What is the AR-32 Pacifier Used For?

The AR-32 Pacifier is not meant to replace heavy assault rifles or dedicated damage-dealing weapons. Most players use it as a utility tool, primarily for controlling crowds and interrupting enemy actions. Its key function is stunning enemies: it can temporarily immobilize most non-vehicle or non-superheavy targets. While the stun only lasts a few seconds, its high rate of fire and low recoil make it effective for chaining stuns across multiple enemies.

In practice, the Pacifier works best when combined with teammates, turrets, or area-of-effect stratagems. Stun-locking enemies prevents them from attacking or calling reinforcements, giving your team a tactical advantage. However, players should note that the AR-32’s damage output is relatively low, so it is inefficient as a primary weapon for heavy or elite targets.

How Do Attachments Affect the AR-32?

The AR-32 comes with several optics and attachments, though most do not significantly alter its core function. Here’s what players usually encounter:

Optics

Reflex Sight (default) – No stat changes; reliable for short-to-medium ranges.

Reflex Sight Mk2 (level 4) – Same performance as the default.

Holographic Sight (level 9) – No changes to ergonomics or recoil.

2x Tube Red Dot (level 19) – Slight decrease in ergonomics (-3).

4x Combat Scope (level 23) – More pronounced ergonomics penalty (-6), better for precise stuns at longer ranges.

Other Attachments
The weapon can also support underbarrel and muzzle attachments, though most players prioritize maintaining low recoil and fast handling over heavy modification. The AR-32’s low-velocity electroshock rounds are more about control than damage, so adding attachments that increase rate of fire or ergonomics usually provides more practical benefit than damage boosts.

Gameplay Tips for the AR-32 Pacifier

Most experienced players treat the AR-32 as a stun-focused utility weapon rather than a main gun. Here’s how it performs in real gameplay:

Crowd Control: Its high rate of fire allows players to stunlock multiple weak units like Hunters or Voteless. Against medium or tougher enemies, it still works but consumes ammunition more quickly.

Combining with Team Strategies: When paired with sentries or AoE attacks, the Pacifier’s stuns can neutralize threats long enough for teammates to finish enemies off.

Targeting Medium Units: Stun builds up over a few shots—3-5 on medium enemies, more for heavily armored foes. A successful stun interrupts actions like charging or shooting.

Fodder Enemy Advantage: The AR-32 is particularly effective against automaton Troopers and Terminid chaff units because stunning them prevents backup calls.

Tough Enemy Interaction: The gun can stun Chargers and Hulks, but players need to aim for unarmored weak points. For heavily armored enemies, it is more of a supportive tool than a standalone damage solution.

A common approach is to carry a combat-oriented secondary weapon. This allows you to use the AR-32 for stuns and crowd control while relying on your secondary for actual kills. This combination usually works best in most Helldivers 2 missions.

Understanding Its “Less-Than-Lethal” Nature

The AR-32’s lore emphasizes its role as a law enforcement tool, using “electroshock bullets” to subdue targets. In practice, these rounds are surprisingly effective at stopping enemies, though they are still capable of killing if enough shots are landed.

Most players notice that the weapon has a medium armor penetration, meaning you can use it against a wide range of enemies without worrying about precise weak-point targeting. Unlike some other stun weapons, the AR-32’s range and assault rifle form allow for reliable stuns at distance, which can be very handy in open combat situations.

If you want to fully utilize the AR-32, it’s important to think of it as a tactical support weapon rather than a pure damage dealer. Many players pair it with heavy weapons or explosives to ensure they can finish off enemies after stunning them.

Trivia and Real-World Inspiration

The AR-32 Pacifier seems inspired by a mix of real-world rifles—the Kel-Tec PLR-16 and AK-74—blending their design features. Its projectiles emit an electric burst, suggesting that the ammunition is a specialized electroshock type. While such rounds exist conceptually for riot control, the AR-32 in Helldivers 2 exaggerates this, delivering a stun with noticeable armor penetration.

For players interested in experimenting with new loadouts or collecting special items, you may also want to know you can find ways to buy helldivers 2 super credits online to unlock weapons like the AR-32 quickly. This allows more flexible testing of its mechanics and combining it with other gear.

The AR-32 Pacifier is a niche but valuable weapon in Helldivers 2. It shines in crowd control and tactical disruption, making it ideal for supporting a coordinated team. Most players will not use it as a primary damage dealer, but its ability to stunlock enemies and prevent backup calls is often underappreciated. Pairing it with a strong secondary weapon, and focusing on strategic stuns, ensures it remains a useful tool in any mission.

In general, mastering the AR-32 comes down to timing and situational awareness—knowing when to suppress enemies and when to switch to lethal fire. For those willing to experiment, it’s a versatile weapon that adds tactical depth to Helldivers 2 gameplay.