Grenades, officially called ordnance, are throwable items that can deal damage, disrupt enemies, or control an area.
Apex Legends has three standard grenades:
- Frag Grenade
- Arc Star
- Thermite Grenade
Each has a different purpose, making it important to choose the right grenade for the situation.
Frag Grenade
Apex Legends Grenade Guide: How to Use Throwables content image
The Frag Grenade is the standard explosive grenade. It can deal significant damage within its blast radius and is particularly effective against enemies hiding behind cover.
Best Uses
- Forcing enemies out of buildings
- Damaging multiple enemies at once
- Finishing weakened players
- Clearing enemies from cover
Tips
- Throwing a Frag Grenade so it reaches its highest arc will cause it to explode immediately on landing.
- Throw them behind cover rather than directly at enemies.
- Use Frags to punish enemies who are healing in confined spaces.
Arc Star
Apex Legends Grenade Guide: How to Use Throwables content image
The Arc Star sticks to surfaces and players before exploding. It deals shield damage and can slow enemies caught in the blast.
Best Uses
- Starting aggressive pushes
- Slowing enemies
- Breaking enemy shields
- Blocking doorways and narrow routes
Tips
- Stick an enemy before pushing to apply additional pressure.
- Throw Arc Stars at doors to discourage enemies from holding a position.
- Use them to slow escaping enemies.
- Combine an Arc Star with close-range weapons to quickly finish a weakened opponent.
Thermite Grenade
Apex Legends Grenade Guide: How to Use Throwables content image
Thermite Grenades create a horizontal wall of fire on detonation. The flames deal damage over time and can temporarily deny an area to enemies.
Best Uses
- Blocking doors
- Controlling narrow areas
- Preventing enemy pushes
- Forcing enemies out of cover
- Damaging enemies who cannot escape the flames
Tips
- Throw Thermites across doorways to prevent enemies from pushing through.
- Use them to cut off escape routes.
- Place one between you and an enemy squad to create temporary cover.
- Combine them with Legend abilities that restrict enemy movement for maximum effect.
Which Grenade Should You Carry?
The best choice depends on the situation. Carrying a mixture of grenades gives your squad more options during fights.
How to Use Grenades Effectively
- Don't always throw grenades directly at enemies. Use them to make an enemy's current position unsafe instead.
- Grenades are most effective when they create an opening for your guns.
- Before entering a building or challenging a team, throw ordnance inside first. The presence or absence of damage indicators can reveal whether enemies are holding the space.
- Thermite Grenades and Arc Stars are particularly useful against escaping enemies. Rather than chasing directly, throw a grenade toward their intended route.
- Grenades can be bounced or thrown through windows, doorways, and other openings. Use the environment to reach enemies that cannot be targeted directly.
Common Grenade Mistakes
- Carrying too many grenades and not enough healing items.
- Throwing grenades without checking where teammates are positioned.
- Spending every grenade at the start of a fight.
- Throwing grenades directly at enemies in open areas where they can easily dodge.
- Forgetting that grenades can control movement, not just deal damage.
Final Thoughts
Grenades are more than additional sources of damage in Apex Legends. They can force enemies out of cover, block escape routes, create openings for pushes, and control important areas. Learning when to throw a Frag Grenade, Arc Star, or Thermite Grenade can make a major difference in fights, especially when combined with your Legend's abilities and weapon loadout.