| “ | A pistol that fires grenades. Must be reloaded between shots. | „ |
| ~ Armory Description |
The GP-31 is a breach-loaded grenade launcher module, affixed to a compact stand-alone platform to turn it into a sidearm.
Role[]
In addition to the obvious destructive applications, the weapon can still be used to seal bug holes and destroy automaton fabricators, as you could with the GL-21. As a pistol, it is a one-handed weapon and can be fired on the move, or while holding an object.
Since it counts as an impromptu impact grenade, using the GP-31 gives Helldivers an option to take another type of grenade into battle as this already covers their explosive needs, expanding one's tactical flexibility, at the cost of reliable close-range defense.
Tactics[]
- The weapon fires an explosive grenade round, very similar to the ones used by the GL-21 Grenade Launcher. It has a slightly smaller AoE however.
- For obvious reasons, it is not recommended to use in close range. Maintain a distance of atleast 10m from the target. Melee moving towards you, should be 15m away to compensate for the distance they might cover. The rounds have a safety built-in, and will not detonate if shot at something at point-blank range (although the impact from the shell itself will still deal non-insignificant damage).
- The GP-31's grenades have a steeper fall-off than the GL-21's. They are not as effective at bombarding targets from a distance.
- The weapon's ammunition is extremely limited, 1 in the tube + 6 spare grenades in total, requiring them to be used sparingly. Ammunition pickups will only replenish 2 grenades, while supply pickups restore 4.
- It is heavily recommended to deploy with the Hellpod Space Optimization booster as the player only deploys with 4 extra grenades for the launcher, which is hard to top-up completely due to the low replenish rate. The Supply Backpack also alleviates some of the ammunition concerns.
- It possesses the same demolition properties of a GL-21, allowing it to destroy all types of enemy unit production structures.
Trivia[]
- According to the official Helldivers 2 X (formerly Twitter) account, this weapon was apparently born from the idea of an R&D intern, who suggested making a pistol that fires grenades instead of bullets. While the intern was executed for the mutinous act of an unauthorized suggestion to a superior officer, they were later posthumously promoted to Sergeant for their ingenuity.