How to Unlock the Mantis Kebab in Grounded: A Comprehensive Guide

The Orchid Mantis Kebab is a crucial item in Grounded, acting as the key to unlocking one of the game’s most challenging boss fights: the Orchid Mantis. This special item isn’t crafted freely; it requires a bit of exploration and puzzle-solving. To unlock the recipe for the Mantis Kebab, you need to locate the Mantis Research Note inside the Stump Lab Outpost. This outpost is hidden within the Tree Stump located in the Northeast corner of the Upper Yard. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you’re well-prepared to face the Mantis.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking the Mantis Kebab

1. Locating the Stump Lab Outpost

The journey begins at the Tree Stump in the Upper Yard. This area is significantly more dangerous than earlier sections of the game, so ensure you are well-equipped with adequate armor, weapons, and healing items. The Tree Stump itself is a massive landmark, easy to spot, situated in the northeastern part of the map. Once you reach the base of the tree stump, look for a small opening that leads inside.

2. Navigating the Stump Lab

The entrance to the Stump Lab Outpost isn’t immediately obvious. As you enter the stump, you’ll find yourself in a series of natural tunnels. The path will eventually lead into a small, enclosed area where you must use some parkour skills. This initial parkour area requires careful platforming jumps, so ensure you’re precise. There may be some dangerous creatures along the way, so keep your guard up.

3. Finding the Mantis Research Note

Once you navigate through the initial parkour challenge, you’ll find yourself in a small hallway. It’s inside this hallway that the Mantis Research Note is hidden. The note can be found on a table or a wall, usually easy to identify because of its distinct appearance and glow. Collecting this note unlocks the crafting recipe for the Orchid Mantis Kebab.

4. Crafting the Orchid Mantis Kebab

With the recipe unlocked, you can now craft the Orchid Mantis Kebab at a crafting station. The required resources typically include ingredients from the Upper Yard, such as Mantis Parts, Flower Petals and other typical resources you’ve found throughout your Grounded adventure. The exact recipe can be viewed once the research note has been obtained.

5. Spawning the Mantis Boss

Once you’ve crafted the Orchid Mantis Kebab, you need to locate the flower pot on the Shed’s porch, north of the BBQ. Approach the eggs in the flowerpot and select the option to place the Mantis Kebab. This will trigger the appearance of the Orchid Mantis boss fight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where is the Orchid Mantis boss located?

The Orchid Mantis boss is found inside the potted plant on the Shed’s porch, located north of the BBQ area. You need to place the Mantis Kebab on the eggs inside the pot to initiate the fight.

2. What is the best weapon against the Mantis boss?

The Mantis is weak to Salty damage. Therefore, the Salt Morning Star or any one-handed weapon modified to deal salty damage is highly recommended. This allows you to use a shield in your off-hand for extra defense against its fast attacks.

3. What are the Mantis’ weaknesses?

The Mantis is primarily weak to Salty damage. It’s also wise to avoid using weapons it resists, such as those that deal generic damage.

4. What is the hardest boss in Grounded?

While difficulty can be subjective, the Infected Broodmother is generally considered the hardest boss in Grounded. The Mantis is often ranked as one of the more challenging bosses, requiring strategic play and good equipment.

5. What is the hardest enemy (not a boss) to fight in Grounded?

Black Widow Spiders are considered the most challenging non-boss enemies. They are immune to poison and resistant to nearly all types of damage, making them a formidable foe.

6. What is the secret boss in Grounded?

The secret boss in Grounded is Director Schmector, found below Castle Moldorc in the Mysterious Lab. He is optional but crucial for getting the “good ending”.

7. Can you parry the Broodmother’s scream?

Yes, the Broodmother’s scream can and should be perfect blocked or blocked with a shield to avoid a significant damage debuff. Avoid blocking her dodge attacks unless you can perfect block them to prevent stunning.

8. How do you summon the Broodmother?

You summon the Broodmother by depositing a BLT (Broodmother’s Lunch Treat) inside her lair. The recipe for the BLT can be found in an outpost north of the Hedge Lab.

9. What is the first boss in Grounded?

The first boss that players generally encounter in Grounded is the Broodmother. She can be summoned by placing the BLT at her lair.

10. What does the Cutman perk do?

The Cutman perk gives each critical hit a 50% chance to inflict Bleed, which deals damage over time (20 DPS for 10 seconds). This perk is enhanced by using the Assassin’s armor set.

11. Can you fight the Raven in Grounded?

No, you cannot fight the Raven in Grounded. It’s a neutral addition to the environment that provides crafting resources.

12. What is the scariest animal in Grounded?

Many players find the spiders, especially Orb Weavers, to be the scariest creatures in Grounded. Their size relative to the player’s shrunken perspective makes encounters particularly frightening.

13. What is the strongest weapon in Grounded?

The Club of the Mother Demon is often considered one of the strongest melee weapons. The Black Ox Crossbow is a great choice for ranged combat. The Mint Mace is a solid option for raw damage, while the Sour Staff is a top tier option for range builds.

14. What is the Apex Predator mutation?

The Apex Predator mutation is a late-game mutation that significantly increases the damage of weapons and is required to achieve the highest possible damage potential from late-game weapons.

15. How do you get Mantis Armor?

The Mantis armor requires 1 Mantis Claw, 2 Mantis Chunks, and 10 Lint Rope and can be crafted at a workbench after defeating the Mantis.

By following this guide and answering these questions, you should be fully prepared to find the Mantis Kebab Recipe, craft the Kebab, and face the challenge of the Orchid Mantis boss fight. Good luck in your Grounded adventure!