Helldivers 2: Guard Dog vs Rover, explained

While upgrading your arsenal in Helldivers 2, you may have noticed the two variations of the Guard Dog. Before spending those hard-earned resources, it’s nice to know where your winnings are best placed. Here are the differences between the Guard Dog and Rover variant in Helldivers 2.

Core differences

The original Guard Dog is a backpack with a deployable drone with a Liberator strapped to the bottom of it. However, the slightly more expensive and later-level Rover has a Laser. These are the only differences, but they make a huge difference on the field.

While the Guard Dog in Helldivers 2 may cause less friendly fire, this is only due to its constant need to reload. The Laser on the Rover seems to have almost limitless ammo and can burn bugs for hours. Its endlessly sweeping laser is going to end up cooking your pals once or twice. But it’s all in the name of liberty.

If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that the Guard Dog does more damage in the short term than the Rover in Helldivers 2. However, that’s hampered by its short fire rate and endless need to perform long reloads. I found I could duck, dive, and dodge, and all the while, my Rover had sustained pressure on the enemies.

Is the Rover or Guard Dog better?

If you want my two cents, I wouldn’t bother with the Liberator version of the Guard Dog and just grab the Rover Helldivers 2 variant. It has slightly less damage overall, but the sustained fire and lack of need to reload makes it OP.

The only problem with it, I have found, is its excitement to engage, just like a real guard dog. When I am playing on the higher levels, it is often better to avoid engaging patrols. However, the Rover has no chill and will hound after them.

Both of these can cause a lot of friendly fire, too. I have found that the best way to avoid this is to ensure that you don’t have any Helldivers between you and that backpack-mounted dog. The laser doesn’t care who is in the way. It’s out there to cook.