In Helldivers 2, choosing the right weapon can drastically change how you handle missions. One weapon that often sparks debate among players is the Pacifier, also known as the AR-32. While technically an assault rifle, most players find its role very different from standard high-damage rifles. Here’s a practical breakdown of what the Pacifier does, how to use it effectively, and when it fits into a squad loadout.

What is the Pacifier Meant For?

The Pacifier is not designed as a main assault weapon. Its damage per shot is relatively low, and it is not ammo-efficient against medium or heavy targets. Most players use it not to kill, but to stun enemies, which can significantly affect the flow of combat.

The stun mechanic works on all non-vehicle and non-superheavy enemies. Each successful hit briefly stuns the target, usually lasting only a few seconds. Thanks to the Pacifier’s high rate of fire and low recoil, it can continuously keep single targets or entire groups of weak enemies locked down.

The ideal targets are chaff units like Hunters, Voteless, or Terminid fodder. Heavier targets, such as Chargers and Hulks, can be stunned as well, but require targeting their unarmored weak points. In general, experienced players treat the Pacifier as a support tool rather than a primary weapon, pairing it with sentries, teammates, or area-of-effect stratagems for maximum effectiveness.

How to Use the Pacifier in Gameplay

Crowd Control

The Pacifier excels at controlling crowds. Its medium armor penetration allows it to affect all types of chaff enemies without needing precise weak-point shots. Compared to weapons like the SG-20 Halt, you don’t need to aim at specific spots to disable enemies, making it more reliable at mid-range.

Most players notice that medium enemies are stunned within three to five shots, while heavier units require several more. Once stunned, enemies pause their actions for around three seconds, plus an additional second to recover. This is particularly useful when engaging patrols of automaton Troopers or other unarmored fodder, as the stun reduces the chance of them calling for backup.

Pairing With Other Weapons

The Pacifier works best when paired with a secondary, combat-oriented weapon. While it can disable enemies, it doesn’t deal enough damage to finish fights efficiently against medium or heavy targets. Combining it with a high-damage rifle, shotgun, or heavy weapon ensures you can capitalize on the stuns it provides.

Targeting Strategy

When using the Pacifier, consider the type of enemy you are engaging:

For weak units, shoot freely since stuns occur quickly.

For medium targets, aim for exposed areas to build stun faster and follow up with a secondary weapon.

For heavy units, carefully target weak points and time your shots, as stuns last briefly.

Effectively using the Pacifier often means controlling the battlefield, preventing reinforcements, and setting up teammates for critical kills.

Attachments and Modifications

The Pacifier can be customized with optics and underbarrel attachments, which slightly affect ergonomics and usability. Most players find the default Reflex Sight sufficient. Higher-level optics, like the 4x Combat Scope, reduce ergonomics and can make rapid-fire control more difficult.

In general, the Pacifier does not benefit much from muzzle or underbarrel attachments. Its low recoil and high rate of fire make it naturally manageable, so focusing on optics is usually the most practical choice.

Practical Tips from Experienced Players

Use as a Support Weapon: Focus on crowd control and stunlocking enemies, not on kills.

Manage Ammo: Low damage per shot means heavy ammo consumption against tougher enemies, so use sparingly or combine with ammo recovery stratagems.

Pair With Team Play: Coordinating stuns with sentries or area-of-effect attacks maximizes its utility.

Long-Range Stuns: Unlike some other stun weapons, the Pacifier can reliably affect enemies at mid-range, giving you more tactical flexibility.

Electroshock Rounds: The AR-32 fires special rounds that deliver electric shocks on impact. Although intended as less-than-lethal munitions, these rounds can still penetrate armor, providing a versatile stun option without instantly killing enemies.

Players who want to accelerate progression can also buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits online to unlock attachments and weapons faster, though most will earn these items naturally through gameplay.

Trivia and Weapon Background

The Pacifier is a hybrid design inspired by the Kel-Tec PLR-16 and AK-74. It combines the profile of the PLR-16 with AK-style components, including the bolt, dust cover, magazine, and gas block. Its electroshock rounds suggest a specialized non-lethal ammunition design, though in-game these rounds can pierce armor in ways real-world equivalents cannot.

This combination of traits makes the Pacifier unique and situational. Most players find it rewarding once they adapt to its strengths and limitations, particularly for crowd control and tactical support roles.

The Pacifier in Helldivers 2 is a utility-focused weapon, designed for stuns and battlefield control rather than raw damage. Understanding its mechanics, pairing it with complementary weapons, and managing ammo are key to using it effectively. Experienced players generally treat it as a secondary or support weapon, reserving high-damage tools for finishing enemies.

When integrated into coordinated squad strategies, the Pacifier can turn overwhelming encounters into manageable fights, allowing you to control the battlefield more effectively than standard assault rifles alone.