Grounded 2: The Ultimate Guide to Taming Ants – Ride, Gather, and Conquer ~ HaploGamingChef

Mastering Ant Mounts in Grounded 2: A Complete Guide to Taming and Utilizing Your New Best Friend

In the vast, perilous world of Grounded 2, where every blade of grass and creeping insect presents both a threat and an opportunity, you might find yourself wishing for a trusty companion. A mount that can help you navigate the treacherous terrain, gather resources, and even defend you against larger enemies. Well, good news – the ability to tame and ride ants is one of the game’s most exciting new features. Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your skills or an experienced player eager to take full advantage of the new features, this guide will walk you through every step you need to tame your very own ant mount in Grounded 2.

Why Tame Ants in Grounded 2?

Taming ants isn’t just a fun addition to the game – it's a game-changer. Ants are more than just a mode of transport. They become essential companions that can assist with gathering materials, transporting resources, and even fighting enemies. In this guide, we’ll explore how to unlock the ability to tame ants, the process of raising one, and how to make the most of your new insect ally.

Unlocking the Ability to Tame Ants

Before you can hop on your very own ant, you need to unlock a few essential components. The path to taming ants begins after you progress through a particular part of the game. Here’s what you need to do:

Play Through the Tutorial
First things first, you’ll need to progress through the game’s tutorial. This will guide you through the basics, and after you’ve completed this part, you’ll gain access to the relevant mechanics that lead to taming ants.
Speak with the Mysterious Voice
After the tutorial, you’ll receive a phone call. This will direct you to a key location, the Hot Dog Stand. Upon reaching this landmark, a conversation will initiate with a character that will provide the information needed for your next steps.
Upgrades Required
To proceed with taming ants, you must upgrade your Omni Tool to include a Shovel Upgrade and a Hammer Upgrade. These upgrades are critical as they enable you to dig and break through certain obstacles, unlocking hidden areas that are essential for your progress.

Gathering the Necessary Items

Once you’ve spoken to the mysterious voice and unlocked your tools, head to the Hot Dog Stand. The next phase involves obtaining key items necessary for constructing the Nest and the Incubator.

The Hole and Hidden Area
At the Hot Dog Stand, you will need to find a hole in the ground. Venture down into the hole, take your first right, and break through a rock. This will lead you to an underground area, where you’ll encounter aggressive creatures. Be ready to defend yourself.
Collect the Tape and Documents
Inside this underground space, you’ll find some essential items, including a Tape and a few Documents. These will provide you with the lore and necessary info to move forward.
Get an Egg
The key item you’ll need from this area is an Ant Egg. Make sure you grab one before you leave. This egg will serve as the foundation for your new mount. Be cautious when handling the egg, as enemies can still be lurking nearby.
Find an Acorn
Besides the egg, you’ll need a Grubhide, Sprigs, Acorn Shell, and a few other basic materials to build the Incubator. Acorns are plentiful in the game, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Once you have all of these materials, it’s time to head back to the Facility and begin the process of building the Incubator.

Building the Hatchery: The Ant Incubator

The Hatchery is where the magic happens. It’s where you’ll incubate your ant egg and eventually have it hatch into your rideable companion. Here’s how to build it:

Access the Hatchery Blueprint
To unlock the Hatchery, you need 500 Science. After gathering the necessary resources, head to the Lab and purchase the blueprint. The Hatchery will allow you to incubate the ant egg, but there are a few important details to keep in mind.
Place the Hatchery
Once you’ve acquired the Hatchery, set it up in a safe place on your base. It’s important to note that if you place it on a platform, the ant might spawn underneath the foundation. This is something to watch out for, as it may cause some inconvenience when accessing your new mount.
Incubate the Egg
With the Hatchery placed, you can now begin the incubation process. Simply add the egg, along with the required resources like Grubhide, Acorn Shell, and Sprigs. The incubation process takes about 11 hours in real-time, though this can be fast-forwarded, and you’ll be ready to have your new mount in just under 11 minutes.

Riding Your Ant: From Hatchling to Ally

Once the incubation is complete, your ant will hatch, and you’ll finally get to experience the joy of riding it. But there’s more to it than simply hopping on. Here’s how you can maximize the potential of your new companion:

Getting Your Ant Ready

When you first see your ant, you’ll have the option to interact with it. Here’s what you can do:

Mount the Ant
After the egg hatches, the ant will become available for you to ride. You don’t need to craft a saddle or any additional gear for this. Simply approach the ant, press the action button, and you’ll be riding it in no time.
Pet the Ant
Interacting with your ant isn’t limited to just riding it. You can also pet it, which will increase its loyalty and make the bond between you and your mount even stronger.
Store and Recall Your Mount
Once you’ve ridden your ant, you’ll notice a few useful options. You can send it back to the Nest to store it, or you can recall it back whenever you need it. This provides flexibility in managing your mounts and ensuring they don’t get lost in the vast environment.

Using the Ant for Gathering

One of the most useful features of taming an ant is its ability to assist with resource gathering. Here’s how you can use your mount to gather materials:

Gathering Mode
When riding the ant, hold the E key to enter Gathering Mode. In this mode, your ant will move slower, but it will automatically pick up materials in the surrounding area. It can hold up to 12 pieces of Grass, which can be dropped off at your base to contribute to crafting materials.
Transporting Resources
Not only can your ant gather grass, but it can also carry other materials back to your base. This significantly reduces the time you spend running back and forth, especially when gathering large quantities of resources.

Training Your Ant for Combat

While ants are primarily useful for gathering, they can also be used to fight alongside you. Though the combat mechanics of riding an ant are still evolving in the game, there’s potential for strategic battles with these loyal creatures. Here’s a look at how to engage in combat with your ant:

Recruiting Ants for Combat
You can recruit additional ants, creating a small army to take on larger threats, like Ladybugs or spiders. As of now, there are no official mounts for these other creatures, but with a group of ants by your side, you’ll be able to take down powerful enemies much more efficiently.
Ant Combat Behavior
Ants are naturally aggressive and will defend you when threatened. If you’re under attack by an enemy like a Ladybug, your ant will engage it automatically. While ants don’t have complex combat mechanics yet, their loyalty and teamwork can help turn the tide of battle.

Maximizing Your Ant’s Potential

To fully capitalize on the advantages of taming ants, here are some additional tips:

Breed More Ants: Once you’ve successfully tamed one, you can breed more by placing additional eggs in the Incubator. The more ants you have, the better your chances of defending your base and gathering resources efficiently.
Manage the Nest: Keep an eye on your ant’s nest and ensure that the area is secure. The ants will return there when not in use, so it’s essential to keep them safe.
Experiment with Different Ant Types: The game allows for different types of ants to be tamed, and each may have different strengths. Try different variants to see which one suits your needs best.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of taming ants in Grounded 2. Whether you’re gathering resources, fending off enemies, or simply exploring the vast world of Grounded 2, your trusty ant mount will be your loyal companion every step of the way.

Enjoy the adventure, and may your ant companion lead you to great victories and discoveries!

Conclusion

Taming ants in Grounded 2 is more than just a fun side activity—it’s a crucial part of enhancing your survival experience. Whether you’re gathering resources, defending your base, or exploring new areas, your ant mount will prove to be an invaluable ally. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll soon be riding, gathering, and conquering with your very own loyal insect companion. So, get out there, unlock the power of taming, and embark on exciting new adventures with your ant mount!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How do I unlock the ability to tame ants in Grounded 2?
A: Complete the tutorial, upgrade your Omni Tool (Shovel and Hammer), and visit the Hot Dog Stand to get started.

Q: What materials do I need to build the Hatchery?
A: You’ll need Acorn Shells, Grubhide, Sprigs, and other basic resources. Also, don’t forget to grab an Ant Egg!

Q: Can I use my ant mount for combat?
A: Yes, while ants are primarily for gathering, they can defend you in combat and help fight off threats like Ladybugs or spiders.

Q: How do I recall my ant mount?
A: You can send your ant mount back to the Nest, then call it back whenever you need it for exploration or gathering.

Q: How long does it take for an ant egg to hatch?
A: The incubation process takes about 11 hours in real-time, but you can fast-forward it to about 11 minutes.

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