Grenades are an integral part of combat inHelldivers 2, often affecting how players approach offensive and defensive strategies. Whether players need to clear out a swarm or create space to regroup, the right grenade can make all the difference whencreating a loadout inHelldivers 2. From explosive devastation to tactical crowd control, every grenade comes with a unique combination of traits that can turn the tide of battle. Here is how they all rank (worst to best) inHelldivers 2.
Unlocked via
250
Fuse TIme
N/A
TheK-2 Throwing Knifeis an underwhelming choice compared to actual grenades inHelldivers 2. It requires considerable precision to consistently hit weak spots,making it ineffective against tougher enemies.
Additionally, without any explosive element, players have no option other than to rely on their primary and support weapons to disperse large groups.
The Throwing Knife does not offer the utility other grenades provide. It cannotdestroy bot fabricators, close bug holes, or detonate warp ships. It feels like a one-trick pony that does not measure up to the versatility and impact of other throwables inHelldivers 2.
0
Fuse Time
2.4 seconds
TheG-3 Smoke Grenadeis a utility throwable that creates small clouds of smoke to hide players. It isparticularly effective against the Automatonsbecause they stop shooting as soon as players enter a smoke cloud. Either that or they will just shoot wildly after breaking their line of sight. They might also come out of cover to search for their lost targets, allowing players to reposition safely using the smoke before returning fire.
Unfortunately, the Smoke Grenade does not destroy bug holes, bot fabricators, or warp ships, which takes away from its utility value.
800
3.5 seconds
If players are looking for a grenade inHelldivers 2that does the most damage in a single blast, look no further than theG-12 High Explosive. It detonates in a small area to take out light enemies and dent armored targets. It is the only grenade in the game that is effective against almost all enemy types. However,its long fuse time makes it tricky to use.
While players can cook High Explosives for air bursts and controlled detonations, the fast-paced gameplay ofHelldivers 2means that there will often be situations where the Impact Grenade is just easier and better, even at the cost of damage.
500
TheG-6 Frag Grenadedeals slightly less damage than the standard High Explosive but has a wider explosion radius. It is a good choice for players who want a wider impact than the standard grenade, but its differences are so slight that some players may not notice.
Like other explosive grenades, it can bethrown into Bug Holes or Fabricator ventsto close them, and it does a good job killing clusters of enemies. It is a solid, dependable choice that can fill the role that grenades generally have in shooter games.
150
TheG-13 Incendiary Impact Grenadeis one of two incendiary grenades inHelldivers 2. This one detonates on impact to deal explosive damage and burn the surrounding enemies or area. While efficient against fleshy enemies, players will find the normal Impact and Incendiary Grenades far more effective in comparison.
Watch out when throwing an Incendiary Impact Grenade at close range. The splash damage can catch players and put them on fire.
300
2.9 seconds
TheG-10 Incendiary Grenadeis the same as its Impact counterpart except that itdoes a lot more damageat the cost of a long fuse time. If players struggle with cooking grenades inHelldivers 2, they are likely to find Impact Incendiaries easier to use. However, if they learn how to cook or simply throw an Incendiary Grenade at their feet while running, enemies can get caught the same while taking double the damage. Additionally, the standard Incendiary candestroy parked warp ships inHelldivers 2. This makes it an excellent grenade to have for the Illuminate maps since Incendiary is lethal against the Voteless.
400
TheG-16 Impact Grenadeis highly effective and reliable for players looking for a quick and precise way of blowing up enemies on all three fronts. It explodes as soon as it comes into contact with an enemy, doing massive explosive damage in a radius. This also means players do not have to worry about fuse timers or cooking grenades. They can be thrown as far as possible, exploding only when hitting something.
The instant damage makes them quite powerful, especially against Terminids because players canbeat Bile Spewers inHelldivers 2with a single Impact Grenade. Additionally, they are excellent at dispersing small groups of light enemies, and can even destroy Automaton Tanks and Cannon Turrets—takes two grenades to their heat sinks.
Bug holes are easy to close, but Automaton fabricators require players to throw Impact Grenades exactly in the center of the ventilation shafts from the front.
25 DPS
The G-4 Gas Grenade creates a toxic cloud inHelldivers 2that damages enemies over time while disorienting and slowing them to move aimlessly and lose track of their targets. This makes it anexcellent tool for disrupting large enemy groups.
Unlike other grenades that rely on explosive force, the Gas Grenade is all about providing valuable crowd control for strategic gameplay. It makes bug breaches easier to manage and is especially useful against the Voteless.
The Gas Grenade does not stack with the Orbital Gas Strike to do more damage.
Even though it does no explosive damage, the Gas Grenade can be used to destroy bug holes, bot fabricators, and warp ships, making it a highly utility-pro throwable inHelldivers 2.
1.8 seconds
TheG-23 Stun Grenadeis one of the most powerful tactical grenades inHelldivers 2. Instead of doing damage,it stuns all enemies within a 10-meter radius for a full 5 seconds. This makes it invaluable for disabling high-priority enemies amid battle, providing a crucial window of opportunity to reposition and target weak points.
Facing a group of Chargers or Hulk Scorchers? Drop a Stun Grenade to flank them orcall in an Eagle 500kg Bombwhile they are sitting ducks.
975 DPS over 6.5 seconds before 2,000 explosion
TheG-123 Thermite Grenadestands out as one of the most powerful grenades inHelldivers 2, especially when dealing with heavily armored targets like Chargers and Annihilator Tanks. It burns for 6.5 seconds beforeexploding to deal nearly 3,000 damagein total, enough to kill any large enemy. This includesblowing up Factory Stridersas long as players can land a Thermite on their weak spot.
Since the Thermite can stick to anything it lands on, players can also use it to destroy structures like Cannon Turrets.
The Engineering Kit armor passive makes the Thermite even more powerful, allowing players to carry more of these devastating grenades into battle.
The lethal anti-tank power is invaluable. A single Thermite is enough to take down any high-priority target that other grenades struggle to damage effectively. This makes it one of the best grenades inHelldivers 2, especially if players are not running any anti-tank weapons.
