When trying to survive the zombie-ridden streets of Hell-A in Dead Island 2, you'll need to use everything in your arsenal to survive. Thankfully, there are plenty of weapon options to fight back against the encroaching zombie plague.
Rifles, bats, knives, and sometimes just your bare fists will all be valuable tools to stay alive. But, one piece of equipment that is sometimes overlooked is the humble curveball. These tools may not be the most deadly out there, but they have effects that are important to your survival if used right. When looking at your curveballs, one may wonder: which of them are worth equipping, and which are best left in the inventory?
10 Shuriken
The Shuriken is one of the earliest curveballs you get in the game. It doesn't have the effects of some of the later ones, but it will do you some good early in the game.
Shurikens are good for doing damage at range when you don't want to toss your gun and don't yet have a firearm. They have a good chance to mutilate the target, removing or crippling a limb. However, they are best switched out for a different curveball as you unlock more.
9 Nail Bomb
The Nail Bomb is a solid choice for mid-level missions. When it explodes, it sends bits of shrapnel in a radius around it, doing bleeding damage over time to those it hits.
This is great when you get bogged down by low-level zombies, or you need to wear down some of the tougher ones. There is a small radius that these bombs will knock down zombies and do force damage, which can be good for breaking up a crowd. However, the lack of instant damage and the fact that it doesn't work on spiky zombies means there are better options out there.
8 Chem Bomb
The status effects the Chem Bomb has on zombies aren't much individually, but combined with other effects they can be quite deadly. Chem Bombs apply two status effects on zombies — the first is soggy, which makes zombies more susceptible to electric damage. So, following up a Chem Bomb with an electrified weapon is a devastating combo.
The second effect is traumatized. This is basically just a stun, leaving the zombies open for critically damaging attacks. Together, these make zombies less defensive for a great follow-up attack that can clear out hordes easily.
7 Caustic-X Bomb
Caustic-X is a well-named chemical, as it seems to eat through flesh all too easily. Having come across it in Hell-A, one can wonder: why not use it to your advantage?
Well, the Caustic-X Bomb is the answer to just that question. After exploding, this bomb spreads the toxic agent in a short radius, causing caustic damage and even turning zombies into piles of goo after some time. This is great to weaken larger zombies, and make sure you won't have to worry about those who are already close to death. Well, re-death.
6 Electric Star
An upgraded version of the Shuriken, the Electric Star is the next big thing in electrocuting zombies from a distance.
Not only does it carry the same effects as the Shuriken, a chance to dismember and maim, it also does a good amount of electric damage to those zombies hit with it. This makes the Electric Star an amazing follow-up to those zombies that have been turned soggy, or in those cases where you need to electrify a puddle to take out approaching enemies.
5 Flashbang
You wouldn't think a Flashbang would be as good a tool in Dead Island 2 as much as it would be in tactical shooters. But, it can be an invaluable tool in your arsenal.
Zombies need their eyes and ears too. Disorienting them with one of these not only will buy you valuable seconds to heal or make a getaway — it also allows you to follow up with some pretty deadly attacks. Any zombie effected will be traumatized, allowing you a few moments to swoop in and finish them off with relative ease.
4 Bait Bomb
A bunch of semi-rotting meat in a jar, what's not for a zombie to love? The Bait Bomb is part delicious zombie food and part explosive.
Throwing this will lure most zombies to the area in which it lands. After a few seconds, the Bait Bomb will then explode. It is great for drawing enemies to one area and potentially freeing up paths if you aren't so keen on fighting off the survivors.
3 Molotov Cocktail
A classic in many games, the Molotov Cocktail is a weapon that can cause a lot of damage, as well as fear. Not that zombies necessarily feel fear.
This weapon doesn't do a lot of damage at first, but those it hits will be caught on fire and slowly burn over time. This is an added benefit when considering zombies covered in oil or dealing with zombies covered in grenades. It's a classic choice for a reason.
2 Pipe Bomb
A haphazardly thrown-together bomb, but one that can clear zombies away pretty easily. The Pipe Bomb is a curveball you should keep equipped until late-game just for its sheer damage alone.
The Pipe Bomb is a pretty simple curveball. It explodes. As it does so, it causes a lot fo force damage to the enemy, enough to knock down, maim, and even kill some zombies. This is best used when there is a large group of zombies or a particularly deadly one. Just make sure to watch out where you are in relation to the blast.
1 Military Grenade
The epitome of explosive curveballs. There's a reason Military Grenades are found later on in the game — they can be absolutely devastating.
Much like the Pipe Bomb, they are rather simple. The difference is the more predictable arcs and the better chance of killing zombies outright when using this weapon instead. There's nothing wrong with picking a high spot and lobbing grenades out at any groups of zombies that wander near.