Stingray
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The Stingray is an Illuminate close air support aircraft in Helldivers 2.
Spawning
Stingrays spawn intermittently throughout a mission, coming into range from beyond the mission area. They are unable to naturally spawn as part of an enemy patrol, and cannot spawn at the beginning of a mission.
Behavior
Stingrays passively fly around the map at blinding speeds, encircling Helldivers at distances of over 800+ meters. They can be spotted while flying thanks to their bright blue plasma trails that briefly follow behind them. They initially fly 2-3 loops around the entire map before engaging enemies.
They attack by slowing down and descending to an advancing hover, telegraphing a long, bright blue column on the ground which they then progressively bombard with sweeping plasma munitions, akin to an Eagle Strafing Run. Once this is finished, they resume high-speed flight and attack again once enemies are in its range.
Anatomy
| Part Name | Health* | AV** | Durable** | % To Main*** | Bleed | Fatal | ExDR**** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 800 |  Medium |
|
70% | - | None | Yes | 0% |
| Wings | Main | Medium |
|
70% | 100% | None | No | 100% |
| Gun Ports | Main | Medium |
|
50% | 100% | None | No | 100% |
* Parts with their HP listed as "Main" do not have their own individual health. All damage dealt to these parts is transferred to the enemy's Main health pool.
** Refer to armor values and enemy durability as defined in Damage.
*** The percentage of damage that is applied to the enemy's Main health pool. At 0 HP, the enemy dies. Unless the enemy has constitution, then it will bleedout and die.
**** ExDR means explosive damage resistance, this is a percentage between 0 and 100. If this value is 100%, the part is explosive immune, meaning explosives cannot damage it.
Explosions will only directly damage Main health if it is internal.
Tactical Information
- The strafing path of a Stingray is shown by the blue highlight they leave on the ground after descending.
- The blue highlight doesn't render on all surfaces, such as caved in terrain from explosions or destroyed buildings that are low to the ground.
- Stingrays are extraordinarily fast and fly far outside of the range of most weapons, making them nearly impossible to hit when in-flight. However, their strafing attack slows them down enough to be easily targeted.
- The FAF-14 Spear and StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher's missiles can lock on to and chase Stingrays seemingly indefinitely. They will not be able to catch up to them mid-flight however, only when the Stingray slows down to attack.[1]
- Explosive or Heavy armor penetrating Support Weapons such as the AC-8 Autocannon, MLS-4X Commando, and APW-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle excel at destroying stingrays during their strafing run.
- Medium armor penetrating primary and secondary weapons such as the R-6 Deadeye, LAS-58 Talon, and AR-23P Liberator Penetrator can also destroy Stingrays, albeit less efficiently than most support weapons
- Activating a SEAF SAM Site is a viable method for shooting down Stingrays, but it is inconsistent and subject to several environmental constraints.
- SEAF SAM Sites have a relatively short effective engagement range and will not be able to target Stingrays when in high-speed flight.
- SEAF SAM Sites may also be blocked by environmental factors like tall buildings or mountains.
- Stingrays are capable of friendly fire, and their sweeping bombardments can be utilized to take out large numbers of Illuminate if lured carefully. Even Grounded Warp Ships can be damaged if they are in the target area.
- Mobility backpacks such as the LIFT-182 Warp Pack or LIFT-850 Jump Pack allow Helldivers to reliably avoid Stingray bombardments.
- Helldivers looking to avoid a Stingray’s barrage should run towards the side as this allows for the quickest escape.
- A large portion of the Stingray's damage is categorized as explosive. Wearing explosive resistant armor and or going prone can save you if you don't have time to move out of the way.
- By extension, the shield generator pack or going prone with the ballistic shield on your back can also save you from these strafing runs.
Trivia
- Anything killed by a Stingray's plasma strafe is completely vaporized, leaving no corpse behind. Helldivers killed in such fashion will still drop whatever equipment and samples they had.
- Prior to Version 1.003.002, due to a bug, the Stingray was called the "Interloper" when tagged by a player or when killed by one.
Gallery
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Change History
Patch
Description
1.003.101
2025-06-10
Fix
- Fixed two cases where the Stingray enemy would appear to stop or teleport on death
1.003.002
2025-05-20
Fix
- Fixed an issue where Stingray strafing attack sounds could get stuck for a while
Undocumented Fix
- Stingrays are no longer called Interloper when tagged or killing a player.
1.003.000
2025-05-13
Addition
- Added to the game.
Scavenger • Bile Spitter • Pouncer • Hunter • Shrieker • Warrior • Bile Warrior • Alpha Warrior • Hive Guard • Nursing Spewer • Bile Spewer • Brood Commander • Alpha Commander • Stalker • Charger • Spore Charger • Charger Behemoth • Impaler • Bile Titan • Dragonroach • Hive Lord
Trooper • Brawler • Commissar • Rocket Raider • Marauder • MG Raider • Berserker • Devastator • Rocket Devastator • Heavy Devastator • Scout Strider • Reinforced Scout Strider • Hulk Obliterator • Hulk Scorcher • Hulk Bruiser • War Strider • Annihilator Tank • Shredder Tank • Barrager Tank • Gunship • Dropship • Factory Strider
