Grounded: Clearing the Path – What’s Obstructing Your Laser?

In the backyard survival game Grounded, one of the early challenges players face involves repairing a Mysterious Machine to progress the story. A key part of this repair involves aligning several lasers, and quite often, one of them is obstructed. The culprit? A pesky blade of grass.

Specifically, the game directs you to face the end of the platform away from the switches and look up. You’ll notice a tall blade of grass interfering with the laser’s path. Your solution is simple: you must cut down the grass using a Pebblet Axe. Crafting this axe requires gathering basic resources: 3 Sprigs, 2 Pebblets, and 1 Woven Fiber. Once you’ve felled the offending flora, the laser will shine unimpeded, allowing you to activate the machine and continue your adventure.

Repairing the Mysterious Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Mysterious Machine is crucial for advancing in Grounded. It’s not just about chopping grass; there’s a specific sequence to getting it working correctly. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Locate the Machine: First, you need to find the Mysterious Machine itself. Its location is a key point early in the game.

2. Target Activation: Upon discovery, interact with the machine and press the “target” button. This will initiate the process of aligning the lasers.

3. Laser Assessment: You’ll notice that only one laser is working immediately. Another is obstructed (by the grass), and the third may be blinking.

4. Axe Acquisition: If you haven’t already, craft a Pebblet Axe. Remember, it requires 3 Sprigs, 2 Pebblets, and 1 Woven Fiber.

5. Grass Removal: Find the blade of grass blocking the laser’s path. Position yourself strategically and chop it down with your Pebblet Axe.

6. Laser Activation: With the grass gone, the obstructed laser will now function correctly.

7. Troubleshooting the Blinking Laser: The blinking laser can be a bit trickier. This might involve solving a simple puzzle element, exploring the area, or finding a nearby power source.

Common Obstacles Beyond Grass

While grass is the most common initial obstruction, it’s important to note that as you progress in Grounded, other obstacles may arise. These could include:

• Spiderwebs: Some lasers might be blocked by spiderwebs, especially near spider-infested areas. A weapon can easily clear these.
• Debris: Loose pebbles or other debris can occasionally interfere with the laser’s trajectory.
• Misalignment: In later stages, the laser mechanisms themselves may require adjustment or realignment.

Navigating the Backyard: More Than Just Lasers

The world of Grounded is a sprawling and dangerous backyard filled with both wonder and peril. While fixing the lasers on the Mysterious Machine is a crucial story beat, it’s only a small part of the overall experience. You’ll need to master crafting, combat, base-building, and exploration to survive.

Remember to gather resources diligently, craft useful tools and weapons, and learn the behaviors of the various insects that inhabit the backyard. Knowledge is your greatest weapon in Grounded. Understanding insect weaknesses, crafting effective armor, and building secure shelters are all essential for survival.

The Bigger Picture: Learning and Discovery

Beyond the immediate challenges of survival, Grounded subtly encourages learning and problem-solving. The game mechanics push you to experiment, adapt, and discover new strategies. This makes it a fascinating example of how games can be educational and engaging. Resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org offer excellent insights into how games contribute to learning.

Grounded rewards curiosity and experimentation, making it an engaging experience for players of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Sprigs, Pebblets, and Woven Fiber, and where can I find them?

• Sprigs are small plant stems that can be found growing on the ground throughout the backyard. They are fairly common.
• Pebblets are small rocks that can be found near bodies of water or in rocky areas.
• Woven Fiber is crafted from Plant Fiber. You’ll need to analyze Plant Fiber at a Field Station to unlock the recipe for Woven Fiber.

2. My Pebblet Axe broke! Where can I get more resources quickly?

Focus on areas where Sprigs and Pebblets are plentiful, such as near the Mysterious Machine itself or along the edges of the pond. Analyze a Plant Fiber at a Field Station. If you need to create Woven Fiber, make sure you have the recipe for Woven Fiber.

3. I chopped down the grass, but the laser still isn’t working. What now?

Double-check that the grass is completely removed and isn’t casting a shadow that still interferes with the laser. Also, consider if there might be other small debris in the way. If all else fails, try restarting the game or reloading a previous save. It is possible the game bugged.

4. What happens after I fix all the lasers?

Fixing all the lasers activates the Mysterious Machine, triggering a story event that pushes you further into the game’s narrative. This usually involves new quests, areas to explore, and challenges to overcome.

5. Is the Mysterious Machine the only place where lasers are used in Grounded?

No, lasers are used in other areas of Grounded as well, often in puzzle-solving scenarios within labs or other structures. The principles for clearing obstructions will generally remain the same.

6. What are Field Stations, and why are they important?

Field Stations are locations where you can analyze resources to unlock crafting recipes. They are essential for progressing in Grounded, as they allow you to create more advanced tools, weapons, and armor.

7. What’s the best strategy for dealing with spiders in Grounded?

Spiders are a major threat in Grounded. Learn their attack patterns, craft appropriate armor, and use weapons that exploit their weaknesses. Orb Weaver spiders are vulnerable to stabbing damage and spicy damage, while Wolf Spiders are vulnerable to chopping damage and fresh damage. Pay attention to their weaknesses and equip your character with weapons and armor that takes advantage of the weaknesses.

8. How important is base-building in Grounded?

Base-building is crucial for survival in Grounded. A well-defended base provides a safe place to rest, craft, and store resources, protecting you from the dangers of the backyard.

9. Can I play Grounded with friends?

Yes, Grounded features a multiplayer mode, allowing you to team up with friends to explore the backyard and tackle challenges together. This can make survival significantly easier and more enjoyable.

10. Are there any mods for Grounded that make the game easier or more challenging?

Yes, there are various mods available for Grounded that can alter the gameplay experience, making it easier, more challenging, or simply adding new features. Explore modding communities to find options that suit your preferences.

11. What are some good early-game weapons besides the Pebblet Axe?

The Pebblet Dagger is a good early-game weapon for combat. As you progress, look into crafting spears or other weapons that match your preferred play style.

12. How do I deal with the Haze area in Grounded?

The Haze is a dangerous area due to poisonous gas. You’ll need to craft a gas mask to survive for extended periods in this area. Also, be wary of infected insects. Disabling The Gas can be done permanently by plugging the leaking gas canister. To disable it, the player needs one Gum Nugget and must climb to the top of the canister.

13. What is BURG.L’s role in the game?

BURG.L is a friendly robot found in the Oak Lab. He provides quests, sells upgrades, and offers valuable information about the backyard and the events that led to your miniaturization.

14. What is the best way to heal in Grounded?

Fuzz on the Rocks are the best instant healing in the game. It heals around 33 percent of health depending on quality and provides a bonus to max health.

15. How do I find Tough Gunk in Grounded?

Tough Gunk can be obtained from various insects, but the Roly Poly is considered the most reliable source. These insects are found in the Upper Yard.