As someone who has spent a lot of time spreading managed democracy across the galaxy, you learn which tools get the job done reliably. The LAS-16 "Sickle" is a primary weapon that comes up in discussion often. It's not a standard unlock; it's part of the Support Equipment kit. This guide will break down how it actually performs in the field, its strengths, weaknesses, and how most players integrate it into their loadouts.
What is the LAS-16 Sickle and How Do You Get It?
The Sickle is a laser carbine that tries to bridge the gap between standard laser rifles and conventional ballistic assault rifles. Instead of a continuous beam, it fires short, rapid pulses. The key difference from normal guns is its management system: it builds up heat instead of using physical ammunition, and it will force a cooldown period if you overheat it. You get this weapon automatically by purchasing the Support Equipment DLC pack. There is no alternative way to unlock it through gameplay. Some players, eager to access specific gear without grinding, might look to buy helldivers 2 super credits online to acquire such DLC packs faster, though it's generally advised to obtain content directly through official channels.
How Does It Handle in Combat?
In practice, the Sickle feels like a very accurate assault rifle with no recoil and no need for traditional ammo pickups. This is its biggest appeal for many players. You never have to scavenge for ammo boxes, which frees you up to call in more offensive or tactical Stratagems instead of a Resupply. However, this comes with critical trade-offs.
The weapon's heat builds up quickly during sustained fire. You have three "heat dump canisters" by default (upgradable to six), which act as your effective "magazines." Once a canister is spent, it takes a fixed three seconds to replace it, and this process cannot be sped up. If you ignore the heat warning and overheat the gun entirely, it will force a full cooldown, leaving you vulnerable. Good heat management is therefore essential.
What Are the Key Upgrades?
The upgrade path is straightforward and most players prioritize it in a specific order for maximum effectiveness:
Upgrade Heat Capacity: This is usually the first pick. It adds an extra emergency heat dump canister, giving you more firing time before a forced reload. This is a direct quality-of-life improvement.
Upgrade Heat Sink: This makes the weapon cool down faster naturally. When paired with disciplined burst firing, it significantly extends your engagement time.
Upgrade Overcharge & Increased Overcharge: These two upgrades increase your damage per pulse and your rate of fire, respectively. The catch is they also make the gun generate heat faster. These are typically taken last, once a player is very comfortable with the weapon's heat rhythm.
What Are Its True Strengths and Weaknesses?
Strengths:
Perfect Accuracy & Infinite "Ammo": It has no bullet drop or recoil. This makes it exceptional for picking off distant patrols, especially smaller enemies like Bug Scouts or Cybernetic Troopers. You can fire all day without worrying about ammo reserves.
High Burst Damage on Target: When you hit an enemy's weak spot or center mass, the damage per pulse is very high. It can drop standard enemies very quickly.
Team-Friendly: There's no risk of accidental friendly fire from over-penetrating rounds, making it safer to fire in crowded firefights.
Weaknesses:
Extreme Precision Requirement: This is the Sickle's most defining trait. If you don't hit an enemy's center mass, your damage plummets by 50% or more. Spraying into a crowd is ineffective. It demands good aim.
Poor Crowd Control: It struggles against spread-out groups or swarms of heavily armored light units (like Brood Commanders or Butchers). You simply can't kill them fast enough before overheating.
No Armor Penetration: Unlike the continuous beam of the Scythe, the Sickle's pulses cannot cut through heavier armor. You must bring anti-tank Stratagems on higher difficulties when facing armored foes.
Heat Management Pressure: In intense, prolonged fights, the management of your heat can become stressful and lead to bad timing on reloads.
How Do Most Players Use It Effectively?
In general, the Sickle is treated as a precision marksman rifle, not a crowd-clearing tool. Successful users pair it with Stratagems that handle the things it cannot. For example:
Bring an Orbital Airburst or Napalm Strike to deal with dense groups of smaller enemies.
Always have a Recoilless Rifle or Orbital Railcannon Strike for taking out armored targets.
Use your perfect accuracy to your team's advantage by focusing on high-priority, unarmored targets like enemy commanders or spotters from a safe distance.
The playstyle is methodical and precise. You fire in controlled bursts, let the gun cool passively, and swap to your Stratagems when overwhelmed. It rewards careful play but can punish you severely during chaotic retreats or surprise swarms. It's a powerful, flexible weapon that frees up your Stratagem choices, but it places all its demands squarely on your skill as a marksman.
