Every Beginner Needs: 2 Essential Grounded 2 Tips

Understanding the Challenges in Grounded 2

When you first start playing Grounded 2, you’ll quickly realize that survival is no easy task. The game presents a variety of dangers that can end your run in an instant. Bugs are one of the most immediate threats, as they attack with speed and force, often chasing you further than expected. A single misstep near a nest can send you back to your last respawn point, making it essential to stay alert and cautious.

Falling from a tall branch or slipping off a rock can also be deadly. These simple mishaps can drain your health rapidly, so it's important to always be mindful of your surroundings. Additionally, basic needs like hunger and thirst can become critical if not managed properly. If you neglect these survival meters, you could find yourself in a dire situation where even a minor injury becomes fatal.

The environment itself poses its own set of challenges. Toxic areas filled with poison clouds and other hazards can slowly wear down your health, making it crucial to monitor your surroundings and avoid dangerous zones whenever possible.

Choosing Your Character

At the beginning of the game, you’ll have the option to choose one of four teens: Max, Hoops, Pete, or Willow. While each character has their own personality, voice lines, and style, there are no special powers or advantages tied to your choice. All characters play the same way, running, fighting, building, and taking damage equally. This means you’re free to pick the character you enjoy the most.

If you prefer a confident and tough character, Max might be the right choice. For someone more brainy and careful, Pete could be ideal. Willow offers a bit more attitude, while Hoops brings energy and enthusiasm. The only time this choice matters is in multiplayer, where everyone must choose a different character. However, this is just for appearance and personality, as all players remain equally strong and skilled.

Building a Base Early

One of the best strategies in Grounded 2 is to build a base early on. As soon as you drop into the backyard, setting up a safe location is crucial. A base provides a place to sleep, store items, craft gear, and set your respawn point. Without a base, every time you die, you’ll return to your original starting spot, which can be inconvenient if you’ve ventured far from the beginning.

By establishing a base early, you can save time and avoid unnecessary travel. It’s a smart move that helps you progress through the game more efficiently and reduces frustration.

Analyzing New Items

Whenever you come across a new item or material, it’s a good idea to scan it using the Resource Analyzer. This tool not only helps you farm Raw Science, which is used to unlock upgrades, but it also reveals new crafting recipes. Scanning items allows you to learn how to craft better weapons, gear, and tools.

It’s important to prioritize scanning the newest or rarest items first, as the analyzer has limited scans before needing to recharge. This ensures you keep unlocking new gear and avoid getting stuck with weak tools.

Using Bandages Effectively

Healing in Grounded 2 isn’t instantaneous. When you use a fiber bandage, a teal bar appears on your health bar, indicating that healing is in progress. However, if you get hit before the bar fills completely, the healing effect will stop. To avoid wasting bandages, use them only when you're sure it's safe. Step behind cover or climb to a higher ground to ensure you can heal without interruption.

Completing the Egg Hunt Mission

One of the most exciting features in Grounded 2 is riding bugs, and the Red Soldier Ant is one of the first you’ll encounter. To tame it, you need to complete the Egg Hunt mission. This unlocks the ability to find and hatch Red Soldier Ant eggs, allowing you to ride the ant and use it to clear obstacles.

Riding a Buggy makes exploration much easier, as it allows you to move faster and avoid enemy fights by outrunning them. As you explore deeper, you’ll find more eggs, giving you backup mounts for future missions.

Clearing Dead Roots

Some areas in the game are blocked by thick vines called Dead Roots. These can’t be chopped or destroyed, but you can use your Red Soldier Ant Buggy to bite through them. Once you’ve hatched your first Red Soldier Ant, you’ll encounter these roots inside the ant tunnels, blocking hidden passages and loot.

To break the roots, command your Buggy to bite through them. This clears the path, allowing you to explore further without backtracking. This technique is useful throughout the game, especially when exploring deeper tunnel systems.

Managing Hunger and Thirst

In Grounded 2, hunger is a serious threat. If your hunger meter reaches zero, you’ll start losing health, and prolonged starvation can lead to death. It’s important to watch your hunger and eat regularly. You can find food in various places, such as mushrooms growing near logs or trees, or by killing and cooking bugs like weevils or aphids.

Cooked food not only fills you up more than raw food but also restores some health, making it a valuable resource. Always keep an eye on your hunger and thirst meters to avoid life-threatening situations.

Switching Buggies When Needed

Your Buggy is a valuable asset, but it’s not invincible. If it dies or gets stuck, you don’t have to wait for it to respawn. If you’ve unlocked another Buggy, you can switch to it immediately, saving time and keeping your mission moving. This is especially useful during long journeys, as having multiple Buggies allows you to continue without delays.