Grounded 2 significantly enhances the narrative experience compared to its predecessor, offering players a deeper storyline infused with an enigmatic and chaotic antagonist. The build-up to the final confrontation is compelling, so it’s crucial that players come adequately prepared to face this challenge.
This comprehensive guide will outline everything necessary leading to the boss fight. You’ll find helpful tips and tricks included to navigate the hurdles awaiting you.
If you’ve reached this portion of the game, strap in—it’s about to be a lengthy ride. This climactic segment of the story can take around two hours, assuming you’re not fully equipped.
**Caution: Spoilers Ahead** This guide contains spoilers for the conclusion of the first “act”of Grounded 2. If you haven’t reached this point yet, proceed with caution.
Finding the Masked Stranger
To locate the Masked Stranger, ensure you have completed the quest involving the hacking of two O. R.C. Transmitters. Afterward, the Masked Stranger will summon you to a statue for a formidable showdown.
Your map will display a marker directing you to a small pipe, which marks the beginning of your adventure. This pipe will guide you into the labyrinthine stone maze beyond.
Navigating the Climb
Upon reaching the small pipe, follow it until you emerge in a stone maze. Although orientation isn’t critical, heading left is advisable to access the Ranger Outpost conveniently located nearby. This outpost leads to the area beneath the statue.
This guide will highlight key locations and bosses along your way, along with potential shortcuts. Before proceeding, ensure that you’ve upgraded your gear and crafted needed items.
Inside the Pipeline
Venturing into the pipeline, you’ll encounter a relatively straightforward path obstructed by several O. R.C. Larvae. The initial boss here is the Major Diesel, a Stinkbug, who will battle you in a confined space filled with poisonous gas.
Major Diesel’s Stats
| Weaknesses | Stabbing, Fresh |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Smashing |
| Weak Points | None |
Now is the perfect time to utilize any gas masks you have on hand. A ranged strategy works best; however, if you must engage closely, ensure you’re stocked with bandages for post-fight recovery.
Consider luring him into the original pipe where you entered—this often leads to him getting trapped and provides ample opportunity for assaults.
Once Major Diesel is defeated, summon your Red Ant Buggie to clear through the roots barring access to the door on your left. Continue onward to the next section!
Traversing the Stone Maze
This maze isn’t truly puzzling; maintaining a steady course will lead you beneath the statue. Encountering numerous enemies signifies you’re headed in the right direction.
Stick to the left margin of the path to arrive at the Ranger Outpost, allowing for quick ascent toward the statue’s base. Be sure to thoroughly explore this outpost—it contains valuable healing resources essential for the upcoming battles.
After scavenging, follow the water hose you’ll see in the distance; this leads to the next formidable opponent, Captain Nitro.
Confronting Captain Nitro
Your next challenge is Captain Nitro, a tough adversary shielding the entry to the bushes beneath the statue. Having healing items on standby is crucial, as well as leveraging any weaknesses for a swifter victory.
Captain Nitro’s Stats
| Weaknesses | Smashing |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Fresh, Slashing, Venom |
| Weak Points | Rump, Stinger |
Use any means available to cure venom, but do so judiciously as this will not be your last encounter with venomous foes.
After defeating Captain Nitro, you can break through the roots he was guarding using your Red Ant Buggie to advance.
Ascending the Base
Simply follow the branches upward until you encounter the Statue Checkpoint, where you’ll discover additional healing supplies and a water cooler for refueling.
Once replenished, take the branch leading downward. Navigate past the three root-blocked passages until you arrive at the next area: the Rose Garden.
Entering the Rose Garden
Follow the ribbon within this area, which will lead you to Lieutenant Blade, a formidable Praying Mantis boss. This foe can inflict significant damage with swift attacks, necessitating a cautious approach.
Lieutenant Blade’s Stats
| Weaknesses | Fresh, Slashing |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Smashing, Stabbing, Spicy |
| Weak Points | Eyes: Stabbing |
In the absence of items that can exploit their weaknesses, the best tactic is to utilize your Buggie to absorb damage. While this fight can be challenging, it is manageable.
The Glacial Sting weapon is particularly effective here, allowing you to deal Fresh damage whilst maintaining a safe distance.
For an unconventional but effective method, consider running past Lieutenant Blade to gain elevation on the ribbon; they are unable to engage, providing you with an opportunity to attack from above.
After securing victory against Lieutenant Blade, continue along the ribbon into the hedge, taking a right turn.Stop by the nearby Ominent Facility for healing items before ascending further.
As you progress, expect confrontations with an O. R.C. Mosquito and an O. R.C. Orbweaver. Keep pushing forward even if your resources are dwindling; access to a shortcut will follow, easing your return.
Scaling the Statue
Upon entering the Statue Lab, a vast five-level facility filled with numerous small foes awaits. Though it seems complex, navigation is straightforward despite the obstacles littering your path.
Start by veering right to unlock a shortcut back to the earlier Statue Checkpoint.
With the shortcut accessible, decide whether to return to gather supplies or press on through the statue. As your character navigates, enjoy insights and reflections on your adventure thus far.
In this level, keep an eye out for O. R.C. Weevils that explode upon proximity. Take time to explore for healing items throughout this section.
Upon entering the chamber with Weevils, take a right to discover a chest containing snail shell parts—this is an essential item, as chances to gather these in the park are currently limited.
Advancing to the Second Level
The second level mirrors the first, with limited danger. Notably, there’s a resting area on the left, ideal for setting a respawn point.While sleeping isn’t advised due to the facility’s lighting, it remains a strategic spot for your return.
Progress further to encounter a cubicle-style room filled with desks and monitors. Expect to face multiple foes here, including five Weevils, two Red Ants, and two larvae.
Continue overcoming foes until reaching the tube leading to the third level. Your final confrontation draws nearer.
Battle at the Third Level
Your next opponent, General Berserker, resembles a cockroach queen, presenting a challenging encounter without the option to flee.
General Berserker’s Stats
| Weaknesses | None |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Gas Immunity, Fresh, Spicy, Venom |
| Weak Points | None |
Expect two major challenges from this boss:
- Acid spit, which inflicts Spicy Damage.
- Revival upon reaching one-quarter health, paired with increased acid attacks.
With no weaknesses, employ your strongest available weapon. Avoid the acid by listening for sound cues and dodging to the sides. You must flip three switches after retrieving the Network Center Access Pass from a fallen foe behind the machine. Engage in battles with roach nymphs and restore power to the central machine.
Post activation, the remaining door will unlock, paving your path forward.
Progressing to the Fourth Level
You are just one level away from confronting the Masked Stranger! As you arrive, a locked door appears on your right—ignore this for now, and proceed through the other entry.
Travel along the hallway until encountering a server room filled with numerous cables and large metal boxes. Here, prepare to battle three Red Ants, three Spiderlings, two Orbweaver Jr. Spiders, and a single larva.
After defeating them, climb up the ladder to access healing items within a chest—these will be crucial for your final showdown.
Next, drop into the vent system located on the room’s left side, where more Orbweaver Juniors and Spiderlings await. Move carefully as you progress through this confinement.
You’ll emerge next to the locked door from the beginning of the level. Choose to unlock it and prepare for your final encounter or retreat for further preparations.
The Duel with the Masked Stranger
This is the ultimate moment: your training culminates in battling this formidable foe to reclaim your robot companion’s head.
Counter to expectations, the Masked Stranger comes well-prepared for this duel. Possessing significant health and inflicting Sizzle Damage with each strike, players must strategize effectively.
The Masked Stranger’s Stats
| Weaknesses | Fresh |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Gas Immunity, Fresh, Spicy, Venom |
| Weak Points | None |
Analyzing the Masked Stranger’s Attacks
Below is a breakdown of their various attacks, along with strategies that assisted me in conquering this encounter. Of course, alternative strategies may prove successful as well.
| Attacks | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Dash Swipe | Swings sword twice after dashing a short distance. |
| Jump Swing | Jumps and slams down onto you. |
| Dash Stab | Thrusts sword forward while dashing a longer distance. |
| Three Swipes | Performs three rapid sword swings. |
| Phase Two | |
| Quad Slice | Two quick slices while advancing, then dashes in a circle slashing again. |
| Spicy Area | Creates an AoE of Spicy Damage in preparation for an explosion. |
This boss features two phases, and as the Masked Stranger approaches half health, a healing transition to their second phase will occur.
Tips for Tackling the Masked Stranger
Here are some strategies that helped me successfully defeat the Masked Stranger. While these may not guarantee victory, they can ease the challenge:
- Ladybug Armor Set: Mastering blocking mechanics allows you to recuperate health through the armor’s passive bonuses.
- Glacial Sting: This tool offers a reliable means to engage at a distance while inflicting substantial damage.
- Dodge Frequently: Backpedaling can help you evade much of the attack patterns while providing counterattack openings.
- Organizing Heals on HotBar: Prioritize having healing items arranged for instant access during your battle.
Upon reducing the Masked Stranger to half health again, they retreat to summon your next formidable opponent—a colossal Wolf Spider.
Confronting Bandit, the Real Final Challenge
Your battle now shifts focus to Bandit, the Wolf Spider. This formidable adversary presents even fewer openings for counterattacks than the Masked Stranger.
Bandit, the Wolf Spider’s Stats
| Weaknesses | Spicy |
|---|---|
| Resistances | Smashing, Stabbing, Fresh, Venom |
| Weak Points | None |
Utilize any Spicy weapons you possess, alongside smoothies that enhance defense and cure venom for sustained survival. Due to Bandit’s size, maintaining distance is challenging; consider a strategy of block-and-counter.
My approach was to block Bandit’s assaults with interference from my Spicy Staff while managing to out-heal the damage taken.
Rest assured, defeating Bandit signifies the end of this intense segment, allowing you to collect BURG. L’s head along with an additional Turbo Optical Disk.
Rewards for Defeating the Masked Stranger
Congratulations on triumphing over the first act of Grounded 2! Returning to a Ranger Station grants you the opportunity to unlock the Orbweaver Buggie!
Once you’ve completed the central storyline, Sloane will commend your efforts while subsequently offering new tasks, maintaining the cycle of challenges.
While you have achieved a significant milestone, the exploration of the expansive park remains—engage with your environment by constructing bases and tackling various bugs.
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