How Do Paintball Grenades Work? | 2023 Guide

Read an informative article on how do paintball grenades work, so you can use them efficiently when playing with your friends on the field.



Paintball grenades work by containing paint, an impact sensor, and an activation mechanism within a durable shell. Upon impact, the sensor triggers paint release, creating colourful chaos. Safety features like safety pins prevent accidental detonation, while CO2 cartridges add propulsion for a dynamic paintball experience.

Paintball is fun and exciting unless you switch to grenades filled with paint. Although they are used for the same purpose in the field, they have a different working mechanism than simple paintballs. You’ll need great practice for launching an attack when using paintball grenades. To help you understand the working mechanism, a detailed article with all the information related to types, tips for playing, and safety measures is given below. Read the article until the end to know when and how to use these paintball grenades on the field.


How are paintball grenades designed to function?

Paintball grenades release paint and generate sound to attack more than one opponent at once. These grenades have paint inside them that is used for splashing it over on the opponents. You can pull out the pin and throw the grenade toward the enemies to eliminate them from the game. However this is an ideal situation, but it is possible if played carefully. The more people get stained with the paint by a single grenade; the easier it will be to win the game.

However, using paintball grenades is not allowed during professional tournaments; you can only use them while playing with your friends or family. The paintball grenades are of two types, each of which can be used according to the situation. Keep reading the details given so you can make the most of these when on the field.

Non-Explosive Paintball Grenades

The non-explosive paintball grenades are similar to balloons filled with water because they have paint inside the rubber grenade. You can use these grenades to splash paint on anyone close to you in the field. Each of these grenades can hold 100 ml of paint. You must apply a lot of pressure to fill these balloons with paint. As a result, the paint comes out and splashes around when the pin is pulled out before throwing it on the opponent’s team.

how do paintball grenade work

Explosive Paintball Grenades

The explosive paintball grenades have the exact working mechanism as the original grenades used by military officers during a war. To start the ignition process, the paintball grenades produce some black powder. When you pull out the ring, the spark ignites the black powder and explodes while making a sound. The people within range lose the game because these grenades are filled with paint.

Also Read 10 Best Paintball Protective Gear – Review & Buying Guide

Paintball Grenade Safety

Following the safety rules while playing paintball is mandatory if you don’t want your opponents to win the game because of mishandling. These instructions will help you stay safe and attack the opponents at the same time during the game. Read them one by one and follow them when on the field. 

Gripping A Paintball Grenade

It is vital to hold the paintball grenade properly if you want to use it properly. It would help if you had an excellent grip on the grenade; to do so, use the index finger and thumb. Grab the grenade between these fingers, so the pin is in the center. After pulling the pin out, you must throw it quickly toward the opponent because it can explode in your hand.

Related Post: How Does A Paintball Gun Work?

Positions For Throwing A Paintball Grenade

The next thing that is extremely important other than having the proper grip, is your standing position. Standing at a suitable place to spot your target easily is essential. The following positions can help you locate and hit your target.

how do paintball grenades work

Standing Position

The standing position is suitable only if you have a shield covering you completely. This can be a tree or a wall to get a cover. After taking the cover, you can take your time and have a good grip on the grenade before throwing it towards the opponent. This is also very helpful as no one from the opponents can spot you. You can unpin the grenade and throw it toward the target without anyone knowing.

Kneeling Position

This position is appropriate when you have nothing to hide behind. You can kneel on the ground or cover behind a large rock or a bush. It is important to bend your knees to stay low-key, so you can’t get spotted. Hence you can hit the target right at the spot with the same strength and power when kneeling on the ground.

Alternate Prone Position

When stepping on the paintball field, you can reduce the risk but cannot eliminate it. The alternate prone position can be risky but is worth it. You’ll have to lie on the ground without any cover and hit the grenade. After you throw the paintball grenade, you’ll have to run to get cover. This has to get done in a few seconds to stay safe from counterattack.

Related To: How to Win in Paintball?

Where To Use Paintball Grenades?

If you are new or want in-depth knowledge of the game, you can read the details mentioned below. You will know the purpose of using paintball grenades and how they help you have an advantage over your competitors.

Offensive Strikes

The primary purpose of using paintball grenades is to splash the paint on the opponents and knock them out as quickly as possible. It is mandatory to clear out more than one opponent with a single attack, but this is rare. The chances of hitting multiple enemies are less and require significant expertise. To knock more people, it is best to attack the bunkers.

You can play with the opponents by lobbying an attack to another point to divert their attention. This can be taken as an advantage to launch an attack inside the bunker to eliminate more people with a single grenade. Your teammates must cover you up when you plan on tricking the opponents.

Defensive Strikes

The defensive strikes are opposite to the offensive ones because they help you buy time to move on the paintball field. Sometimes, your enemies might cover you up or corner you on the field. You can lobby an attack to make a movement to reach a safe place or get some cover. This will produce some noise, and paint splashes will fall around, which can distract them.

The situation can be used to move to a safe place or help your teammate make it to a cover. Moreover, defensive strikes should always have that element of surprise. If you or anyone from your team is a pro, it will be best to launch three to four grenades simultaneously. This will create a panic, and you can hit the place with more people to eliminate them. Hence all these striking methods will give you an upper hand in the field.

Tips For Using Paintball Grenades

The following tips can be helpful when you try to launch an attack on the opponents in the game. Please use them to have a competitive advantage over your enemies in the field.

  • The first tip is to look at the route of the grenade you are planning to throw at the opponent team. There should not be a hurdle in between because you might get into trouble with your team members.
  • It is mandatory to communicate with your team members before launching an attack. They might cover you and look out for you in case of a counterattack.
  • If you are new to the game, keeping your grenades away from moisture is essential. In case they get wet, the efficiency will be affected.
  • Please be extra vigilant when pulling the pin out of the paintball grenade. The players can get confused or make mistakes by throwing the safety cap instead of the grenade. This often happens because playing under pressure isn’t always easy for every player on the field.

FAQs on Paintball Grenades

Are paintball grenades reusable?

No, paintball grenades are not reusable. They cannot be reused or refilled once thrown toward the opponents in the game.

Are smoke grenades allowed in paintball?

No, smoke grenades are not allowed in paintball. The players who use a smoke grenade cannot play professionally on the field.

Is paintball safer than bowling?

Yes, paintball is safer than bowling because it does not lead to any significant injuries. There’s no need to worry as paintball balloons aren’t very hard, and the players are fully protected with safety gear.

Can you breathe in a smoke grenade?

Yes, you can breathe in a smoke grenade, but it is advised not to. These grenades have chemicals that can irritate the airways and cause lung injuries.

Is it legal to use smoke grenades in public?

No, it is not legal to use smoke grenades in public because they produce noise and smoke. You have to take permission before using a smoke grenade in any public place.

Can you dodge a paintball?

Yes, you can dodge a paintball only if you stand far away. If you are close to the paintball, you cannot dodge and might hit it.

The Bottom Line

An informative article on how paintball grenades work is given so you can use them during your next game. These paint-filled grenades help you eliminate more opponents with a single attack. They can save your energy and add more fun to the game. You can use any of the paintball grenades according to your liking. I hope the article had all the information about the paintball grenades you were looking for.

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