Helldivers 2 – VG-70 Variable Guide

The VG-70 Variable is one of the most experimental and versatile primary weapons available in Helldivers 2. With its unique seven-barrel design and three distinct firing modes—Auto, Volley, and Total—this gun offers unmatched flexibility. While it demands practice and tactical awareness, in the right hands it can swing entire fights, from mowing down infantry to cracking the armor of larger threats.

Weapon Overview

• Category: Primary (Special type)
• Damage: 85 ballistic per shot
• Penetration: Light Armor (AP2)
• Magazine Size: 49
• Spare Magazines: 7
• Recoil: 7 (notable, especially in Volley mode)
• Fire Rate Options: 300 / 550 / 750 rpm
• Firing Modes: Auto, Volley, Total
• Scope Options: 25m, 50m, 100m
• Unlock Cost: 35 Medals (Control Group Premium Warbond)

Its ammo is shared with the P-2 Peacemaker (9x20mm HP rounds), making it a familiar ballistic system but with far more tactical variety.

Firing Modes Explained

Auto

The Auto mode functions like a standard assault rifle, but with selectable rpm speeds. At 85 ballistic damage per shot, it is excellent against fodder enemies like Troopers or Voteless.

• Best Use: General-purpose engagements, suppressing light enemies.
• Strength: Reliable DPS with flexible fire rate control.
• Weakness: Doesn't hit hard enough to stagger or penetrate tougher foes.

Volley

Volley mode unleashes 7 rounds simultaneously from a single barrel, for a combined 595 damage per shot. While recoil is severe, aiming down sights and crouching/proning helps with accuracy.

• Best Use: Bursting down medium enemies, such as Alpha Commanders or Overseers.
• Strength: Excellent for weakpoint targeting.
• Weakness: High recoil and slight inaccuracy at range.

Total

This is the VG-70's signature feature. It expends the entire magazine at once, outputting up to 4,165 ballistic damage when fired from full capacity. However, this comes at a price: firing more than 22 rounds in Total mode damages your Helldiver's right arm and ragdolls you unless prone.

• Best Use: Targeting critical weak points on heavy enemies like Chargers, Hulks, or Harvesters.
• Strength: Capable of one-shotting otherwise durable threats.
• Weakness: High risk—self-damage, ragdolling, and wasted ammo if misused.

Interestingly, creative players use Total mode's recoil to perform recoil-jumps, launching themselves across the battlefield for quick escapes or mobility tricks.

If you're planning to unlock the VG-70 Variable and experiment with its devastating Total mode, make sure you've stocked up on enough medals first. Many players look for cheap Helldivers 2 medals to speed up their progress, making it easier to access powerful Warbond gear without endless grinding. A little investment upfront can save you countless hours in the long run.

Tactical Insights

• Against Illuminate: Perhaps the strongest use case for the VG-70. Auto mode handles fodder, Volley drops Overseers quickly, and Total can delete a Harvester with a single salvo.
• Mobility Trick: By combining Total fire mode with a jetpack or backwards dive, players can extend movement to escape swarms or traverse terrain.
• Ergonomics: At 25 ergonomics and with steep recoil values, handling feels clunky. Perks like Fortified, Engineering Kit, or Peak Physique are highly recommended.
• Ammo Management: With 49 rounds per mag and 7 spares, careless Total shots will burn through your loadout quickly. Reserve this mode for priority targets.

Summary

The VG-70 Variable is not a beginner-friendly weapon, but it rewards creativity and tactical precision. It thrives when used flexibly—switching between modes to adapt to the battlefield. Auto covers fodder, Volley deletes medium threats, and Total mode provides one of the most devastating burst options in Helldivers 2. For squads facing mixed enemy compositions, this gun can fill multiple roles at once, making it one of the most dynamic primaries in the game.

• VG-70 Variable = versatility: Auto (fodder), Volley (medium), Total (heavy).
• High recoil and ergonomics issues demand perk and stance management.
• Risk-reward balance: devastating damage potential but punishing misuse.
• Particularly effective versus Illuminate forces.