Summary

    • Dragon Roaches are new flying Terminid enemies on hive planets, appearing at levels 5-6, that swoop down and deliver acid attacks.
    • Involves using exosuits like Patriot or Emancipator models as protection from fire attacks while delivering heavy damage with rockets and explosives.
    • Defeat using various weapons, including explosives, energy weapons, and direct fire at their head, unlike heavily armored Illuminate enemies.

Helldivers 2 update brought in the Dragon Roach as the newest enemies with flying abilities and bone-melting acid attacks. These terminids transform hive planet combat, surprising you by swooping down from the skies and acid threats. Don’t worry though, as they are not completely unbeatable. Check here what to do to defeat the Dragon Roach in Helldivers 2. 

Where to Find Dragon Roaches

These Dragon Roaches appear exclusively in the Terminid sector on hive planets within the Gloom. They only spawn on higher difficulty missions starting around levels 5 and 6 of the game. You can instantly spot them with their distinct, horrid screech that surrounds you as they circle overhead. 

One look, and you’ll immediately know the danger they will bring to you. Also, multiple Dragon Roaches often appear at the same time. So, beware that you might fight dozens of them to secure your survival during the adventure. Dragon Roaches are likely to appear during new cave missions, where you need to destroy eggs or eliminate spore lungs.

How Do Dragon Roach Attacks

More than flying and circling overhead, these Dragon Roaches can also swoop you down to attack. It will send devastating green fire breath attacks in straight lines to cover a significant area of effect. This makes it more difficult to dodge without the proper cover or protection. 

Once they complete their initial attack, these roaches hover briefly in place above their targets. From there, they will continue to spew fire downward, making it crucial for you to keep moving around. At the same time, this is the best opportunity to counterattack as they become stationary and vulnerable.

Using Exosuits Against Dragon Roach

One of the most effective ways to eliminate the Dragon Roach is by deploying exosuits, specifically the Patriot or Emancipator models. They provide you with two advantages, which are: 

    • Protection against acid attacks
    • Enhance offensive capabilities

With its armor plating, it can absorb Dragon Roach fire breath, allowing pilots to maintain offensive pressure. So, you won’t need to constantly seek cover or healing with stims. Plus, they are valuable during underground cave missions where traditional orbital strikes and stratagems are unavailable. 

Weapons You Should Use Against Dragon Roach

Dragon Roaches require simpler weapon types compared to heavily armored Illuminate enemies. You may use energy weapons and heavy weapons to take them down during the encounters. Among the options, these are the standouts from the arsenal that perform excellently:

    • Quasar Cannon: Can take down roaches with just a few well-placed shots at their head.
    • Laser Cannon: Targets and destroys wings to easily eliminate the creature.
    • Recoilless Rifle: Explosive option with devastating damage.
    • Spear Launcher: Destroys creatures with its explosive impact. 
    • Autocannon & Missile Turrets: Excellent area denial and increases vulnerability to focused attacks. 

During Encounters 

While engaging with Dragon Roaches, it is best to focus on firing while they are hovering after an immediate breath attack. They are most vulnerable during this brief window, allowing you to persistently attack them while remaining in stationary position. Also, these roaches may appear simultaneously, which makes coordination between teams crucial.

Communicate which are your team’s primary targets and concentrate on them rather than splitting damage across several enemies. Make sure to inform your team of incoming attacks and help them seek appropriate cover.

Survival Tips

If the exosuits aren’t available, you will need to play equally aggressive maneuvers to survive. You must dive to the side during acid spray attacks, utilizing any available cover such as terrain features, structures, or deployable shields. Use stims to heal and survive any fire damage, but it is best to avoid such attacks and treatment.

Constantly watch the skies while they hover around and listen to whether there is more distinctive screeching. It is best to maintain awareness to strategize better on how you can take down the swarm of roaches.

Conclusion

Helldivers 2 latest update improved aerial threats, adding the Dragon Roach to the enemy rosters. While they are easily identifiable and vulnerable, it may still cost you your survival over their persistent acid attacks. Plus, these enemies may come all at once, making it crucial to have plans on how to counter their attacks.

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