While trying to find a way to return to normal size, players inGroundedwill stumble across many labs they need to explore.These labs are dottedacross the map, and each has its own layout and challenges for gamers to understand and face.
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One of the first full labs, you’ll come across is the Oak Tree Lab.Field research stationsmay have been encountered en masse by now, but this should be an early lab. In fact, it should be the first lab that is explored if people are playing along the storyline.
Starting Off
Getting the Oak Tree Lab unlocked is an early game mechanic should players follow the prompts from the moment they crash-land in their little box. Make your way through the first few phases of the movement tutorial, and then head out into the wide world of the backyard. Along the opening path, there will be a field research station that explains some ‘science’ stuff. This will also give another quest for everyone to follow. Heading for the Mysterious Machine. This is key in unlocking the doors at the Oak Tree Lab.
Mending The Machine
Gaining the quest to investigate the Mysterious Machine will start the ball rolling for the Oak Tree Lab doors to open. Head for the machine just beyond the field research station. Players can expect to encounter some Lawn Mites that will attack as well as some passive Weevils and Red Ant Workers. Saying you leave the Red Ant Workers alone they will also remain passive though sometimes will ‘help’ fight Weevils leading to players attacking them. Fighting it out may seem ok, but fleeing out of aggro range is probably the better idea.
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As you walk towards the Mysterious Machine, pick up easily grabbed resources on the ground like pebblets, twigs, grass, and more. Some of these items will be able to be researched at the field station for new crafting recipes. Craft a few basic tools in your inventory as they will be needed both to survive in the Backyard and just to harvest things in general. A spear will be a good weapon against most enemies in this area, so try to make one for protection. An ax and a hammer will help harvest certain resources. If you find some sap, a bandage or two wouldn’t be a bad idea either, but there is a reason to hold some extra sap for a different craftable.
Arriving at the Mysterious Machine will lead to more quests. The Mysterious Machine needs turned on. When interacting with the Mysterious Machine, three nearby lasers will activate. Sort of. One will turn on and be properly directed at the Mysterious Machine needing nothing. Another will also be working, but the beam it emits doesn’t reach its destination. Gamers must head out for and chop down the blade of grass blocking the beam.
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The third and final beam will be the most troublesome. It is flickering and doesn’t seem to have enough power to keep the laser going. Head for it and you will see why. Lawn Mites have been chewing on the wire and will need to be punished for this misdeed. There are some as players climb up the cable leading to the laser point, but those are not the only ones that must be tackled. The rest are at the bottom of the cable and along its path into the nearby underground cavern. Take out those on the ground layer, and try to craft a touch with some sap if you’ve found any. That will help you see these little lunging ankle-biters in the dark cave. Some will still be on the cable munching, but several will simply be running around trying to attack. Once they are all down for the count, the last laser will activate.
Blowing Down The Doors
Characters should make their way back to the Mysterious Machine. Now that all 3 lasers are working hit the Activate button on the top of the Mysterious Machine again. This will cause a cutscene in which the lasers fire toward the machine, but the whole thing fails spectacularly. An explosion happens at the Oak Tree and purple smoke can be seen in the distance. This is the exact outcome needed to secure access to the Oak Tree Lab. The doors that would be previously impossible to pass are now blown open.
It is recommended that at this time gamers take a moment and build a minimalist area of refuge before setting out. Getting a workbench and some basic armor is ideal. Food and bandages are also suggested as there are a lotmore dangerous web-based foesbetween the Mysterious Machine and the Oak Tree Lab. Things like Orb Weavers and Orb Weaver Jrs are possible encounters. Another is a possible Wolf Spider that has made a home at the base of the Oak Tree. Keep your head on a swivel as you make your way to this lab.
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