How to Use the SG-451 Cookout Effectively in Helldivers 2

The SG-451 Cookout is one of Helldivers 2's more distinctive shotguns. Classified as a Primary Weapon, it fires incendiary buckshot that sets enemies ablaze while still delivering the stagger and spread you'd expect from a heavy shotgun. It's designed less for raw burst damage and more for sustained area control, rewarding players who like to manage waves of smaller enemies with status effects rather than sheer firepower.

Weapon Overview

• Category: Primary Weapon – Shotgun
• Damage: 320 ballistic per shot (pellets split into 20)
• Capacity: 16 rounds (dual eight-round tubes, reloads one shell at a time)
• Recoil: 100
• Fire Rate: 80 rpm
• DPS: ~426
• Ammo Economy: 60 spare shells, with generous supply box refills
• Traits: Light Armor Penetration • Rounds Reload • Incendiary

Unlocked from the Freedom's Flame Premium Warbond (Page 1) for 20 Medals, the Cookout is accessible fairly early for players who invest in the Warbond track.

Special Mechanics

The Cookout differs from most other shotguns in two key ways:

1. Incendiary Pellets – Even one pellet will ignite enemies, applying burn damage for three seconds. Smaller enemies can die outright from this afterburn.
2. Rounds Reload Trait – Reloading is never wasteful. You only ever add shells into the tubes, meaning efficiency is guaranteed. At exactly 8 rounds loaded, reloading will even squeeze in a 17th round.

This makes the weapon highly sustainable in prolonged fights.

Tactical Role

The SG-451 Cookout excels as a crowd-control shotgun rather than a heavy hitter. Here's how it plays:

Strengths:

• Sets groups of small enemies ablaze, effectively softening waves before they close in.
• Can stagger targets, unlike the Breaker Incendiary, adding survivability when facing aggressive foes.
• Ammo-efficient due to the Rounds Reload system.
• Great synergy in squads where others focus on armored or high-health targets.

Weaknesses:

• Poor weak point damage — fire damage applies only to the body, ignoring limbs or critical zones.
• Less effective against high-HP single enemies or armored bosses.
• Burns don't stack indefinitely, so repeated shots on the same enemy aren't efficient.

When it comes to unlocking weapons like the SG-451 Cookout, having enough medals is key, and many players often ask where to get them quickly and reliably. For those looking to speed up progression, the Best place to buy helldivers 2 medals is usually a trusted marketplace where safe transactions and fast delivery ensure you're never stuck waiting to gear up.

Best Use Cases

Ideal Enemies: Scavengers, Shriekers, Voteless, and other low-health mobs that burn quickly.

Tactics:

• Spread pellets across multiple targets, then retreat and let fire damage tick away.
• Keep enemies ignited with the minimum number of shells.
• Rely on stagger when dealing with tougher foes but switch to a secondary or stratagem for armored enemies.

Attachments

While the Cookout doesn't offer advanced scopes, players can unlock optics like Reflex, Holographic, and 1.5x Tube Red Dot at various levels. These attachments don't alter damage but improve ergonomics and aiming comfort, depending on personal preference.

Summary

The SG-451 Cookout is best understood as a wave-management tool rather than a boss killer. Its incendiary effect makes it one of the most satisfying shotguns for holding choke points and thinning enemy groups before they overwhelm you. If you're the type of Helldiver who enjoys tactical spacing and status damage, this shotgun rewards patience and positioning. But if you prefer raw burst power against armored elites, the Punisher or Breaker variants will serve you better.

The SG-451 Cookout is an incendiary shotgun designed for burning down hordes of small enemies. With high ammo efficiency, strong crowd control, and reliable stagger, it thrives in defensive playstyles. However, it falls short in single-target DPS and weak-point exploitation, making it less suited for boss fights or armor-heavy engagements.