| “ | A new strain of flying Terminids has suddenly appeared across all Terminid planets, with no prior warning or indication of any kind. While the Ministry of Intelligence has always known this was a possibility, the abruptness of the evolution indicates a high possibility of dissident concealment. The deployment of Termicide was fortuitously timed—doubtlessly, it averted an even worse evolution. Helldivers are advised to exterminate these mutations whenever encountered. | „ |
Shriekers are moderate-sized flying 
Terminids with a large wingspan. They typically travel in large numbers and use dive tactics to swipe at 
Helldivers.
These flying menaces appeared shortly after the activation of the Terminid Control System on the Barrier Planets within the Umlaut Sector. Unconfirmed reports, antidemocratic rumors and unpatriotic conspiracy theories say that the Termicide, an Anti-Terminid Neurotoxin dispersed by the TCS Towers, caused the Terminids to mutate and evolve faster.
The first official acknowledgement of Shriekers happened via an in-game intelligence brief on March 21st, 2024.
Behavior
Shriekers use swarm tactics to overwhelm their prey. They are primarily found on Shrieker Nest which will spawn them periodically. Some Operations may include the "Roving Shriekers" modifier which will spawn patrols of Shriekers at certain periods of time. Upon spotting the presence of a Helldiver, Shriekers will first surround their target midair before swerving towards them with their claws to deal moderate damage.
Anatomy
| Part Name | Health* | AV** | Durable | %To Main*** | Bleed | Fatal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main |
80 | 0 | 0% | - | - | Yes |
| Limbs | 30 | 0 | 0% | 40% | None | No |
| Face | 20 | 0 | 0% | 100% | None | Yes |
| Wing | 20 | 0 | 100% | 30% | None | Yes |
Behavior
From observations and field studies by Helldivers, Shriekers greatly resemble Hunters with abnormally large wings, with some suggesting that either the Termicide is affecting the stage between Pouncers and Hunters, or the eggs themselves before they hatch. The fact Shriekers have their own nests makes the latter theory more likely.
Shriekers often attack in large packs, diving from a high angle attempting to slice open Helldivers and Citizens. If a Shrieker is killed while in the process of doing a dive attack, the corpse can still cause harm due to the sheer impact of the body.
Shriekers will almost always miss their attacks against Helldivers who are low to the ground, such as when prone/diving. Running is also a viable method to avoid attacks, as long as Shriekers don't fly in from directly in front or behind.
Shrieker Nest
Shriekers spawn from tall towers known as a Shrieker Nest. Capable of withstanding normal ammunition, it is advised to bring explosive launchers or stratagems to blow up these nests. Helldivers can call in a Hellbomb when close to the nest area. Hellpods can also inflict major damage against a tower.
Notes
- As of update 1.000.400, packs of shriekers will now start patrolling the map and their number will depend on difficulty and will continue as long as shrieker nests are active. Additionally, a certain mission modifier will cause shrieker patrols to spawn from the edge of the map indefinitely, even if no nests are on the map.
- Capable of flight, it is advised that Helldivers bring weaponry with good accuracy and a high rate of fire or a shotgun for its high spread pattern.
- The Shrieker's main attack is dive-bombing players to slice them with their claws, which deals a sizable amount of damage. They are relatively easy to avoid with a dodge, and crawling low to the ground will reduce their chances of a hit. However, they will almost always attack from the rear, where its main threat is dividing the player's attention from other potential threats.
- If a Shrieker is killed mid-dive, its speeding corpse continues to be a hazard, and will deal damage if it collides with another Helldiver. This can be avoided by dodging to the side.
- Shriekers have low health and are lightly armored. Almost any projectile weapon will do the job, but shooting off a wing is the quickest way to bring them down.
- The SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary is the best weapon against them, as being hit by a single incendiary pellet is a death sentence for a shrieker. The SG-225SP Breaker Spray&Pray is also a viable choice as rapidly filling the skies with lead will eventually take swarms down easily.
- As shown in its preview video, the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher is capable of devastating entire groups of shriekers with a well-placed rocket.
- When faced against an overwhelming amount of shriekers, one of the best counters is the Patriot Exosuit, as its armor is largely resistant to their attacks and its 1000-round rotary machine gun will make short work of large shrieker swarms.
- Quite strangely, shriekers have a high chance of killing themselves upon trying to attack anyone inside an M-102 Fast Recon Vehicle, as they appear to collide with the vehicle itself. Occupants however, will still take damage and the collective force of a dozen shriekers striking one side of the car may cause it to flip.
- If engaged by shrikers in the open, it is advised to have your back against a high wall if possible, as this limits their attack options to your front. If this is not possible, going prone into a crater or uneven terrain is the next best thing, as shriekers have a hard time going that low into the ground.
- After patch 01.001.104, the Flak Autocannon is the absolute best weapon for taking out shriekers, as its programmable ammo allows the player to easily take out entire swarms in only 2 or 3 shots.
- The machine gun/gatling gun sentries and Guard Dog backpack Drones are quite effective at taking down shriekers in masses due to their unerring accuracy.
- In terms of sentry efficiency, the A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry is best at shooting down shrieker swarms, due to its lower RoF, high accuracy, fast traverse and swivel speed, and it holds fire in-between switching targets.
- In terms of backpack drone efficiency, the standard Guard Dog drone works best due to its fast time to kill and penchant for hitting headshots.
