All Buggies (mounts) in Grounded 2 and how to get them

One of the standout features introduced in Grounded 2 is the addition of Buggies, rideable insect companions that completely change how you navigate Brookhollow Park. These bug mounts aren’t just for show; each one offers specific movement perks that can make exploring the oversized world much more manageable. From sprinting across the grasslands to hauling resources or climbing tough terrain, your new buggy companion can be a true lifesaver.

While it might sound odd to rely on insects as trusty allies, especially if you’re not a fan of creepy crawlies, you’ll quickly realize just how useful they are. Whether you’re chasing down resources, dodging danger, or just looking to get across the map faster, these creatures become indispensable, even for those of us who flinch at a spider in real life.

Here’s everything you need to know about buggy mounts in Grounded 2, as well as how to get them.

All buggies in Grounded 2

In Grounded 2, there are currently two rideable Buggies you can unlock: the Red Soldier Ant and the Orb Weaver Spider. Both of these insect mounts are tied directly to your progression in the main storyline, meaning you’ll need to complete specific missions before gaining access to them.

However, simply unlocking them through the quests isn’t enough. You’ll also have to go through a few extra steps, such as hatching the eggs and preparing saddles for them, before you can ride them around Brookhollow Park.

According to the official early access roadmap shared by the developers, more Buggies are expected to arrive in future updates, along with new mechanics to enhance the overall mount system. So while the selection is limited for now, players can expect to see even more options and features added as the game continues to evolve.

Here’s a list of the expected Buggies and features that should be released in future updates:

• Fall update: Hotpouch for Buggies
• Winter update: PEEP.R on Buggies, Ladybug Buggies
• Summer update: Water Buggies
• Future updates: New Buggies, Buggy mutations, customization, and more

Red Soldier Ant Buggy

The first mountable Buggy you’ll unlock in Grounded 2 is the Red Soldier Ant, which becomes available during the Egg Hunt quest. This mission serves as your introduction to the game’s mount system, and teaches you how to use hatcheries and interact with your first Buggy companion.

To get started, you’ll need to progress through the main storyline until the Egg Hunt quest becomes available. Completing its objectives will allow you to unlock the Hatchery bundle from the Science Shop at any Ranger Outpost for 500 Real Science points. Once you have the bundle, you can craft the necessary facilities at your base: a hatchery and an ant nest.

Here’s what you’ll need to build each structure:

• Hatchery: Six Weed Stems, one Acorn Top, six Acorn Shells, five Mite Fuzz
• Ant Nest: Six Weed Stems, six Clover Leaves, three Crude Ropes, one Acorn Shell

Next, head to the Hatchery Anthill near the Ranger Outpost: Snackbar. Explore the area until you locate a Red Soldier Ant Egg deep within the facility. Carefully carry this egg back to your base hatchery. To get the Red Soldier Ant Buggy up and running, you’ll also need to craft a saddle using two Grub Hides, three Sprigs, and one Acorn Shell.

Once the egg is incubating, you’ll need to wait around 12 in-game hours for it to hatch. After that, you’ll officially unlock the Red Soldier Ant as a rideable Buggy.

This mount is excellent for exploring Brookhollow Park faster and offers decent resource carrying capabilities. It’s not particularly powerful in combat, so it’s best used for transport and utility rather than direct fighting. The Red Soldier Ant Buggy can:

• Carry building resources like Grass Planks and Weed Stems.
• Destroy branch barricades to open blocked paths.

It’s the perfect mount for early-to-mid-game progression, especially if you’re looking to streamline construction or navigate rough terrain.

Orb Weaver Spider Buggy

The second mount you can get in Grounded 2 is the Orb Weaver Spider Buggy. If you’re arachnophobic like me, this one might be hard to warm up to. However, it’s worth it if you want a mount that helps in combat.

To unlock the spider, you first need to finish the Networking mission, which is one of the last main story quests in Early Access. You’ll be sent to the Network Centre inside the big Statue to fight a boss. After you win, you’ll get an optical disk. Bring that disk back to any Ranger Outpost and hand it in at the Ranger Station.

Once you’ve done that, go to the Science Shop and spend 5,000 Real Science points to unlock the Orb Weaver Buggy bundle. Now you’ll need to prepare your base to hatch it. Build a Spider Nest using six Weed Stems, six Pine Needles, six Web Fibre, and four Silk Robes (you’ll need a Spinning Wheel to craft the robes).

Next, go to the middle of the map and look under the Headless BURG.L statue between the Snackbar and Ceremony areas. There, you’ll find an Orb Weaver Egg. Carefully bring the egg back to your hatchery.

To hatch it, you also need to craft a saddle. For that, you’ll need three Blueberry Leather, four Red Ant Mandibles, and three Acorn Shells. Once everything is ready, wait 12 in-game hours for the egg to hatch. After that, the Orb Weaver Spider Buggy is yours to ride.

This spider mount is more focused on fighting than the ant mount. While it may not be as strong as your best weapons, it still has some cool abilities, such as:

• Walk on spider webs without getting stuck.
• Roar to scare off enemies and help avoid fights.
• Shoot webs to slow down or trap enemies.

If you’re looking for a mount that helps you in combat and lets you explore a bit more freely, the Orb Weaver is a great choice.

Can Buggies die permanently in Grounded 2?

Fortunately, your Buggies in Grounded 2 do not die permanently. Instead, they enter a downed state, similar to how player characters do. When this happens, you’ll have a limited window to revive them. If you don’t manage to do so in time, the Buggy will automatically return to its nest at your base, where it will gradually heal on its own over the next few minutes.

During this recovery period, you won’t be able to summon that particular mount. However, you can easily keep track of its healing progress by opening the summon interface (press and hold “T” on PC). The downtime isn’t too punishing, especially since you’re allowed to have multiple Buggies at the same time. So, if one goes down in battle, you can quickly switch to another and keep moving without missing a beat.

For more guides on Grounded 2, make sure to check out how to make a Workbench and how to get Grass Seeds.