terminid Scavengers, but since it typically only kills one enemy at a time, you can quickly become surrounded and overwhelmed.
Therefore, quick strikes and constant movement are crucial. You can’t simply charge into a horde of bugs and expect to emerge unscathed. Instead, you should bring other tools to mitigate the threat . Stun grenades or a gas attack dog can be crucial to your survival while you dispatch enemies.
The Defoliation Cannon can be a strong option against single targets—even some heavy enemies like the Impaler, Goliath, or Reaper can be stunned and held while you “saw” them (if you catch them off guard and manage to land a few initial hits). However, if their allies are nearby, you simply won’t have a chance to finish the job.
Resist the urge to cut everything down, as you can easily be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Instead, use it selectively—to deal with Illuminati Overseers or Flesh Hordes, as well as Berserkers or Automaton Ravagers when they get too close.
- Against Automatons : Due to this faction’s emphasis on long-range weapons, the Defoliation Cannon rarely gets a chance to shine. It can dispatch Berserkers and Ravagers in one hit, stun and hold a Goliath if you land a few early hits, and is also capable of destroying bot fabricators. However, given the constant barrage, this saw must be used with extreme caution.
- Against the Illuminati : Surprisingly, it’s a pretty good option, though not in the way you might expect. The Defoliation Cannon is terrible against hordes of Voiceless. They’ll quickly surround you, forcing you to constantly move and making you wish you had a different weapon. Instead, save the Saw for Flesh Hordes and Scepter-wielding Overseers—they fall apart very quickly. It also destroys Warpship generators. If you really want to engage the Voiceless in close combat, the CQC-2 Sabre is a much better option.
- Against Terminids : Unfortunately, this is not the best choice here.
- Against Terminids : Unfortunately, this isn’t the best choice here. The Defoliation Cannon has a short cooldown, which is only slightly longer than the time it takes almost any Terminid to attack. The Chainsaw doesn’t deal well with large groups, so it’s only effective against single targets, which is a rare occurrence against Terminids. It’s decent against the Impaler or Alpha Commander in a pinch, but it’s too dangerous to use against most other units.
Example of equipment collection for the Defoliation Cannon
Using the Defoliation Cannon requires you to get up close and personal with your enemies and tear them apart, exposing yourself to immense mortal danger—not only from the enemy but also from potential friendly fire. You’ll need gear that complements the chainsaw’s unique niche.
| Passive armor |
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|---|---|
| Primary weapon |
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| Secondary weapons |
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| Grenade |
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| Stratagem 1 |
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| Stratagem 2 |
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| Stratagem 3 |
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| Stratagem 4 |
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Is the Defoliation Weapon stratagem worth taking?
It’s a fun tool that can be effective in the right hands, but it’s never going to match the effectiveness of the vast majority of other secondary weapons (though it’s at least superior to the Sterilizer). You can perform some fun and impressive feats with it. For example, it can destroy a Spore Spewer in about eight seconds. You can even engage an Automaton Goliath in hand-to-hand combat if you approach it from the right angle. It can also destroy Bot Fabricators and Illuminati Warpships!
However, as a secondary weapon, it leaves much to be desired. It struggles against groups of enemies , and while it can be effective against some heavy units, it requires isolating them, which is extremely rare on higher difficulties. The Defoliation Cannon throws you into the thick of Super-Earth’s most powerful enemies. While it embodies a certain power fantasy, its use is extremely reckless and offers little advantage over ranged secondary weapons. On lower difficulties, it can shine , but once you get past level 6, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage using this (undoubtedly very powerful) weapon.
