Automaton Outposts are fortifications comprising a number of Automaton Fabricators, static defenses, and guard units. Units produced by the Fabricators within eventually form roaming patrols that search for Helldivers attempting to complete missions in their area of concern.
Appearance
Light Outposts typically consist of a single Fabricator and light defenses such as barbed wire, contact mines, and machine gun turrets. These are usually guarded by Troopers, and the occasional medium unit.
Medium Outposts feature 2–3 Fabricators and more thorough defenses such as walls, cages, multiple turrets including Fusion Repeaters, and pillboxes. Towers often appear, sometimes topped with a heavy Cannon Turret. Medium and Heavy units are often present among the guard detachment.
Assembly robots may occasionally be found performing repairs or demolition. These do not make an active effort to harm Helldivers, but their welding torches and strict programming will not excuse any careless approach.
Heavy Outposts cover large areas of land in cruelty-sourced steel, with large pits, bridges, staging platforms, and high walls forming vertical obstacles. Fabricators may be in such abundance that they appear in pairs. Pillboxes and gun emplacements often appear at multiple levels. Elite units such as Tanks and Factory Striders may be stationed within, supported by multiple Cannon Towers.
Fortresses are of such magnitude that these qualify for Super Helldive mission difficulty. Command Bunker Turrets (of the same variety used at Command Bunkers) may be positioned at disadvantageous points. A Detector Tower is sometimes seen at the center of the Fortress.
Of interest to the Ministry of Truth are the severed heads of Automatons carrying Confidential Data. Retrieving such a unit to the squad's Extraction Shuttle will be rewarded.
Tactics
Outposts appear to follow well-defined plans, no doubt masterminded by the constrained socialist processing of Automaton leadership. Unfortunately for the Automatons, the Helldiver Corps' wide array of explosive weapons, anti-tank launchers, and fire support can neutralize fabricators from considerable distances. Helldivers may still find it useful to loot destroyed outposts for stolen SEAF supplies, and Samples collected (or growing) at the site.
Light Outposts can be cleared with trivial effort, supposing no Trooper calls for reinforcements.
Medium Outposts may require use of wide-striking Stratagems to clear in one swoop.
Heavy Outposts often require multiple Stratagems, and a well-coordinated effort to fully clear.