How to Breach the Moldorc Castle in Grounded: A Comprehensive Guide
To enter what many players affectionately call the “zombie castle” in Grounded, formally known as Castle Moldorc, you won’t find a natural path or a convenient staircase leading to its grand entrance. The crucial requirement is building. You must physically construct a way to reach it, using floors, ramps, or any other viable building method available in the game. There are no shortcuts and no pre-existing routes; crafting your own bridge is the sole key to unlocking the mysteries within.
Reaching the Castle: The Build Up
Why Build?
Castle Moldorc sits in the Moldorc Highlands, a region that’s inherently inaccessible without player-created structures. It’s a deliberate game design choice, encouraging players to utilize the game’s building mechanics. Think of it as an architectural puzzle that you need to solve to progress further.
Building Strategies
The exact method for building your way up is up to you, but here are some common approaches:
- Foundation & Floor Combo: Start from the ground, lay down foundations for stability, then extend floors outwards towards the castle. This is perhaps the safest and most reliable method.
- Ramp Ascent: Build a series of ramps, gradually ascending toward the castle’s base. This is a faster method for traversal but can be less stable.
- Combination Approach: Mix and match foundations, floors, and ramps to create a custom pathway that fits your resources and preferences.
- Natural Features: While not “natural ways” to reach the castle, you might be able to incorporate some natural rocks as part of your building platform to save resources.
Considerations
As you build, keep in mind:
- Resource Gathering: You’ll need a significant amount of resources like weed stems, clover leaves, and sap. Plan ahead and stock up.
- Structural Stability: Be mindful of structural integrity. Supports and bracing can prevent your construction from collapsing.
- Enemy Encounters: Be aware that Tiger Mosquitos often patrol the area around the castle, so you may need to deal with them as you build.
- Saving Progress: Save your game frequently while building, especially when placing large structures high up.
Entering the O.R.C. Lab: The Secret Within
Once you’ve successfully reached Castle Moldorc, the adventure doesn’t stop there. Inside the castle’s mouth, you’ll find a supply of Pop Caps to harvest. To access the secret O.R.C. lab hidden within, do the following:
- Head Straight: Go directly through the mouth/portcullis of the castle.
- Follow the Wire: Locate the wire coming down from a battery and track it down a crack in the ground.
- Enter the Cavern: The crack will lead you into a small cavern.
- Tully’s Key: The door to the O.R.C. lab will be within this cavern. Dr. Wendell Tully is required to open it.
Bonus: Director Schmector and the Good Ending
Deep within the Mysterious Lab below Castle Moldorc lies Director Schmector, a secret optional boss and one of the game’s most challenging foes. Defeating him is essential for unlocking the good ending and saving Dr. Wendell Tully from his “raisining.” Be prepared for a difficult fight!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I get to the Moldorc Highlands?
The Moldorc Highlands, where Castle Moldorc is located, are not directly accessible. You must build a path to them using structures like floors and ramps. There is no natural way to reach the area.
2. What are O.R.C. bugs in Grounded?
O.R.C. bugs are special variants of existing creatures. They appear in mass waves during the JavaMatic event and after saving Dr. Wendell Tully. These variants drop slightly fewer items than their normal counterparts.
3. What is the hardest bug to fight in Grounded?
The Black Widow is widely regarded as the hardest non-boss enemy in Grounded. It has no vulnerabilities, is immune to poison, and resistant to all elemental and weapon types.
4. What is the strongest bug in Grounded?
According to most players and general consensus, the Black Widow is considered the strongest bug in Grounded. Other tough bugs include the Moth, Wolf Spider, and the Infected Ladybug.
5. What items are in the Stump Lab?
The Stump Lab contains the Stump Auxiliary Chip and Mantis Research Notes.
6. How do I get into the JavaMatic Lab?
The JavaMatic Lab unlocks after you first attempt to activate the JavaMatic and repair its modules, before speaking with Dr. Wendell Tully. A door beneath the JavaMatic will open after this.
7. How do I enter the Sahara Laboratory (Forest Lab)?
You can reach the Sahara Laboratory by traversing through Cave HC at the bottom of the sinkhole, which will lead you to the Vault Door entrance.
8. How do I access the Black Anthill Lab?
The Black Anthill Lab is split into two sectors. You’ll need to use an explosive to access Sector A, and then navigate through Sector A to reach Sector B.
9. How do I get to the Undershed Lab in Grounded?
To enter the Undershed Lab, you need all 4 Super BURG.L Chips. Then, talk to BURG.L to obtain a fuse to activate Wendell’s SCA.
10. What is the purpose of MIX.R events?
Activating a MIX.R initiates a biome-specific Point Defense event. If you fail, you can use a Repair Tool to reset the event.
11. What do I need to achieve 100% completion in Grounded?
Achieving 100% in Grounded involves completing numerous tasks: purchasing all BURG.L Science Shop unlocks, completing all challenges, and defeating specific creatures, along with collecting all of the necessary items.
12. How do I unlock the Black Ant Sword?
The Black Ant Sword is a Tier II melee weapon crafted at a workbench using parts from Black Worker Ants and Black Soldier Ants, along with Berry Leather.
13. Does Black Ant Armor provide protection from black ants?
No, unlike Red Ant Armor, Black Ant Armor does not make Black Soldier Ants passive. It has a set bonus, Pincushion, that reflects a portion of damage taken back to attackers.
14. How do I get a Black Ant Head?
Black Ant Heads are obtained by harvesting the remains of Black Worker Ants and Black Soldier Ants.
15. How do I unlock the Oak Lab?
The Oak Lab can be unlocked by defeating the Assistant Manager in the Black Anthill Lab and using his keycard on the door within the Oak Lab.
Conclusion
Gaining access to Castle Moldorc and its hidden O.R.C. lab is an important milestone in Grounded. It requires resourcefulness, strategic building, and a willingness to explore the secrets hidden within the backyard. Remember to gather your materials, plan your construction, and be prepared for challenges both inside and outside the “zombie castle.” Good luck, and happy exploring!