Fallout 4 How To Throw Grenade

Okay, so picture this: I'm creeping through the Glowing Sea, radiation sizzling around me like bacon in a pan (mmm, bacon... wait, focus!). A Deathclaw, the size of a small car and with teeth like daggers, spots me. Panic sets in. I frantically fumble for my weapon, adrenaline pumping like crazy. I thought, "A few well-placed shots from my trusty rifle will do the trick!" But then I remembered I'm playing on survival mode and I'm basically made of glass and the Deathclaw would likely kill me with a sneezes. And then I remembered I have grenades! I just didn't know how to equip them fast enough. After frantically pressing buttons I finally threw the grenade... right at my own feet. Let's just say things got explosively worse.

The moral of that story? Knowing how to throw a grenade in Fallout 4 is surprisingly important. And surprisingly, can also be a bit confusing for some folks. So, let's break it down. No one wants to end up as a crispy critter like I almost did (more than once, actually...).

Equipping Your Boom-Boom Stick (Er, Grenade)

First things first, you need to have a grenade equipped. Sounds obvious, right? Well, it's easy to overlook. Think of grenades in Fallout 4 as a separate "weapon" slot. They don't automatically appear when you run out of ammo for your regular gun. To equip a grenade, open your Pip-Boy (that trusty wrist-mounted computer that's seen more action than my gaming rig).

Navigate to the "Items" tab, and then select the "Weapons" category. You'll see your grenades listed there – Molotov Cocktails, Frags, Plasma Grenades, the whole shebang. Hover over the grenade you want to use and look for the "Favorite" button prompt (it's usually a number key on PC, or a direction on the D-pad on consoles). Assign a grenade to one of your favorite slots. This makes things MUCH faster during combat.

Pro Tip: Assign different types of grenades to different favorite slots. That way, you can quickly switch between a Molotov for crowd control and a Plasma Grenade for armored enemies. Efficiency, my friend, is key to surviving the Wasteland.

Tossing the Hot Potato: The Actual Throwing Part

Now for the fun part: blowing stuff up! With your grenade equipped via the favorite slot, simply tap the grenade button (usually the left bumper/L1 on consoles, or hold the corresponding number on PC). Your character will pull out the grenade and get ready to throw.

Important: Don't just mash the button! Holding the button down cooks the grenade. The longer you hold it, the shorter the fuse will be, and the closer it will explode to you. This can be a strategic advantage (getting a grenade to explode right as it lands), but it can also be a recipe for disaster (see my Deathclaw story above). Release the button to throw.

Side Comment: There have been times I've held a grenade for too long, and then frantically tried to drop it. Spoiler alert: it doesn't always end well for my character's immediate surroundings (or my character, for that matter).

Aiming for Awesomeness (And Not Your Own Feet)

Aiming is crucial. Fallout 4 gives you a little arc that shows the trajectory of your throw. Pay attention to this! Obstacles like walls, cars, and even pesky radroaches can deflect your grenade.

Experiment with different distances and angles. Learn how to bounce grenades around corners, or lob them over cover. The more you practice, the more accurate you'll become. And the fewer times you'll accidentally blow yourself up. It's all about mastering that arc trajectory, kind of like a wasteland version of Angry Birds.

Don't forget VATS: In a pinch, you can even use VATS to target your grenade throws. This can be incredibly useful for hitting moving targets or pulling off tricky shots. It costs AP (Action Points), but it can be worth it to ensure a well-placed explosion.

Grenade Types: Know Your Explosives

Finally, remember that different grenades have different effects. Frag grenades are your standard explosive. Molotov Cocktails set things on fire. Plasma Grenades deal energy damage. Learn which grenade is best for each situation. Throwing a Frag at a robot, for example, might not be as effective as a Plasma Grenade.

So there you have it! A (hopefully) helpful guide to throwing grenades in Fallout 4. Now go forth and blow up some Raiders! But please, try to avoid blowing yourself up in the process. I've done enough of that for all of us. Happy gaming! And watch out for Deathclaws!