| “ | This oversized affront to Free skies everywhere circles its would-be prey, swooping down intermittently to bespew them with air-combustible acid. A spineless tactic befitting an exoskeletal monstrosity. | „ |
| ~ Helldivers 2 PlayStation Page |
The Dragonroach is a massive airborne 
Terminid that patrol the skies in search of its prey. It can be considered an aerial counterpart to the Bile Titan.
Anatomy
Dragonroach appears to be a cousin to a Bile Titan, with differences being two pairs of wings, thin, aerodynamic legs and overall smaller size. Their aerial environment also seems to changed how they sound, as their roars are more high pitched than their landbound kin.
Dragonroach bile also behaves differently to the Titan one. Instead of beign a caustic jet of vomit, Dragonroach acid is less viscous and flammable upon contact with air. This allows the Dragon to cover swathes of ground into burning pyres, as well as spray it into the air to deadly effect.
Behavior
Dragonroaches will always spawn on the edge of the map, from where they will start patrolling the map in circular motion. Once they spot the Helldiver(s), they will spew large amount of bile in a linear pattern, or if a Helldiver is closer, they will swoop down in an attempt to shred the Helldiver with their legs.
After both of the attacks, the Dragonroach will proceed to hover above ground in the same spot, and will either roar and fly away shortly or proceed to turn around and spew even more bile, creating a death zone in a 40-50 meter cone directly in front of them. After that, the Dragonroach will once again begin circling the Helldivers and repeat the attack.
As of writing this article, they have been spotted on 4+ difficulties.
Tips
- Dragonroaches emit a ghastly screech that can be heard across whole map when they enter the area, giving you both a warning and time to prepare.
- Much like Bile Titans, Dragonroaches have an AP4 carapace, requiring heavy-penetration weapons to pierce it.
- They retain the Bile Titan's weakness of having an unarmored underbelly; concentrated attacks to this spot will also bring it down.
- The wings are also unarmored, and will deal sizable damage to them upon destruction, but will not outright kill them. Destroying the wings will also not stop them from flying.
- Dragonroaches can be easily taken down with AP5 Anti-Tank launchers, with a direct hit to the head. The FAF-14 Spear is particularly effective as the missile can keep tracking them, even while they are mobile. The StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher is another good candidate, but it may take several ammo canisters to ground one down.
- If one does not have its attention, the E/MG-101 HMG Emplacement and E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement, and MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun are other effective tools at gunning down a Dragonroach.
- Dragonroaches can be seen circling the distance when they are plotting an attack vector. When one is orbiting nearby, assume it has spotted you, and prepare accordingly.
- After every set of attacks, Dragonroaches will hover above the ground before flying off again. This window allows for concentrated fire
- Unlike Bile Titans, Dragonroach bile is instead, flammable. It will set the ground it strafes on fire, and also set Helldivers on fire if they're doused in it.
- Since the damage from bile is considered Fire-Damage, armor sets with the "Inflammable" trait can negate most of the damage done. Diving to the ground or using a Stim shot when doused, will also negate a good chunk of the bile's damage.
- As they lack any form of terrestrial movement, roaches cannot follow Helldivers if they venture into caves.
- However, they can still attack if you are inside a part of the cave with a large-enough opening on the roof. Although due to the lack of open space, it is stuck hovering .
- An Orbital Railcannon strike can target the Dragonroach when it is hovering above the ground. This kills the Dragonroach instantly.
- Much like Stingrays, having the plummeting corpse of a Dragonroach crash onto you is typically very lethal. If a Dragonroach is killed while gliding mid-air, it is advised you steer clear infront of it. Staying under it while it is hovering is also unwise.
Trivia
- The Dragonroach is the first enemy from the Terminid faction with an incendiary attack.
- The Dragonroach is also the first enemy to have a map pawn exclusive to it, with the only other enemy possesing this being the Hive Lord.
- The Dragonroach, Bile Titan and Impaler have their unique theme upon engaging them.[1]
Timeline
- September 2, 2185: The Dragonroaches are discovered on Hellmire.
- September 2, 2185: The Dragonroaches abandon Hellmire after its liberation, and appear at Oshaune.
- September 5, 2185: The Dragonroaches attack Hellmire Via Oshaune, and are repelled a day later.
