Grenade pistols in Helldivers 2 are some of the most versatile sidearms you can bring into a mission. While they might not be as flashy as heavy support weapons or as straightforward as standard rifles, they provide unique advantages when used properly. Mastering them can give you an edge in both solo runs and coordinated squad play.
Understand Their Role
Grenade pistols are not meant to replace your primary weapon. Instead, think of them as utility tools for dealing with groups of enemies or armored targets in situations where rifles fall short. Their explosive rounds allow you to clear clusters of bugs, chip away at automatons, or control choke points during high-intensity firefights.
Timing Matters
Unlike standard firearms, grenade pistols have travel time and an arc. Rushing your shots often leads to wasted ammo or even accidental team damage. To make the most of them, aim slightly ahead of moving enemies and consider the terrain. Explosives are most effective when you bounce them off walls, ramps, or natural cover to reach enemies behind obstacles.
Best Situations to Use Them
Crowd Control: When swarmed, a well-placed grenade can thin out packs of smaller enemies quickly.
Objective Defense: Setting up around control points, extraction sites, or uplink stations becomes easier when you can deny access with explosives.
Supporting Teammates: If your squad is pinned down, a grenade pistol can break enemy formations, buying time for recovery.
Ammo Management
Grenade pistols come with limited ammo, so you cannot rely on them exclusively. Save them for critical moments where their impact is maximized. Overuse will leave you empty-handed at the worst possible time. Always balance between your primary weapon and explosives.
Complementing Your Loadout
Grenade pistols shine when paired with weapons that excel at single-target damage, like sniper rifles or precision assault rifles. This way, you can handle both high-value targets and large groups without over-relying on one tool.
Extra Tips from the Field
Practice lobbing grenades at different ranges to get used to their arc.
Use them to trigger chain reactions with environmental hazards.
Communicate with your squad so they don’t rush into your line of fire.
Grenade pistols are situational but powerful tools that can turn the tide of a battle in Helldivers 2. Whether you’re grinding missions or experimenting with different loadouts, learning to control explosive sidearms adds depth to your gameplay. Many players look to expand their options by trying out various weapons and gear, and some even choose to buy Helldivers 2 super credits to unlock cosmetics and warbonds faster. Others prefer to buy Helldivers 2 items online through trusted platforms like U4GM to customize their arsenal more efficiently. No matter how you build your kit, smart use of grenade pistols will always give you a tactical advantage.
