Smoke Grenade

Lore & Background

In the tunnels of the Moscow Metro, where darkness is the norm and mutants hunt by sound, smoke grenades are a rare but invaluable tool. Salvaged from pre-war military stockpiles or improvised by station chemists, these canisters release a dense white fog that clings to the air, baffling both human and mutant senses. Rangers and stalkers use them to cross open spaces under fire, or to break line-of-sight when retreating from a horde of nosalises. Survival manuals from the Spartan Order emphasize that smoke grenades are not weapons—they are misdirection. A well-placed smoke cloud can turn a fatal ambush into a clean escape, or allow a silent killer to close the distance unseen. The canisters themselves are prized for their reliability; a single grenade can mean the difference between life and death in the irradiated ruins above or the cramped tunnels below. Despite their utility, smoke grenades are not common. They are often found in the possession of well-equipped bandits or hidden in military caches. Artyom and other rangers learn to use them sparingly, knowing that every cloud of smoke is a gamble—it hides you, but it also hides what might be waiting inside.

In Their Own Story

The corridor was a kill zone. Three bandits had a machine gun trained on the only door, and the floor was slick with blood. Artyom pulled the pin on the smoke canister and lobbed it low. It bounced once, twice, then hissed to life. White fog boiled out, filling the hall in seconds. The gunfire stopped. Shouts echoed, confused. He slipped into the cloud, footsteps silent on the concrete, and when the smoke cleared, only the bandits remained—and they were alone. They never saw the knife.

Reader's Guide

The smoke grenade is a non-lethal throwable that deploys a large, opaque cloud of white smoke upon impact. The smoke lasts for several seconds, obscuring vision for all characters within or behind it. It is most effective for breaking line-of-sight with enemies, allowing the player to reposition, retreat, or flank without being seen. Enemies will react to the smoke by becoming disoriented and often ceasing fire or moving to new positions, making it a useful tool for disrupting fortified positions. The grenade can also be used to cover the player while reviving a downed ally or while performing a stealth takedown in a lit area. Smoke grenades are single-use and must be found or purchased. They are less common than other throwables, so use them strategically. They have no effect on most mutants, who rely on sound and smell, but can confuse human enemies effectively. In some levels, smoke can also be used to obscure the view of snipers or turret gunners.

Did You Know?

• Smoke grenades in Metro 2033 are based on real military smoke canisters, often using white phosphorus or titanium tetrachloride.
• The smoke effect can be used to mask the sound of your footsteps from some enemies.
• In the original game, smoke grenades are less common than fragmentation grenades, emphasizing their tactical role.
• Smoke can also obscure the vision of certain mutants if they rely on sight, though most track by sound or smell.