The Harvester is a large mechanical tripod created by the Illuminate, equipped with a durable shield that absorbs incoming damage. It utilizes a continuous long-range laser attack from its single eye and unleashes an arcing electrical shock at close range to eliminate threats.

Spawning

Harvesters can be found patrolling the battlefield, guarding Monoliths, or arriving as reinforcements from Illuminate Warp Ships.

Behavior

Harvesters do not activate their shields until alerted.

Their primary attack is a sweeping death ray, which they charge momentarily before firing. This near-instantaneous laser beam is capable of eliminating Helldivers on impact.

At close range, Harvesters switch to an electrical arc attack, discharging high-voltage energy from their eye to incapacitate and kill Helldivers.

Tactics

  • Harvester shields regenerate shortly after breaking, requiring constant firepower to keep them down.
  • The shield generators are located above and below the Harvester’s eye. Destroying either will permanently disable the shield.
  • A single shot from the APW-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle can destroy a shield generator, making it a strategic choice for long-range engagements.
  • If the Harvester is not yet alerted, Helldivers can disable the generators before the shield activates. However, missing the shot will alert the Harvester.
  • Despite their thin frame, Harvesters are highly durable, making Orbital and Eagle stratagems unreliable against them due to their small hitbox compared to similarly sized enemies.
  • Targeting the limb joint that connects the legs to the body is an effective way to destroy a Harvester.
  • The AMR can kill a full-health Harvester with four shots to the joint, barring the shield.
  • All weapons, including Light armor-penetrating weapons, can damage the shield, but high-penetration firepower is recommended.
  • Impact Grenades are effective at staggering a Harvester, preventing it from using its laser or electrical attack.
  • The Electrical Conduit armor passive is essential for withstanding lethal arc lightning, allowing Helldivers to engage Harvesters at close range.
  • Flamethrowers such as the FLAM-40 and Torcher are surprisingly effective. Harvesters have poor mobility and cannot attack targets behind them, making flanking with a flamethrower a viable strategy.
  • A well-placed shot from anti-tank weapons such as the EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank, LAS-99 Quasar Cannon, or MLS-4X Commando to the hip joint will instantly destroy a Harvester.