RS-422 Railgun

The RS-422 Railgun is one of the stratagems available to the player at Level 20. 
It is a single-shot marksman's weapon that uses high-powered magnets to fire a single ferro-magnetic projectile that can penetrate heavy armor. However, its unique feature is that it has a second "unsafe" mode that removes the charging safeties, in exchange for allowing it to penetrate superheavy armor, at the cost of potentially killing it's user if charged too long.
==Stratagem Code==
Players must enter the following sequence, using the default Ctrl+WASD keys or the controller D-Pad in order to call down this Stratagem during a mission:
==Stats==
*Call-in Time: 3 Seconds
*Uses: Unlimited
*Cooldown Time: 480 Seconds (8 Minutes)
*Can change between Safe and Unsafe via fire mode selector.
==Gameplay Tips==
*When called in, the railgun will always be set to safe mode by default.
*Safe Mode and Unsafe Mode both have benefits and drawbacks.
**Safe Mode allows for shots to be held indefinitely. This comes with no risk to the user, but sacrifices potential damage and armor penetration.
**Unsafe Mode allows shots to be "overcharged". Overcharged shots receive increased damage, armor penetration, and over-penetration. However, if the shot is charged for too long, the railgun will explode, destroying the railgun and killing a user that does not wear explosive-resistant armor.
*A single charged shot will kill most small and medium-sized enemies.
*A single charged shot will kill a Scout Strider.
*A single charged headshot will behead a Brood Commander.
*A single charged headshot will kill a Hulk.
*A single charged headshot will kill Nursing Spewers and Bile Spewers.
*A single charged headshot will kill a Devastator.
**Heavy shield Devastators however, require an overcharged shot to penetrate their shields.
*Two overcharged shots will break a Charger's leg armor, allowing it to be killed with small arms fire. Behemoth limbs take 3 shots instead.
*It takes 6-8 overcharged headshots to put down a Bile Titan. Body shots will do negligible damage and not worth expending ammunition over.
*8-10 overcharged shots are required to destroy most bot vents - such as the ones found behind Tank turrets, laser turrets, and Mortar Emplacements.
* There are 2 visual indicators of railgun charge on the railgun - one on the back, and one on the scope. They are much easier to see while aiming down sights.
* In safe mode, it takes about 1 second to "fully" charge.
* In unsafe mode, it takes about 3 seconds for the railgun to overload and explode.
* Getting staggered or ragdolled while the gun is holding a full charge will automatically cause the gun to fire.
==Strategy==
* Charging the railgun behind cover and slipping out for a second to shoot after it hits 90% charge (the black line in ads) can reduce the risk of getting flinched and shot by automatons, easier if you start the charge in third person, then swap to first person ADS
* When in first person ADS, it's easiest to aim your shot, look at your meter until the notch before the black line that signifies a "max" charge is passed by the gauge, then make sure you're correctly on the target (preferably a crit point) and shoot, or use your peripherals if you can manage focusing on the gauge light and the enemy at the same time while ignoring the chaos of combat.
* Due to how the railgun can be reloaded quickly on the move, and being able to dive while charging, experienced and precise helldivers can use the railgun as an effective, although time consuming heavy killing weapon in a hit and run/kiting playstyle, as long as they can balance kiting groups of enemies and getting enough space to deal with high threat targets before getting overrun. (Bots are innately riskier and much, much harder to Kite since they have ranged weaponry, and charging could end with a rocket in your face)
Category:Stratagems (Helldivers 2)
Category:Weapons (Helldivers 2)
===Updates===
Patch 01.000.100: 
 ► Decreased armor penetration in Safe Mode, decreased damage against durable enemy parts 
Patch 01.000.300: 
 ► Increased armor penetration in both safe mode and unsafe mode ► Stagger force slightly reduced