In terms of sci-fi, we’ve had a lot of innovative franchises and ideas over the years. And if we asked you what the most iconic battle machine was, you’d probably think of the AT-AT from Star Wars. But according to the Helldivers 2 community, we have a way better version in the game.
On April 1, 2024, the Automaton Factory Striders were released in the game, and everyone thought the same thing at first. It’s a machine inspired by the AT-AT. But what we’ve found out in the last year is that the Factory Strider is much more than a cheap copy.
Star Wars vs Helldivers 2, who did the mobile war machine better?
The comparison is easy to understand. Both are four-legged mechanical war machines, designed to overwhelm enemy ground forces in a war. And we know that they both work. The AT-ATs were a menace during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, and we’ve also seen how the Factory Striders can be a menace against unprepared Helldivers.
I love the design of the Factory Strider, closest you’ll get to a “practical” Walker in Sci-Fi
byu/throwaway553t4tgtg6 inHelldivers
But where the AT-AT was designed for intimidation and troop transport, the Factory Strider is a walking siege engine made to make our missions harder. Helldivers 2 players point out that the AT-AT’s design is fundamentally flawed. Of course, that was due to the plot of the movie; it would later be infamous for being tripped by cables. But this move wouldn’t work on the Factory Strider.
And of course, Helldivers 2 players are in full support of this idea. “Its funny because an AT-AT actually would get its shit rocked by a Factory Strider,” says Redditor u/tinyrottedpig as they explain the many disadvantages of the AT-AT.
This game has no right being this peak
Factory strider convoys btw are the most fun sub objectives wish they’d appear more; love the race against time they offer especially if you leave them to travel 50-75% of their concoy. pic.twitter.com/ssiMTRSrPc
— DarrianXD (@darrian_xd) June 3, 2025
“The factory strider is my by far favorite Heavy enemy in-game. I definitely can’t wait to see what automaton enemy will be added next,” says u/Murky-Target6914. And we can’t help but agree. We’ve gotten bigger and tougher versions of the bugs, and we’ve gotten the Illuminate. It’s time for new automatons.
We might see even more deadly machines in the future
Despite all their strengths, Factory Striders aren’t invincible. In fact, one of the best parts about enemies like this in Helldivers 2 is just how many strategies players find to take them down. We know how to take down these enemies even if they’re tough, and it’s always a fun time despite the difficulty.
And pivoting to a different topic, it seems like Super Earth is going to get a new wave of reinforcements soon. The year-long battle between Sony and the Helldivers 2 community has finally come to an end as the game removes the region locks for almost all countries in Helldivers 2 and other titles.
So with all these new regions that can finally join the fight for managed democracy, we can expect even more reinforcements the next time something like the recent invasion of Super Earth happens. And if it’s the Automatons coming next, they will surely bring the Factory Striders.
The AT-AT is iconic; it’s a cultural symbol. But in practical terms? Factory Striders are the superior war machine. What do you think? Let us know down in the comments!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
