The Democratic Detonation Warbond inHelldivers 2brings unique explosive weapons for every Helldiver to enjoy. Among these new tools is the CB-9 Exploding Crossbow, an explosive bolt-based weapon that combines the aesthetic of medieval warfare with the sleek, democracy-delivering firepower you’d expect in the hands of a Helldiver.
Helldivers 2: New Meta Loadouts (Democratic Detonation)
This guide details the best loadouts choices that complement each other across all difficulty levels as established in Helldivers 2’s new meta.
But how does this weapon stack up on the field? Is it an invaluable tool to liberate the Terminids and Automatons from their mortal coils? Or is it a sad, vestigial reminder of an age long gone? We’re going to look at the pros and cons of this weapon, along with the best ways you may leverage its firepower to your advantage against the enemies of democracy.
Helldivers 2
CB-9 Exploding Crossbow Basics
Weapon Name
Weapon Type
Weapon Stats
Weapon Traits
CB-9 Exploding Crossbow
The CB-9 Exploding Crossbow can be found on the final page of the Democratic DetonationWarbond, which means it takes 230 medals to unlock the final page and an additional 80 medals to unlock the weapon itself.In total, you’ll be spending 310 medals to get your hands on the Exploding Crossbow.
Once the weapon is in your hands, the first thing you’ll notice is that each shot has a significant amount of bullet drop in each of its shots, and the projectile itself is slower than the other weapons. For longer shots, you’ll have to practice knowing how to aim a little bit above your target, and if your target is moving, where to aim ahead of it to land your shots.
From there, the weapon has a surprisingly large explosive radius and enough damage to wipe out smaller mobs in 1 - 2 shots. Direct hits have enough strength to take out Scout Striders and Devastators while staggering larger enemies like Bile Spewers and Brood Commanders. It can’t penetrate armor at all, and it has a slower fire rate when compared to other guns. But, for the crossbow’s purpose of blasting away the chaff surrounding an elite enemy, the fire rate is more than serviceable.
What Makes The Crossbow Good?
Compared to the destructive power ofthe Eruptor, or the utility ofthe Grenade Pistol, the Exploding Crossbow feels like it’s been overshadowed in this warbond, and for good reason. Its projectile takes some time to get used to, it doesn’t offer very much utility compared to other weapons, and its magazine is also a little shallow for what it’s trying to accomplish.
However, despite these flaws, the Exploding Crossbow still has a specific niche it can shine in - it’s an efficient tool to clear out weak enemies. In this regard, it feels like a primary weapon that’s been taken to its logical extreme. Each well-aimed bolt can take out groups of small enemies while also harming armored enemies. This is also what makes it one of the best weapons to clear out groups of Hunters before they jump onto any players, or groups of small bots before they can call for a Bot Drop.
Since it’s a primary weapon, you’ll have plenty of spare ammo (5 shots per magazine, 12 spare magazines), and your weapon will be better stocked with each resupply. In effect, this makes the Exploding Crossbow similar tothe Arc Thrower, except it trades infinite ammo and more damage against armored troops for a faster fire rate, and the weapon only takes up the primary slot.
Against Terminids, the Crossbow will help thin out hordes and clear out everything short of a Brood Commander. In comparison, the Crossbow handles most enemies from the Automatons except the Hulk, turrets, and tanks. Devastators can be brought down by aiming for their heads, and berserkers can be destroyed through direct hits with the blast bolts.
Best Crossbow Loadout Options
The best loadout to bring with the Exploding Crossbow will be anything that can deal with large armored enemies and complete objectives. Ideally, you’ll want to bring tools that can destroy objectives likeShrieker nestsand Automaton fabricators from a long range.
Additionally, against Terminids you’ll want a tool that can help fish you out of trouble when Hunters get too close.
Best Secondary Weapon
Best Grenade Slot
Best Stratagems
Since the Exploding Crossbow can’t handle large enemies or destroy objectives, you’ll want to bring stratagems that can cover these roles. Here are the best stratagems to use with the Exploding Crossbow to handle large enemies or tough armor.
For destroying objectives, closing bug holes, and stopping automaton fabricators, these stratagems are useful:
What Armor Works Best With The Exploding Crossbow
Any armor with Fortified will be greatly appreciated when you’re using the Explosive Crossbow. Every shot at close range has the potential to kill you unless you use Fortified armor. You’ll be able to shoot at any unlucky enemy that comes to you before being ragdolled.
Be aware, wearing Fortified armor is mostly a safety precaution. Bringing a secondary weapon that can handle enemies when they’re too close or outrunning enemies so you can safely fire off an explosive bolt will serve you better in the long run.
Alternatively, Light Armor can also be useful with this weapon since you’re able to run away from enemies that are getting too close to you, and you’ll be harder for those enemies to catch once you start sprinting away.
Need to learn how to use more weapons effectively? Here are our guides for how to usethe MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun effectivelyand how to usethe Expendable Anti Tank effectively.
Helldivers 2: Super Credits Farm Guide
With new Helldivers 2 Warbonds releasing every month, it’s so important to have a quick and reliable method for farming Super Credits.
