Rust Multiple Grenade Launcher
Drop-only 6-shot grenade launcher. Fires 40mm Smoke, HE, Buckshot, Shotgun rounds.
Fast facts
| Tier | Drop only |
|---|---|
| Ammo | 40mm HE Grenade / Smoke / Buckshot / Shotgun |
| Magazine | 6 rounds (rotary cylinder) |
| Reload | Per-round insertion |
| Damage | Variable by ammo |
| Range | Medium (arc trajectory) |
| Acquisition | Drop only — Patrol Helicopter, locked crates, rare elite drops |
The Multiple Grenade Launcher (MGL) is the rotary 6-shot grenade launcher — drop-only, 40mm specialty rounds, used for raid utility (smoke for cover) and base defence (HE rounds in chokepoints). Niche but very powerful in the right setup. Most players never own one because of the drop-only acquisition.
Pro tips
- Smoke rounds for raid utility — block defender sightlines.
- HE rounds for soft-target damage — naked players, wood doors.
- 40mm Buckshot is anti-personnel — like a giant shotgun shell.
- Drop-only — Patrol Helicopter is the most reliable source.
Frequently asked questions
Can you craft the MGL?
No — drop-only. Sources: Patrol Helicopter kills, locked crates, very rare elite crate rolls.
What ammo does the MGL use?
40mm specialty rounds: HE Grenade, Smoke, Buckshot and Shotgun. Each ammo is crafted at T2/T3 separately from regular rifle ammo.
When to use the MGL
The MGL fills a niche between rifle combat and explosive raiding. Its real strength is **area denial** — six 40mm rounds in a rotary cylinder mean you can flood a chokepoint, hallway or staircase with smoke or HE blasts faster than any other weapon in Rust. It's not a primary you take to a 1v1 gunfight; it's a force multiplier you bring to a raid defence or a coordinated push.
Best engagement ranges are 10-40 metres with HE rounds (close enough that the arc trajectory doesn't matter much) and 5-15 metres with Buckshot rounds (which behave like a giant shotgun shell). Beyond 40 metres the arc drop becomes hard to predict and you're better off with a SAR or M39.
Loadout & attachments
The MGL has no attachments — no muzzle, no sight slot, no laser. What matters is **ammo selection**:
- **40mm HE Grenade** — the default. Decent damage to soft targets and groups. Best all-purpose choice.
- **40mm Smoke** — raid utility. Block defender sightlines on a window peek or doorway hold.
- **40mm Buckshot** — close-range anti-personnel. Spreads like a shotgun.
- **40mm Shotgun** — tighter spread version of Buckshot, better for slightly longer range.
Keep at least one mag of HE and one of Smoke if you raid. Pure HE loadouts are wasted on naked patrols; pure Smoke loadouts can't kill anything.
MGL vs alternatives
Vs **Rocket Launcher**: the rocket launcher is for hard-target raiding (walls, doors). The MGL is for soft targets and area denial. Different roles — most established raiders carry both.
Vs **HMLMG / M249**: the LMGs put out way more sustained automatic fire but cost a fortune in ammo. The MGL costs less per engagement and clears chokepoints faster, but won't win a sustained 3v3 fire-fight.
Vs **Pump Shotgun**: the shotgun is cheaper, easier to acquire (craftable), and better in 1v1. The MGL replaces the shotgun only when you need explosive damage or multi-target denial.
Common mistakes
- **Carrying it as your primary in PvP roams.** It's a specialist tool — bring it for the specific job, not as your main gun.
- **Wasting HE rounds on hard cover.** HE doesn't damage stone walls or sheet metal. If the target is hiding behind a wall, you need rockets or satchels.
- **Not practising the arc.** The 40mm rounds drop noticeably. Burn a few rounds offline before bringing it into a raid.
- **Forgetting reload time.** Per-round insertion means a full 6-round reload takes ages. Reload between fights, never during.
Kit & pairing
Pair the MGL with a **secondary rifle** (AK47 or LR300) for general combat between your specialist deployments. Bring **Pure Max Health Tea** before any raid you plan to use the MGL on — the extra HP buffer matters when you're the one drawing return fire while spamming smoke. Wear at minimum **Roadsign + Coffee Can** armour; you'll be the prime target during defender pushes.