So, you've just jumped into the backyard in Grounded, huh? Awesome! This game is a wild ride, blending survival crafting with a seriously cool shrinking-down-to-ant-size premise. But let's be real, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Don't worry, though! This guide is packed with essential tips and tricks to get you thriving in the backyard. We’ll cover everything from basic survival to crafting and combat, so you can go from overwhelmed newbie to backyard badass in no time. Get ready to explore, build, and survive! These grounded tips and tricks will give a boost for a beginner who just started the game for the first time.

1. Mastering the Basics of Survival in Grounded

When you first start Grounded, your immediate focus needs to be on survival. This means understanding the core mechanics of hunger, thirst, and stamina. Hunger and thirst are represented by meters that deplete over time, and if they empty completely, your health will start to suffer. Therefore, let's delve into the crucial aspects of hunger, thirst, and stamina management to ensure your survival in this challenging environment. To keep them topped up, you'll need to find food and water sources. The backyard is surprisingly rich in both, but knowing where to look and what to avoid is key. Stamina, on the other hand, is consumed by actions like running, jumping, and attacking. Managing it effectively is crucial for both combat and exploration.

Finding Food and Water

• Food: Early on, the best sources of food are things like grub meat (found by digging up grubs) and mushrooms. Grubs can be dug up from the ground in grassy areas, and mushrooms are scattered around the base of trees and other damp locations. You can also craft jerky from raw meat by using a Drying Rack, which preserves it for longer. Remember to cook your meat on a campfire to avoid getting sick! This is a crucial step, as consuming raw meat can lead to negative status effects. Cooking not only makes the meat safe to eat but also provides a significant boost to its nutritional value, helping you stave off hunger more effectively. Keep an eye out for these resources and prioritize gathering them whenever you can. Being proactive about your food supply will keep you in top shape for whatever the backyard throws at you.
• Water: Dewdrops clinging to blades of grass are your initial go-to water source. They're plentiful in the early morning, but you'll need to be quick to collect them before they evaporate. As you progress, you can craft dew collectors to passively gather water, which is a game-changer for long-term survival. Staying hydrated is as important as finding food, and consistently replenishing your water supply will prevent dehydration and its associated penalties. Dew Collectors offer a sustainable way to ensure you always have access to clean water, reducing the need to constantly search for dewdrops. This will free up your time to focus on other essential tasks, like building your base and exploring the environment.

Stamina Management

• Stamina is your energy bar, and it depletes when you perform actions like running, jumping, and attacking. Overexerting yourself can leave you vulnerable, especially during combat encounters. Effective stamina management is vital for both survival and exploration in Grounded. Conserving your stamina allows you to move quickly when needed, whether it's to escape danger or chase down a fleeing resource. Be mindful of your stamina bar and avoid sprinting unnecessarily. Walking or jogging can help you conserve energy while still making progress. When engaging in combat, time your attacks carefully and avoid button-mashing, which can quickly drain your stamina. Use your surroundings to your advantage, such as climbing onto objects to regain stamina or creating distance between you and your enemies. Knowing when to conserve and when to expend your stamina can make the difference between life and death in the backyard.
• Tips for Stamina Conservation: Avoid unnecessary sprinting, especially over long distances. Walking or jogging conserves stamina while still allowing you to move at a decent pace. Also, keep an eye out for consumable items that restore stamina, such as certain types of mushrooms or crafted meals. Consuming these items during exploration or combat can provide a much-needed boost, allowing you to continue your activities without interruption. Another great tip is to utilize the environment to your advantage. Climbing onto objects or into elevated areas not only provides a strategic vantage point but also allows your stamina to regenerate faster. This can be particularly useful during combat encounters, giving you a moment to catch your breath and plan your next move. Mastering stamina conservation is essential for long-term survival in the backyard, enabling you to explore further, fight harder, and ultimately thrive in this challenging environment.

2. Essential Crafting Recipes for Early Game

Crafting is the backbone of Grounded. You'll need to craft tools, weapons, and armor to survive. Some recipes are absolutely essential in the early game. Focus on these first: Let’s break down the must-have crafting recipes that will give you a solid head start. These items will not only make your life easier but also significantly increase your chances of survival.

Pebblet Dagger

• This is your first weapon, and it's crucial for defense against early-game insects. The Pebblet Dagger is your go-to weapon when you first step into the backyard. It’s quick to craft and provides a reliable means of defending yourself against the smaller insects you’ll encounter early on. It's crafted from readily available materials like Pebblets, Plant Fiber, and Woven Fiber. These resources can be found scattered around the starting area, making the Pebblet Dagger an accessible and essential tool for any new player. It might not be the most powerful weapon in the game, but it's perfect for taking on Gnats, Mites, and other early-game threats. Having a dependable weapon from the start gives you the confidence to explore further and gather more resources without constantly fearing for your safety.

Stone Axe

• The Stone Axe is essential for gathering wood, which you'll need for building a base and crafting other items. To progress beyond the basics, you'll need to craft the Stone Axe. This tool is crucial for gathering wood, a primary resource for building your base, crafting furniture, and creating more advanced tools and weapons. The Stone Axe is made from Pebblets, Twine, and Sprigs, all of which are common in the grassy areas of the backyard. Once you have the Stone Axe, you can chop down dry grass and other vegetation to obtain planks and stems, which are essential for construction. Investing in a Stone Axe early will significantly speed up your resource gathering process and allow you to start building a secure shelter sooner rather than later. This will provide a safe haven from the backyard’s dangers and a place to store your resources.

Stone Hammer

• The Stone Hammer is used for breaking down larger objects and is also required for building certain structures. This is your go-to tool for construction and demolition in Grounded. The Stone Hammer allows you to build essential structures like workbenches, shelters, and storage containers. It's also necessary for breaking down certain environmental objects to gather resources. Crafting the Stone Hammer requires Pebblets, Twine, and Sprigs, making it easily accessible in the early game. With the Stone Hammer in your inventory, you can start shaping the backyard to your needs, creating a safe and functional base of operations. This will not only protect you from the elements and hostile creatures but also provide a space to craft, cook, and plan your next adventures. The Stone Hammer is a cornerstone of your crafting toolkit, ensuring you have the means to build a thriving home in the backyard.

Basic Armor (Clover Armor)

• Armor significantly reduces the damage you take, making combat much more manageable. The first armor set you should aim for is Clover Armor. Made from Clover Leaves, this set provides a decent amount of protection against early-game threats. Protecting yourself from the dangers of the backyard is crucial, and armor plays a vital role in your survival. Clover Armor is an excellent early-game option that can significantly reduce the damage you take from insect attacks. It’s crafted from Clover Leaves, a resource that is abundant in the grassy areas of the backyard. A full set of Clover Armor, consisting of a helmet, chest piece, and leg guards, offers a noticeable increase in your survivability, allowing you to take on tougher insects and explore more dangerous areas. Crafting Clover Armor should be one of your early priorities, as it will make combat encounters much more manageable and give you the confidence to venture further from your base.

3. Base Building: Location, Location, Location!

Your base is your sanctuary in Grounded. Choosing the right location can make a huge difference in your survival. Look for a spot that's relatively safe, has access to resources, and is easy to defend. Let's talk about how to choose the perfect spot and what to consider when setting up your home.

Safety First

• Avoid building near high-traffic areas for aggressive insects like spiders. Spiders are one of the biggest threats in Grounded, especially in the early game. Building your base near their patrol routes or spawn points can lead to constant attacks and make it difficult to even step outside your door. Before you start construction, take some time to observe the environment and identify areas where spiders are frequently seen. Areas with lots of webs are a clear sign of spider activity. Instead, look for locations that are naturally more secluded and less frequented by these predators. A safe location will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on building and exploring without constantly worrying about being ambushed. Prioritizing safety in your base location will set you up for long-term survival and success in the backyard.

Resource Proximity

• Being close to water sources, plants, and other resources will save you a lot of time and effort. When choosing a location for your base, consider the availability of essential resources like water, food, and building materials. Proximity to these resources will save you countless trips and make your daily survival tasks much more efficient. Look for areas near dewdrop-covered grass, mushroom patches, and places where you can easily gather plant fiber and sprigs. Having these resources close at hand means you'll spend less time traveling and more time crafting, building, and exploring. A well-chosen location can significantly streamline your resource gathering process and help you establish a thriving base. Think of it as setting up shop in the most convenient spot possible, ensuring you have everything you need within easy reach.

Defense Options

• Building on elevated surfaces or near natural barriers can provide a defensive advantage. Choosing a base location that offers natural defensive advantages can greatly enhance your safety and security. Building on elevated surfaces like rocks or fallen branches makes it harder for ground-based insects to reach you. Natural barriers like bodies of water or dense foliage can also provide a buffer zone, slowing down or deterring enemy approaches. By incorporating these natural defenses into your base design, you can create a more secure and defensible stronghold. This will not only protect you from attacks but also give you a strategic advantage in combat. A well-defended base is crucial for long-term survival in Grounded, allowing you to focus on your objectives without constantly worrying about threats.

4. Combat Tips for Bug Battles

Combat in Grounded can be challenging, especially when you're just starting out. Understanding enemy weaknesses and utilizing the right tactics can make a big difference. Let's discuss some essential combat strategies to help you survive those bug battles. Knowing how to fight effectively will significantly improve your chances against the backyard’s insect inhabitants.

Know Your Enemy

• Different insects have different weaknesses and attack patterns. Observing and learning these patterns is crucial for survival. Each insect in Grounded has its unique behaviors, attack styles, and vulnerabilities. Taking the time to study your enemies is essential for developing effective combat strategies. For example, some insects are weak to specific damage types, such as piercing or slashing, while others are more resistant. By understanding these weaknesses, you can choose the right weapons and tactics to maximize your damage output. Pay attention to how insects move and attack, and learn their tells to anticipate their moves. This will allow you to dodge or block attacks more effectively and create openings for counterattacks. Knowledge is power in Grounded, and knowing your enemy is the first step toward victory.

Blocking and Dodging

• Mastering blocking and dodging is essential for avoiding damage. Blocking and dodging are fundamental skills in Grounded combat. Blocking allows you to reduce incoming damage, while dodging lets you avoid attacks altogether. Mastering these techniques is crucial for surviving encounters with tougher insects. To block effectively, raise your weapon just before an enemy attack lands. This will negate a significant portion of the damage, but it will also drain your stamina. Dodging, on the other hand, requires precise timing but allows you to evade attacks completely without consuming stamina. Practice both blocking and dodging to find the right balance for your play style. Combining these defensive maneuvers with well-timed attacks will make you a formidable opponent in the backyard.

Weapon Choice Matters

• Different weapons are more effective against different insects. Experiment to find what works best. Choosing the right weapon for the job can significantly impact your effectiveness in combat. Some weapons deal more damage to certain types of insects, while others have unique attack patterns that can be advantageous in specific situations. For example, piercing weapons like spears are effective against armored insects, while slashing weapons like swords are better against softer targets. Experiment with different weapons and pay attention to which ones work best against each type of enemy. Consider the weapon's speed, range, and damage type when making your selection. By matching your weapon to the enemy's weaknesses, you'll increase your chances of success in every encounter. Remember, the right weapon can make all the difference in a bug battle.

5. Exploration and Discovery: Unlocking the Backyard's Secrets

Grounded is a game about exploration and discovery. The backyard is full of secrets, resources, and dangers waiting to be found. Don't be afraid to venture out and see what you can find! Let's talk about how to make the most of your explorations and uncover the hidden gems of the backyard. Embarking on adventures is not only fun but also crucial for your progress in the game.

Follow the Story

• The main questline will guide you to important locations and resources. The main questline in Grounded serves as a roadmap for your exploration, guiding you to key locations, resources, and challenges. Following the story missions will introduce you to new areas of the backyard, unlock crafting recipes, and provide valuable insights into the game's lore. The questline also helps you progress in a structured way, ensuring you're adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. Pay attention to the objectives and dialogue, as they often provide clues about where to go and what to do. By following the main story, you'll not only unravel the mysteries of the backyard but also gain the knowledge and resources you need to survive and thrive.

Mark Your Map

• Use map markers to note important locations like resource nodes, research stations, and dangerous areas. The map in Grounded is an invaluable tool for navigation and planning. Using map markers effectively can help you keep track of important locations, ensuring you can easily return to them later. Mark resource-rich areas, such as mushroom patches or berry bushes, so you know where to gather essential supplies. Note the locations of research stations, where you can analyze materials and unlock new crafting recipes. It's also wise to mark dangerous areas, like spider lairs or heavily guarded zones, so you can avoid them or prepare accordingly. A well-marked map will save you time and effort, allowing you to explore the backyard more efficiently and strategically. Think of it as creating your personal treasure map, guiding you to the most valuable and useful spots in the game.

Be Observant

• Pay attention to your surroundings. There are hidden resources and pathways everywhere. The backyard in Grounded is full of hidden surprises, and being observant is key to discovering them. Pay close attention to your surroundings, looking for subtle clues and hidden pathways. A small gap in the grass might lead to a secret cave, or a cluster of mushrooms could indicate a hidden cache of resources. Listen to the ambient sounds, as they can sometimes alert you to nearby dangers or points of interest. Keep an eye out for unusual landmarks or structures, as they often mark significant locations. By being observant and curious, you'll uncover the many secrets the backyard has to offer and enhance your exploration experience. Treat every journey as a treasure hunt, and you'll be amazed at what you can find.

Conclusion: Thriving in the Backyard

Grounded is a challenging but incredibly rewarding game. By mastering these beginner tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to thriving in the backyard. Remember to stay focused on survival, craft essential items, build a secure base, learn combat tactics, and explore the world around you. So, go out there, shrink down, and conquer the backyard! Have fun exploring this unique world, and don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your own strategies. The backyard is your playground – now go make it your home!