What Is the Bastion Tank in Helldivers 2

The TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI is one of the most destructive vehicle Stratagems available in Helldivers 2. Designed as a heavy anti-armor platform, the Bastion Tank functions more like a mobile tank destroyer than a traditional frontline brawler.

While it doesn't boast extreme durability, it compensates with overwhelming offensive power, squad utility, and high-impact battlefield presence. For players pushing into Automaton-controlled planets on greater difficulties, the Bastion delivers some of the most reliable anti-vehicle firepower in the game.

Here's everything you need to know about the Bastion Tank, including how to unlock it, how it works, and whether it's worth the investment.

What Is the Bastion Tank?

The Bastion Tank is a universal vehicle Stratagem that can be equipped by any Helldiver who meets the unlock requirements. Its design philosophy centers around coordinated squad play and high burst damage.

·Devastating 120mm main cannon

·Coaxial heavy machine gun

·Seating for a full squad

·Heavy anti-armor specialization

Unlike flexible utility Stratagems, the Bastion is a mission-defining asset. It's built to eliminate high-priority threats quickly rather than sustain prolonged frontline punishment.

How to Unlock the Bastion Tank

Unlocking the TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI is straightforward- but expensive.

Bastion Tank Unlock Requirements

To unlock the Bastion:

1. Board your Super Destroyer

2. Open the Ship Management Console

3. Navigate to the Hangar section

4. Locate the TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI Stratagem

5. Pay 35,000 Requisition Slips

Once purchased, it becomes permanently available in your Stratagem loadout.

Because of the steep price, many players prioritize optimized Requisition farming routes. Completing higher-difficulty operations efficiently can significantly speed up the unlock process.

Is There a Level Requirement?

At the time of writing, there is no clearly displayed level requirement. However, heavy Stratagem vehicles and mech-class assets in Helldivers 2 typically unlock at mid-to-high progression levels.

If the Bastion does not appear in your Hangar:

·Continue leveling up

·Complete higher-difficulty operations

·Increase your rank through successful mission chains

As a universal Stratagem, any Helldiver can eventually unlock it with sufficient progression and currency.

How to Use the Bastion Tank

Once unlocked, the Bastion can be equipped during mission loadout selection like any other Stratagem.

Deployment Steps

During a mission:

· Enter the Bastion Stratagem code

·Call it down via drop pod

·Secure the landing area

·Board immediately

However, simply deploying it isn't enough. The Bastion requires coordination to reach peak effectiveness.

Team-Based Operation Mechanics

The Bastion is not optimized for solo play. It performs best with at least two players operating it.

Driver Role

·Controls vehicle movement

·Positions for firing angles

·Aligns targets for the gunner

Gunner Role

·Fires the 120mm main cannon

·Operates the coaxial heavy machine gun

Unlike tanks in other shooters, the Bastion's turret does not rotate freely. The cannon has limited barrel movement, meaning the driver must align the entire vehicle to secure accurate shots.

Without proper driver-gunner communication, the vehicle's effectiveness drops significantly.

Bastion Tank Weapons Breakdown

120mm Main Cannon

The 120mm cannon is the Bastion's defining feature.

Best used against:

·Automaton walkers

·Heavy armored units

·Fortified objectives

·Enemy vehicles

The damage output is enormous, capable of deleting high-value threats within seconds. However, ammunition is limited. Every shell should count.

This weapon is particularly devastating against armored enemies that would otherwise require multiple anti-tank Stratagems.

Coaxial Heavy Machine Gun

The mounted heavy machine gun provides sustained suppression against:

·Light infantry

·Swarming enemies

·Flanking units

It allows the Bastion crew to conserve main cannon ammunition while maintaining battlefield control.

Ramming Potential

Due to its size and weight, the Bastion can flatten smaller enemies by driving over them. While situational, this adds a layer of crowd control during chaotic engagements.

It's not a primary tactic, but it can save valuable ammo in high-pressure scenarios.

Cooldowns and Limitations

Despite its immense firepower, the Bastion has several drawbacks.

Major Limitations

·Cooldown: Over 12 minutes

·Ammo: Limited for both weapons

·Durability: Less tanky than expected

·Crew Dependency: Weak in uncoordinated teams

The lengthy cooldown means you'll likely deploy only one Bastion per operation unless the mission runs exceptionally long.

Strategic timing is critical. Calling it down too early-or in an unsafe location-can waste its potential entirely.

Best Use Cases for the Bastion Tank

The Bastion performs best in structured, high-intensity missions.

Ideal Scenarios

·Automaton-heavy planets

·High-difficulty operations

·Defensive objectives

·Extraction zones

·Coordinated squad play

In these situations, the Bastion becomes a force multiplier. It allows squads to eliminate armored threats quickly while teammates handle crowd control and support roles.

Less Effective In

·Solo missions

·Mobility-focused objectives

·Small-map engagements

·Hit-and-run scenarios

If your team already runs strong crowd-control Stratagems, adding the Bastion significantly improves anti-armor capability.

Is the Bastion Tank Worth Unlocking?

For coordinated squads, absolutely.

The Bastion Tank offers:

·Massive burst damage

·Elite anti-armor capability

·Strong team synergy

·High-impact battlefield control

However, solo players may struggle to maximize their potential due to driver-gunner coordination requirements.

If you frequently run organized operations with friends or consistent teammates, the Bastion becomes one of the most satisfying and destructive assets available. Players aiming for top-tier Stratagem collections often prioritize unlocking high-impact Helldivers 2 Items like the Bastion early. Others choose to buy Helldivers 2 Items indirectly by accelerating progression through optimized mission farming and resource acquisition.

Final Thoughts

The TD-220 Bastion Mk XVI stands as one of the most powerful vehicle Stratagems in Helldivers 2. While it lacks the raw durability of a traditional frontline tank, it compensates with overwhelming firepower and squad-based synergy.

At 35,000 Requisition Slips, it's a serious investment-but one that pays off in high-difficulty Automaton missions and coordinated defensive operations.

In the escalating war for Super Earth, sometimes the best defense isn't thicker armor-it's a bigger cannon.