Explosive Showdown: R-36 Eruptor vs. CB-9 Crossbow—Which Packs the Biggest Punch?

Few things are more satisfying in Helldivers 2’s chaotic, bug-squashing, bot-blasting universe than unleashing explosive firepower on hordes of adversaries. The R-36 Eruptor and the CB-9 Exploding Crossbow are two notable primary weapons that exemplify this excitement and were introduced by the Democratic Detonation Warbond. Although they serve distinct playstyles and tactical requirements, both are explosive powerhouses. Which one should be included in your loadout, then? To find out which weapon really has the most punch, let’s compare them in-depth, analysing their stats, advantages, disadvantages, and best-case scenarios.

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The Contenders: A Quick Overview

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s meet our explosive duo:

• R-36 Eruptor: A bolt-action rifle that fires jet-assisted shells, delivering a devastating combo of impact, explosion, and shrapnel damage. Think of it as a mini-autocannon that can wipe out patrols and destroy objectives from a distance. It’s unlocked on the second page of the Democratic Detonation Warbond for 60 Medals.
• CB-9 Exploding Crossbow: A repeating crossbow that shoots explosive-tipped bolts with a stealthy, low sound signature. It’s a versatile weapon for guerrilla warfare, excelling at clearing clusters of light enemies and staggering tougher foes. You’ll find it on the third page of the same Warbond for 80 Medals.
• Both weapons are designed for explosive mayhem, but their handling, damage profiles, and utility differ significantly. Let’s break it down step by step.

Stats and Mechanics: The Numbers Game

To understand their strengths, let’s look at the core stats and mechanics of each weapon:

R-36 Eruptor

• Damage: 380 per shot, with additional shrapnel damage (exact values vary based on enemy type and hit location).
• Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds, with 6 spare magazines (total 35 rounds).
• Fire Rate: Very slow due to its bolt-action mechanism, requiring manual cycling between shots.
• Range: Effective up to 180 meters, where rounds detonate automatically. Projectile drop-off starts around 150 meters.
• Armor Penetration: Capable of penetrating heavy armor, a rare trait for a primary weapon.
• Area of Effect (AoE): Large explosive blast with shrapnel that spreads in a cone, excelling at crowd control.
• Traits: Two-handed, high recoil, and dangerous at close range due to shrapnel ricochet risks.

The Eruptor is a high-risk, high-reward weapon. Its slow fire rate and limited ammo make every shot count, but its ability to deal three types of damage (impact, explosion, shrapnel) makes it lethal against both single targets and groups.

CB-9 Exploding Crossbow

• Damage: 420 per shot, potentially split between direct and explosive AoE damage.
• Magazine Capacity: 5 bolts, with a total of 60 shots (12 spare magazines).
• Fire Rate: Faster than the Eruptor, firing all 5 bolts without reloading animations.
• Range: Short to medium range, with significant projectile drop-off due to gravity.
• Armor Penetration: Lacks medium armor penetration, limiting its effectiveness against armored targets.
• Area of Effect (AoE): Moderate AoE with a 9-meter radius, effective for clearing light enemies.
• Traits: One-handed, low sound signature (alerts enemies only within 10 meters), and nimble handling.

The Crossbow trades raw power for speed and stealth. Its one-handed trait allows you to move or carry objects while firing, and its silent bolts make it ideal for sneaky plays. However, its lack of armor penetration and projectile arc require practice to master.

Tactical Advantages: Where Each Shines

Both weapons are explosive, but their strengths lie in different scenarios. Let’s explore their tactical advantages.

R-36 Eruptor: The Long-Range Devastator

The Eruptor is a sniper’s dream, designed for players who like to keep enemies at a distance. Its key strengths include:

• Crowd Control: The large AoE and shrapnel make it a patrol-killer. A single shot can wipe out groups of light enemies like Pouncers, Scavengers, or Raiders. Shooting the ground near a Bug Breach can rack up multiple kills.
• Objective Destruction: The Eruptor can destroy Bug Holes, Bot Fabricators, and light objectives like illegal broadcast towers with one shot. This makes it a utility powerhouse, freeing up your grenade slots for crowd control.
• Heavy Armor Penetration: After a buff, the Eruptor can penetrate heavy armor, allowing it to tackle tough enemies like Bile Titans (with shots to the unarmored underside) or Hulks (with precision visor shots).
• Long-Range Precision: With a 200-meter zoom and effective range up to 180 meters, the Eruptor excels at sniping spawners from safety. You can clear a Bug Nest by circling the perimeter and shooting holes without stepping inside.

The Eruptor’s shrapnel is both a blessing and a curse. It can shred nearby enemies but also poses a risk to you and your teammates, especially at close range. Pair it with a fast-firing secondary or support weapon like the Stalwart to handle swarms that get too close.

CB-9 Exploding Crossbow: The Stealthy Run-and-Gun

The Crossbow is for players who thrive in dynamic, close-to-mid-range combat. Its strengths include:

• Stealth Applications: The low sound signature means enemies beyond 10 meters won’t immediately pinpoint your location. This makes it great for luring enemies into traps or distracting them without breaking stealth.
• High Fire Rate: The Crossbow can fire all 5 bolts rapidly, making it better for sustained engagements than the Eruptor’s slow cycling.
• Crowd Clearing: Its 9-meter AoE is perfect for wiping out clusters of light enemies like Warriors, Hunters, or grouped troopers. It’s essentially an Impact Grenade launcher with better ammo economy.
• One-Handed Mobility: The ability to fire while moving or holding objects gives the Crossbow unmatched flexibility. You can bombard enemies while retreating or carrying a sample.
• Stagger Potential: The explosion staggers light and medium enemies, giving you breathing room against Hive Guards or Devastators.

The Crossbow’s ammo pool (60 shots) is generous, allowing you to spam bolts in chaotic fights. However, its inability to destroy Bug Holes or Fabricators limits its utility compared to the Eruptor.

Weaknesses: Where They Fall Short

No weapon is perfect, and both the Eruptor and Crossbow have their drawbacks.

R-36 Eruptor Weaknesses

• Slow Fire Rate: The bolt-action mechanism makes it cumbersome in close quarters or against fast-moving enemies like Hunters.
• Friendly Fire Risk: Shrapnel can kill teammates or yourself, especially if you fire at close range. Always keep enemies at least 20 meters away.
• Limited Ammo: With only 35 rounds, you’ll need to be conservative or rely on resupply.
• Handling: High recoil and sluggish reloads make it less forgiving in heated situations.

The Eruptor’s learning curve is steep. You need to master its range, account for projectile drop, and avoid close-range engagements to maximize its potential.

CB-9 Exploding Crossbow Weaknesses

• No Armor Penetration: The Crossbow struggles against medium and heavy armor, requiring multiple shots to down enemies like Devastators or Hive Guards.
• Projectile Arc: The bolts’ slow travel speed and heavy gravity drop make long-range shots tricky. You’ll need practice to hit moving targets.
• Limited Utility: It can’t destroy Bug Holes, Fabricators, or containers, reducing its objective-clearing potential.
• Precision Issues: The red dot sight is larger than the bolt, leading to missed shots if you rely on it. Third-person aiming is more accurate.

The Crossbow’s niche is clearing chaff and staggering enemies, but it’s less effective against armored targets or objectives, making it reliant on your team or support weapons.

Head-to-Head: Key Comparisons

Let’s pit the Eruptor and Crossbow against each other in critical categories to see which comes out on top.

Damage and Armor Penetration

• Eruptor: Deals 380 damage with heavy armor penetration, plus shrapnel for bonus AoE damage. It can one-shot medium enemies like Hive Guards (two shots to the body or one ground shot) and even tackle heavy armor with precise shots.
• Crossbow: Deals 420 damage but lacks medium armor penetration, making it less effective against armored enemies. It requires three headshots or two body shots for a Hive Guard and struggles against heavier targets.

Winner: Eruptor. Its armor penetration and shrapnel give it a clear edge against tougher enemies and objectives.

Fire Rate and Handling

• Eruptor: Painfully slow fire rate and clunky handling due to bolt-action cycling and high recoil. It’s not suited for run-and-gun playstyles.
• Crossbow: Faster fire rate, quick reloads, and one-handed operation make it nimble and responsive. It’s easier to use on the move.

Winner: Crossbow. Its speed and mobility make it more forgiving in dynamic fights.

Crowd Control

• Eruptor: Large AoE and shrapnel make it a beast for clearing patrols and swarms. A single shot can kill multiple light enemies or wipe out a Bug Breach.
• Crossbow: Smaller AoE but still effective for clearing chaff. Its higher fire rate allows for rapid follow-up shots to handle larger groups.

Winner: Eruptor. Its wider AoE and shrapnel give it superior area denial, though the Crossbow is better for sustained crowd-clearing.

Utility and Objectives

• Eruptor: Can destroy Bug Holes, Fabricators, and light objectives, making it a versatile tool for mission progression.
• Crossbow: Limited to enemy-killing and staggering, with no ability to destroy spawners or containers.

Winner: Eruptor. Its objective-clearing power is a game-changer.

Stealth and Mobility

• Eruptor: Loud and two-handed, it’s not built for stealth or mobility. You’re a sitting duck if enemies close the gap.
• Crossbow: Silent bolts and one-handed operation make it ideal for stealthy plays and mobile combat.

Winner: Crossbow. It’s the go-to for guerrilla tactics and hit-and-run strategies.

Playstyle Fit: Which Suits You?

Your choice between the Eruptor and Crossbow depends on how you play Helldivers 2. Here’s a breakdown of their ideal playstyles:

• Choose the R-36 Eruptor if:

• You prefer long-range engagements and sniping spawners from safety.
• You want a weapon that can destroy objectives, reducing reliance on grenades or stratagems.
• You’re comfortable with a slower, methodical playstyle and can manage ammo carefully.
• You’re fighting Terminids or Automatons and need to tackle medium-to-heavy enemies.
• Recommended Loadout: Pair with a Stalwart or Arc Thrower for close-range defense and a grenade pistol for quick crowd control.

• Choose the CB-9 Exploding Crossbow if:

• You enjoy close-to-mid-range combat and want a weapon that feels nimble.
• Stealth and mobility are key to your strategy, like distracting enemies or kiting patrols.
• You focus on clearing light enemies and staggering tougher ones while relying on teammates for objectives.
• You’re fighting swarms of light enemies and need a fast-firing explosive option.
• Recommended Loadout: Pair with a LAS-7 Dagger or Grenade Pistol for close-range threats and a support weapon like the Laser Cannon for armored enemies.

Community Buzz: What Players Are Saying

The Helldivers 2 community has been vocal about both weapons, with debates raging on Reddit and Steam. Here’s a snapshot of player sentiment:

• Eruptor: Praised for its raw power and utility, many call it a “mini-autocannon” that can carry missions. However, some players find its slow fire rate and shrapnel risks frustrating, especially after nerfs removed its original shrapnel potency. Recent buffs restoring shrapnel have rekindled love for it, though it’s still divisive for close-quarters play.
• Crossbow: Initially criticized for its lack of armor penetration and utility, the Crossbow gained traction after buffs increased its damage and AoE. Players love its speed and stealth but lament its inability to destroy objectives, often comparing it unfavorably to the Eruptor for high-difficulty missions.

The consensus? The Eruptor is the stronger all-rounder for high-difficulty missions (levels 7-9), while the Crossbow shines in lower-difficulty, fast-paced scenarios.

The Verdict: Which Packs the Biggest Punch?

The CB-9 Exploding Crossbow, however, is not far behind. For players who value mobility and guerilla tactics, its speed, stealth, and crowd-clearing potential make it an excellent option. The Crossbow’s agile handling and ample ammo pool may be more appropriate for you if you’re playing on easier settings or prefer a more forgiving weapon.

The “best” weapon ultimately depends on your style of play and the makeup of your team. The Eruptor is your choice if you’re a lone sniper holding the line. The Crossbow is your go-to companion when navigating through bot patrols or bug swarms. Why not give them both a try and see which one makes you feel like the best Helldiver?

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