Utility Grenades: HE Grenade Damage Values
High Explosive (HE) grenades cost $400 and deal up to 100 damage at point-blank range, decreasing with distance. A full-health player at close range takes 80-100 damage and dies (or nearly dies), but at distance (15+ meters) deals only 30-40 damage, negligible against armored opponents. HE grenades are situational utility.
HE damage is often insufficient alone to eliminate enemies. They're valuable for softening targets (reducing health for teammates' easier kills) or forcing repositioning. A well-placed HE grenade during site execution might reduce defender health 40-50%, enabling teammate follow-up kills.
HE grenades see limited purchase compared to smokes and flashes. Most utility budgets prioritize smokes (essential for site execution) and flashes (essential for entry clearing). HE grenades fill remaining budget if money allows. Professional teams might buy 1-2 HE grenades per execution, not more.
HE grenade skill involves lineups (consistent throws reaching specific locations) and timing (coordinating detonation with site execution). Unlike smokes and flashes with defined usage, HE grenades require careful judgment about targets and value. Wasted HE grenades (thrown at unoccupied positions) represent wasted money.
Key Points
- HE damage: 80-100 close, 30-40 distance
- Lower priority than smokes/flashes
- Buy 1-2 per execute if budget allows
- Soften targets, force repositioning
- Require positioning knowledge
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting HE grenade eliminations
- Buying too many HE grenades
- Throwing HE without clear targets
- Not understanding damage falloff
- Prioritizing HE over core utility