CQC-9 Defoliation Tool
“A useful field-clearing tool for removing trees, obstacles, and unlucky foes.
— Armory Description
The Defoliation Tool is a Melee Support Weapon.
Procurement
The Defoliation Tool is unlocked from the 2nd page of the Python Commandos Premium Warbond for 
85 Medals.
Stratagem Statistics
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Call-in Time | Standard | 7.75 seconds |
| Upgraded | 4.75 seconds | |
| Uses | Unlimited | |
| Cooldown | Standard | 480 seconds |
| With Morale Augmentation | 456 seconds | |
| With Streamlined Request Process | 432 seconds | |
| With All Upgrades | 410.4 seconds | |
Detailed Weapon Statistics
| CQC-9 Defoliation Tool | |
|---|---|
| Recoil | 0 |
| Attacks | |
| Defolation Tool | Damage |
| Defolation Tool | |
|---|---|
| Damage | |
| Standard |  300 Damage
|
| vs. Durable | 150 Damage
|
| Penetration | |
| Direct |  Medium
|
| Slight Angle | Medium
|
| Large Angle | Medium
|
| Extreme Angle |  Unarmored I
|
| Special Effects | |
| Status | Stun Small |
| Status Strength | 5 |
| Demolition Force | 10 |
| Stagger Force | 10 |
| Push Force | 30 |
Functionality
The Defoliation Tool increases armor penetration from Medium to 
Anti-Tank I as well as demolition force from 10 to 30 over the course of 2s of continuous contact with an enemy, +1 AP and 10 demo force per second.
Tactical Information
Defoliation Tool Specific
- The Defoliation Tool is unique among all melee weapons in that landing an attack on an enemy or destructible object will cause the sawblades to slowly drag along the target, rapidly dealing damage throughout the animation.
- Once the blades make contact with a target, the weapon will not disengage until the blades are no longer in contact with any target, even if the attack input is released.
- Foliage, low concrete barriers, Heavy steel fences, Automaton Fabricators[1], Grounded Warp Ships[2], Landed Automaton Dropships and Lightning Spires can be destroyed via the Defoliation Tool.
- Once the blades make contact with a target, the weapon will not disengage until the blades are no longer in contact with any target, even if the attack input is released.
- Due to the swing speed being just slow enough for stamina to start regenerating, this number is affected by Stamina Regen value and the Stamina Enhancement Booster. Additionally, hitting any targets will slow effective swing speed, further complicating this.
- In light armor with stamina enhancement booster, Helldivers can swing the Defoliation Tool a total of 34 times before stamina is completely drained.
- In heavy armor without the booster, Helldivers can swing the Defoliation Tool a total of 65+ times before stamina is completely drained.
- The Defoliation Tool's engine will not alert enemies to the Helldiver's presence while the weapon is being held or otherwise in use, unless swung in directly proximity to them.
Melee Weapons
- Melee weapons deal all of their damage to the first segment or "body part" of any given entity that they come into contact with. Additional segments of the same unit that the weapon passes through will be ignored.
- Wearing Armor with the Peak Physique or Rock Solid passive will increase melee damage by 100%, greatly increasing its lethality. Armor with the Reinforced Epaulettes passive will increase melee damage by 50%,.
- Attacking with the Defoliation Tool drains stamina.
- Holding the attack button will allow Helldivers to continuously thrust the Defoliation tool, even when stamina is empty.
Applicable Ship Modules
The following Ship Modules affect the CQC-9 Defoliation Tool
| Department | Ship Module | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Patriotic Administration Center |
Streamlined Request Process | Decreases Support Weapon stratagem cooldown by 10%. |
| Bridge | Morale Augmentation | Reduces cooldown time for all stratagems by 5%. |
| Engineering Bay |
Streamlined Launch Process | All Support Weapon stratagems launch immediately once called in, reducing overall deployment time. |
Media
- Tutorial Video Demonstrating Use of the CQC-9 Defoliation Tool
Weapon Wheel
Helldiver holding CQC-9 Defoliation Tool
Aiming, Third-Person. It is the only available option.
Change History
1.005.000
2025-12-02
Addition
- Added to the game.
De-Escalator
• 
Defoliation Tool
• 
Epoch
• 
Expendable Napalm
• 
Maxigun
• 
One True Flag
• 
Solo Silo
• 
Speargun
• 
Sterilizer
• 
Anti-Materiel Rifle
• 
Machine Gun
• 
Stalwart
• 
Expendable Anti-Tank
• 
Grenade Launcher
• 
Laser Cannon
• 
Recoilless Rifle
• 
Autocannon
• 
Flamethrower
• 
Heavy Machine Gun
• 
Airburst Rocket Launcher
• 
Arc Thrower
• 
Commando
• 
Quasar Cannon
• 
Railgun
• 
Spear
• 
W.A.S.P. Launcher
"Guard Dog" Dog Breath
• 
"Guard Dog" Hot Dog
• 
“Guard Dog” K-9
• 
Anti-Tank Emplacement
• De-Escalator
• Defoliation Tool
• 
Directional Shield
• Epoch
• Expendable Napalm
• 
Flame Sentry
• 
Hover Pack
• 
Laser Sentry
• Maxigun
• One True Flag
• 
Portable Hellbomb
• Solo Silo
• Speargun
• Sterilizer
• 
Warp Pack