How to Upgrade Weapons in Grounded

Learn how to upgrade weapons in Grounded! This guide covers unlocking the Smithing Station, gathering materials like Brittle Whetstones, and choosing elemental upgrades.

The process for upgrading weapons in Grounded involves several stages. This guide covers unlocking the weapon upgrade feature, upgrading weapons from levels 1-5, and upgrading weapons post level 5.

How to Build a Smithing Station in Grounded

To upgrade your weapons, you must first unlock the Smithing Station by spending Raw Science. This technology becomes available after completing the Mysterious Machine quest, visiting the Oak Tree Lab, and meeting BURG.L. Once unlocked, purchase the Smithing Station for 100 Raw Science from a computer terminal.

To build the Smithing Station, access the crafting menu, navigate to ‘Storage and Utilities’ (the second blue bar), then scroll down to ‘Misc’ and select the Smithing Station. You will need the following materials:

• 1x Brittle Quartzite Shard
• 1x Brittle Marble Shard
• 4x Crude Rope
• 2x Sap

Brittle Quartzite and Marble Shards can be found in the Old Anthill (North Grasslands) or Red Anthill (Northwest Grasslands). You will need a Pebblet Hammer to break the boulders. Crude Rope can be handcrafted from plant fibers, and Sap can be collected from wooden areas or a sap collector.

Upgrade Early-Level Weapons in Grounded (Levels 1-5)

Once the Smithing Station is built, you can begin upgrading weapons. The primary resource for early upgrades is Brittle Whetstones, crafted from Brittle Quartzite Shards or by combining Sap and Larva Spikes.

Making Brittle Whetstones

Brittle Quartzite shards are found in lab storage rooms, caves, and anthills. They can also be found loosely around the Oak tree or at the bottom of ponds. Alternatively, you can craft them by killing Larvae in the Larvae cave (accessed by blowing up acorns). Infected Larvae near the Haze or Ladybird Larvae near the BBQ Grill can also yield Quartz and Marble in later stages.

Amount of Brittle Whetstones Needed

The number of Brittle Whetstones required increases with weapon level:

Upgrading weapons early on can be a grind, but Brittle Quartzites are naturally found as you explore and complete labs.

Upgrade Weapons Post Level 5

At weapon level 5, you can choose an elemental upgrade path: Fresh, Mighty, Salty, Sour, or Spicy. These add extra damage types, which are effective against enemies with specific weaknesses. Mighty offers raw strength and durability.

To upgrade beyond level 5, you will need to craft corresponding elemental globs for levels 6 and 7, and jewels for levels 8 and 9.

Resource Requirements for Upgrades Post-Level 5

Globs and Jewels Crafting Materials