using grenade launcher in helldivers 2
Screenshot by Destructoid

How to use the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2 to maximize kills

Blow them away.

Helldivers 2 presents players with Major Orders to help direct them in the Second Galactic War. However, there are also Personal Orders, smaller objectives that players can complete in one or two missions to boost their Requisition Slips and buy some additional gear like a Grenade Launcher.

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Almost all Personal Orders revolve around killing something, usually with a specific weapon. However, it’s difficult to complete them if you don’t really know how these weapons and Stratagems work, and what you should be pairing them with. I’ve found that the Grenade Launcher is particularly hard to master because it blurs the line between these pieces of your usual builds.

How to use the Grenade Launcher to maximize kills in Helldivers 2

shooting dropship automaton with grenade launcher in helldivers 2
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The best way to use the Grenade Launcher to maximize kills in Helldivers 2 is, of course, to call it down at the start of a mission and use it against everything you see. It’s a pretty powerful weapon, able to kill small enemies and deal a lot of damage to armored foes. Its only struggle is breaking through and dealing damage to the biggest things in the game, like Tanks.

If you’re using it from the very first minute of a mission, you’ll rack up kills in no time, but it comes with limited ammo. You’ll quickly burn through this on higher difficulties, so don’t be afraid to call in a resupply to keep up the barrage of grenades.

Don’t forget what this weapon is. It’s easy to think of it as a slightly more powerful shotgun, but it’s so much better. I’ve taken out Dropships and Hulks with it just by blasting an entire magazine at them. This is far from efficient, but it gets the job done when nothing else really will.

When completing objectives, it’s wise to put the weapon away because you’ll be in close proximity to other Helldivers. I found myself accidentally blowing us all up more than once. A good alternative is to find a vantage point and blow enemies away with every grenade you have until you’re out of ammo.

The one thing you need to watch out for is enemies shooting your grenades as you fire them. This happened more than once to me and it instantly kills your Helldiver. Interestingly, it also rips off their arms. You might just live through it with the right armor, but it’ll cost you at least one Stim to live through.

How to get the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2

buying grenade launcher helldivers 2
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To get the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2, you need to purchase it from the Stratagems tab in the Ship Management menu. It costs 8,000 Requisition Slips, but it’s worth every single one for the destruction it causes on the battlefield.

Best loadout for the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2

loadout for the grenade launcher in helldivers 2
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The best loadout for the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2 is the one you’re most comfortable with. It’s always best to use the Stratagems you know well enough to throw them out like it’s as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. However, I do have a decent loadout I use with it if you’d like something that plays to the weapon’s strengths.

The Grenade Launcher is a great weapon, but you’ve got to move slowly to reload it. That’s why you need the Guard Dog Backpack that will keep enemies from getting too close. I like to deploy a Minefield nearby when I’m about to stop and take out a bunch of enemies, especially if there’s an objective you need to stick close to. Finally, the Precision Orbital Strike is just extremely useful in missions and for taking out heavy foes who surprise you after a session of exploding bugs and bots.

Go with what you know when it comes to your weapons and Boosters. These are always better when they’re what you’re used to because Stratagems just enhance what you have. They should be an additional aspect of your build that’s mainly constructed around weapons with which you can get the most kills.


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Author
Image of Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp
Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp
Jamie is a Staff Writer on Destructoid who has been playing video games for the better part of the last three decades. He adores indie titles with unique and interesting mechanics and stories, but is also a sucker for big name franchises, especially if they happen to lean into the horror genre.