When you first step into the miniature world of Grounded, survival is the immediate challenge. Shrunk to the size of an ant, the once familiar backyard transforms into a perilous landscape. This immersive open-world adventure, reminiscent of classic shrinking tales like Honey I Shrunk The Kids, throws players into the deep end. Whether you’re a complete newcomer or a returning player keen to explore the updates, understanding the essentials from the outset is key. This Starter Guide Grounded in practical advice will set you on the right path to not just survive, but thrive in the fascinating, and often dangerous, backyard.
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While Grounded provides quest markers to guide your initial journey, the real fun lies in exploration and discovery. This guide offers crucial grounded starter tips and tricks to navigate the early hours, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience as you learn to master the backyard’s challenges. Since its initial release, Grounded has evolved, adding new tools and features like expanded backpack space and zip lines. This starter guide grounded approach incorporates these updates to give both novice and returning players a solid foundation for their backyard adventures. Let’s dive into the essential strategies that will give you a significant advantage in your early game.
1. Master the PEEP.R Goggles: Your Backyard Intel Tool
Uncover Bug Weaknesses and Resource Drops with PEEP.R
Understanding your enemies and resources is paramount in Grounded. The PEEP.R Goggles are your essential intel tool for this. Learning how to peep in Grounded is like gaining a tactical advantage in every encounter. By using the PEEP.R, you effectively tag insects and unlock their Creature Cards. Think of these cards as your insect encyclopedia, providing critical information such as bug weaknesses, strengths, and resistances. This knowledge is invaluable for planning your attacks and choosing the right weapons and strategies.
Furthermore, Creature Cards reveal the loot dropped by each bug. For new players, this is a game-changer. Knowing which bugs yield specific resources streamlines your collection process and helps you target the right creatures for essential crafting materials. Peeping in Grounded isn’t just about cataloging bugs; it’s about building a knowledge base that informs your survival strategy. For returning players, PEEP.R remains a vital tool to adapt to new creatures and resource changes introduced in updates. Make PEEP.R your first point of action when encountering any new insect in the yard.
2. Prioritize Hammer and Axe Upgrades: Tools for Progression
Unlock Advanced Resources with Better Tools
Your starting Pebblet Hammer and Pebblet Axe are basic but essential for early resource gathering. However, quickly upgrading these tools should be a primary focus in your grounded starter strategy. Better tools unlock access to higher-tier resources, which are crucial for crafting advanced gear and progressing through the game. For example, upgrading to the Tier 2 Insect Axe allows you to chop down Crow Feathers, a vital component for crafting Feather Arrows and stronger armor pieces. Similarly, the Tier 2 Insect Hammer lets you break down tougher materials like Milk Molars and Sturdy Quartzite.
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These advanced resources are not just about better gear; they often unlock new crafting recipes, expanding your options for survival and combat. Aim to acquire the Tier 2 tools as soon as possible, and set your sights on even higher tiers like the Termite Axe and Black Ox Hammer to access the most valuable resources the backyard has to offer. Investing in tool upgrades is a cornerstone of efficient resource management and long-term progression in Grounded.
3. Team Up with Friends: Strength in Numbers
Cooperative Survival for a Smoother Start
Playing Grounded with friends dramatically changes the early game experience. Teaming up is an excellent grounded starter tip, especially for newcomers learning the ropes. While solo play is entirely viable, the cooperative aspect enhances both survival chances and the overall enjoyment of the game. With friends, you can tackle tougher bugs more confidently, share tasks, and explore the backyard more efficiently. Working together allows you to learn faster, strategize better, and revive each other in sticky situations.
Grounded offers seamless multiplayer options, allowing you to create shared worlds with customizable access settings. Whether you want a private world for your group or an open one, the game provides the flexibility to suit your playstyle. Cooperation becomes even more critical as you venture into more challenging zones like the Upper Yard and the Shed. Having a team to watch your back and contribute to base building and resource gathering makes these areas significantly less daunting. Don’t underestimate the power of teamwork in making your grounded starter experience smoother and more rewarding.
4. Get a Shield and Learn to Block: Essential Defense Tactics
Master Blocking to Survive Bug Encounters
In the backyard, defense is as crucial as offense. One of the most important grounded starter tips is to acquire a shield early and learn to block effectively. While Grounded offers a limited selection of shields, they are indispensable tools for surviving encounters with aggressive bugs, particularly spiders. Blocking is a fundamental combat skill that requires timing and practice. Mastering it can significantly reduce incoming damage and turn the tide in battles against tougher enemies.
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The Tier 1 Weevil Shield is a readily accessible early-game option that can make a substantial difference in your survivability. As you progress and gather stronger materials, upgrade to better shields like the Tier 2 Black Ant Shield for even greater protection. Learning to block effectively, combined with a reliable shield, is a cornerstone of defensive strategy in Grounded and essential for navigating the early game’s combat challenges.
5. Craft Multiple Cooking and Crafting Stations: Efficient Base Setup
Optimize Resource Processing and Food Preparation
Efficient base management is key to long-term survival in Grounded. A crucial grounded starter tip is to craft multiple cooking and crafting stations. While you begin with basic food sources like mushrooms, building stations unlocks access to better food and water management. Exploring the backyard and analyzing new ingredients is essential for unlocking recipes like the Dew Collector, Jerky Rack, and Oven. These stations significantly improve your ability to sustain yourself in the harsh backyard environment.
Having multiple Dew Collectors ensures a consistent supply of clean water, freeing you from constantly searching for droplets. The Jerky Rack and Oven enable you to cook more nutritious and hunger-satiating foods like Miteloaf, which are far superior to raw mushrooms. Investing in multiple stations not only streamlines your resource processing but also contributes to a more sustainable and efficient base of operations, a hallmark of a well-planned grounded starter base.
6. Focus on BURG.L Chips and Milk Molars: Story and Upgrades
Drive the Narrative and Enhance Your Character
As you explore the vast backyard, knowing what to prioritize can be overwhelming. A helpful grounded starter tip is to focus on finding BURG.L Chips and Milk Molars. BURG.L Chips are key to advancing the game’s story and unlocking new recipes and technologies. Your initial goal should be to reach the Great Oak tree, located centrally in the yard, to rescue BURG.L and retrieve the Grasslands Chip. Following the BURG.L questline will guide you through the early stages of the game and introduce you to important mechanics and areas.
Milk Molars, on the other hand, are essential for character progression. These hidden collectibles are scattered throughout the backyard and come in two types: regular Milk Molars for individual upgrades and Mega Milk Molars for group-wide buffs in multiplayer. Spending Milk Molars in the lab allows you to enhance core stats like max health, stamina, and healing efficiency. Prioritizing the collection of BURG.L Chips and Milk Molars ensures you are both progressing through the story and strengthening your character, making it a smart grounded starter strategy.
7. Make Use of Mutations: Customizable Buffs
Adapt to Challenges with Beneficial Mutations
To enhance your survivability against increasingly challenging bugs, experimenting with mutations is highly recommended. Mutations in Grounded are essentially buffs that provide various advantages in combat, exploration, and resource gathering. Equipping the right mutations can significantly impact your ability to handle specific situations, especially boss battles like the Assistant Manager. For instance, the Meat Shield mutation can dramatically increase your defense, making you more resilient in combat.
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For exploration, mutations like Cardio Fan and Buff Lungs can boost your stamina, which is invaluable for traversing the yard and escaping dangerous encounters. The key is to experiment with different mutations and swap them out based on the challenges you face. Mastering mutation management is a crucial aspect of advanced grounded starter gameplay and allows for a highly customizable approach to survival.
8. Craft a Canteen for Hydration on the Go: Thirst Management
Stay Hydrated During Exploration with a Portable Water Source
Staying hydrated is a constant challenge in Grounded. Crafting a canteen should be a high priority early on and is a vital grounded starter action. The canteen is a Tier 2 crafting item that provides a portable water storage solution, significantly reducing the hassle of constantly searching for water sources. In the early game, finding water droplets can be time-consuming and risky, especially when your thirst level is critically low during exploration.
A basic canteen holds two sips of water, while the upgraded Canteen+ holds four. Keeping a canteen equipped allows you to quickly collect water, juice, or fizzy drinks as you encounter them, ensuring you maintain hydration while exploring. This simple item is a game-changer for early game survival and reduces the constant pressure of finding water, making it an essential component of any grounded starter kit.
9. Maximize Space with Storage Chests: Resource Organization
Efficient Storage for Collected Items and Backup Supplies
Even with the inventory expansion introduced in update 1.1, storage space can quickly become a premium in Grounded. Crafting multiple storage chests is an indispensable grounded starter strategy for managing your growing collection of resources and items. Storage chests provide a secure and organized way to store excess materials, tools, armor, and backup supplies. Having readily accessible storage at your base streamlines crafting, base building, and general resource management.
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Crafting storage chests is relatively easy, requiring only sap, acorn shells, and clover leaves, all of which are readily available in the early game areas. As you progress and experiment with different builds, having ample storage becomes even more critical for managing your diverse inventory. Investing in storage chests early on is a smart move for any player looking to establish a well-organized and sustainable base, a key aspect of a successful grounded starter setup.
10. Make a Gas Mask: Access Toxic Zones
Explore Dangerous Areas and Survive Hazardous Bugs
A Gas Mask is another essential early-game crafting priority. This item is crucial for accessing hazardous areas of the backyard, particularly the Haze, and for surviving encounters with toxic bugs like Stinkbugs. The Gas Mask also protects you from toxic trash found in areas like the Upper Yard. Expanding your explorable zones is key to progressing the story and finding valuable resources, making the Gas Mask an important grounded starter item.
Fortunately, crafting a Gas Mask is achievable relatively early in the game. You can craft it after analyzing a Weevil nose once you reach a minimum brainpower level of six. Whether you decide to disable the Haze after acquiring the Tier 2 shovel or not, having multiple Gas Masks on hand is always a good strategy, especially when searching for BURG.L chips and venturing into unexplored territories. The Gas Mask unlocks significant portions of the backyard, making it a vital tool for progression.
11. Cook for Better Healing: Efficient Health Recovery
Enhance Healing Efficiency with Cooked Food
Grounded‘s 1.1 update introduced cooked meat drops when defeating creatures with spicy or salty weapons, offering an additional source of healing. However, acquiring these specialized weapons takes time. In the early game, knowing how to efficiently heal is critical for survival, especially with bugs lurking around every corner. While Fiber Bandages are a basic healing option available from the start, cooking provides significantly better healing items.
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Once you unlock the Oven and Smoothie Station, you gain access to significantly more potent healing options. Cooking food like Gnat Roast and crafting smoothies like Green Machine restores larger chunks of both hunger and health compared to basic bandages or raw food. Prioritizing unlocking cooking stations and recipes will greatly improve your sustainability in combat and exploration, making it a valuable grounded starter investment.
12. Build Up to Reach New Areas: Vertical Exploration
Access Hidden Locations and Secret Weapons
Verticality is a key element in Grounded exploration and progression. To reach new areas and uncover secrets, building upwards is often necessary. For instance, accessing the Upper Yard typically involves constructing ramps or stairs using grass and weed stems. Looking for opportunities to build upwards isn’t just about reaching higher ground; it’s about discovering hidden locations and valuable resources.
One prime example is the secret lab area containing the Pinch Whacker, a powerful early-game weapon. Reaching this area requires vertical construction and rewards you with a significant combat advantage. Always be on the lookout for ledges, cliffs, and structures that you can build upon to explore hidden areas and find valuable loot. Vertical exploration is an often-overlooked aspect of a comprehensive grounded starter strategy that can yield significant rewards.
13. Make a Bow & Better Tools: Ranged Combat Advantage
Cheese Fights and Resource Efficiency
Crafting a bow and arrow is an invaluable early weapon in Grounded. A bow provides a ranged combat advantage, allowing you to engage tough insects from a safe distance. This is particularly useful for “cheesing” fights against dangerous bugs like Wolf Spiders by attacking them from elevated positions they can’t reach. For players who prefer a stealthier playstyle, the bow is an excellent tool for picking off enemies before they even get close.
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As you progress, upgrading to better bows like the Tier 2 Insect Bow further enhances your ranged capabilities. Coupled with a plentiful supply of arrows like Thistle Arrows, a bow becomes a reliable weapon for a variety of encounters. In addition to ranged combat, prioritizing the creation of Tier 2 tools like the Insect Axe and Hammer is crucial for accessing better materials. Focusing on both combat and resource gathering tools is a well-rounded grounded starter approach.
14. Build Zip Lines for Fast Travel: Backyard Traversal
Efficiently Navigate the Yard with Zip Lines
One of the most game-changing BURG.L recipes to prioritize purchasing is the zip line. Especially when built from a high vantage point like a base in the Great Oak Tree, zip lines revolutionize backyard traversal. The Great Oak Tree is strategically located in the center of the yard, making it an ideal hub for a zip line network. Building grass constructions high in the tree allows you to create anchor points for zip lines extending to various corners of the yard.
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The 1.1 update enhanced zip line usability by adding the ZIP.R, allowing for upward travel. Unlocking this upgrade eliminates the tedious and often dangerous return trips to base. Zip lines provide a fast, safe, and efficient way to travel across large distances, significantly reducing travel time and exposure to ground-level threats. Investing in zip lines is a mid-game grounded starter goal that greatly improves your overall efficiency and exploration capabilities.
15. Keep Tabs on Food and Water Levels: Prevent Starvation
Monitor Vital Stats to Avoid Depletion
Until you establish reliable food and water sources, constantly monitoring your food and water levels is crucial. In the early game, finding sustenance can be challenging. While dirty water might seem like an option, it quickly depletes your health and should only be used as a last resort. Ignoring your hunger and thirst levels can quickly lead to debuffs and even death, making it essential to stay vigilant.
Early game food and water sources include juice boxes and mushrooms near the Mysterious Machine. However, these are not always reliable. A more consistent method for water is to look for droplets hanging on grass blades. Punching or chopping the grass will cause them to fall, providing a temporary water source. Be mindful that these droplets can disappear if they fall into puddles. Managing food and water is a fundamental aspect of grounded starter survival, requiring constant attention in the early phases.
16. Avoid Spiders & Exploring at Night: Minimize Early Risks
Reduce Encounters with Dangerous Bugs
For beginners, a crucial grounded starter tip is to avoid spiders and night exploration. Wolf Spiders, some of the toughest bugs in Grounded, are particularly dangerous in the early game due to their powerful attacks and nocturnal habits. Spiders are commonly found in the dry grass area and around the Great Oak Tree. It’s best to steer clear of these areas until you have better armor, weapons, and equipment to handle them.
In the initial stages, most essential materials can be found near the Resource Analyzer base, minimizing the need for extensive exploration into dangerous zones. Stick to daytime exploration as much as possible. Nighttime significantly increases the risk of encountering hostile creatures. Once you craft a torch and higher-tier gear, nighttime exploration becomes safer and more manageable. Avoiding spiders and nighttime exploration is a smart risk-mitigation strategy for new players.
17. Leave Ants & Ladybirds Alone: Avoid Unnecessary Combat
Preserve Resources and Prevent Aggression
Other bugs that can pose problems for new players are ants and ladybirds. A practical grounded starter tip is to leave them alone to avoid unnecessary fights. Ladybirds are surprisingly strong and can be difficult to defeat with lower-tier weapons. Aggroing them early on can lead to resource wastage and potential death.
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Similarly, ants, while seemingly docile, can become aggressive if provoked or if you interfere with their nests. Accidentally hitting ants while chopping grass or stems can trigger a swarm attack. Building bases near ant tunnels also invites trouble as ants may attack your structures. Unless you specifically need resources from these bugs, it’s best to coexist peacefully and avoid initiating combat. Maintaining neutrality with ants and ladybirds conserves resources and reduces early-game combat stress.
18. Explore & Analyze to Progress: Unlock Crafting Recipes
Drive Progression Through Discovery and Analysis
In Grounded, exploration and analysis are the primary drivers of progression. While avoiding dangerous areas initially is wise, venturing out and discovering new materials is essential for unlocking better recipes and advancing your capabilities. Braving the wilderness and expanding your reach to source and analyze new materials is a core gameplay loop and a significant part of the fun. Every new item analyzed at a Resource Analyzer brings you closer to crafting better tools, armor, and base structures.
After each exploration session, regularly return to a Resource Analyzer to build Brain Power and unlock new crafting recipes. This is also a good time to replenish supplies, construct new items, and rest before your next outing. Exploration and analysis are intrinsically linked to progression in Grounded, making them fundamental activities for any player, especially those following a grounded starter guide.
19. Look Up for Resources: Vertical Resource Gathering
Utilize Verticality for Efficient Resource Collection
Having trouble finding specific resources like sap or other elusive materials? Try looking up! Despite being shrunk to a minuscule size, your character can climb and explore vertically. Verticality isn’t just for exploration; it’s also a key aspect of resource gathering. Sap, for example, can sometimes be challenging to locate on the ground. Instead of just searching at ground level, look up at twigs and branches.
Climbing fallen twigs and branches often reveals individual pieces of sap attached to them. For larger quantities of sap, use a hammer to break open large clumps found near the central tree close to the Old Ant Hill. Utilizing verticality in resource gathering expands your search area and makes finding elusive materials like sap much more efficient. Remember to look up – it’s a simple but effective grounded starter tip for resource acquisition.
20. Make a Workbench: Unlock Advanced Crafting
Access Better Tools and Weapons
Apart from the basic Pebblet Spear, Axe, and Hammer, the Workbench is one of the first essential Utility items you should craft. Many of Grounded‘s best weapons and tools require a Workbench for crafting. It is a core piece of equipment that significantly expands your crafting capabilities. Fortunately, crafting a Workbench is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require many resources.
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You can craft a Workbench using just three grass planks, four sprigs, and two pieces of sap. Around the time you set up a Workbench, it’s also helpful to create grass and weed plank storage beds outside your base for organized storage of building materials. Prioritizing the Workbench unlocks a significant progression milestone, enabling you to craft better gear and further advance in Grounded. Making a Workbench early is a cornerstone of any effective grounded starter strategy.
By following these grounded starter guide tips, new players will be well-equipped to navigate the early challenges of Grounded. From understanding the importance of tools and teamwork to mastering combat and resource management, these strategies provide a solid foundation for backyard survival. Embrace the adventure, explore the miniature world, and thrive in Grounded!
