JAR-5 Dominator
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“Firing jet-propelled rounds, the Dominator trades fire rate and magazine capacity for increased damage per projectile.
— Armory Description
The Dominator is a Primary Weapon that fires highly damaging rounds in exchange for a severely restricted magazine size.
Procurement
The Dominator is unlocked on the 3rd page of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond for 
80 Medal.
Detailed Weapon Statistics
| JAR-5 Dominator | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 250 rpm |
| Recoil | 75 |
| Capacity | 15 |
| Reload Time | 3.8 s |
| Tactical Reload | 2.6 s |
| Spare Magazines | 6 |
| Starting Magazines | 4 |
| Mags from Supply | 6 |
| Mags from Ammo Box | 3 |
| Attacks | |
| Rocket 15x100mm Standard | Projectile |
| Rocket 15x100mm Standard | |
|---|---|
| Projectile | |
| Caliber | 15 mm |
| Mass | 100 g |
| Initial Velocity | 180 m/s |
| Drag Factor | 0% |
| Gravity Factor | 30% |
| Penetration Slowdown | 25% |
| Damage | |
| Standard | 275 |
| vs. Durable | 90 |
| Penetration | |
| Direct |  Medium
|
| Slight Angle | Medium
|
| Large Angle | Medium
|
| Extreme Angle |  Unarmored I
|
| Special Effects | |
| Demolition Force | 10 |
| Stagger Force | 35 |
| Push Force | 15 |
Tactical Information
- The Dominator functions as a cross between an Assault Rifle and Marksman Rifle. It utilizes powerful individual rounds that inflict high damage in exchange for a low fire-rate and small magazine size.
- The Burst-fire-mode (of three shots) is highly recommended to maximize the fire-rate utilization, since practically there are no downsides using this fire-mode: Unlike in most other games, in Helldivers 2 burst-fire will only continue when fire-trigger is being held down rather than the burst-fire happening even after one single quick "click". This means in burst-fire-mode Dominator can both shoot individual shots identically to semi(-auto)-mode and practically like in a full-auto-mode once fire-button is re-pressed after the third shot of each burst.
- The key feature of the Dominator is its jet-propelled ammunition, which inflicts high damage and extreme stagger.
- The Dominator has some of the highest damage output per-round among rapid-fire weapons, with each shot exceeding the damage inflicted by even some Support Weapons like the Heavy Machine Gun. A single round from the Dominator is capable of killing any small enemy regardless of hit locations, and similarly dispatch medium-sized foes by hitting their weak spots.
- Each round inflicts a significant amount of durable damage, so even when fighting enemies with durable body parts like Brood Commanders, the Dominator is still capable of making short work of them.
- The Stagger Force of each round is virtually guaranteed to interrupt the actions of any foe it hits, even the likes of Heavy Devastators, Berserkers and Stalkers.
- The jet-propelled ammunition is capable of penetrating medium armor, meaning that Devastators, Bile Spewers and Hive Guards become easy prey for the weapon's heavily damaging rounds.
- The Dominator suffers from a low ergonomics stat, which means the weapon is slower to follow the player's crosshair and generally has to be "dragged" around. This can be mitigated by equipping armor with the Peak Physique passive.
- The Dominator also has a red dot sight with no magnification options, hence it functions poorly at long range.
- One of the Dominator's greatest weaknesses is its small magazine size, only being able to fire 15 rounds before needing to reload.
- The small magazine size means that the Dominator will spend almost as much time reloading as it does firing. For this reason, it is very important to make each round count. Never fire more than a single round at small enemies, and try to dispatch medium enemies efficiently by aiming at their weak points.
- Of equal importance is to utilize each magazine to the utmost since only six spare magazines can be carried, limiting the weapon to a total combat load of 105 rounds. Try to avoid tactical reloads when possible, expending every single round before discarding the magazine.
- Having a reliable Secondary Weapon is important account for the Dominator's weaknesses. Using a small-caliber magazine-fed pistol like the Peacemaker or Verdict to dispatch weaker enemies can save the Dominator's scarce ammunition for handling tougher foes.
- Generally, the Dominator does not fare well against Terminids due to their swarming nature. However, if a Secondary or Support Weapon can be used to reliably dispatch swarms of small enemies, the Dominator can very reliably handle the larger targets.
- Warriors and Hunters can be killed in a single round to the body or head, as their main HP is still lower than the damage that an individual round inflicts.
- Hive Guards, despite their armored heads, can be killed in a single shot by the Dominator's armor-penetrating rounds. Their bodies can absorb two rounds before succumbing, so aiming for the head is more efficient.
- Brood Commanders and Alpha Commanders have large HP pools and high durability, so targeting their head will dispatch them in two rounds. The heavy stagger of the rounds is also helpful in interrupting their headless frenzy attacks.
- Stalkers are easy prey for the Dominator if their approach direction can be anticipated. The heavy stagger will halt their attempts to close the distance, and a single shot to the head will instantly kill them.
- Bile Spewers are easily dispatched as the Dominator's heavy stagger will always interrupt their spewing attacks, and the armor-piercing rounds make short work of their heads, requiring at most two shots.
- While Chargers can be killed with enough fire to its exposed butt, it requires almost a full magazine to do so and will likely require dodging multiple charges to accomplish.
- The Dominator excels on the Automaton front, as its highly damaging ordnance excels against their more limited numbers and easily targetable weak spots.
- Devastators of all variants can be defeated with a single headshot. The armor-piercing rounds can also make short work of their armored torsos or exposed abdomens.
- Berserkers are easily staggered by the Dominator, allowing for easy follow-up shots to their exposed weak points.
- The operators of Scout Striders are protected by heavy armor, however the Dominator can still dispatch them quickly by targeting their legs, and circling around the back to target the driver is also possible. Reinforced Scout Striders are better protected, but targeting the legs or exposed rockets can still make short work of them.
- Gunships move very quickly and are difficult to hit, but targeting their thrusters can bring them down in 6 shots.
Media
Weapon Wheel
Aiming, Third-Person
Ditto, First-Person
Change History
Patch
Description
1.003.000
2025-05-13
Change
- Sway decreased from 1 to 0.8
1.001.201
2024-10-29
Undocumented Changes
- Changed Dominator's gunshot sound.
1.001.104
2024-10-15
Changes
- Moved from the Explosive weapon category to the Special weapon category.
1.000.300
2024-04-29
Changes
- Damage decreased from 300 to 275.
1.000.200
2024-04-02
Changes
- Increased damage from 200 to 300.
- Increased stagger.