The Scout Strider is a light Automaton vehicle that first appears on Medium difficulty, increasing in frequency at higher difficulty levels. It consists of a Trooper piloting a bipedal walker, equipped with a large frontal shield and Fusion Repeaters as its primary weapons. The legs and waist are protected by Medium armor, though the legs have slightly less durability. The Scout Strider moves quickly in open terrain but has a slow rotation speed, making it deadly in direct combat but highly vulnerable from behind, as the pilot is completely unarmored. At Impossible difficulty and above, Scout Striders are replaced by their variant, the Reinforced Scout Strider.

Spawning

Scout Striders begin appearing on Medium difficulty and spawn more frequently at higher levels. At Impossible difficulty and beyond, they are replaced by the Reinforced Scout Strider.

Behavior

Scout Striders engage Helldivers with rapid-fire laser attacks using their Fusion Repeaters, often firing without warning, making them difficult to dodge. They utilize their frontal shield for protection, making them highly resilient from the front but exposed from behind. While highly mobile, Scout Striders have a slow turning speed, allowing skilled Helldivers to maneuver around them.

Tactics

  • The Scout Strider’s legs are weak to Medium armor-penetrating weapons, such as the JAR-5 Dominator, making them a primary target.
  • The unarmored pilot is highly vulnerable, and a well-placed shot from an elevated position can eliminate the operator.
  • Their frontal shield provides strong protection, requiring Support Weapons with light vehicle armor penetration, such as the AC-8 Autocannon, or explosives to break through.
  • Despite their mobility, their slow turning speed allows for flanking maneuvers—a well-timed dive can provide an opening to quickly eliminate the pilot.
  • Coordinating with teammates is highly effective—one Helldiver can distract the Scout Strider, while another flanks and eliminates the rider.
  • Explosives are extremely effective—a well-placed grenade or Grenade Launcher shot behind the Strider can take out multiple units, especially right after deployment.
  • In rare instances, Helldivers have reported seeing pilots “jumping out” of their seat when the legs or waist are destroyed, momentarily exposing them.