Using Grenades & Explosives
Grenades and explosives are powerful tools in the Metal Gear Solid universe, offering a versatile range of applications from crowd control to environmental manipulation. While often associated with direct combat, these items can be used with surprising effectiveness to support stealth operations and overcome challenging obstacles. The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 will likely feature several these explosive devices, each with its own unique properties.
The most common grenade is the Frag Grenade, which deals significant damage in a radius. However, for stealth-focused players, stun grenades and flashbangs are far more valuable. A well-placed stun grenade can temporarily incapacitate multiple enemies, allowing you to slip past them unnoticed or to pick them off non-lethally while they are disoriented. Flashbangs serve a similar purpose, blinding enemies and disrupting their awareness. These are invaluable for creating brief windows of opportunity in heavily guarded areas.
Beyond direct incapacitation, explosives can be used for environmental interaction. Explosive barrels are a classic example; shooting them can create a diversion or eliminate enemies caught in the blast. In some games, certain walls or obstacles might be destructible with explosives, opening up new pathways or creating tactical advantages. Be mindful of the blast radius and the potential for collateral damage. Unintended explosions can alert guards far beyond your immediate vicinity, turning a simple infiltration into a full-blown alert.
When using grenades, remember to account for the fuse time. You can often "cook" grenades by holding the throw button, shortening the fuse and causing them to detonate sooner. This is useful for preventing enemies from throwing them back or for ensuring they detonate precisely where you want them to. Always ensure you have a safe distance from the blast yourself, and consider using cover to protect yourself from the shockwave. Mastering the strategic deployment of grenades and explosives can significantly enhance your tactical options, even in a stealth-centric playthrough.