Grenadier (Red Alert)

Grenadiers are specially trained soldiers armed with high explosive grenades first introduced by the USSR to counter Allied infantry and buildings, appearing in Red Alert 1.

Background
More powerful than the standard rifle infantry, grenadiers are frequently present alongside rifle infantry. They carry large amounts of highly explosive grenades, which they throw at long distances to engage infantry and buildings, even hidden behind obstacles. Their units are easily distinguished from other infantry, as they wear dark blue belts which hold the grenades. However, due to the amount of explosives carried by them, shrapnel could easily detonate one and kill even a whole squad.

Tiberium Universe
During First Tiberium War, Global Defense Initiative adopted the Grenadier concept to create the own version of these infantry squads.

Red Alert Universe
These infantry squads were recalled and decommissioned after the Second World War due the development of Flak trooper before the Third World War.

In-game
They are effective at eliminating infantry quickly, sometimes in a single hit. In groups, they are effective against armored vehicles that are stationary, but they can also be effectively squashed by tanks. Fast moving infantry support vehicles could quickly finish off grenadiers. A big weakness the grenadier faces is when they are bunched up together attacking vehicles and units that get to close or pass through, which can cause unwanted friendly damage and suicides. Grenadiers that die explode, meaning that friendly infantry should steer clear from severely wounded grenadiers.

The Allies can train them in the giant ants missions only.

Trivia

 * In Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Remastered, the grenadier in the cameo bears a striking resemblance to the late RTS commentator John "TotalBiscuit" Bain, who was a fan of the Command & Conquer franchise.