Linebacker G-87 MSGL (DXMD)

The Linebacker G-87 MSGL, or simply Grenade Launcher, is a weapon in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. The weapon previously appeared in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and returns in Mankind Divided with the ability to fire four different types of ammunition.

Overview
The grenade launcher is able to fire four types of specialized grenades: fragmentation grenades, gas grenades, concussion (flashbang) grenades, and EMP grenades. Compared to firearms, the grenade launcher fires in an arced trajectory. However, aiming of the weapon is assisted by the on-HUD trajectory prediction that appears when the "aim" button is held down. The predicted trajectory mode will also show the predicted impact location, and rather than explode on contact, the shells will bounce for a very short while, just enough time to send them in behind walls, cover, and foxholes.

On explosion, grenades launched by the grenade launcher generally have the same effect as conventional hand grenades. For example, fragmentation shells fired from the grenade launcher do the same damage as those thrown by hand. For each type of ammunition, the respective effect radius appears to be the same as that of the corresponding hand grenade. The blast radius of the fragmentation shell is slightly above 7 meters (same as that of the hand grenade).

However, compared to conventional grenades, grenades launched by the grenade launcher explode immediately upon impact (unless affected by the Chaff augmentation). Another advantage, as noted earlier, is that the grenade launcher can be aimed using an on-HUD predicted trajectory, which like the ironsights mode of conventional weapons greatly limits Adam's mobility and movement speed. Furthermore, the grenade launcher permits shells to be launched at rapid succession, at a rate not possible with hand grenades, and a single detonation will detonate any other hand grenades, mines, or grenade shells within its blast radius.

A drawback of the grenade launcher is that each type of grenade requires 4 inventory slot, and stack only to 10. This drawback is mitigated by the weapon's ability to load 6 grenades of each type before additional inventory space is needed. Additionally, the grenade launcher itself has a small inventory size of 8 slots, the same as that of a machine pistol.

Gameplay
Since each of the four types of grenades has a different utility, the grenade launcher is able to complement nearly any type of playstyle. Fragmentation shells are able to decimate any human-sized enemy, no matter how armored or tough they may be. Concussion shells can stun a whole group, allowing Jensen to follow up with takedowns or move to a better position. Gas shells add the ability to neutralize entire rooms silently and elegantly (provided they don't have gas immunity, or klipspringer to leap to safety.) Last but not least, EMP shells are effective against both augs and mechanical enemies. Unfortunately, shells are incredibly rare, and the majority of the ones found in the world are of the frag variety. The other three shell types are primarily only found in vendor inventories, at small quantities for a high price.

As noted above, the grenade launcher can load 6 of each type of grenade, which can be accomplished by cycling through the different ammunition type in the weapon management interface, and then pressing reload to loading the grenades from inventory. Fully loaded, you have 24 tactical munitions total at your disposal, more than enough for most missions.

The weapon's recoil and reload speed can be improved by upgrading the Cybernetic Weapon Handling augmentation branch. However, the practical benefit of doing so is marginal, given that this weapon does not require the precise aiming that is needed for conventional firearms, nor does it require constant reloads in the midst of combat due to its tactical nature, and sheer force projection when the right shell is loaded against the right enemy.

Although grenades immediate explode upon impact, as stated above, there is one notable exception to this rule. If the Chaff augmentation has been unlocked, Grenades fired in close proximity will be affected by this augmentation, resulting in delayed explosions. Therefore, the Chaff augmentation may be hindrance to usage of the grenade launcher.

Locations
Only four usable units can be found throughout the game:
 * One can be looted off of the police van directly next to the metro station in the Překážka district (has 4 gas grenades loaded).
 * One can be found inside Viktor Marchenko's office in G.A.R.M. (2 frag grenades loaded).
 * One can be bought from Nada Birak at the Cigar Lounge after some sleuthing (2 frag grenades).
 * One can be bought from Mikael Mendel's shop during martial law (4 frag grenades).

Trivia

 * The Linebacker MSGL appears in the reveal trailer for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, being deployed against Adam Jensen by Viktor Marchenko near the end of the teaser.
 * Unlike in the trailer, the Linebacker proper does not have the ability to fire airburst grenades.
 * Marchenko himself also does not make use of it when fought in the game proper, opting to go with the laser cannon implanted in his right arm instead. A usable unit of the launcher can be found in a weapon locker inside his office at G.A.R.M. station however, as a probable nod to this.
 * The Linebacker MSGL's magazine and feed system were likely inspired by the FN P90.
 * The ammunition boxes clearly specify a 12 shell capacity, yet they can only hold 10.
 * It is one of three weapons that can only ever be used by Adam, the other two being the tranquilizer rifle and stun gun.