Grounded is Obsidian Entertainment's survival game where you've been shrunk to the size of an ant and must survive in a suburban backyard. Every blade of grass is a towering tree, every puddle is a lake, and insects range from helpful ladybugs to terrifying wolf spiders. The game blends base building, crafting, and Soulslike boss fights against massive bugs. With full co-op support for up to 4 players, Grounded transforms the mundane backyard into one of the most creative survival settings in gaming. The 1.0 release added a complete story with multiple endings.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank Build | S | Face-tank enemies with perfect blocks, draw aggro in co-op, heal through sustained damage. | Ladybug Armor Set, Black Ant Shield, Mint Mace, Smoothie Station for healing smoothies |
| Archer Build | A | Stay at range, pelt enemies with elemental arrows while teammates hold aggro. | Crow Crossbow, Spider Fang Armor Set, Feather Arrows, Lure Arrow |
| Assassin Build | A | Sneak behind enemies, land backstab criticals, dodge attacks with stamina management. | Widow Dagger, Assassin Armor Set, Coup de Grass mutation, Sneaky smoothies |
| Healer Build | B | Distribute healing smoothies, stay near teammates for Mom Gene healing aura, light DPS between heals. | Smoothie Station, Bandages, Mom Gene mutation, Gastro Goo smoothie ingredients |
| General Build | A | Adapt to situations with blocking, dodging, and switching between melee and ranged as needed. | Mint Mace or Black Ant Sword, Acorn Armor Set, Shield, Healing Smoothies |
S-Tier: Tank Build
The Tank uses heavy armor (Ladybug Armor set for +block strength and HP regen) with a 1H weapon and shield. Perfect blocks are this build's bread and butter — the Ladybug set's healing on block makes you nearly unkillable against bosses. Best build for solo players facing wolf spiders and lab bosses.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Mint Mace | The Mint Mace is crafted from Mint Chunks found near the porch mint container. |
| Core Gear | Ladybug Armor Set, Black Ant Shield, Mint Mace, Smoothie Station for healing smoothies | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Max HP, Block Strength, Stun resistance | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | base building | Building in Grounded uses grass planks, weed stems, and various insect parts as materials. |
How to Play Tank Build
Face-tank enemies with perfect blocks, draw aggro in co-op, heal through sustained damage.
The Tank uses heavy armor (Ladybug Armor set for +block strength and HP regen) with a 1H weapon and shield. Perfect blocks are this build's bread and butter — the Ladybug set's healing on block makes you nearly unkillable against bosses. Best build for solo players facing wolf spiders and lab bosses.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Mint Mace and base building creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Ladybug Armor Set, Black Ant Shield, Mint Mace, Smoothie Station for healing smoothies amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Max HP, Block Strength, Stun resistance) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Archer Build
Ranged builds use the Crow Crossbow or Insect Bow with elemental arrows for safe damage at distance. The Spider Fang armor set boosts ranged damage. This build excels against airborne enemies (mosquitoes, fireflies) and in co-op where a tank holds aggro. Weakness: limited ammo requires constant crafting.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Black Ant Sword | Crafted from Black Ant Parts found in the Black Anthill, this fast-swinging sword deals solid base damage with good attack speed. |
| Core Gear | Crow Crossbow, Spider Fang Armor Set, Feather Arrows, Lure Arrow | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Ranged Damage, Stamina, Critical Chance | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | insect combat | Combat uses stamina-based melee (1H, 2H weapons) and ranged attacks (bows, crossbows). |
How to Play Archer Build
Stay at range, pelt enemies with elemental arrows while teammates hold aggro.
Ranged builds use the Crow Crossbow or Insect Bow with elemental arrows for safe damage at distance. The Spider Fang armor set boosts ranged damage. This build excels against airborne enemies (mosquitoes, fireflies) and in co-op where a tank holds aggro. Weakness: limited ammo requires constant crafting.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Black Ant Sword and insect combat creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Crow Crossbow, Spider Fang Armor Set, Feather Arrows, Lure Arrow amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Ranged Damage, Stamina, Critical Chance) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Assassin Build
Assassin builds use fast daggers (Widow Dagger, Tick Macuahuitl) with the Assassin armor set for backstab damage bonuses. Sneaking behind enemies and landing backstab crits deals massive burst damage. Fragile but devastating in co-op when enemies face the tank.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Crow Crossbow | The premier ranged weapon, crafted from Crow Feather Pieces found near the bird bath and picnic table. |
| Core Gear | Widow Dagger, Assassin Armor Set, Coup de Grass mutation, Sneaky smoothies | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Critical Chance, Backstab Damage, Attack Speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | crafting tiers | Crafting progresses through tiers gated by Analyzer discoveries — scanning new materials at a Field Station unlocks recipes. |
How to Play Assassin Build
Sneak behind enemies, land backstab criticals, dodge attacks with stamina management.
Assassin builds use fast daggers (Widow Dagger, Tick Macuahuitl) with the Assassin armor set for backstab damage bonuses. Sneaking behind enemies and landing backstab crits deals massive burst damage. Fragile but devastating in co-op when enemies face the tank.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Crow Crossbow and crafting tiers creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Widow Dagger, Assassin Armor Set, Coup de Grass mutation, Sneaky smoothies amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Critical Chance, Backstab Damage, Attack Speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Healer Build
Healer builds focus on the Bard mutation and healing smoothies to support the team. While there's no dedicated healing class, combining the Smoothie Station with the Mom Gene mutation (healing allies in range) provides group sustain. Less effective solo but valuable in 4-player co-op boss fights.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Widow Dagger | Crafted from Black Widow parts (one of the game's hardest enemies), the Widow Dagger has the fastest attack speed of any melee weapon and applies Venom damage over time. |
| Core Gear | Smoothie Station, Bandages, Mom Gene mutation, Gastro Goo smoothie ingredients | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Max HP, Healing received, Resistance | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | exploration milestones | The yard is divided into distinct biomes with increasing difficulty — from the safe Grasslands to the deadly Upper Yard. |
How to Play Healer Build
Distribute healing smoothies, stay near teammates for Mom Gene healing aura, light DPS between heals.
Healer builds focus on the Bard mutation and healing smoothies to support the team. While there's no dedicated healing class, combining the Smoothie Station with the Mom Gene mutation (healing allies in range) provides group sustain. Less effective solo but valuable in 4-player co-op boss fights.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Widow Dagger and exploration milestones creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Smoothie Station, Bandages, Mom Gene mutation, Gastro Goo smoothie ingredients amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Max HP, Healing received, Resistance) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: General Build
The jack-of-all-trades build uses medium armor (Ant Armor for hauling bonus or Acorn Armor for balanced defense) with a versatile 1H weapon. Good for solo play where you need both offense and defense. The Acorn set's perfect block explosion damages nearby enemies.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Coaltana | A Tier 3 two-handed sword made from Charcoal Chunks near the grill and BBQ Spill area. |
| Core Gear | Mint Mace or Black Ant Sword, Acorn Armor Set, Shield, Healing Smoothies | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced HP, Damage, Stamina | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | co-op teamwork | Up to 4 players can join in shared or split-screen co-op. |
How to Play General Build
Adapt to situations with blocking, dodging, and switching between melee and ranged as needed.
The jack-of-all-trades build uses medium armor (Ant Armor for hauling bonus or Acorn Armor for balanced defense) with a versatile 1H weapon. Good for solo play where you need both offense and defense. The Acorn set's perfect block explosion damages nearby enemies.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Coaltana and co-op teamwork creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Mint Mace or Black Ant Sword, Acorn Armor Set, Shield, Healing Smoothies amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Balanced HP, Damage, Stamina) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Archer Build — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Tank Build once you understand core mechanics and have access to Mint Mace
- Keep a Assassin Build setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try General Build for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Analyze everything at Field Stations — scanning new materials unlocks crafting recipes. Carry one of every new material you find and scan it immediately for recipe discoveries.
- Build near a juice box for easy, infinite water. Juice Drops respawn regularly and are the most reliable hydration source in the early game.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
