Avoid Wasting Resources: 10 Weapons in Grounded That Are Not Worth Upgrading

Discover which weapons in Grounded are better left as they are to save valuable resources for more beneficial upgrades.
Avoid Wasting Resources: 10 Weapons in Grounded That Are Not Worth Upgrading

Highlights

  • Consider the value of resource investment before upgrading weapons in Grounded.
  • Larva Blade, Spiky Sprig, and Pebblet Hammer may not provide significant benefits when enhanced.
  • Mosquito Needle, Black Ant Sword, and Bone Dagger offer superior advantages compared to other weapons in the game.

Upgrading weapons is a crucial aspect of gameplay in Grounded. To tackle the challenging insects and spiders in the yard, keeping gear updated is essential. However, enhancing weapons can be a costly endeavor, especially with the scarcity of Brittle Whetstones, particularly in the early stages of the game.

Not all weapons in Grounded are created equal. When deciding which weapons to upgrade, it's vital to assess the return on investment. Here are some weapons that may not warrant enhancement when compared to more valuable alternatives.

1 Larva Blade

A Starter Choice

  • Unlock: Analyze Larva Spike or Rotten Larva Blade
  • Recipe: 2 Larva Spike, 3 Grub Hide, 1 Acid Gland
  • Damage: 20/20/25

The Larva Blade is a tier 1 weapon that is usually among the first weapons a player crafts due to its simple resources. While it inflicts a poison effect with each strike, its usefulness diminishes as players progress. Weapons like the Mosquito Needle and Black Ant Sword offer higher damage outputs, while the Spider Fang Dagger delivers a more potent poison effect.

2 Spiky Sprig

A Powerful Yet Limited Choice

  • Unlock: Analyze Sprig or Thistle Needle or Reach Brainpower Level 2
  • Recipe: 3 Sprig, 5 Thistle Needle, 2 Crude Rope
  • Damage: 40/40/50

The Spiky Sprig, while potent in early game combat, is outshone by later weapons like the Red Ant Club. Moreover, being a two-handed weapon restricts players from using additional tools simultaneously. Investing resources in the Spiky Sprig may limit players' combat flexibility, making it a less favorable choice.

3 Pebblet Hammer

More for Gathering, Less for Combat

  • Unlock: Analyze Crude Rope or Reach Brainpower Level 1
  • Recipe: 3 Sprig, 4 Pebblet, 1 Crude Rope
  • Damage: 26/26/33

The Pebblet Hammer, though useful in early game resource collection, does not benefit significantly from upgrades as it is primarily a harvesting tool. It lacks the combat prowess of other weapons and is better left unenhanced to conserve resources for more combat-oriented items.

4 Bone Dagger

Specialized but Limited

  • Unlock: Analyze Diving Bell Spider Chunk or Sunken Bone
  • Recipe: 2 Sunken Bone, 2 Silk Rope, 2 Diving Bell Spider Chunk
  • Damage: 25/25

The Bone Dagger, designed for underwater use, excels in harvesting underwater flora but is overshadowed by the more versatile Bone Trident. Its combat capabilities are limited, making excessive enhancements unnecessary. Players planning underwater expeditions should consider carrying both weapons for optimal efficiency.

5 Pebblet Spear

Basic and Replaceable

  • Unlock: Analyze Pebble
  • Recipe: 1 Pebblet, 3 Plant Fiber, 2 Sprig
  • Damage: 20/20/25

The Pebblet Spear, a common early-game weapon, offers decent damage but quickly becomes obsolete as players progress. Its vulnerability to loss during ranged combat makes it a less viable option for upgrades, especially considering superior alternatives like the Stinger Spear.

6 Insect Axe

Utility Over Combat

  • Unlock: Analyze Bombardier Part, Ladybug Head, or Silk Rope
  • Recipe: 1 Ladybug Head, 3 Bombardier Part, 4 Silk Rope
  • Damage: 35/35/44

The Insect Axe, though versatile for chopping plants, falls short in combat compared to tier 2 weapons like the Black Ant Sword. Its overall effectiveness in battle is limited, making heavy upgrades unwarranted. Players are advised to prioritize enhancing more potent combat tools for better results.

7 Pebblet Dagger

Underwater Exclusive

  • Unlock: Analyze Lilypad Wax or reach Brainpower Level 4
  • Recipe: 2 Pebblet, 2 Crude Rope, 2 Lilypad Wax
  • Damage: 14/14

The Pebblet Dagger, while effective underwater, lacks the damage output necessary for combat compared to alternatives. Its specialized nature limits its upgrade potential, making it a suboptimal choice for heavy enhancements. Players should reserve valuable resources for more versatile weapons that offer better overall performance.

8 Pebblet Axe

Basic Tool, Not a Weapon

  • Unlock: Analyze Crude Rope or Pebblet, or reach Brainpower Level 1
  • Recipe: 3 Sprig, 2 Pebblet, 1 Crude Rope
  • Damage: 20/20/25

The Pebblet Axe, primarily a tool for gathering resources, lacks the combat efficiency of dedicated weapons. Its slow swing speed and limited damage output make it less suitable for upgrades compared to other starting weapons. Players are encouraged to prioritize enhancing weapons designed for combat for better overall performance.

9 Sprig Bow

Limited Potential

  • Unlock: Analyze Crude Rope or Gnat Fuzz, or reach Brainpower Level 2
  • Recipe: 3 Sprig, 4 Gnat Fuzz, 2 Crude Rope
  • Damage: Varies; 25 with basic Tier 1 arrow

The Sprig Bow, while versatile in its ranged capabilities, lacks long-term viability for upgrades due to its tier 1 status. Its limited upgrade path restricts customization options, making heavy investments less favorable. Players should consider saving resources for higher-tier weapons for enhanced combat effectiveness.

10 Ant Queen Scepter

Specialized Support Tool

  • Unlock: Analyze Red Ant Queen Pheromone
  • Recipe: 5 Red Ant Queen Part, 1 Red Ant Queen Pheromone, 10 Sap, 2 Red Ant Mandibles
  • Damage: 15/15/19

The Ant Queen Scepter, while unique in its summoned ally buff, lacks combat efficiency compared to basic weapons. Its specialized function renders excessive upgrades unnecessary, as its value lies in its support role rather than direct combat. Players are advised to use the scepter strategically for its unique perk without heavy enhancements.