Helldivers 2 – LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle Guide

The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is one of the most unique energy-based primaries in Helldivers 2. On the surface, it plays like a high-fire-rate assault rifle powered by laser pulses, but the twist is its defining trait: the longer you fire, the more the weapon punishes you. Unlike other LAS weapons, the Double-Edge doesn't overheat in the traditional sense—its heat is vented directly into the user. That makes it both incredibly powerful and dangerously risky.

Weapon Characteristics

• Category: Primary Weapon (Energy-Based)
• Fire Rate: 700 rpm
• Heat Limit: 15s before maximum (fires indefinitely)
• Damage per Shot: 55–70 (depending on heat stage)
• Penetration: Light → Medium → Heavy (scales with heat)
• Firing Modes: Fully automatic
• Scope Options: 25m, 50m, 100m
• Procurement: Unlocked in the Servants of Freedom Warbond (Page 1) for 35 Medals

Heat Stages and Self-Damage

The Double-Edge Sickle is all about managing heat thresholds. Each stage alters both damage output and how much harm you take in return:

1. 0–25% Heat – 55 damage, light armor penetration. Safe zone: no self-damage.
2. 26–50% Heat – 55 damage, medium penetration. Costs 10 heat damage/sec.
3. 51–90% Heat – 70 damage, medium penetration. Costs 20 heat damage/sec.
4. 91%+ Heat – 70 damage, heavy penetration. User is set on fire, 50 heat damage/sec. Lethal without mitigation.

This escalating risk-reward curve is what makes the weapon “double-edged”—its peak performance can burn you alive if you're not careful.

For players who enjoy walking the fine line between maximum DPS and self-destruction, the LAS-17 perfectly embodies that risk-reward playstyle. It's a weapon that demands planning, patience, and a bit of daring to truly shine. If you're looking to push your build further, you can always buy Helldivers 2 items to complement the Double-Edge Sickle and keep your squad alive longer.

Mitigation Strategies

To use the Double-Edge Sickle effectively, you need to plan for survivability:

• Armor & Traits: Inflammable reduces burn damage to 25%, while Acclimated halves burn effects. Together, they let you survive longer at mid-high heat.
• Boosters: Vitality Enhancement lowers all damage ticks, stacking with Inflammable for significant survivability.

Tactics:

• Burst fire to stay under 51% heat for consistent DPS without lethal self-burn.
• Going prone at 91%+ heat prevents ignition, buying time in desperate situations.
• Keep stims ready—especially when running Experimental Infusion or Med-Kit passives.

Team Support: A squadmate with a P-11 Stim Pistol can sustain a Sickle user who insists on running hot.

Tactical Role

The LAS-17 excels in suppressive fire and armor penetration versatility. Unlike ballistic primaries, it scales with heat into a true anti-armor weapon, capable of cutting through heavy Automatons when pushed to its limits. However, its long cooldown after extended use makes it clunky in drawn-out firefights unless you carefully reset its heat cycle.

The obscured vision at high heat (sparks and flames flying back into your field of view) also means the Sickle is best used in third-person rather than ADS during long bursts.

Summary

The LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is not for the faint of heart. It rewards calculated aggression, punishing reckless spray-and-pray with self-immolation. In skilled hands, it's a weapon that can tear through any armor type and sustain infinite firepower—but only if you manage the balance between output and survival. If you're the kind of Helldiver who thrives on risk and micromanagement, the Double-Edge Sickle can become one of the most devastating primaries in the game.

• Infinite firing potential, but heat directly damages the user.
• Damage and penetration scale with heat stages (up to Heavy AP).
• Mitigation via Inflammable, Vitality Enhancement, and stims is key.
• Ideal for aggressive players willing to juggle DPS against personal risk.