Networking

Networking is a late-game story quest in Grounded 2. It is a long and challenging quest that involves navigating complex terrain, fighting multiple mini-bosses, and culminates in a final confrontation with the mysterious stranger.

Quest Info
Location	Eastern Yard / Network Center
Objective	Confront the Masked Stranger
Rewards	Frenzy (Mutation) Charred Recipe Sizzling Key Network Center Turbo Optical Disk Unlocks Orb Weaver Buggy

Preparation

Before starting this quest, it is highly recommended to upgrade to Tier 3 weapons and armor.

Damage Types: The final boss has resistances, so relying solely on Venom or Spicy debuffs is risky. Having a backup weapon with Fresh damage is ideal. For example, Venom-focused builds might switch from Wolfsbane Fangs to Ice Sickles.
Defense: The boss uses Sizzling attacks. Mages can use the Sizzling Set, while all builds can benefit from Mintito smoothies. General healing items like Healbasa are also crucial.

The Path to the Network Center

Reaching the Maze

Begin by heading east toward either Statue: Southern Ascent or Statue: Northern Ascent, which are marked on the map. Enter the large cement tube.
When the path turns, you will find a locked door. To the left of this door is a destructible wall. Use an Ant Buggy to crunch through it.

Proceed through the newly opened path into a rock maze. Navigate through the maze until you find a narrow path guarded by two Bombardier Beetles.
Defeat the beetles and head through the path. Take a left and hop up the large leaves to continue. Using a first-person view can make the platforming easier.

Mini-Boss: Captain Nitro

Head east towards the bushes and a large statue. Take a left to find the Ranger Station: Flower Bed, which contains supplies.
From the ranger station, veer left to confront Captain Nitro. This mini-boss is functionally a stronger version of an O.R.C. Northern Scorpion.
Once Captain Nitro is defeated, look ahead to find a large Dead Root. Use a Tier 2 or higher axe to crunch it.

Climb the newly accessible branches, following the thin red wire to the upper level.

Mini-Boss: Lieutenant Blade

On the upper branches, ignore the door with the green light for now (it contains minor healing items and food). Head northeast along the branches.
Look for and crunch through several more Dead Roots to continue along the path. You will eventually reach an open area with roses and a prominent red ribbon.
Follow the red ribbon until you encounter the ORC Mantis, also known as Lieutenant Blade.
Strategy: With Tier 3 gear and synergistic mutations (e.g. Wolf set, Stabby Stinger, Assassin, Parry Master), this fight is manageable. Be aggressive and parry its attacks when possible.

Inside the Network Center

Finding the Collectible

From Lieutenant Blade's location, follow the red ribbon northwest. You will pass Raw Science on top of a white sign.
Continue up the branches, kill the O.R.C. Weaver, and jump up to a platform with a maple leaf. Look west to find a ladder. Climb it and enter the Pneumatic Tube.
You will arrive in a room with multiple tables and TVs. Hostile O.R.C. Weevils will attack.
In this area, look for a small side room. Inside is a chest containing the elusive Garden Snail Fragment, which is needed for the Tier 3 Snail armor set.

Enter the next Pneumatic Tube to proceed to the level above.

Mini-Boss: General Berserker

Clear the office area of O.R.C. Ants, Weevils, and O.R.C. Larva. Head into the back left room to find the next tube.
This leads to a confrontation with the ORC Cockroach Queen, also known as General Berserker.
Strategy: This fight is similar to the standard Cockroach Queen boss. Parry its slam and melee attacks. After its health is depleted, it enters a second phase where its head comes off and spews Sizzling fluids. Ranged attacks are effective here. Avoid Gas, Fresh, Spicy, or Venom damage if possible.

Network Hub Puzzle

Find the character on the upper level and loot the Network Center Access Pass from his pockets.
Go through the right door (marked with blue/pink lights) and kill the giant O.R.C. Cockroach.

In the back room (blue sign), activate the yellow switch. Head to the room beside the pink sign (marked by cables) and hit the yellow switch there as well. Return to the central hub.
Go through the left door. Hop down through the broken floor glass in the corner.
Locate and repair three frayed cables that are shooting electricity.
Return to the upper level and hit the yellow switch in this area.
Back in the central room, hit the main switch on the central console. This opens the large central door. Enter the tube.

Final Ascent

Fight through server rooms filled with ORC Ants and Weavers. Find a chest containing 4x Garden Snail Fragment and 2x Blueberry Bandage.
Go through the sliding door, up a ladder, and open a final chest for more Garden Snail Fragments and bandages.
Follow the white wire down into a vent. Take out the spiders and follow the wires to a tube leading to the final area.

Final Boss: The Masked Stranger

Before hitting the final switch, loot the chest for some Blueberry Bandages and prepare your build (set mutations, hot-pouch healing items, etc.).

Phase 1: The Masked Stranger has a large health pool, but the fight is heavily scripted. Focus on parrying her attacks. Have a plan to deal with Sizzling damage, either through armor or smoothies. When she stops to heal, unleash as much damage as possible.
Phase 2: An O.R.C. Wolf Spider will join the fight. Focus on parrying its predictable attacks while continuing to damage the boss. Use a Scorpidote Smoothie or the Mithridatism mutation to counter its Venom.

Quest Completion

After the boss fight, you will be rewarded with the Frenzy mutation. Enter the back room and collect the Charred Recipe, Snailing Key, and Network Center Turbo Optical Disk.

Finally, talk to BURG.L and then to Sloan to officially complete the quest. You can now unlock an Orb Weaver (Spider) buggy by finding an Orb Weaver Egg in the Spider Den Anthill in Pine Hills.