How to Throw Grenades in Fallout 4: A Complete Guide

How to Throw Grenades in Fallout 4 – Grenades are an essential part of combat in Fallout 4, providing a powerful way to clear rooms, control crowds, and deal significant damage from a distance. However, for many players, figuring out the mechanics of throwing grenades can be a little confusing at first. If you’re looking to enhance your combat strategy and add grenades to your arsenal effectively, this guide will walk you through how to throw grenades, manage your explosives inventory, and use grenades strategically to give you the upper hand in combat. Let’s dive in and master the art of throwing grenades in Fallout 4!

1. Equipping Grenades in Fallout 4

Before you can throw grenades in Fallout 4, you need to make sure they’re properly equipped. Unlike some other games where grenades are automatically available, Fallout 4 requires you to actively equip them.

Open Your Inventory: Access your Pip-Boy by pressing the appropriate button (usually TAB on PC, B on Xbox, or Circle on PlayStation).
Navigate to the Weapons Tab: In your Pip-Boy, scroll to the “Weapons” section.
Select Your Grenade: Look for the grenades you want to equip, whether it’s a Frag Grenade, Molotov Cocktail, or any other explosive type.
Equip the Grenade: Once you’ve found the grenade, select it, and it will be equipped as your active throw weapon.

You’ll know it’s equipped when you see the grenade icon appear next to your weapon information on the HUD. Once equipped, you’re ready to throw!

2. How to Throw a Grenade on Different Platforms

The controls for throwing grenades vary based on the platform you’re playing on, but the mechanics are simple once you understand them. Here’s a quick breakdown for each platform:

PC: Press and hold the ALT key. Release the key to throw the grenade.
Xbox: Press and hold the RB (Right Bumper) button, then release it to throw the grenade.
PlayStation: Press and hold the R1 button, then release it to throw the grenade.

Make sure to press and hold rather than just tapping, as tapping won’t throw the grenade. Instead, it will just ready the grenade, making it easy to accidentally switch back to your primary weapon without throwing the explosive.

3. Using VATS with Grenades

One unique aspect of Fallout 4 is the VATS (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) mode, which allows you to slow down time and target specific parts of an enemy. Unfortunately, you can’t aim grenades through VATS. However, you can use VATS to help you determine distances and enemy positioning before throwing a grenade.

Activate VATS to Scan: Enter VATS by pressing Q on PC, L1 on PlayStation, or LB on Xbox.
Plan Your Throw: Use VATS to locate the highest-priority enemies and gauge their distance. This is especially useful for making sure your grenade will reach multiple enemies or hit a specific target.
Exit VATS and Throw: Once you’re out of VATS, throw the grenade quickly. Enemies often keep moving, so timing your throw right after a VATS scan can ensure maximum accuracy and impact.

4. Choosing the Right Type of Grenade

Fallout 4 offers a range of grenades, each with unique effects. Here are some popular choices and when to use them:

Frag Grenades: The standard grenade, good for dealing solid damage to a group of enemies. Best used in open areas with clustered enemies.
Molotov Cocktails: Effective for dealing area-of-effect (AoE) fire damage. Use these in enclosed spaces or against enemies hiding behind cover.
Pulse Grenades: Especially effective against robots and Power Armor-wearing foes, as they deal a lot of electrical damage. Great in situations with mechanical enemies.
Plasma Grenades: High damage and effective against both living and mechanical enemies. These are more powerful but also rarer.
Nuka Grenades: Extremely powerful, with a large blast radius. Ideal for taking down tough enemies or large groups, but use with caution as they’re very scarce.

Each grenade type has its strengths, so be mindful of your situation and enemy type before selecting which one to throw.

5. Grenade Strategy and Tactics

Throwing grenades is about more than just dealing damage—it’s about creating tactical advantages on the battlefield. Here are some strategies to make your grenades more effective:

Crowd Control: Use grenades when enemies are grouped together to maximize damage. This is particularly useful against ghouls or low-level raiders who often move in packs.
Blocking Routes: Molotovs and Plasma Grenades can be used to block paths and restrict enemy movement. Throw one in a narrow hallway or choke point to prevent enemies from advancing.
Disabling Strong Opponents: Pulse Grenades are excellent for taking out robots or other mechanical enemies. They deal high damage to machinery, so if you’re facing a Sentry Bot or Protectron, a pulse grenade can turn the tide of battle.
Stealth Approach: If you’re playing a stealthy build, grenades can be a great way to start an encounter. Sneak up on an enemy group and throw a grenade to catch them off guard before retreating or switching to a ranged weapon.

6. Managing and Crafting Grenades

Grenades are not unlimited, so managing and finding grenades is essential if you want to keep using them throughout your playthrough. Here are a few tips to make sure you always have explosives when you need them:

Looting Enemies and Locations: Many enemies, particularly raiders and super mutants, carry grenades. Be sure to loot their bodies after combat. Additionally, places like military bases and armories often have grenades lying around.
Vendors: Merchants, especially weapon vendors, often have grenades for sale. Stop by vendors like Arturo in Diamond City or Deb in Bunker Hill to restock your grenades when you’re low.
Crafting at Chemistry Stations: Some grenades, like the Nuka Grenade, can be crafted at Chemistry Stations. This requires specific ingredients, so keep an eye out for materials like nuclear waste, adhesive, and other explosive components.

By keeping a good supply and knowing where to find grenades, you can keep them as a regular part of your combat strategy.

7. Avoiding Grenade Mishaps

Grenades are powerful but can be dangerous if used improperly. Here’s how to avoid common mistakes:

Avoid Close Throws: Grenades have a blast radius, and throwing them too close to yourself can result in self-damage. Always aim for mid-range or farther distances when throwing.
Watch for Obstacles: Walls, railings, and other objects can sometimes block your throw. Make sure there’s a clear path between you and your target to prevent the grenade from bouncing back.
Remember the Fuse Delay: Grenades have a short fuse before they explode. Be cautious about throwing them near fast-moving enemies, as they might move out of range before the grenade detonates.

Conclusion

Mastering grenades in Fallout 4 can transform your combat approach and give you a powerful tool to control the battlefield. By understanding how to equip, throw, and strategize with different grenade types, you can take on tougher enemies and enhance your combat versatility. Whether you’re crowd-controlling enemies with Frag Grenades, blocking paths with Molotovs, or disabling robots with Pulse Grenades, each explosive has its ideal use. So, next time you’re in the wasteland, make sure you’re ready with a well-stocked inventory of grenades and a plan for how to use them effectively.