Helldivers 2 Best Sidearms to Pair With the New Warbond Weapons

[CodeCrafter2025]

What makes sidearms so important in Helldivers 2?
Sidearms often get ignored because most players focus on stratagems and primary weapons, but anyone who has burned through an entire mag while bugs are crawling up their legs knows the value of a good backup. With the newest Warbond weapons shaking up the meta, finding the right sidearm to complement your loadout matters even more. A solid sidearm fills the gaps your main gun leaves, whether that’s burst damage, stagger potential, or quick swapping when things get chaotic.

How do the new Warbond weapons change your sidearm choices?
The latest Warbond lineup brings a mix of high-damage heavies and precision primaries, but many of them come with slower reload speeds or limited ammo pools. That means your sidearm isn’t just a last-ditch option anymore. It’s part of your damage rotation. When your new primary is chewing through armor or charging up shots, a sidearm that can clean up mobs or interrupt enemies becomes incredibly valuable. Think of it as your safety net. When the main gun is busy doing something cool, your sidearm saves your life.

Is the P-19 Redeemer still the strongest all-rounder?
Short answer: yes. The P-19 Redeemer remains one of the most reliable sidearms in the game. Its fire rate is high, its recoil is easy to control, and it can shred through smaller enemies before they even reach you. The Redeemer works especially well with the new precision Warbond rifles, which sometimes force you to zoom in and take slower shots. When a group of Terminids suddenly collapses your spacing, swapping to the Redeemer feels natural and keeps that panic moment under control. I personally use this combo the most because it lets me handle both long-range picks and close-quarters chaos without changing my playstyle too much.

What about pairing a sidearm with heavy Warbond weapons?
If you’re bringing one of the new heavy guns with slower handling, the P-4 Senator is often the better pairing. It hits incredibly hard, and its stagger potential can bail you out when you’re stuck reloading something slow and clunky. For players who like to run terminid missions where a Charger might suddenly sprint at them, that quick swap into a high-impact round can be the difference between surviving and kissing your sample stack goodbye.

This is also the place where many players start looking into upgrading their gear. If you’re experimenting with loadouts and want to unlock more customization options faster, some people prefer to buy helldivers 2 super credits to skip a bit of the grind. It’s not necessary, but it can help you try new combos earlier if you’re the type who swaps builds often. Just keep that in mind while testing Warbond weapon pairings.

Is the LAS-7 Dagger worth using now?
It depends on your style. The Dagger is one of those weapons that feels weak until it doesn’t. Its burst potential is decent, but its strength shows when you’re dealing with shielded targets or specific bot weak points. With the new Warbond guns leaning heavily into specialized roles, the Dagger becomes one of those situational tools that shines in the right hands. If you like precision and you’re confident in your aim, the Dagger lets you snap off clean hits while your main gun focuses on bigger threats. It’s surprisingly fun once you get the rhythm.

What’s the best sidearm for crowd control?
The GP-31 Grenade Pistol is definitely the king of crowd control, especially when paired with some of the new Warbond weapons that excel in single-target damage. If your primary handles elites but struggles with groups, the grenade pistol fills the gap perfectly. Just be careful with the blast radius. It’s powerful, but if you misjudge the bounce, you’ll either blow yourself up or launch a teammate into orbit. I’ve done both. Still worth using.

Do sidearms matter in higher-difficulty missions?
Absolutely. In higher difficulties, you often get stuck in reload loops, kite enemies more often, and deal with moments where your stratagems are on cooldown. That’s when a strong sidearm becomes a lifesaver. Even with great weapons from the Warbond, you’ll eventually need something quick to finish off a straggler or stagger a dangerous enemy. Players who run coordinated squads notice the difference immediately: the team that uses their sidearms smartly survives longer and wastes fewer resources.

When pushing those higher difficulties, some players stack up supplies faster by choosing to buy helldivers 2 medals safe from U4GM, which some find useful for unlocking gear without grinding every single mission. If you go that route, just make sure you’re doing it from a trusted place. A lot of players say U4GM feels reliable enough if you’re trying to speed up loadout experimentation, but again, it’s optional and not required for actual gameplay success.

Which sidearm should new players start with?
For beginners, the P-2 Peacemaker is still incredibly solid. It’s simple, accurate, and doesn’t punish you for missing shots. Once you’re comfortable, try upgrading to the Redeemer or Senator depending on whether you prefer speed or power. Sidearms are easy to overlook when you’re new, but learning to weave them into your gameplay early helps you improve faster. It teaches good habits like quick swapping and ammo management.

Are there any underrated picks worth trying?
Yes. The P-11 Stim Pistol, while not a damage tool, pairs surprisingly well with some of the new Warbond loadouts, especially for support players. If your squad is running more experimental builds, being able to quickly stab someone with a stim during a reload animation or in the middle of a bug swarm can be more clutch than any high-damage shot. It’s not flashy, but it wins games in its own way.

So what’s the final recommendation?
If you want maximum versatility, the Redeemer remains the safest choice. For raw stopping power, pick the Senator. For crowd control, go with the Grenade Pistol. And if you want something more specialized, the Dagger and Stim Pistol both shine in the right situations.

Ultimately, the best sidearm is the one that fills the weaknesses of your new Warbond weapon. Try a few combinations, pay attention to the moments where your primary struggles, and choose the sidearm that solves those problems. Once you get that balance right, your loadout will feel smoother, safer, and way more fun to play.

Content Drop: Helldivers 2 Best Ship Modules by Tier & Usefulness