Explosives

Explosives, the most well known of which are grenades, are one-use weapons. They are easy to conceal, however, using or brandishing a grenade or explosive will always attract unwanted attention.

Grenades do not, typically, explode on contact — they explode after their fuse (usually three seconds) burns up and they damage anything in a given area.

Types of explosives

Concussion grenades create a powerful shock wave when they explode, designed to stun targets.

Dynamite is commonly used in mining, road construction, and other places where relatively cheap, quick destruction is needed. A blasting cap, fuse, or timing device is needed to set off this nitroglycerin-based explosive. Dynamite comes in sticks.

When fragmentation grenades explode, they send shrapnel out in all directions.

Plastic explosives can be formed like putty. The explosive is inert until an electrical current runs through it (which means that an electrical blasting cap is needed to set it off). Plastic explosives are small (and easily transportable), and can be used to open an otherwise reluctant door (such as to a safe). About two ounces generates the damage for plastic explosives.

Tear gas and smoke grenades do not explode. Instead, they release their contents through holes in a canister. Armor provides no protection against this kind of attack, though a gas mask will.

White phosphorus grenades create intense heat when they explode.