Helldivers 2 SMG-203 Gallant Guide: The Only One-Handed Medium Penetration SMG
In Helldivers 2, SMG-203 Gallant can be unlocked on the first page of Exo Experts Advanced Warbonds for 35 medals. It's a special variant of MP-98 Knight, sacrificing some single-shot damage for moderate armor penetration (AP3) and a longer barrel, increasing its muzzle velocity to 450 m/s.
Its appearance and mechanical design are inspired by the classic FN P90; both are compact bullpup submachine guns with top loading, downward ejection, and a futuristic warfare aesthetic.
Most importantly, SMG-203 Gallant is the only submachine gun in Helldivers 2 that can be operated with one hand while possessing moderate armor penetration - a completely new tactical combination. Let's analyze its attributes, compare its strengths and weaknesses, and see what role SMG-203 Gallant should play in your arsenal.
Advantages
SMG-203 Gallant boasts a top rate of fire and moderate penetration, making it particularly reliable against Automatons. It quickly and effectively eliminates mobs, and is superior to other SMGs in dealing with Illuminate enemies.
SMG-203 Gallant is also very effective against Veracitors and Gatekeepers. Against enemies like Scout Striders and Berserkers, a single headshot is enough to eliminate them because of its incredibly high rate of fire.
Its short bursts prevent you shooting at dying targets. Full-auto fire is best reserved for targets with high health, high durability, and low armor, such as Fleshmobs and Chargers.
Like most SMGs, SMG-203 Gallant is also one-handed, allowing you to carry other Helldivers 2 Items in your off-hand while holding the weapon in your primary hand. This allows SMG-203 Gallant to be used with SH-20 Ballistic Shield.
You can also carry important mission items, such as SSSD Hard Drive in Retrieve Valuable Data missions, or High Value Sample found in Fortresses in Super Helldive Difficulty.
Compared to MP-98 Knight, Gallant rifle also has a slightly higher muzzle velocity of 450 m/s, giving it a slight edge in long-range engagements.
Also Read: Helldivers 2: Hotfix Patch, Monetization Rework, and Ammo Types Teased - Full Developer Response
Disadvantages
In Helldivers 2, SMG-203 Gallant shares the same disadvantages as MP-98 Knight and AR-23P Liberator Penetrator: high ammo consumption; you can empty your magazine in just two seconds.
The high rate of fire means most bullets either hit already dead targets or miss entirely, and SMG-203 Gallant's greater recoil exacerbates this.
Furthermore, each bullet only deals 65 damage. If you want to quickly eliminate enemies, you have to empty your magazine. Killing a scout in Helldivers 2 consumes about 30% of a magazine, and reloading after running out of ammo is a real hassle.
This is especially true when facing fast-moving Bugs and swarms of enemies. SMG-203 Gallant is particularly disadvantageous against the new Bugs, as killing them will accelerate the movement of other Bugs, requiring you to use additional items to complement the weapon.
Most importantly, I feel this gun's role in Helldivers 2 is unclear. While it has its unique utility - it's a fast-firing one-handed AP3 weapon, which is certainly good - there aren't any specific enemies in Helldivers 2 that require it, and it can be easily replaced by other weapons.
If you need ammo with medium penetration, Reprimand is a better choice; it has higher power and more efficient ammo. If you encounter situations where you need to empty your magazine, you can choose Knight.
If you want a submachine gun with medium penetration, you can choose Reprimand. If you want a one-handed weapon, you can choose Stoker. SMG-203 Gallant lacks a specific enemy type of counter.
Attachments and Equipment
Regarding SMG-203 Gallant upgrades, I recommend using a Vertical Foregrip, paired with a Compensator and an extended magazine. The gun's initial Ergonomics is 75, which isn't very high, and the extended magazine further reduces it by 15. However, even with the low Ergonomics, SMG-203 Gallant's bullet spread is very concentrated, which is sufficient for use.
If you don't want to equip Compensator but want to slightly improve your Ergonomics, you can choose Muzzle Brake and Flash Hider, but both will significantly increase your vertical recoil. If you don't equip Vertical Foregrip, and the barrel doesn't have underbarrel, your bullet spread will be more concentrated, but the recoil won't be ideal.
I believe SMG-203 Gallant's strength lies in its instant-fire capability and the need for reduced recoil. Therefore, Compensator paired with Vertical Foregrip is the optimal choice, maximizing SMG-203 Gallant's potential.
In addition, this gun requires a larger magazine capacity, making an extended magazine necessary. For ample ammo, carrying B-1 Supply Pack is essential. You can also equip Reinforced Epaulettes, which provide a 30% reload speed bonus, allowing you to unleash ammo faster and boosting your DPS. Siege-Ready armor passive is highly recommended, as it compensates for ammo shortages and helps maintain ammo levels for SMG-203 Gallant.
While SMG-203 Gallant's ammo consumption is astonishing, it hasn't yet found a truly fitting role in Helldivers 2. However, its unique selling points are undeniable, promising a thrilling shooting experience. If you're looking for a novel experience, Gallant is definitely worth considering.
