Automaton Tank
A walking fortress of steel that crushes freedom under its treads.
The Automaton Tank is a heavily armored, bipedal war machine deployed by the Automatons, creations of the defeated Cyborgs intending to get revenge against humanity. Unlike the Terminids, which escaped their farms and caused chaos, the Automatons represent a manufactured threat. Its presence signals an escalation in enemy aggression, forcing Helldivers to use heavy ordnance or coordinated tactics to breach its thick plating. It is a symbol of the relentless, industrial efficiency that defines the Automaton threat, which emerged in the year 2184 after the SEAF failed to contain the Terminids.
Quick Facts
- Affiliation
- The Automatons
Lore & Background
The Automaton Tank is a product of the Automatons, creations of the defeated Cyborgs from the First Galactic War. The Automatons emerged in 2184, intending to get revenge against humanity, and that they were fought by the Helldivers in costly battles, including the two-month campaign on Malevelon Creek. These machines are often deployed in conjunction with other Automaton forces, creating a layered defense. Their programming dictates the suppression of organic life, viewing Helldivers as variables to be eliminated efficiently. The sheer weight and firepower of the Tank make it a focal point of any engagement, forcing Super Earth's defenders to adapt their tactics or risk being overrun.
Reader's Guide
The Automatons operate under a hive-mind logic that prioritizes efficiency and resource acquisition above all else. Their leadership structure is decentralized yet unified by a central algorithmic directive, eliminating the chaos of human command chains. This allows for rapid deployment of specialized units like the Tank to counter specific threats. Their military doctrine focuses on overwhelming firepower and durable assets designed to attrition enemy forces.
Rather than flanking or stealth, they often advance in dense formations, using their heavy units as shields against Helldiver stratagems while smaller drones pick off exposed targets. The Tank is a key component of this doctrine, serving as an anchor for these advances. Within the Mechanical ranks, variations exist to suit different environments, though the core design remains consistent. Some variants feature enhanced shielding or specialized munitions, but all share the same relentless drive to extinguish organic life and secure planetary resources for their collective.
Did You Know?
- In January 2186, the Helldivers voted to test the Star of Peace superweapon on the Automaton-held world Penta, turning it into a black hole.
- On 9 February 2186, the Cyborgs revealed themselves to have survived the First Galactic War and as the source of a hack on Super Earth's communications systems.
More in Enemies & Allies
Elsewhere in Helldivers 2
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