How to use the Helldivers 2 Grenade Launcher effectively

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The Helldivers 2 Grenade Launcher is a solid weapon best used on Terminids

kill 50 enemies with the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2
(Image credit: Sony)

Killing enemies with the Helldivers 2 Grenade Launcher is all about careful strategy and maximum impact, finding the right kind of situation to deploy this explosive wonderweapon. I'll be frank: the Grenade Launcher does its best work against the Bugs, who are generally less armored and more grouped together, so if you really want to get the most out of it, you'll take it to Terminid-controlled planets. 

That's not to say it can't work against the Automatons, but the Grenade Launcher works best against light armor and thick groups of foes clustered together, both of which are Terminid calling cards. If you want to know how to the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2, just generally or if you want to complete the Personal Order to kill 50 enemies, here's what you need to know.

How to kill enemies with the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2

Killing enemies with the Helldivers 2 Grenade Launcher

(Image credit: Sony)

To kill enemies with the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2 fast, your best bet is to fight bugs. That's for two reasons: firstly, bugs are very squishy, and, secondly, while the Grenade Launcher is intended for enemies with light armor, its tight blast radius means that you can't assume it'll wipe out a huge number in one go unless everyone's grouped tightly together. Fortunately, Helldivers 2 Terminids love grouping together, so well-aimed shots can kill up to half a dozen bugs with a single grenade.

The important thing is to keep your distance because grenades will actually bounce off targets that are too close, and then there's no guessing where they might land. Plus, generally, with anything explosive in Helldivers 2, further away is always better. So you want to fight at a mid-distance and keep backing up to ensure you stay mid distance. Keep some space between you and your target and then just shoot at the spot where enemies are most grouped together to maximise kills. 

The 50 enemies target should be easily manageable on a Medium Difficulty Eradication mission - or any mission type really. Medium strikes a healthy mix of enemy density, while also ensuring that the enemies that spawn aren't so tough that the Grenade bounces off them (such as the Charger and Bile Titan).

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Joel Franey
Joel Franey
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.

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