The Bastion Tank just arrived in Helldivers 2, and it costs 35,000 requisition slips to unlock. This heavily armored tank destroyer launches with the 6.0.1 patch as democracy’s ultimate ground weapon. Here’s everything you need to survive your first battle in this mechanical beast.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Call-in Time: 10.5 seconds to deploy the TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI
- Main Weapon: 120mm high-velocity cannon dealing 3,500 damage per shot
- Secondary Weapon: Heavy coaxial machine gun with 2,000 rounds of ammunition
- Crew Requirement: Requires two Helldivers, one driver and one gunner to operate effectively
How to Unlock the Bastion Tank
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Navigate to your Ship Management console and visit the Hangar section. Find the TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI Stratagem listed among other vehicle options. Pay 35,000 requisition slips to unlock it permanently. You must reach level 25 before unlocking this powerful tank destroyer. The cost is steep, but approximately two full operations worth of requisition slip rewards will cover it completely.
Arrowhead Game Studios designed this stratagem as a vehicle unlock, not a warbond exclusive. This means you control the timing of your investment. Additionally, the Morale Augmentation ship module reduces the 780-second cooldown by 5 percent, bringing it down to 741 seconds.
Mastering the Two-Person Operation
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The Bastion demands coordination between its crew members. The driver position is accessed from the right side of the tank roof facing frontally. The driver controls movement, gear shifting, and forward direction using WASD keys and shift-controller gears. The driver can honk the horn and activate the handbrake for tactical positioning.
The gunner position is accessed from behind the tank destroyer. Gunners control both the powerful 120mm cannon and the heavy machine gun. They can switch between three positions: main gunner and two secondary gunner positions on the casemate roof. This flexibility allows gunners to cover angles the main cannon cannot reach, such as enemies behind or beside the tank.
Devastating Firepower and Combat Capability
The 120mm cannon ranks among the most devastating weapons in Helldivers 2. It deals 3,500 damage with Anti-Tank IV armor penetration, meaning it penetrates every enemy armor type without reduction. The cannon fires up to 30 rounds before requiring resupply, and each shot produces a devastating area effect with a 10-meter outer radius and 11-meter shockwave radius.
The heavy machine gun provides suppressive fire and handles smaller targets efficiently. It carries 2,000 rounds requiring 3 minutes 20 seconds of straight firing to deplete completely. Gunners should use it liberally without worrying about ammunition conservation. The gun penetrates medium armor and handles groups of Terminids and Automatons effectively. Secondary gunner positions throw stratagems while the main positions fire weapons.
| Feature | Specification |
| Main Health | 8,000 HP with Medium armor |
| Ammunition Health | 350 HP with Light armor |
| Cannon Damage | 3,500 damage vs all targets |
| Machine Gun Damage | 150 standard, 35 vs durable enemies |
| Magazine/Capacity | 30 cannon shells, 2,000 HMG rounds |
“A heavily-armored tank destroyer armed with a 120mm high-velocity cannon and a heavy coaxial machinegun.”
— Ship Management Terminal, Helldivers 2
Tactical Limitations and Positioning Strategy
The Bastion Tank dominates frontally but struggles with positioning limitations. The firing arc restricts to approximately 30 degrees in all directions from center, meaning the driver must constantly aim the tank toward targets. Enemies at extreme elevation differences prove frustrating targets, and highly mobile enemies at close range easily circle the tank.
Secondary gunner positions compensate by covering side and rear arcs effectively. Passengers in these positions should prioritize clearing flanking angles. The tank can crush small to medium enemies without difficulty, but avoid running over friendly Helldivers as they suffer fatal damage from the tracks. Terrain awareness matters tremendously. The Bastion can knock down trees and obstacles but struggles with steep elevation changes.
Will the Bastion Tank Change Your Democracy Game Forever?
The Bastion Tank fundamentally transforms Helldivers 2 squad dynamics. Teams with coordination will dominate increasingly difficult missions. Solo players and disorganized squads may struggle with crew communication and cannon positioning. Voice communication between driver and gunner dramatically improves effectiveness and targeting accuracy. The tank excels against large heavily armored targets, factory striders, and command bunkers, but struggles against enemies with superior positioning. Is your squad ready to invest 35,000 requisition slips in mobile firepower, or will enemies overrun uncoordinated tank crews first?
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.