Yes, you absolutely can have pets in Grounded! If you’re exploring the backyard and wishing for a little companion, Grounded allows you to tame certain bugs to become your loyal pets. These aren’t exactly fearsome beasts to ride into battle – think of them more as helpful friends. You can befriend creatures ranging from tiny Aphids to lumbering Weevils and even buzzing Gnats. While you won’t be mounting a spider anytime soon, these little critters offer unique perks and can add a lot of charm to your base. If you’re keen on getting a bug bestie, this guide will walk you through how to tame pets in Grounded, what they do, and everything you need to know to get started.
How to Tame Pets in Grounded
Taming pets in Grounded revolves around a special treat called “slurry.” You can’t just offer them any old backyard snack; you’ll need to craft specific slurries using a Grinder, which you can build at your base. To tame a bug, you need to figure out its favorite slurry. Here’s a breakdown of which slurry works for each type of pet:
- Aphids: Plant Slurry (made by Grinding Plant Fibres)
- Weevils: Mushroom Slurry (made by Grinding Mushrooms, Mushroom Chunks, or Toadstool chunks)
- Gnats: Spoiled Meat Slurry (made by Grinding any kind of Spoiled Meat)
Once you’ve crafted the correct slurry for the bug you’re after, the taming process is quite simple. Find a wild version of the bug you want to befriend, approach it carefully, and drop the slurry from your inventory onto the ground in front of it. The bug should notice the delicious offering, approach, and eat it. After enjoying the slurry, congratulations! You’ve successfully tamed a pet in Grounded. It will now follow you around, eager to be your new friend.
What are the Benefits of Having Pets in Grounded?
While pets in Grounded aren’t designed to be combat powerhouses, they offer several useful benefits beyond companionship. Each type of pet provides a unique passive buff to the player they follow, enhancing your exploration and survival in the backyard. Here’s what each pet offers:
- Aphids: Reduces stamina drain rate while sprinting, allowing you to run for longer distances.
- Weevils: Reduces thirst drain rate, meaning you’ll need to drink water less often.
- Gnats: Increases glide speed when using a Dandelion Tuft, helping you travel further and faster when gliding.
Beyond passive buffs, pets also act as helpful pack animals. They come with 10 inventory slots, providing valuable extra storage space. This is incredibly useful for carrying resources, loot, or extra supplies on your adventures. There are also whispers that pets might even produce or dig up certain items, though this is still unconfirmed and could be a future feature.
To further enhance your pet’s usefulness, you can craft and equip them with “Pet Attire.” These are pet-specific clothing and armor pieces that boost their durability and potentially offer other benefits. Don’t try to squeeze your human armor onto them though; you’ll need to craft special mini-helmets and goggles designed just for your bug buddies.
Keeping Your Pet Happy in Grounded
Just like real pets, your Grounded companions have a happiness stat that you need to keep an eye on. If a pet becomes too unhappy, it might decide to leave your side and return to the wild! You can gauge your pet’s happiness by observing its animations; if it starts to look dejected, it’s a sign its happiness is dropping. You can also check the happiness level directly in the Pet House menu (more on Pet Houses later).
To keep your pet cheerful and loyal, here are several ways to boost their happiness:
- Equip Pet Attire: Giving your pet any kind of attire instantly makes them happier.
- Pet them: Show your pet some affection! Approach your pet and press the designated “pet” button to give them a reassuring pat.
- Feed them Slurry: Treat your pet with the same slurry you used to tame it. A tasty snack is always a mood booster.
- Spend Time Together: Take your pet with you on your adventures! Regular companionship and exploration will keep them happy.
- Protect them from Harm: Nobody likes getting hurt, and pets are no exception. Protect your pet from injuries and attacks to keep their spirits high.
Pet Death in Grounded: What You Need to Know
It’s important to be aware that pets in Grounded are not invincible. Unless you’ve specifically disabled pet death in the game settings when starting a new game, pets can indeed die. They are vulnerable to the dangers of the backyard and cannot defend themselves beyond trying to flee.
Predatory bugs will readily attack your pets if they spot them. If a pet dies, it’s permanent. They will leave behind a “Pet Memorial” in the spot where they perished. This memorial serves a similar function to the backpack you drop when you die, marking the spot of their demise. To minimize the risk of losing your pet, investing in Pet Attire is crucial as it increases their armor, health, and overall durability, giving them a better chance of surviving encounters with hostile bugs.
The Pet House: Your Pet’s Home in Grounded
While not strictly essential for pet ownership, the Pet House is a worthwhile structure to build for any pet owner in Grounded. You unlock the Pet House recipe by analyzing Mushroom Bricks. Once unlocked, you can build it at your base using the following recipe:
- Weed Stem x2
- Acorn Shell x1
- Mushroom Brick x4
- Crow Feather Piece x2
The Pet House serves as a dedicated home for your pet. Each Pet House can house only one bug at a time. Within the Pet House interface, you can check your pet’s stats, rename them to give them a personal touch, and equip them with any Pet Attire you’ve crafted. It’s a central hub for managing your bug companions and ensuring they have a safe place to rest.
In conclusion, having pets in Grounded adds a delightful layer of companionship and utility to your backyard adventures. While they aren’t warriors, their passive buffs, inventory space, and charming presence make them valuable additions to any player’s experience. So go ahead, craft some slurry, tame a bug buddy, and enjoy the extra company as you explore the miniature world of Grounded!
