Grounded is a deceitfully difficult game, especially when you are playing alone. Thankfully, it doesn't need to be hard if you are packing the right gear for the job. After all, it doesn’t pay to take on a wolf spider with nothing but a handful of pebblets and an eyepatch.
Unfortunately, there are a surprising number of options in the game for both the armor you wear and the weapons you use. When should you use a club? And what armor is good for tackling the Brood Mother? These are questions you might be asking yourself.
Read on as we look at the 15 best weapons and armor in Grounded, how to get them, and what they are good for.
15. Pebblet Spear (Weapon)
How to unlock
One of the first weapons you should be making in the game is a Pebblet Spear. All it costs are the easy-to-collect resources of a pebblet, sprigs, and plant fibre. It also doesn't require a crafting table to construct. This is a great weapon because it's good in both ranged and close combat.
It's highly recommended for you to have one of these on you at all times when you are in the early game, as they can be very handy in sticky situations. You can also use it while holding a shield. I will advise against upgrading it past level 1 or 2 though, as it will be better to save the shards for other weapons, as you will not be able to craft more shards until you complete the black ant hill lab, which is one of the toughest labs.
Base Stats:
- Tier I, Stabbing
- Fast
- Damage 9/18/27
Total resources needed:
- 1 Pebblet
- 3 Plant Fiber
- 2 Sprig
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Pebblet_Spear
14. Clover Armor
How to unlock
Like the Pebblet Spear, the Clover armour set will probably be one of the first that you make. You will need a workbench to craft this. To get the recipe, you need to analyse some clover at a research hub.
It has the great bonus that each piece gives you the fuller buff, which reduces your hunger drain. This is useful as you are trying to get the hang of the game because it’s an easy way to die if you are off exploring. The set bonus is the best part, as it will slowly regenerate your health. Can help you save yourself in poisonous situations.
Total resources needed:
- 13 Clover Leaf
- 6 Crude Rope
- 2 Sprigs
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Clover_Armor?so=search
13. Red Ant Club
How to unlock
Although it is a tier II weapon, it is an easy weapon to craft in the early game. The toughest part about it is the red ant mandibles gained from red ant soldiers, which can be difficult if you’re unprepared.
Fortunately, if you are wearing the red ant armor they won't attack you unless provoked, and even better, they attack any insect in their area, so you can kite one of the stink bugs near the ant hill towards the soldiers the subsequent fight will allow you to reap the rewards from the dead ants.
Base Stats:
- Tier II, Generic
- Slow
- Damage 31/63/94
Total resources needed:
- 4 Red Ant Part
- 2 Crude Rope
- 2 Red Ant Mandibles
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Red_Ant_Club
12. Red Ant Armor
How to unlock
The Red Ant set is probably one of the best sets for the beginning of the game. To unlock the recipe, you need to analyse red ant parts. You can easily get the parts without killing any ants, as there are often some dead ants around the edge of the haze, or you can also kite other bugs close to their hill.
Each piece allows you to carry more weed stems or grass planks, and the set bonus Humant means that the red ants will not attack unless you attack them or if you are caught stealing eggs.
Total resources needed:
- 3 Mite Fuzz
- 6 Red Ant Parts
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Red_Ant_Armor
11. Insect Bow
How to unlock
The insect bow is the Tier II bow in the game. You will need to kill at least 2 wolf spiders to get the necessary spider fangs, but it is worth it as the insect bow is faster than the crossbow while dealing a high amount of damage.
To unlock the recipe, you need to analyse either a spider fang or silk rope. To get arrows, you can make the basic ones with mite fuzz and thistle needles. Other arrow types will become available as you analyse materials.
Base Stats:
- Tier II, stabbing
- Average
- Damage 40
Total resources needed:
- 2 Spider Chunk
- 2 Spider Fang
- 2 Silk Rope
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Insect_Bow
10. Koi Scale Armor Set
How to unlock
One of the simpler tier II sets to produce is the Koi scale set, and you will most likely acquire all the necessary components while completing the main mission's pond lab phase. Simply analyse a koi scale that was buried at the pond's bottom to unlock the set.
The armour set benefit increases the damage you deal after obtaining a perfect block, while each piece increases your likelihood of earning one. If you are having trouble killing wolf spiders or ladybugs, these perks are fantastic.
Total resources needed:
- 3 Koi Fish Scales
- 3 Eel Grass Strands
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Koi_Scale_Armor?so=search
9. Mosquito needle
How to unlock
In the early game, there are few bugs worse than mosquitos. Fortunately, killing them gives you one of the best stabbing weapons in the first half of the game. It has a minor life-steal effect, which can be useful for tanky opponents, and is quick.
The best way to kill them is to make sure that you attack them one at a time and use a shield. Compared to some of the other bugs in the garden, it is relatively easy to read their attacks to get a perfect block. It's recommended to use a fast weapon in the fight so you can get as many hits in as possible before they fly off.
Base Stats:
- Tier II, Stabbing, Life steal
- Fast
- Damage 14/28/42
Total resources needed:
- 2 Mosquito Beak
- 2 Silk Rope
- 2 Mosquito Blood Sack
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Mosquito_Needle?so=search
8. Salt Morning Star/ Mint Mace
How to unlock
If you are peeping insects as you go, you will notice that most have weaknesses to certain elements. The most common are salt and fresh. It can be super useful to exploit these weaknesses with the tough upper yard insects, so be sure to have a salt morning star and mint mace.
Unlike the weapons earlier on the list, you don't unlock these by analysing parts. Instead, you will need to find the corresponding Burg.l chips. The Salt Morning Star recipe chip is found in a chest submerged in the moat of the Sandbox's sandcastle. The key for this is also in the sand box buried near a spade (you will need a tier II shovel to get it)
The Mint mace chip is found in the chest in the maze on the picnic table. The key for this is a little further away in the broken pipe (You will need a tier II Dager to get it, also bring an underwater light). After you have these two chips, you will also need to complete the blank ant hill lab to get access to the recipes for salt and mint globs, respectively.
Base Stats:
Mint Mace
- Tier III, generic, Fresh
- Slow
- Damage 50/100/150
Salt Morning Star
- Tier III, generic, salty
- Average
- Damage 25/52/78
Total resources needed:
Mint Mace
- 2 Mint Glob
- 5 Flower Petal
- 10 Tough Gunk
Salt Morning Star
- 2 Salt Glob
- 5 Gum Nugget
- 10 Tough Gunk
For more information:
https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Mint_Mace?so=search
https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Salt_Morning_Star
7. Black Ox Crossbow
How to unlock
The black ox crossbow is probably the best ranged weapon currently in the game, dealing high amounts of damage. You can unlock it by scanning a black ox part, but be careful, as this is a tough fight for the unprepared. If you are struggling, you can use the ladybird larvae to help, but watch out for their charge.
Base Stats:
- Tier III, Stabbing
- Slow
- Damage 85
Total resources needed:
- 6 Rust
- 4 Black Ox Part
- 4 Lint Rope
- 2 Pinecone Piece
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Ox_Crossbow
6. Fire Ant Armor Set
How to unlock
The best ant set in the game is the Fire Ant Set. While the set benefit is acid splash, each piece imparts corrosion, letting you deal a little bit more damage. An additional ranged acidic splash that deals additional damage could be launched by this effect.
Analyzing a fire ant head, part, and mandibles will provide the recipe. The upper yards wall or their ant mound are the greatest places to look for red ants (which can be risky as they can swarm you, so wear something tough and bring a suitable weapon).
Total resources needed:
- 1 Fire Ant Head
- 6 Fire Ant Part
- 1 Fire Ant Mandables
- 1 Dust Mite Fuzz
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Fire_Ant_Armor
How to unlock
As a spicy weapon, the Spicy Coaltanna is one of the best weapons to melt wolf spiders. You can find it in the coal bag near the barbecue spill, so make sure you have appropriate sizzle protection. Inside, you will find a sword sticking out of a coal. Be warned, once you interact with it, you will start a defence battle where you will need to protect the sword from a mass of ladybird larvae.
Once you successfully defend the sword, you will unlock the recipe. It is a two handed weapon, so you will no longer be able to use a shield, but hopefully you will be able to parry without one at this stage of the game.
Base Stats:
- Tier III, Slashing, Spicy
- Average
- Damage 40/83/123
Total resources needed:
- 2 Spicy Glob
- 5 EverChar Coal Chunk
- 10 Tough Gunk
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Spicy_Coaltana
4. Roly Poly Armor Set
How to unlock
There are two variations of this tank-like armour in the game. The first one is the worn-out roly-poly set that is dispersed over the yard. The second is the conventional set, and to get the parts for it, you must kill friendly roly-polys.
Three different locations include the rusty set pieces. The sandbox's salt burrow is where you can find the breastplate (this is one of the caves blocked by the massive Antlions). The helmet is hidden beneath a Jabby Cola can that was left lying on its side in the trash heap. The graves are finally located in the maze, behind one of the Mants, on the picnic table.
Once you get these pieces, analyse them at a research station to get the recipe for the normal Roly Poly set.
Total resources needed:
- 11 Lint Rope
- 12 Pupa Leather
- 10 Roly Poly Shell
- 10 Roly Poly Parts
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Roly_Poly_Armor
3. Tick Macuahuitl
How to unlock
The Tick Macuahuitl is a quick one-handed sword that you can unlock by scanning either a Pinecone Piece or Tick Fang. This weapon does a devastating amount of damage and can be used with a shield. It also has the bonus of inflicting life-stealing damage, similar to the mosquito rapier.
It is not a cheap weapon to make, though, as you will need 10 tick fangs, which can be difficult due to the fact that where you find ticks is also home to some very tough bugs.
Base Stats:
- Tier III, Slashing, Life Steal
- Fast
- Damage 23/46/69
Total resources needed:
- 10 Tick Fang
- 3 Lint Rope
- 1 Pinecone Piece
- 3 Mosquito Blood Sack
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Tick_Macuahuitl
2. Assassin's Armor Set
How to unlock
The Assassin set is among the best in the game for the majority of circumstances and has the most aesthetic appeal. Each component increases the likelihood that your critical hits will have the Bleed effect, which is akin to the assassin mutation. You have the option to chain critical attacks when you activate the set bonus Critical Chains.
Analyzing a mantis head and other mantis parts yields the formula. You need the Orchid Mantis Kebab to combat the mantis, thus you must first take out the Brood Mother boss in the hedge.
Total resources needed:
- 3 Mantis chunk
- 3 Berry Leather
For more information: https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Assassin's_Armor?so=search
1. Candy Stave (Any)
How to unlock
With the full release of the game, elemental staves were added. There are three types of craft: mint staff, spicy staff, and sour staff. These are devastating weapons that can be useful if attacked in large numbers or by bugs with specific weaknesses.
To unlock the recipe, you will need to get the Termite Den Burg.l chip. You can get this by killing the termite king. You will either need to fight your way there or you can just run through the den. Just make sure you bring plenty of healing items, as termites are tough.
Base stats:
Mint Staff
- Tier III, Fresh
- Fast
- Damage 75, 250 charged
Spicy Staff
- Tier III, Spicy
- Fast
- Damage 75, 250 charged
Sour Staff
- Tier III, Sour
- Fast
- Damage 75, 250 charged
Total resources needed:
Mint Staff
- 5 Mint Glob
- 5 Pinecone Piece
- 5 Tough Gunk
- 5 Crow Feather Piece
Spicy Staff
- 5 Spicy Glob
- 5 Pinecone Piece
- 5 Tough Gunk
- 5 Fire Ant Mandibles
Sour Staff
- 5 Sour Glob
- 5 Pinecone Piece
- 5 Tough Gunk
- 5 Pond Moss
For more information:
https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Spicy_Staff
https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Sour_Staff
https://grounded.fandom.com/wiki/Mint_Staff
