The Vortex Grenade is a weapon manufactured by GrummelNet Industries in Into the Nexus. It creates a small black hole that catches nearby enemies in its orbit.
It is first available for 75,000 bolts in the Hagrow Swampland on planet Thram, and can be upgraded with raritanium. Upon reaching V3, it transforms into the Singularity Grenade, which has a small chance to kill enemies instantly. The Omega Singularity Grenade can be purchased in challenge mode.
Neftin Prog boasted that he mixes Vortex Grenades in his breakfast cereal when they are used against him.[1]
Characteristics[]
The Vortex Grenade in action.
The Vortex Grenade launcher is a magenta-colored glove. It throws dark matter hand grenades that create a ball of negative energy surrounded by a purple aura.[2] The resulting negative energy sphere disables nearby enemies, causing them to float temporarily.
The Singularity Grenade glove features an additional forward-facing protrusion above the wrist. This version is explicitly described as a black market reality compressor capable of creating black holes.[3]
Combat[]
The Vortex Grenade functions as a strategic crowd control weapon, disabling enemies caught within its radius until the sphere dissipates. Although initially ineffective against very large enemies and bosses, it is highly useful against groups of Netherbeasts as it disables their ability to teleport. Initially, the weapon is limited by low ammo capacity, limited number of affected enemies, and lack of range. The Singularity Grenade upgrade introduces a small chance to instantly kill affected enemies by sucking them into its black hole.
Raritanium upgrades are available to alleviate the initial shortcomings by increasing the blast radius, duration, and ammo capacity. The notable common upgrade, Naked Singularity (only available for the Singularity Grenade), increases the 'instant death' chance against all affected enemies. When maximized, this upgrade can instantly destroy up to half of all affected enemies, including bosses like gunships and gargathons, bypassing their health bar.
Three mystery upgrades are available: Vortex Cluster (increases the maximum number of active grenades), Mass Expander (allows more enemies to be sucked in), and Tachyon Pulse (causes the black holes to emit damaging waves). These all alleviate the weapons' main shortcomings, making it highly useful against the toughest groups of enemies.