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The Explosive Barrel is a static game object which was released in The Sacrifice DLC.

It has an explosive effect that is a combination of the gas can and the propane tank. It is immobile and thus requires careful consideration during gameplay. Explosive Barrels are usually found either in side-by-side pairs or individual barrels in close proximity to one another.

When triggered, they have three damage effects: an immediate proximity blast (as per the mentioned propane tank), enduring flame (as per the gas can) and that of shrapnel whereby the barrel's remains are thrown into the air in a random direction, which also sets the area around it on fire upon landing. The area affected by two Explosive Barrels bursting is considerable and players must maintain a safe distance when these devices are set off. A particular risk is a random shot accidentally striking an Explosive Barrel when a team member is within the danger zone.

Tactics

Survivor Tactics

• The barrels contain a highly explosive mix of propane and gas and should always be shot from beyond a minimum safe distance. Watch out for the flying shrapnel though, as it may land next to Survivors and spreads fire over the area.
• Explosive barrels can decimate Hordes and inflict severe immediate explosion and subsequent fire damage on Tanks.
• Be careful when playing with bots as their stray gunfire can detonate the barrels unlike the Gas can or Propane tank. If possible eliminate the infected near the barrels before bots spots them to save the barrel from undesireable detonation that may harm bot and their teammates or slowing the team down.

Infected Tactics

• Try to incapacitate Survivors near the barrels, as their teammates are likely to hit the dangerous devices while trying to kill you and the fire and explosion will deal some extra damage to the Survivor.
• If one or two Survivors are incapacitated next to an Explosive barrel, do your team a favor and stand next to it. Other Survivor players are very likely to shoot you when they see you and when they do, there is a great possibility that the barrel near you will be shot as well, making it explode and dealing damage to any Survivors near it, including the incapacitated Survivors. Be careful, though, because if the players already know your tactic, they will likely be wise enough not to do it and kill you later. So it is likewise suggested to cover or hide the barrels if possible from their sight so that they won't be aware of your "big surprise." Take note, though, this will almost certainly kill you either way, so only attempt this if you feel that the risk is worth the reward.
• The Boomer is the only infected that can set off the barrels indirectly by his explosion upon death. If a barrel is placed in a path that the survivors has to go through, it's possible to purposely stand next to the barrel and allow them to kill you. Which either forces the survivors to wait until the flames are out (which buys time for your infected teammates) or run through and taking damage in progress.

Achievements

	BARREL ROLLED	(50G)
	Kill a Special Infected with an exploding barrel.

Note: It's possible to obtain the TOWERING INFERNO and BURN THE WITCH achievements with the fire from Explosive barrels as well, but the BARREL ROLLED achievement is the only one directly connected with the use of Explosive barrels. In theory, if infected walk into the fire after the initial explosion, it will also count towards the 101 CREMATIONS achievement; in practice, the explosion damage usually kills nearby Infected before this occurs.

Notes

• The explosive barrel shares a similar model and general purpose as its Half-Life 2 counterpart.
• Judged by the shape of red diamond label placed on the barrel, the content of the explosive barrel apparently petrol, since it bearing placard of Hazard Class 3 U.S. Department of Transport Placard.
• Exploding barrels send out shrapnel and barrel scraps capable of inflicting modest damage on incautious players.
• The Spitter's acid attacks do not corrode the barrel nor will they detonate it.
  • No Infected can cause it to explode on their own. It must be triggered via gunfire, flames, or explosions.
  • The Boomer's explosion can detonate the barrel, however, despite the Boomer's explosion being unable to harm survivors directly.
• Before the Last Stand update (and in Left 4 Dead), any Survivor caught in an explosion would berate the person who shot the barrel.
  • This was also the only way to cause the player-controlled Survivor to berate the Survivor bots, who normally cannot do damage to other Survivors.

Weapons
Primary Weapons
Tier 1	Chrome Shotgun / Pump Shotgun / MP5 / Silenced Submachine Gun / Submachine Gun
Tier 2	AK-47 / Combat Rifle / M-16 Assault Rifle / SG 552 / Auto Shotgun / Combat Shotgun / AWP / Hunting Rifle / Scout / Sniper Rifle
Special Tier	Grenade Launcher / M60 Machine Gun
Secondary Weapons
Sidearms	M1911 Pistol / Magnum Pistol / P220 Pistol
Melee Weapons	Baseball Bat / Cricket Bat / Crowbar / Fireaxe / Frying Pan / Golf Club / Guitar / Katana / Knife / Machete / Nightstick / Pitchfork / Shovel
Special Tier	Chainsaw
Other Weapons
Grenades	Bile Bomb / Molotov Cocktail / Pipe Bomb
Upgrades	Explosive Ammunition / Incendiary Ammunition / Laser Sight
Fixed Weapons	Heavy Machine Gun / Minigun
Items
Usable Items	Explosive barrel / Fireworks / Gas can / Oxygen tank / Propane tank
Special Items	Cola / Gnome Chompski
Featured in both games / L4D1-exclusive / L4D2-exclusive (Counter-Strike weapons / PC-exclusive)