The VG-70 Variable is one of the more unique primary weapons in Helldivers 2. Found in the "Control Group" Warbond, it often leaves players wondering if it's a powerful tool or a liability. As an experimental volley gun, it demands a specific playstyle to be effective. This guide breaks down how it works in practice, based on common player experiences and behaviors.
What is the VG-70 Variable, and what is its role?
The VG-70 is a prototype, seven-barreled weapon that blends the roles of a sustained-fire machine gun and a close-range burst-damage "shotgun." Its key feature is three selectable firing modes, which fundamentally change how you use it. In general, its strength lies in its potential for very high burst damage, but this comes with significant drawbacks, primarily extreme recoil and self-harm. Most players consider it a high-risk, high-reward weapon that requires careful positioning and good situational awareness.
How do the three firing modes actually work in combat?
Understanding the modes is crucial because using the wrong one at the wrong time will get you killed or leave you ineffective.
Auto Mode: This fires single rounds like a standard automatic rifle. It's your general-purpose mode for medium-range engagements against smaller enemies like Hunters and Scavengers. The recoil is manageable, but the per-shot damage is unremarkable. Most players use this mode for "walking" fire while advancing or holding a position.
Volley Mode: This fires one round from each of its seven barrels simultaneously with a single trigger pull, delivering seven hits at once. This is your primary tool for dealing with heavier, unarmored targets like Berserkers or Brood Commanders at close range. The recoil is substantial and will throw your aim off, so you need to re-center after each shot. A full magazine only holds seven volleys (49 total rounds).
All Mode (The "Delete" Button): This discharges every round left in the magazine in one massive burst. A full magazine does catastrophic damage—enough to severely hurt or even kill a Bile Titan or Charger if you hit a weak point. The catch is the recoil: it will violently ragdoll your Helldiver backwards, cause self-damage on firing, and likely cause impact damage when you land, often breaking your arms or killing you.
How do I use "All" mode without killing myself?
This is the most common question about the VG-70. There are reliable methods to mitigate the self-damage:
Go Prone: The standard and safest technique. Lying flat on your stomach before firing "All" mode will completely negate the ragdoll and self-damage. You will simply slide backwards a short distance. This is the recommended method for setting up an ambush on a heavy target.
Use it for Mobility: Some experienced players use the recoil intentionally. By jumping backwards and firing "All" mode in mid-air, you can propel yourself a great distance. This can be combined with a Jump Pack for extreme horizontal travel. However, this is risky—you must be aware of your landing spot and elevation to avoid dying on impact.
What armor and strategies work best with this gun?
Given its punishing recoil and poor ergonomics, your armor choice can significantly improve its usability.
Recoil Control: Armor with the Engineering Kit or Fortified trait reduces recoil when crouched or prone, making follow-up shots in Volley mode much easier.
Surviving the Recoil: The Servo-Assisted and Reinforced Epaulettes traits reduce or prevent arm injuries. This is very useful if you need to use Volley or "All" mode from a crouching position where going fully prone isn't safe.
Handling: The Peak Physique trait helps compensate for the weapon's low ergonomics, allowing you to aim and shoulder it slightly faster.
A critical gameplay tip: The VG-70 cannot chamber an extra round on reload. What you see in the magazine is what you have. Reloading from empty is slow, so most players try to reload while still having one volley (7 rounds) left in the chamber to avoid a lengthy downtime in a critical moment.
What are the VG-70's main drawbacks?
In practice, players have found several consistent issues:
Ammo Efficiency: It burns through ammunition very quickly, especially if you rely on Volley mode. You will often find yourself low on ammo.
Armor Penetration: It only has light armor penetration. Against enemies like Devastators or Hulks, you must be precise and aim for weak points (like heads or rear vents) to be effective.
Situational: It is not a versatile, all-rounder weapon. It excels in specific, close-to-mid-range scenarios but can feel weak against swarms of very small enemies or at long range.
Is the VG-70 Variable worth using?
For most players, the VG-70 is a niche weapon. It's not something you typically bring on higher difficulties like Helldive unless you have a specific team role or strategy in mind. However, it can be incredibly fun and powerful in the right hands. It teaches valuable lessons about positioning, trigger discipline, and target prioritization. If you enjoy mastering complex tools and landing massive, satisfying bursts of damage, it's worth practicing with. Just be prepared for the learning curve and the occasional self-inflicted demise.
For easy access to Helldivers 2 items, U4N is a solid choice: https://www.u4n.com/helldivers-2/items
