Many players unlock the AR-23C Liberator Concussive from the Steeled Veterans warbond and wonder how it fits into their arsenal. It's not a straightforward weapon, and its role is quite specialized. This guide breaks down how it works in practice, its strengths and weaknesses, and where it might be useful.

What is the Liberator Concussive, and how do I get it?

The Liberator Concussive is a variant of the standard AR-23 Liberator. It is purchased for 20 Medals on the first page of the "Steeled Veterans" Premium Warbond. Once unlocked, you can equip it like any other primary weapon. Its most notable feature is its concussive rounds, which trade raw damage for a powerful staggering effect. It comes with a large 60-round drum magazine by default.

How does the "Concussive" effect actually work in combat?

This is the weapon's core mechanic. Each shot that hits an enemy applies a significant amount of "Stagger Force." In practice, this means most light and medium enemies, such as Berserkers, Stalkers, or Scout Striders, will flinch and stop their attack animation when hit. If you continue to land shots at a steady pace, you can essentially "lock" an enemy in place, preventing it from moving or attacking. This stagger does not stack, so firing in full-auto wastes ammo. Most players find it effective to fire in short, controlled bursts or even tap-fire to maintain the stagger while conserving ammunition.

What are this weapon's main strengths?

Its primary strength is control, not killing power. It excels at neutralizing single high-threat targets so your squad can deal with them safely. For example, you can completely stop a charging Berserker, allowing a teammate with a high-damage weapon like a Breaker shotgun or an autocannon to destroy it easily. The high magazine capacity means you can maintain this lockdown for a long time. Furthermore, the rounds have Light Armor Penetration, allowing you to damage and stagger enemies like Devastators. A more subtle strength is its increased "durable" damage, making it slightly more effective against certain bug parts, like a Bile Spewer's head.

What are its biggest weaknesses?

The Liberator Concussive has very low DPS (Damage Per Second). Its slow fire rate and moderate per-shot damage mean it struggles to kill even basic enemies quickly. You will often find yourself running out of ammo if you try to use it as your main source of kills. It is poorly suited for dealing with swarms of small enemies like Hunters or Troopers, where killing speed is essential. Its effectiveness also drops off sharply at longer ranges due to its inherent spread and lack of high-magnification optics.

Is it a "support" weapon, and how should I build my loadout around it?

Yes, most players consider it a dedicated support primary. Your role when using it is to disable key targets, not to top the kill feed. This means your loadout should compensate for its lack of killing power. A common and effective strategy is to pair it with a high-damage secondary like the Redeemer pistol or a support weapon that can clear groups. Bringing a Supply Pack is also a smart choice to mitigate its limited total ammo pool. Your Stratagems should focus on area denial (like Eagle Airstrikes) or heavy firepower (like the Railgun or Autocannon) to handle the enemies you are suppressing.

How do the weapon attachments change its performance?

The attachments primarily tweak its handling and ergonomics. The underbarrel foregrips (Vertical or Angled) are popular choices as they significantly reduce vertical recoil, making it easier to land consistent shots for stagger-locking. Magazine attachments are a trade-off. The Short Magazine drastically increases your reload speed and ergonomics but cuts your magazine size in half, which directly undermines your ability to sustain stagger. The helldivers 2 medals price for the base weapon is just the start; investing Requisition Slips into the right attachments, like a foregrip, is generally recommended to make the weapon more comfortable to use.

Should I use this over the standard Liberator or other primaries?

Not as a general-purpose weapon. The standard Liberator is more versatile and better for beginners. The Liberator Concussive fills a specific niche on higher difficulties (Suicide Mission and above) where controlling specific elite enemies becomes crucial for team survival. In general, if your squad is well-coordinated and you communicate who is on "stagger duty," it can be incredibly valuable. For solo play or lower difficulties where killing speed is paramount, most players find other weapons more effective.

How has the weapon changed in recent patches?

The weapon has received several buffs that have made it more viable. Key changes include a fire rate increase, a massive reduction in weapon spread (making it more accurate), and buffs to its standard and durable damage. The most significant change was in an earlier patch that replaced its standard 30-round magazine with the current 60-round drum, solidifying its role as a sustained suppression tool.

Final VerdictThe AR-23C Liberator Concussive is a specialized tool. It is not a weapon you use to carry a mission, but one you use to enable your team to succeed. If you enjoy a tactical, support-oriented playstyle and your squad faces disciplined threats, it's worth trying. If you prefer self-sufficient loadouts that can handle any situation alone, you will likely find it frustrating. Its value is entirely dependent on knowing which enemies to suppress and communicating effectively with your team.