The R-63CS Counter Sniper is a marksman rifle in Helldivers 2 that focuses on higher damage and medium armor penetration. Compared to the standard R-63 Diligence, it is built more for deliberate long-range shooting rather than fast target switching.

In general, the main trade-offs are simple. The R-63CS hits harder and can penetrate medium armor, but it carries fewer rounds per magazine and has noticeably higher recoil. Most players will feel this immediately when firing multiple shots in a row. You are rewarded for careful aim, but punished for spamming shots.

Another major difference is the scope. The R-63CS uses a longer-range optic similar to the one on the APW-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle. This scope provides more magnification and a finer reticle, which helps with precision at long distances, but it also introduces handling quirks that affect how the weapon feels in practice.

How Does the R-63CS Perform Against Automatons?

Against Automatons, the R-63CS is usually where it performs best. Its medium armor penetration allows it to engage enemies that the normal R-63 struggles with.

Most players use it to deal with:

• Automaton Scout Striders

• Automaton Gunships

• Medium-armored infantry units

With careful aim, the R-63CS can reliably damage or destroy these targets without needing support weapons. In general, two well-placed shots are enough to remove most standard Automaton units, which makes it effective for thinning patrols before they become a problem.

Because Automatons often fight at range and use predictable movement, the higher recoil and slower follow-up shots are less of an issue here than they would be in close-quarters combat.

Is the R-63CS Useful Against the Illuminate?

The R-63CS sees decent use against the Illuminate, mainly because of its ability to kill Overseers with head shots. This is something the standard R-63 cannot always do reliably.

Most players find that the weapon works best when you take a defensive position and wait for clear shots. The scope magnification helps with picking out priority targets, especially when Illuminate units are mixed together.

That said, it still requires good positioning. The R-63CS is not forgiving if you miss, and Illuminate enemies can punish slow reloads and limited magazine capacity if you are caught out of position.

How Does It Handle Against Terminids?

Against Terminids, the R-63CS is usually considered a situational choice rather than a go-to weapon.

In general, it is not optimal for dealing with swarms. The low magazine capacity and slower handling make it harder to respond when bugs close the distance quickly.

However, its medium armor penetration does give it some useful roles. Most players can reliably engage:

• Bile Spewers (head shots)

• Brood Commanders (head shots)

• Hive Guards (head shots)

Its high damage also allows it to kill small Terminid units in one or two shots. This makes it fairly effective at cleaning up light patrols before they escalate, but once numbers grow, most squads will rely on other weapons or stratagems.

What Are the Key Attachment Options?

The R-63CS supports several optic choices, but has no unique underbarrel or muzzle attachments that drastically change its role. Base stats are measured with the default sight and magazine, with no muzzle or underbarrel equipped.

Optics Overview

• 10x Sniper Scope (Default)This is the defining optic of the weapon. It offers strong magnification and a precise reticle, but also introduces scope drag.

• 1.5x Tube Red Dot (Level 3)Adds +9 ergonomics. Some players use this for closer engagements, but it removes the weapon’s long-range advantage.

• Reflex Sight (Level 8)Also adds +9 ergonomics and improves handling in close-to-mid range.

• Holographic Sight (Level 14)Similar ergonomics bonus, with a clearer reticle for some players.

• Reflex Sight Mk2 (Level 18)Another ergonomic-focused option with similar benefits.

• 4x Combat Scope (Level 24)Adds +3 ergonomics and offers a middle ground between precision and handling.

Most players stick with either the default 10x scope for long-range support or a reflex-style optic if they want more flexibility.

What Is Scope Drag and Why Does It Matter?

One major difference that is not clearly listed in the weapon stats is scope drag.

The R-63CS has noticeable scope drag, similar to the Anti-Materiel Rifle. When you move the scope quickly, there is a short delay before it fully aligns with your target. This makes fast target switching more difficult.

In contrast, the standard R-63 has almost no scope drag, allowing for quick consecutive shots across multiple enemies.

In practice, this means the R-63CS rewards patience. Most players perform better when they slow down, line up shots carefully, and avoid snapping between targets too quickly.

Does the R-63CS Have a Different Rate of Fire?

The armory description mentions a reduced rate of fire, but in practice, the listed rate of fire is the same as the normal Diligence.

The real differences come from recoil, magazine size, and scope handling rather than raw fire rate. Most players experience it as “slower” simply because it is harder to fire accurately at maximum speed.

How Should You Use the R-63CS in Real Missions?

In general, the R-63CS works best as a support weapon within a squad.

Most players use it to:

• Remove medium-armored threats at range

• Thin out patrols before they trigger alerts

• Cover open terrain during objectives

To deal with close-range threats, many players switch between first-person and third-person view. Third-person aiming allows quicker target acquisition at close-to-mid range, while still benefiting from the weapon’s accuracy.

This flexibility helps offset the limitations of the sniper scope when enemies push closer than expected.

Is the R-63CS Worth Unlocking?

Whether the R-63CS is worth unlocking depends on how you play. Players who enjoy precision shooting and careful positioning usually get good value from it. Players who prefer aggressive movement and crowd control often find it restrictive.

Progression choices in Helldivers 2 often come down to how players spend medals, and discussions about helldivers 2 medals price tend to come up when comparing the R-63CS to other unlocks. In general, it is best treated as a specialized tool rather than a universal solution.

The R-63CS Counter Sniper is a focused marksman rifle that trades flexibility for power and armor penetration. It excels against Automatons, performs well in specific Illuminate encounters, and has limited but useful roles against Terminids.

Most players who take the time to learn its handling quirks find it reliable and rewarding. Those who expect it to behave like a faster marksman rifle may struggle.