|
Spoiler! This article contains potential story spoilers for Grounded. |
|
"This is way cooler than my ant farm back at home!" |
| -Max |
|
"And deep within the subterranean depths of the endless caverns, they found a most peculiar abandoned ruin." |
| -Pete |
|
"I read that extended periods of isolation in remote places can be pretty hard to cope with. Maybe it's not too surprising what happened to Dr. Tully down here." |
| -Willow |
|
"Looks kind of like a space station!" |
| -Hoops |
The Black Anthill Lab is one of the many Ominent labs strewn across the Backyard. The lab itself is located deep within the Black Anthill and is split into two sectors, Sector A and Sector B. You must gain access to Sector A with the use of an explosive, and gain access to Sector B by going through Sector A. The lab also contains the Assistant Manager mini-boss, as well as the Black Anthill BURG.L Chip.
Overview[]
The Black Anthill Lab is the only lab as of now to be separated into multiple parts. Each section can be found in different sectors scattered throughout the area. Some of the structures are fairly intact while some are fractured or completely destroyed. The lab also has wires going across the ceiling of the anthills corridors and multiple lights illuminating the area. Surprisingly, despite the lab being abandoned and being inside an anthill, none of the ants have infested the rooms of the lab.
Walkthrough[]
Reaching The Lab[]
Before going the player should be sure that they have at least 2 Bratburst or Splatburst to destroy bombable rocks. If they plan to explore the entire anthill and find all secrets/collectables, they will need about 5-6. When going to the lab for the first time, it is recommended to use the Trash Heap entrance of the Black Anthill due to its proximity to the start of the lab. Though the player can use the Sandbox entrance, it is much farther away. The Trash Heap entrance may require a Gas Mask to reach due to the rotten food and may have few Black Soldier Ants guarding it. The tunnel is relatively straight and simple, with some soldier ants that the player must kill. Once the player reaches the intersection with the wires on the ceiling, take the left path, this will lead to the start of the lab.
Unlocking Sector A[]
Once the player reaches this room they will get the landmark and corresponding quest. When here, take the path to the upper section in the back and approach the collapsed lab corridor to the left. Here the player will have to use one of their bombs to explode the rock blocking the path to the corridor. When it explodes, take the path to the room over the cave and kill the TAYZ.Ts in the room. Take a left after this and activate the console with the "A" on it. This will unlock all doors with an "A" labeling them.
Unlocking Sector B[]
Once this is done, go back and proceed down the right path or fall through the hole in the bottom back to the main room. There will be a door that has been unlocked right of the original collapsed corridor that leads to a small cave area. In this area is a hole that leads to the next section of the lab. Once the player has jumped in, they will be in a storage room with some beds that the player can set their spawn point in if they wish. Once that is done, continue down the corridor and enter a room full of more TAYZ.Ts and the console that activates all doors labeled as "B".
Finding The Assistant Manager[]
Once the player has unlocked sector B, they can leave the room and take the rightmost path in the cave to go back to the intersection at the start. Once here, go back to the main lab area and head down the newly unlocked sector B door. Once here, head down the corridor into the deepest point of the anthill. This area is full of soldier ants and a locked glass window. To open it, the player must press the button located in the back of the room on a cliff edge. Once this is pressed, the door will unlock revealing a crack in the glass. To open this, the player needs another bomb to bust open the glass. Once in the room, interact with the console to start the fight with the boss. Once started the player will be locked in again. For tips see the Assistant Manager page. Once killed, loot its body for the keycard and use it on the door to the right. This door will lead to the glass catwalk above the arena, once there go to the door in the middle for the chip. The other door merely has some extra loot. To leave, simply go left of the chip and a corridor will lead you to the surface near the Trash Heap.
MIX.R Treasure Room[]
Above the Assistant Manager arena on the left catwalk is a locked door with a room behind it. This room is special in that it will not open until every MIX.R in the yard is completed. Once every MIX.R is completed, the door can be opened and contains a chest with a lot of valuable loot and the Prod Smacker.
Relevant Quests[]