Grounded: Breaker Locations in the Pond Lab – A Deep Dive

Locating and activating the three breakers in the Pond Lab is a crucial step in Grounded, allowing you to progress further into the story and unlock valuable resources. Two of the breakers are relatively straightforward to find, being located in obvious spots near the lab entrance. The third, however, is cleverly concealed within a clump of wreckage, requiring a bit more exploration and careful navigation through the flooded corridors.

Breaker Locations: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Pond Lab is partially submerged, making movement and orientation slightly tricky. This guide offers a streamlined approach to finding all the breakers.

1. Entering the Pond Lab: Access the Pond Lab by swimming through the unlocked entrance located underwater in the Koi Pond.

2. Breaker #1: Upon entering the main lab area, proceed to swim forward. Immediately on your left, you will find the first breaker. It’s positioned in a well-lit area and should be easily visible. Activate it.

3. Breaker #2: From the location of the first breaker, swim straight ahead, towards the center of the lab. You’ll see another breaker attached to a wall. Activate this second breaker.

4. Breaker #3: This is the trickiest one to find. After activating the first two, look for a corridor leading deeper into the submerged lab. Inside, there are jet streams that push you back, so time your movement carefully. The path will eventually lead you to a clump of wreckage. The final breaker is nestled amongst the wreckage. Activate it.

Once all three breakers are flipped, a new area in the Pond Lab will become accessible, where you can find the Pond Super Chip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Pond Lab and Breakers

1. How do I get into the Pond Lab?

The Pond Lab doesn’t require a key to initially enter. Simply swim towards the lab entrance in the Koi Pond, and the doors will open automatically. However, you will need the Pond Lab Keycard later to access certain areas inside.

2. Where is the Pond Lab Keycard?

After you flip the three breakers, you can access the Pond Lab Keycard. From where you activated the third breaker, head to the flooded section. There is a hole in the floor, drop down and head through the narrow passage and then head up the ramp on the other side to grab the keycard.

3. Do I need special equipment to explore the Pond Lab?

While not strictly mandatory, the Bubble Helmet and Fin Flops are highly recommended. These items significantly improve your underwater breathing time and swimming speed, respectively. Having Liquid Gills and Fluid Flippers as backup can also be beneficial.

4. Where can I find the Pond Super Chip?

The Pond Super Chip is located within the Pond Dome Lab, which becomes accessible after you activate all three breakers in the main Pond Lab.

5. What happens after I activate all the breakers?

Activating all three breakers opens a new area in the Pond Lab, leading to the Pond Dome Lab.

6. What are the dangers within the Pond Lab?

Aside from drowning, players should be wary of underwater enemies like Tadpoles and hazards like the jet streams that can disorient and push you around.

7. How deep is the Koi Pond in Grounded?

The Koi Pond is a very deep biome, making drowning a real threat. Properly managing your oxygen is crucial for survival.

8. Where can I find Sunken Bones in Grounded?

Sunken Bones are found in the Pond Depths. Dive into the dark areas and use a shovel to dislodge them from the nodes on the pond floor.

9. What is the best weapon to use in the Koi Pond?

The Pebblet Dagger is a good starting weapon for underwater exploration. The Rusty Spear, Bone Dagger, and Bone Trident, crafted from Sunken Bone, are better options as you progress.

10. What other labs should I explore in Grounded?

A recommended lab progression is the Hedge Lab, Pond Lab, Haze Lab, and then the Black Anthill Lab. The sequence allows for a gradual increase in difficulty and provides access to essential resources.

11. How do I unlock the Upper Yard Lab?

To unlock the Upper Yard Lab (inside the stump), you must first complete the Black Anthill Lab and defeat the boss.

12. What is the hardest bug to fight in Grounded?

The Black Widow is widely considered the most challenging bug to fight in Grounded, followed by the Wolf Spiders and Moth.

13. Is the Pond Lab completely underwater?

A significant portion of the Pond Lab is submerged, but there are also pockets of air and areas that are not flooded. Manage your oxygen carefully as you explore.

14. Do Sunken Bones respawn?

Yes, Sunken Bone nodes do respawn, but infrequently. You may need to revisit the Pond Depths multiple times to gather a sufficient amount.

15. How does the Games Learning Society relate to games like Grounded?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the intersection of games and education, studying how games like Grounded can foster problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. The immersive environment and resource management in Grounded are excellent examples of game mechanics that translate to real-world learning opportunities. By understanding game design principles, educators can leverage the power of games to create engaging and effective learning experiences.