Shrieker

Shriekers are a moderate-sized flying Terminid with a large wingspan. They typically travel in large numbers and use dive tactics to swipe at Helldivers.
These flying menaces appeared shortly after the activation of the Terminid Control System on the Barrier Planets within the Umlaut Sector. Unconfirmed reports, antidemocratic rumors and unpatriotic conspiracy theories say that the Termicide, an Anti-Terminid Neurotoxin dispersed by the TCS Towers, is causing the Terminids to mutate and evolve faster.
From observations and field studies by Helldivers, Shriekers greatly resemble Hunters with abnormally large wings, with some suggesting that either the Termicide is affecting the stage between Pouncers and Hunters, or the eggs themselves before they hatch. The fact Shriekers have their own nests makes the latter theory more likely.
The first official acknowledgement of Shriekers happened via an in-game intelligence brief on March 21st, 2024
== Notes ==
* As of update 1.000.400, packs of shriekers will now start patrolling the map and their size will depend on difficulty and will continue as long as shrieker nests are active. Additionally, a certain mission modifier will cause shrieker patrols to spawn from the edge of the map indefinitely, even if no nests are on the map.
* Shrieker Nests appear on Hard difficulty and higher. Once destroyed, Shriekers will cease to spawn for the rest of the mission duration .
* Capable of flight, it is advised that Helldivers bring weaponry with good accuracy and a high rate of fire or a shotgun for its high spread pattern.
* They spawn from nests known as a Shrieker Nest. Capable of withstanding normal ammunition, it is advised to bring explosive launchers or stratagems to blow up these nests. Being close to them will also let you call in a Hellbomb to destroy the entire nest in one blast.
* Shriekers have low health and are lightly armored. Almost any projectile weapon will do the job, but shooting off a wing is the quickest way to bring them down.
* The SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary is the best weapon against them, as being hit by a single incendiary pellet is a death sentence for a shrieker. The SG-225SP Breaker Spray&Pray is also a viable choice as rapidly filling the skies with lead will eventually take swarms down easily.
** As shown in it's preview video, the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher is capable of devastating entire groups of shriekers with a well-placed rocket.
** When faced against an overwhelming amount of shriekers, the best counter is the Patriot Exosuit, as it's armor is largely resistant to their attacks and it's 1000-round rotary machine gun will make short work of large shrieker swarms.
* If a Shrieker is killed while in the process of doing a dive attack, the corpse can still damage the player due to the sheer impact of the body. Be sure to dodge to the side.
* Shriekers will almost always miss their attacks against Helldivers who are low to the ground, such as when prone/diving.
** Running is also a viable method to avoid attacks, as long as Shriekers don't fly in from directly in front or behind the player.
*Turret-type Stratagems and backpack Drones are quite effective at taking down Shriekers in masses due to their unerring accuracy.
**In terms of efficiency, the A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry is best at shooting down shrieker swarms, due to it's lower RoF, high accuracy, and it stops firing when it changes targets.
Category:Terminids
Category:Enemies (Helldivers 2)