Helldivers 2: AX/FLAM-75 Guard Dog Hot Dog vs. Other Weapons – Which Reigns Supreme?

In Helldivers 2, selecting the right weapon can make or break a mission. While the AX/FLAM-75 Guard Dog Hot Dog has earned a reputation as a crowd-control powerhouse, how does it compare to the rest of the Helldivers arsenal? From rifles to heavy artillery, every weapon has its niche—but few offer the balance of destructive firepower and mobility that the AX/FLAM-75 does. In this article, we’ll break down its strengths and weaknesses compared to other popular weapons, helping you decide when to wield fire and when to switch to cold precision.

The AX/FLAM-75 in Context

Before diving into comparisons, let’s recap the AX/FLAM-75’s signature traits:

• High Close-Range Damage – Continuous flames can decimate swarms of enemies.

• Medium Range Area Denial – Fires in a cone, controlling enemy movement.

• Mobility – Operators can move while firing.

• Fuel-Dependent – Limited ammo, requiring careful management.

Its design makes it ideal for tight spaces, ambushes, and missions with hordes of small-to-medium enemies. However, the weapon is less effective at long range and against heavily armored foes if used alone.

Comparing to Assault Rifles

Assault Rifles in Helldivers 2 are versatile, all-purpose weapons with moderate damage, good range, and manageable recoil.

Advantages of Assault Rifles:

• Can engage enemies at medium to long range.

• Unlimited magazine capacity or fast reloads make sustained fire easier.

• Precise targeting allows for picking off high-value targets without collateral damage.

Where AX/FLAM-75 Wins:

• In close-quarters combat and choke points, the flamethrower can wipe out multiple enemies faster than any rifle.

• Rifles require careful aim for swarms, while flames cover entire areas.

• It doubles as a defensive tool, preventing enemy advances.

Situational Takeaway: Use the AX/FLAM-75 for rooms, corridors, or swarm-heavy missions. Switch to rifles for open terrain or precise elimination of high-value targets.

Comparing to Shotguns

Shotguns excel in close-range devastation, often delivering massive burst damage in one shot.

Advantages of Shotguns:

• Instant damage per shot; effective against high-health enemies at very close range.

• Can stagger or knock back enemies, giving breathing room.

Where AX/FLAM-75 Wins:

• Sustained fire: Flames burn over time, dealing ongoing damage.

• Larger coverage: Shotguns are narrow cone; the flamethrower affects wider areas.

• Better for crowd control: Multiple enemies take consistent damage without precise aim.

Situational Takeaway: Shotguns dominate in very tight spaces against tough individual enemies, while AX/FLAM-75 is superior for managing mobs.

Comparing to Heavy Weapons

Heavy weapons like missile launchers, grenade launchers, and railguns pack explosive punch.

Advantages of Heavy Weapons:

• Massive burst damage; can instantly destroy armored enemies or vehicles.

• Often long-range, hitting targets from a safe distance.

• Some weapons cause status effects, like stunning or disorienting enemies.

Where AX/FLAM-75 Wins:

• Mobility: Heavy weapons slow you down, leaving you vulnerable. The flamethrower lets you strafe and dodge while firing.

• Continuous suppression: Heavy weapons may require reloads or cooldowns; flames keep enemies pinned continuously.

• Resource efficiency: Some heavy weapons use scarce ammo or cooldowns, while fuel cartridges are easier to manage mid-mission.

Situational Takeaway: Use heavy weapons for bosses or high-value targets; AX/FLAM-75 excels in sustained engagements and crowd management.

Comparing to Snipers

Sniper rifles are all about precision, long-range eliminations, and picking off high-priority targets from afar.

Advantages of Snipers:

• Long-range engagement keeps operators safe.

• Extremely high damage per shot.

• Ideal for supporting teammates from a distance.

Where AX/FLAM-75 Wins:

• Close combat scenarios where snipers cannot engage effectively.

• Crowd control: One flamethrower can neutralize dozens of enemies; snipers are single-shot.

• Flexibility in dynamic, mobile situations where positioning changes rapidly.

Situational Takeaway: AX/FLAM-75 dominates in the chaos of close-quarters combat, while snipers shine in open spaces with clear sightlines.

Key Situational Guidelines

After comparing the AX/FLAM-75 with other weapon types, some general guidelines emerge:

1. Choose AX/FLAM-75 for:

   • Hordes of small-to-medium enemies

   • Tight corridors, urban or indoor missions

   • Defensive or choke-point scenarios

   • Missions requiring mobility and rapid suppression

2. Switch to rifles, snipers, or heavy weapons when:

   • Facing high-health or armored enemies at range

   • Operating in open terrain

   • Precision kills are required without collateral damage

   • You need long-term resource sustainability (since fuel is finite)

The Verdict: Flames vs. Bullets

No weapon in Helldivers 2 Items is perfect. The AX/FLAM-75 Guard Dog Hot Dog isn’t a long-range solution, nor is it the optimal choice against a lone boss with heavy armor. But in its niche—mob control, area denial, and aggressive close-quarters combat—it outshines nearly every other weapon. Its combination of mobility, coverage, and psychological battlefield impact makes it a tactical centerpiece for experienced Helldivers.

Ultimately, the AX/FLAM-75 isn’t about replacing other weapons—it’s about complementing them. A balanced loadout might combine a flamethrower for chaos control, a rifle or sniper for precision, and explosives or heavy weapons for armor-breaking. In the hands of a skilled player, this synergy turns any Helldivers squad into a well-oiled, fire-and-bullet killing machine.

The AX/FLAM-75 Guard Dog Hot Dog proves that in Helldivers 2, versatility, crowd control, and tactical mobility are just as valuable as raw firepower. Flames may not always be the answer—but when they are, nothing clears the battlefield quite like a “Hot Dog” in full swing.