Slicing Through the Backyard: Acquiring the Black Ant Sword in Grounded

The Black Ant Sword in Grounded is a fantastic early-to-mid game weapon, prized for its incredibly high attack speed. To acquire it, you’ll need to craft it at a Workbench. This requires venturing into the dangerous Black Anthill, defeating Black Ants and Black Soldier Ants, and gathering their parts, along with some Berry Leather. Specifically, you’ll need 5 Black Ant Parts and 2 Berry Leather to craft the Black Ant Sword.

Crafting the Black Ant Sword: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation: Gear Up for the Black Anthill

Before even thinking about the Black Anthill, you need to prepare. This place is not for the faint of heart. I’d recommend at least a Tier II weapon like the Stinger Spear or the Red Ant Club. For armor, the Red Ant Armor will give you some resistance to the ants. Definitely bring a torch or other light source, as the anthill is dark. Also bring plenty of healing items like Fiber Bandages or Healbasa. Finally, remember a shield for defensive maneuvers.

Entering the Black Anthill

The Black Anthill is located in the southwestern part of the map, near the trash bags. Be careful as you approach. It’s heavily guarded by Black Ants and Black Soldier Ants. Once you find the entrance, brace yourself, it’s a long descent and filled with traps.

Gathering Black Ant Parts

This is the meat of the operation. You’ll need to fight Black Ants and Black Soldier Ants and collect their parts. The soldier ants are significantly tougher, so practice blocking or dodging their attacks. Focus on one ant at a time to avoid being overwhelmed. Remember to use your shield and time your blocks. Loot all the corpses thoroughly to ensure you get the parts. 5 Black Ant Parts are needed.

Acquiring Berry Leather

Berry Leather is crafted from Berry Chunks, which are found by breaking open berries. You’ll need to find a berry bush, usually near the Mysterious Machine and use a stone axe to chop at it. Then, take those berry chunks and craft 2 Berry Leather at a Crafting Station.

Crafting the Black Ant Sword at the Workbench

Once you have all the necessary components – 5 Black Ant Parts and 2 Berry Leather – head to a Workbench. Interact with it, select the Black Ant Sword recipe, and craft away! Congratulations, you’ve just obtained a fast and reliable weapon to slice and dice through the backyard.

FAQs: Mastering the Black Ant Sword and the Black Anthill

1. Is the Black Ant Sword a good weapon in Grounded?

Yes, the Black Ant Sword is a very good weapon, especially in the early to mid-game. Its high attack speed allows you to quickly dispatch smaller enemies and apply status effects rapidly. While its damage per hit is lower compared to other weapons, its speed more than makes up for it.

2. What tier is the Black Ant Sword?

The Black Ant Sword is a Tier II melee weapon. This means that it’s a solid step up from basic weapons like the Pebblet Dagger, but it’s not as powerful as late-game weapons like the Rusty Spear. It’s an excellent option for tackling mid-game challenges.

3. Can you dual wield the Black Ant Sword in Grounded?

While the Black Ant Sword behaves similarly to a dagger, you cannot dual wield it. Dual wielding is exclusively for dagger-type weapons.

4. What armor is best for the Black Anthill?

The Red Ant Armor is a good choice because it provides some protection against ant attacks and reduces their aggression. However, any Tier II armor will provide decent protection. Don’t underestimate the value of a good shield!

5. What is the best weapon for fighting Black Ants?

A Tier II weapon like the Stinger Spear or the Red Ant Club works well against Black Ants. The Black Ant Sword itself can be used, but it’s more effective if you upgrade it a few levels first.

6. How do you access the Black Anthill lab?

The Black Anthill lab is deep inside the Black Anthill. You’ll need to blow up a rock to access sector A of the lab with a bratburst, then navigate through sector A to unlock sector B. Be prepared for tough enemies and puzzles!

7. What is the best shield to use in Grounded?

The Black Ant Shield is a fantastic choice due to its high block and durability. Alternatively, the Ladybug Shield also offers high block power and is easier to obtain.

8. What does Black Ant Armor do?

Black Ant Armor provides medium armor class protection and gives the Pincushion effect. This effect gives you a chance to reflect damage back to attackers.

9. How do you prevent ant attacks on your base in Grounded?

Ants attack your base when you disturb their territory or kill them frequently. Avoid building too close to ant hills. If you must kill ants, try not to overdo it. Using the Waft Emitter allows you to control what bugs attack your base, but it also draws them in. So use it with caution!

10. Is fire ant armor worth it in Grounded?

The Fire Ant armor is good if you want to inflict acid damage on your enemies. However, it’s medium armor, which uses more stamina. It’s more of a niche armor set and may not be ideal for every situation.

11. What are the best armor enhancements in Grounded?

After reaching level 5 with armor, you can choose between Bulky and Sleek upgrades. Bulky doubles the defense and durability, while Sleek provides additional passive bonuses. Choose the path that best suits your play style and the specific armor set.

12. What is the strongest melee weapon in Grounded?

The Club of the Mother Demon is often considered the best melee weapon in the game. It requires defeating the Broodmother, a tough boss, so it’s a late-game acquisition.

13. Does the Black Ant Sword have any special abilities?

The main advantage of the Black Ant Sword is its sheer speed. There are no built-in special abilities, but the speed allows you to quickly apply status effects from consumables or mutations.

14. How do I repair the Black Ant Sword?

Like other weapons, you can repair the Black Ant Sword at a Workbench. You’ll need a few basic resources, depending on the condition of the sword. Always keep some spare resources on hand for repairs!

15. What other weapons are similar to the Black Ant Sword?

The Bone Dagger, Pebblet Dagger and Spider Fang Dagger are similar in terms of speed, but they are all daggers. The Scythe of Blossoms is also similar in speed, but is considered to be the fastest weapon in the game.

The Black Ant Sword is a rewarding weapon to obtain in Grounded, offering a significant boost to your combat capabilities in the early to mid-game. Mastering its use and understanding its limitations will make you a formidable force in the backyard. Remember to always be prepared, explore thoroughly, and adapt your strategies to overcome the challenges that Grounded throws your way.

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