You're wandering through the Upper Yard, your heart is racing, and suddenly the music shifts. That deep, ominous cello kick starts. If you’ve spent any time in Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded, you know that sound means one thing: you’re about to get wrecked by a Black Widow.
Honestly, finding black widow spawns grounded players usually stumble upon is a rite of passage that ends in a quick reload for most. These aren't just "stronger spiders." They are the apex predators of the backyard. Unlike the Broodmother, which is a boss you summon, Black Widows are world bosses that live in specific, terrifying corners of the map. They don't respawn daily like a puny Red Ant. They take about three to five in-game days to come back, making their silk and Super Spider Venom some of the rarest resources in the game.
The Four Main Black Widow Spawns Grounded Veterans Check First
Most people think there’s just one. There aren't. There are four fixed locations in the Upper Yard where these ladies of the night hang out.
The most famous one—and probably the most annoying—is under the Shed Surroundings. If you head toward the massive tool shed in the north, you’ll find a pile of rocks and PVC piping. There’s a hole under the shed's deck. It’s dark. It’s cramped. It is filled with Widowlings. If you venture in there without a torch, you’re basically donating your gear to the backyard. This specific widow is a gatekeeper for some of the best end-game loot, including the Pond Moss you need for the Sour Battle Axe.
Then there's the Undershed. This place is a nightmare. It’s a massive, open-cavern biome beneath the actual shed structure. You'll find a Black Widow guarding the path toward the late-game laboratory areas. What makes this spawn unique is the verticality. You can sometimes cheese her from the pipes above, but her projectiles (yes, she has those now) make it a risky move.
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Don't forget the Castle Mordoc area. Near the moldy upper brick wall, there’s a crevice tucked away behind some dry grass and stone. It’s easy to miss if you aren't looking for the distinctive, messy webbing that looks different from an Orb Weaver’s neat patterns.
Finally, there is the spawn near the Car Battery and the Toolbox. It’s tucked into a stony alcove. You’ll know you’re close when you start seeing the literal carcasses of other bugs. It’s a graveyard.
Why You Keep Dying (It’s the Venom, Duh)
Let's talk mechanics. A Black Widow isn't just a reskinned Wolf Spider. She is faster. Way faster.
The main reason players struggle with black widow spawns grounded throws at them is the "Venom" debuff. It’s different from regular poison. Regular poison can be resisted with the Mithridatism mutation. Venom? Nope. Venom ignores your resistances. It eats your health bar from the inside out, and if she stacks it on you two or three times, you're dead. Period.
You have to parry. If you aren't hitting your perfect blocks, you won't survive the encounter. She has a five-hit combo that feels like a drum solo. If you miss the third hit, the fourth and fifth will usually finish you off.
Gear Up or Give Up
If you're going hunting, don't go in wearing Ladybug armor and carrying a Pebblet Spear. You need Tier 3 gear.
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The Rusty Spear is a fan favorite here because Black Widows are resistant to almost everything except stabbing and sour damage. Why sour? Who knows, maybe they hate the taste. But a Sour-infused Rusty Spear with a Fire Ant Shield is the gold standard for Widow-slaying. The shield is crucial because it has a chance to corrode the enemy's defense, letting you peek through that massive health pool a bit faster.
- Mutations to bring: * Meat Shield (because you need the HP)
- Buff Lungs (for the stamina to keep blocking)
- Blade Master or Javelineer (depending on your weapon)
- Coup de Grass (for those sweet critical hits)
- Corporate Kickback (if you've beaten the Director, this lifesteal is a literal lifesaver)
The Widowling Problem
One thing the wiki doesn't always emphasize enough is the kids. Every Black Widow nest is crawling with Widowlings. They don't do much damage individually, but they jump on you and distract your auto-target. There is nothing worse than trying to parry a boss only to have your character swivel 180 degrees to poke a baby spider. Clear the babies first. Use a gas arrow or a sour staff to AOE the floor before you engage the mother.
What Do You Actually Get?
Is it worth the stress? Usually, yes.
Killing a Black Widow is the only way to get Super Spider Venom. You need this for the Widow Armor set, which is arguably the best light armor in the game due to its "Death's Impetus" perk. This perk increases your movement speed and attack speed after killing a creature. It turns you into a whirlwind of death.
You also get Black Widow Silk. While you can get regular spider silk from Web Weavers, the Black Widow variety is required for high-end crafting recipes and zip-line anchors that span the entire map.
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Tactical Map Movement
When you are hunting black widow spawns grounded locations, your pathing matters. Start at the Moldorc Castle spawn, then rotate toward the Shed. By the time you’ve cleared all four and processed the loot, you’re usually only a couple of days away from the first one respawning.
If you're playing on "Whoa!" mode, honestly, just bring a friend. One person needs to hold a shield and play "tank" while the other sits back with a Crossbow or a Sour Staff. Trying to solo a Widow on the highest difficulty is a lesson in humility.
The "Cheese" Factor
Look, we've all done it. Sometimes you just want the venom without the 20 deaths.
In the Undershed, you can often pull the Widow toward the narrow laboratory entrance. She’s too big to fit through the door. You can sit inside and poke her with a spear or shoot arrows at her face. It’s not glorious. It’s not "heroic." But it gets you the Tier 3 dagger you need to cut that pond moss.
Another trick is using the Staffs. The Sour Staff has a high stun value. If you time your charged shots, you can keep her staggered, preventing her from starting that nightmare five-hit combo. Just watch your friendly fire if you're playing co-op, or you’ll kill your teammates faster than the spider will.
Survival Checklist
- Check the Clock: Don't fight them at night unless you have to. You need to see the attack animations clearly.
- Meal Prep: Eat a "Black Ox Burger" before the fight. The damage resistance and max health boost are mandatory.
- Healing: Bring "Beefy" Slop. Don't use the regular stuff. You need the instant burst of health.
- Mutation Swap: Make sure you aren't still wearing your "Grass Master" or "Rock Cracker" mutations. You'd be surprised how often people forget to swap back to combat perks.
Winning these fights is about rhythm. It's a dance. Once you learn the beat of the Black Widow’s attacks, the backyard feels a lot smaller. You stop being the prey and start being the one the spiders are afraid of.
Next Steps for Mastery
- Craft the Rusty Spear and upgrade it to at least Level 7 with Sour Quartzite.
- Head to the Shed Surroundings hole and clear out the Widowlings with a Whittle Widow or Sour Staff.
- Practice your perfect blocks on a Wolf Spider first; if you can't parry a Wolfie 100% of the time, the Black Widow will delete you.
- Set a Lean-to nearby. You are going to die at least once. It’s fine. Just pick your backpack up and try again.
The backyard is dangerous, but the rewards for conquering the black widow spawns grounded features are the peak of the game’s progression. Good luck. You’re gonna need it.