Grenades | Weapon list in CS GO CS GO Guide and Tips

Last update: 30 January 2018

Grenades are an inseparable part of the gameplay in CS: GO, as they allow you to control the flow of the game if used properly. There are 7 types of grenades within the game, and each of them has its own uses in multiple situations.

• Types of grenade throws
• Flashbang Grenade
• HE Grenade
• Smoke Grenade
• Molotov/Incendiary Grenade
• Decoy

Types of grenade throws

You can throw grenades at 3 distances:

1. By holding the LMB you will throw your grenade at a large distance.
2. By holding the RMB you will throw your grenade right at you enemy's feet.
3. Holding LMB+RMB will result in a medium distance throw, here it is important to press and release the buttons at the same time.
4. When holding LMB+RMB you can also change your decision and fluently transfer to the long or short distance throw by releasing the relevant button.

As you gain more experience in throwing grenades, you will be able to intuitively match the type of throw to the current situation on the map, e.g. when the enemy is located right around the corner you can use the RMB, in order to throw the grenade right at his feet, which will greatly increase your chances of eliminating him. Remember, that you can always change your decision, even if you have already removed the pin but have not thrown the grenade yet, and select a different grenade or go back to using your main weapon.

Flashbang Grenade

Flashbangs are used to blind enemies, which will allow you and your team to effectively execute an attack and eliminate the targets before they regain their vision. When using flashbangs, it is important to remember the following facts:

1. A player who is looking directly at the exploding grenade will be blinded for much longer than the player who could see it merely with the corner of his eye.
2. The effectiveness of the flashbang's blinding quality decreases as the distance from the explosion increases.
3. A person that is standing with his back turned towards the explosion will not experience any negative effects.

There are two basic types of flashbang throws:

Popflash

A technique revolving around a throw that will not allow the enemy to have any time to react, pull back or look away. This type of throw usually results in a mid-air explosion or an explosion right in front of the enemy, this way the falling grenade will not generate the sound that can warn the enemy player.

Flash behind your back

Another technique is to throw the grenade in such a way, that it explodes behind your back, in the opposite direction to the one you will be running in. This method is useful on shorter distances, when you are unable to use a Popflash.

As an example, while going towards the B bombsite on the map The Dust II you can throw a flashbang while running, in such a way that it will explode behind you when you emerge from the tunnel. Any hostile defenders who were looking this way will now be blinded, and you will gain some time to eliminate them.

HE Grenade

A grenade, which explodes after a certain amount of time and deals substantial damage to all enemies within a large radius. The maximal damage of the HE grenade is 98 to an unarmored enemy and 57 if the foe is wearing armor. The HE can be a lethal weapon against hostiles during eco rounds. Depending on which side of the conflict you are on, the HE grenade can have different uses.

Counter-Terrorists

1. HE grenades are a great way of slowing down the hostile attack.
2. They are useful when trying to recapture the bombsite.
3. One grenade could be enough to eliminate the enemy who is planting the bomb.
4. HE grenades can cause significant damage to players who are standing in narrow passageways or corridors.
5. If you know, that an enemy is hiding right around the corner, then you can use a HE grenade to lure him out of hiding.

Terrorists

1. If you are on the attacker's side you can use HE grenades to deal damage to defenders who are hiding in small rooms or around corners.
2. HE grenades are an effective way of luring players using AWPs out of their positions.
3. HE grenades are also useful when your team is trying to gain control over a bombsite.

Smoke Grenade

Smoke grenades are the backbone of any good defense in CS: GO. Their appropriate placement will allow you to control the flow of the game. The smoke grenade will only activate once it has come to a full stop, which will allow you to throw them over great distances. Depending on the team you are on, smoke grenades can have a different purpose.

Counter-Terrorists

1. Smoke grenades are an excellent way of slowing down the Terrorist aggression. Use them primarily in key locations, from which the enemies attack most often. This way, the Terrorists will be forced to use some of their own resources in order to pass through the smoke safely, or they will need to find a different path and thus lose a lot of time.
2. If the Terrorists are not in a hurry to attack, it is worth saving your smoke grenades, since they might not fulfill their main purpose. Instead of throwing them out instantly, wait until the action starts developing.
3. Smoking off the entry points to the bombsite with smoke grenades will prevent the enemies from discovering how many Counter-Terrorists are defending the site.

Terrorists

1. While playing on the side of the Terrorists you must use the smoke grenades in ways that will allow you to take over control over the map or will allow you to enter the bombsite.
2. After planting the bomb, you can try to smoke off the entry points to the bombsite, in order to prevent the Counter-Terrorists from getting a grasp of the situation, this way you will also deny them any information about the number of enemies located on the site.

Molotov/Incendiary Grenade

These are grenades, which will cover quite a large area in flames upon impact with the floor. Players standing in these flames will begin to suffer serious damage, which will prove fatal unless they leave the area in 3.5 seconds. Remember, that the flames can be doused by using a smoke grenade.

Counter-Terrorists

1. The Incendiary grenade costs 600$, so be sure to always use it correctly, in order not to lose such a substantial sum of money.
2. Incendiary grenades can effectively dampen the enemy attack, as the foes will have to pass through the flames and suffer some damage or use a smoke grenade to neutralize the negative effect.
3. If the enemies are attacking and have found themselves in a narrow passageway or a small room, throwing an Incendiary grenade at such a location can deal significant damage amongst the enemy's ranks.
4. If the foes have begun planting the bomb, throwing an Incendiary grenade at the site can give your team some time in order to recapture the bombsite.

Terrorists

1. The Molotov can be used in order to gain control over parts of the map.
2. It is helpful when you are trying to capture consecutive areas of the map, you can throw it into small rooms or towards the edges of the map, where the enemies are hiding.
3. The Molotov is also useful when you are assaulting the bombsite, especially during eco rounds. If your team has enough molotovs you can quite literally fry your enemies to death.

Decoy

This is a grenade, which imitates the sound of your rifle/pistol after it is thrown. Decoys can be quite useful when you aim to conceal the direction of your attack or if you want to draw out a larger number of enemies.