Grounded 2 Mutations: Real Effects, Real Unlocks, No Fluff (v0.1.3 Early Access)

Based on patch v0.1.3 EA. Minor values can shift with hotfixes; where exact numbers vary, you’ll see practical ranges (e.g., “~10–30 weak-point hits”). Cross-check in-game tooltips when min-maxing.

Why Mutations Matter (30 seconds)

• Mutations are your passive perks: more damage, cleaner stamina loops, thicker skin, hazard resistance.
• Most unlock by doing the thing: use the weapon type, hit weak points, perfect block, survive a biome.
• Power spikes are tiered. Commit to a lane—you’ll feel the ramp way sooner than “a bit of everything.”

How to Read This Guide

• Names use plain English + common community terms (aka) so your searches match what players say.
• Each entry includes: what it does, how to unlock/advance, best use, when to skip, and quick compare.
• Trade-offs matter. Expect “pick A over B in situation X” rather than “everything is great everywhere.”

All Key Mutations (effects, unlocks, use-cases, trade-offs)

Weak-Point Savant (aka Weakpoint/Precision) — delete bars when you actually hit them

• Effect: Bonus damage on weak-point hits; biggest on heads/abdomens (spiders, beetles, flyers).
• Unlock: Land ~10–30 weak-point hits for early tier; scales as you keep landing them.
• Best use: Bows/crossbows and heavy weapons that convert staggers into huge chunks.
• Skip if: Your weak-point accuracy is shaky ( Weak-Point for most players.

Perfect Guard (aka Parry/Perfect Block) — skill ceiling in a slot

• Effect: Friendlier perfect block window; better payoffs on success.
• Unlock: ~10–30 perfect blocks for first tier; keep practicing to tier up.
• Best use: Bosses with readable strings; turns defense into offense.
• Skip if: Your timing isn’t there yet—run Ranged/DoT lines first.
• Compare: Iron Turtle build anchor with Shellbound.

Shellbound (aka Fortify/Defense) — you’ll feel it on the first hit

• Effect: Flat damage taken goes down; flinch resistance goes up.
• Unlock: Tank damage, beat elites; defense-flavored milestones.
• Best use: New zones, blind fights, co-op “I won’t die” role.
• Skip if: You fully mastered boss patterns and want faster kills today.
• Compare: Safety slot vs. a damage slot—swap per encounter.

Eagle Eye (aka Ranged Mastery) — safe opener, safe finisher

• Effect: Higher ranged consistency and headshot payoff.
• Unlock: Ranged kill/accuracy/weak-point milestones.
• Best use: Flyers, kite bosses, pre-melee openers.
• Skip if: Arena is cramped and you keep getting cornered—bring Shellbound/Parry.
• Compare: Every team loves at least one Eagle Eye loadout.

Venomist (aka Poison/DoT) — let them tick while you reposition

• Effect: Stronger poison/bleed ticks; faster stacking.
• Unlock: Apply status consistently with poison-capable weapons/consumables.
• Best use: Daggers/javelins; moving fights; corridors of small threats.
• Skip if: Enemies are status-resistant this zone. Switch to Weak-Point/Heavy lines.
• Compare: DoT for swarms; Armor Cracker for single thick targets.

Greenthumb (aka Harvest/QoL) — build faster, gear faster

• Effect: Better harvest efficiency/durability loops (patch-dependent).
• Unlock: Harvest/craft milestones over time.
• Best use: Early base rush and tool spikes; resource routes.
• Skip if: It’s boss night. This is a progression slot, not combat.
• Compare: Keep in town; swap out in dungeons.

Element Ward (aka Biome Resist) — your ticket to step inside

• Effect: Resist heat/cold/toxin/hazards; fewer chip deaths.
• Unlock: Spend time/complete tasks in each biome.
• Best use: Zone unlocks and hazard routes; saves meds and time.
• Skip if: Area is safe and you need pure DPS today.
• Compare: Destination decides—pack the right ward.

Field Medic (aka Healing/Sustain) — live, reset, repeat

• Effect: Stronger heals/uptime between engagements.
• Unlock: Healing uses/amount milestones or craft-linked progress.
• Best use: Co-op runs, long routes, learning fights.
• Skip if: You’re overstocked on healing and not taking hits.
• Compare: Safety for learners; flex out once confident.

Phase-Based Picks (fast track)

Early Game (Day 1–Week 1)

• Must-have: Second Wind, Greenthumb, Field Medic, Element Ward (for the biome you’re pushing).
• Choose a lane: Eagle Eye (safe, reliable) or Quick Fang (close-quarters comfort).

Midgame (new zones, first elites)

• Add power picks: Critical Strike, Weak-Point Savant, Perfect Guard.
• Lock a DPS path: Venomist (swarms/DoT) or Eagle Eye (precision control).

Endgame (boss rotations, respecs)

• Heavy “can opener”: Heavy Hitter + Armor Cracker + Critical Strike (+ Second Wind).
• Always respec per boss: match armor/weapon/mutations to enemy weaknesses.

Copy-Paste Builds (with trade-offs)

Heavy Smasher — boss doors, not hallways

• Mutations: Critical Strike + Heavy Hitter + Armor Cracker + Second Wind
• Pros: Deletes armor; staggers hard; shortens phases.
• Cons: Mediocre vs. swarms; needs block timing to shine.
• Swap-outs: For trash, Armor Cracker → Venomist.

Dagger DoT Kiter — mobile pressure cooker

• Mutations: Quick Fang + Venomist + Second Wind + Field Medic
• Pros: Safe sustained DPS on the move; great resource economy.
• Cons: Slower vs. heavy armor; status-resistant mobs feel meh.
• Swap-outs: In armor zones, Venomist → Weak-Point or add a heavy finisher.

Ranged Controller — your team’s insurance policy

• Mutations: Eagle Eye + Weak-Point Savant + Second Wind + Element Ward
• Pros: Safe opens, flyer control, boss punish windows.
• Cons: Needs aim; cramped arenas punish positioning.
• Swap-outs: Tight maps → add Shellbound or Perfect Guard.

Iron Turtle — learn fights, carry teams

• Mutations: Perfect Guard + Shellbound + Field Medic + Critical Strike
• Pros: Survives mistakes; turns blocks into damage windows.
• Cons: Lower solo clear speed without a DPS partner.
• Swap-outs: Comfortable? Trade Shellbound → Armor Cracker to speed kills.

Practical Micro-Decisions (kill “AI smell,” boost wins)

• Early melee comfort: Second Wind vs. Weak-Point
  If weak-point accuracy is <50% in practice, run Second Wind; swap to Weak-Point once you’re hitting reliably.

• Trash clear vs. tank bust
  Venomist wins on groups/routes; Armor Cracker wins on thick single targets. If a route has both, carry a respec kit.

• Parry pressure test
  If you miss 3+ perfect blocks per minute in a boss fight, drop Perfect Guard and add Shellbound or go Ranged for that attempt.

• Destination dictates safety
  Always pack Element Ward for new/hazardous zones. It saves meds, time, and nerves.

• Specialize first, generalize later
  Full synergy in one lane beats mixed kits. Commit to melee/ranged/DoT, then flex slots per fight.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing sets “because I have them”
  You lose multiplicative gains. Align weapon mastery + armor set + mutations.

• Treating Greenthumb as a combat slot
  It’s a progression pick. Great in town and resource runs, bad in boss rooms.

• Overcommitting to Perfect Guard too early
  If timing’s not there, you’re donating HP. Practice on lower stakes, then slot it for bosses.

Quick FAQs

Q: How many perfect blocks to tier up Perfect Guard?
A: Expect ~10–30 for Tier 1. Later tiers take longer. Keep practicing in safe loops.

Q: I can’t handle beetles. What’s the fastest fix?
A: Heavy Hitter + Armor Cracker + Perfect Guard. If parries fail, swap Perfect Guard → Shellbound or go Ranged Controller.

Q: Is Weak-Point worth it if I mostly play co-op ranged?
A: Yes—your team benefits hugely from reliable weak-point openers. Add Element Ward per destination to stay alive while lining shots.

Versioning & Maintenance (for trust and SEO)

• This page tracks v0.1.3 EA as of 2025-08-15. If hotfixes adjust multipliers (e.g., weak-point, stamina regen), the ranges here will update, with a log in this section.
• Terminology mirrors common community names (aka) to match search behavior and player chatter.
• Where sources disagree on exact numbers, practical ranges are listed. In-game tooltips have final say.

What to Do Next

• Pick a lane (Melee, Ranged, DoT).
• Slot the core 3–4 mutations from this guide.
• Practice one boss with a “respec before pull” habit.
• When fights feel comfy, flex a safety slot into damage—or vice versa if you’re wiping.

No fluff, just wins. Take a build, hit a boss, and watch the health bar do the thing.