Grenades act more in the capacity of special abilities than actual grenades, with each one having a different effect. The reload time is very slow, especially at the start before upgrades and gear, so using them tactically is important. Not all grenades are great for clumps of enemies, so learning how each grenade works is important to understand how to adjust your loadout before a game.

Even more important for players who favor PvP in the crucible is knowing what the enemy grenades can do and how to counter each one. While this guide covers both PvE and PvP, we will be including counters for each of the grenades.

Grenade Basics

Grenades are activated usually by the left trigger. Grenades are usually thrown, the distance generally impacted by the grenade statistics, followed by direct that you throw in (generally they aim towards the middle of where your camera is pointed). Once thrown, they will activate their special effect according the ability.

Not all grenades detonate when they hit the ground, but most grenades do generally activate shortly after being thrown. There is always a little bit of time to “dodge” out of the danger.

Warlock Grenades

• Vortex Grenades: These deal damage over time. They’re purple and when they hit the ground you’ll see a large purple dome dealing damage per second to anything inside of it.
• Scatter Grenade: It fires and when it lands, it breaks off into smaller bombs that each deal a little bit of damage. If you see it coming, it’s best to just dodge in a direction away from the center of the blast to minimize damage. These are most effective against non-moving close range targets.
• Axion Bolt: Seeker grenade that homes in on an enemy and attacks. They’re useful for uncovering people hiding under cover or catching a running enemy. You can generally dodge out of the way of these.
• Solar Grenade: The same as Vortex Grenade, but Purple and can apply burning.
• Firebolt Grenade: The same as Axion Bolt, except it can apply burning to the enemy.
• Fusion Grenade: Sticky grenade, insanely powerful if it’s stuck on a target (165 damage). If it’s stuck to you in PvP you’re dead, so it’s best to avoid it while in the air.

Titan Grenades

• Flashbang Grenade: Blinds in PvP, Disorients in PvE. Useful to distract someone so you can fill them full of lead. If you get blinded, continue dodging and moving.
• Pulse Grenade: Similar to the Vortex Grenade, the Pulse Grenade does DoT damage to enemies near it (50dmgx4). Best used in confined spaces or areas where enemies will be inside of it.
• Lightning Grenade: Sticky grenade, once it hits something and attaches, it pulses four times for 100 damage in a very small area. Great placed on walls near an enemy.
• Magnetic Grenade: Sticky grenade. If attached to someone in PvP they’re pretty much dead. In PvE focus on high health enemies only.
• Spike Grenade: Sticky grenade similar to Lightning Grenade. It deals damage faster and in smaller amounts.
• Suppressor Grenade: This keeps enemies from using their abilities for 10 seconds in both PvP and PvE. Great if you’re in a fireteam and you’re trying to lock someone or something down.

Hunter Grenades

• Incendiary Grenade: Plain explosive grenade that applies a DoT.
• Swarm Grenade: Once thrown, spawns five seeker drones that attack enemies. Great for locating players in PvP. Fatal if you get them close enough to a player, otherwise the drones can be shot down.
• Tripmine Grenade: A bomb that triggers when an enemy is close. If placed effectively in PvP, it’s almost impossible to dodge. Look for glowing red dots on the wall or the ground.
• Flux Grenade: Sticky grenade, sticks then detonates. Can be used while cloaked.
• Skip Grenade: Standard seeker grenade, great for finding enemies in PvP. You can either outrun these or just get hit by it.
• Arcbolt Grenade: Another seeker grenade, more effective than the Skip Grenade.

That’s it for grenades! Get out there and protect Earth.