Let’s get this out of the way: you’re tiny. Like, "borrow sugar from ants" tiny. Everything in the backyard is now a giant death trap, and you’re the ultimate underdog. But don’t worry, being small has its perks:

Sneakiness: You're basically a ninja, except slower, clumsier, and prone to getting stuck in spider webs. But you can hide in small places! Enjoy crawling into soda cans, under leaves, and into anthills (don’t actually do this—trust me).

Perspective Change: Ever wanted to know what the world looks like from a beetle’s point of view? Well, now you know. And surprise! It’s mostly terrifying. The grass is like a jungle, acorns are houses, and dew drops are basically swimming pools. Enjoy the view as you panic.

Your main goal is to not become spider food. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. The backyard is full of creatures that will squish, sting, or otherwise dismember you. Here’s how to avoid becoming mulch.

Avoid Spiders (At All Costs): No matter how brave you think you are, there’s nothing like seeing a wolf spider the size of a minivan charge at you. Their eyes glow at night, which is both helpful and horrifying. If you see one? Just run. Or, if you’re like most people, scream, then run.

Ants: Frenemies of the Backyard: Ants can be both helpful and nightmare-inducing. They’re like that one friend who helps you move, but then eats all your snacks. Worker ants? Friendly, curious, cute. Soldier ants? Hungry, aggressive, probably watching you right now. Pro tip: if you attack one, you're basically declaring war on their entire species.

Beware of Bees: Bees look harmless from afar, until you get too close and they remember they have stingers the size of a sword. If you steal their nectar, they’ll hunt you down with a vengeance. Also, bees in this game are just big. Like “flying freight truck” big.

Now that you’ve established you don’t want to be eaten, it’s time to set up shop! Building a base in Grounded is a delicate balance of craftsmanship and panic.

Choosing the Right Spot: Ideally, you want to build somewhere safe, but let's be real: nowhere is safe. The best you can hope for is “probably won’t be destroyed by a beetle in the next 5 minutes.” Avoid building near spider dens or anthills unless you’re looking for constant, terrifying roommates.

Grass: Your New Best Friend: The humble grass plank is the foundation of your new mini-life. It’s like Legos, but if Legos could be eaten by insects. Start small, build walls to keep the creepy crawlies out, and upgrade to stronger materials once you’re done hiding from the first bug that wanders by.

Soda Can Mansions: You may find yourself thinking, “Why live in a boring old base when I can live in a can of pop?” This is a valid thought. Soda cans are prime real estate—elevated, safe from most bugs, and pre-furnished with the refreshing memory of sugary beverages. Just remember, your neighbors are likely ants who will not respect your property lines.

In the backyard, the world is your workshop. That is, if your workshop is made of sticks, bugs, and random trash. But don’t worry! With enough patience and a little bit of googling (because let’s face it, some of these recipes make no sense), you can build anything!

Pebblet Tools: Ah, the pebblet—nature’s answer to “I have nothing better to work with.” Crafting your first pebblet axe feels like you’ve invented fire. You’ll use this to chop down grass and intimidate ants (which won’t work, but it's fun to try).

Bug Armor: Want to wear a ladybug like a sweater? Well, now you can! Bug armor is essential for not dying, but it comes at the cost of some serious bug hunting. Pro tip: don’t try to fight a ladybug right away. It’ll punt you halfway across the backyard.

Slime Mold Torches: Night is coming. And unless you enjoy stumbling into spiders in the dark, you’ll want a torch. Enter the slime mold torch, a sticky, glowing piece of gunk that barely lights your path but makes you feel slightly less terrified in the dark. Slightly.

The backyard is teeming with wildlife—most of which want to kill you. Here’s what to expect:

Aphids: The Cutest Annoyance: These little guys are like the squirrels of the backyard—constantly running, squeaking, and generally making you feel bad for even thinking about killing them for food. But when you’re starving and there’s no mushroom in sight, it’s aphid time, baby.

Bombardier Beetles: The Backyard Tanks: When you hear “bombardier,” you should instantly start running. These beetles launch acid bombs at you like it’s going out of style. Think of them as the "tank class" of bugs, except no one asked for tanks in a game about a yard.

Ladybugs: Surprisingly Hostile: You thought ladybugs were cute, didn’t you? WRONG. Ladybugs are nature’s bulldozers. If you hit one by accident (or on purpose, because you were feeling brave), prepare to be smashed into oblivion.

It’s not all doom and gloom. The backyard is full of wonders that will make you feel like a miniature adventurer in a vast, oversized world.

The Oak Tree: Home to an army of acorns and, of course, spiders the size of a Volkswagen. The Oak Tree is where you’ll find the Hedge Lab and likely develop a fear of large, scuttling legs. Climb carefully, because one wrong step and you're part of the web.

The Mysterious Machine: Early in the game, you’ll come across what looks like a leftover project from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. This machine is your first clue that maybe, just maybe, someone (or something) is behind your current size predicament. Also, it’s the perfect place to accidentally zap yourself with electricity.

Grubs and Larva: Sometimes the ground rumbles, and sometimes those rumbles turn into larvae erupting from the earth to wreck your base and your self-esteem. They're like the moles of the insect world, except worse in every conceivable way.

You’re small, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get hungry. Here’s a quick look at your gourmet options.

Mushrooms: Delicious, plentiful, and won’t fight back when you try to eat them. They are your starter food, and you’ll find yourself munching on these fungal delights whenever you’re too lazy to chase an aphid.

Roasted Weevil: Yes, this is a thing. Hunt a weevil, roast it, and boom, dinner is served. It’s like backyard BBQ, but way more gross and less Instagrammable.

Nectar: If you’re lucky enough to find nectar, it’s basically liquid gold. But beware: bees will want it back, and trust me, they’re willing to fight for it.

Surviving in Grounded is all about embracing the absurdity of being bug-sized in a world full of danger. Whether you’re wrestling with ants for your lunch or fleeing from a spider like it’s your worst nightmare (because it is), you’ll always have something to keep you on your toes.

So, grab your pebblet axe, your bug parts armor, and dive into the backyard. You might be small, but you’re a survivor! Or at least, you’re good at running away from things. Either way, have fun!

And remember: even if you die horribly, you can always respawn. Which, in the grand scheme of things, is a pretty great deal.