You’re stuck. You’ve spent hours whacking at blades of grass with a pebble tied to a stick, and honestly, it’s getting old. You see those thick, huskier weeds—the ones the game calls "Dandelions" or "Large Weeds"—and your Pebblet Axe just bounces off them like it’s made of rubber. This is the first real wall in Grounded. To break through it, you need the Insect Axe. It is the definitive grounded tier 2 axe, and without it, your base-building dreams are basically dead in the water.
It's a huge jump. Going from Tier 1 to Tier 2 isn't just a stat increase; it's a structural shift in how you play the game. Suddenly, the backyard feels less like a deathtrap and more like a hardware store. But getting there? That’s where things get messy.
The Brutal Reality of Crafting the Insect Axe
Most players think they can just stumble into the materials for a tier 2 tool. You can’t. This isn't Minecraft where you just find a slightly shinier rock. To get the Insect Axe, you have to hunt things that actually want to eat you. Specifically, you’re looking for Ladybugs and Bombardier Beetles.
Ladybugs are deceptively tanky. They look cute until they're charging at you like a freight train, and if you aren't parrying, you're dead in two hits. You need one Ladybug Head. Just one. But the drop rate isn't always 100%, which means you might find yourself in a prolonged war with the local beetle population.
Then there are the Bombardier Beetles. These things are the worst. They spray boiling acid that lingers on the ground, eating through your health bar while you're trying to reposition. You need three Bombardier Parts. Finding them usually involves heading toward the rake or the large rocks near the haze, areas that are already crawling with danger.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 Ladybug Head: This is the bottleneck. Ladybugs are neutral until hit, so pick your battlefield wisely.
- 3 Bombardier Parts: Look for the green, glowing beetles near the dry grass or the stone wall.
- 4 Spider Silk: You get this from spiderlings or by hacking away at webs. Don't try to take on a Wolf Spider for this; it’s overkill and unnecessary.
Once you have these, you have to analyze the Ladybug Head at a Research Station. If you don't analyze it, the recipe won't even show up in your crafting menu. It’s a classic "Grounded" moment—having the literal head of the beast in your pocket but not knowing how to turn it into a tool until a computer tells you how.
Why You Can’t Ignore the Tier 2 Upgrade
You might think you can scrape by with a Pebblet Axe for a while. You can’t. The backyard is gated by "Chopping Level."
The Insect Axe is a level 2 chopping tool. This means it is the only way to harvest Crow Feathers. Feathers are essential for high-tier arrows and some of the best decorative pieces in the game. If you see a feather fall and you're still rocking tier 1 gear, you’re just gonna stand there staring at it, unable to do a thing. It’s frustrating.
It also handles weeds way faster. Weeds provide Weed Stems, which are the backbone of any serious base. Building a multi-story tower with just grass planks is a nightmare because grass doesn't have the structural integrity for complex builds. You need stems. The tier 2 axe turns a five-minute chore into a thirty-second breeze.
Combat Utility: It’s Not Just for Wood
Surprisingly, the Insect Axe is a decent mid-early game weapon. It deals Generic damage, which isn't specialized, but its stun value is respectable. If you’re caught out by a wandering Orb Weaver and your spear breaks, the axe can hold its own. It's got a faster swing speed than the hammers, making it a "panic button" weapon for many players.
The stamina cost is higher, though. You’ll notice your breath catching more often if you’re just spamming swings. This is where the game starts teaching you about stamina management. You can't just flail. You have to be deliberate.
A Quick Tip on Ladybug Hunting
If you're struggling to kill a Ladybug for the head, use the environment. Lead it toward a group of Red Ants. Ladybugs have a wide area-of-effect attack when they get annoyed. If they accidentally hit a Red Ant, the entire colony will swarm the Ladybug. You can just sit back, eat some roasted aphid, and wait for the ants to do the heavy lifting. Just make sure you get the killing blow or at least loot the body before the ants decide you're the next course.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
People often get confused between the Insect Axe and the Cursed Bone Tool or other specialized gear. Let's be clear: the Insect Axe is your "daily driver." It’s the tool you keep on your hotbar 24/7.
Some players try to skip tier 2 and go straight for tier 3 (the Sour Battle Axe or the Termite Axe). That is basically impossible. You need tier 2 materials to even survive the areas where tier 3 materials exist. You can't reach the upper yard and expect to live if you're still using a tool made of pebbles and string.
🔗 Read more: Wheel of Fortune Game Board Game: Why This Living Room Staple Still Hooks Us
Also, don't forget to repair it. The Insect Axe requires sharpening stones (or repair ooze in later versions) to keep it functional. Letting a tier 2 tool break completely is a massive waste of resources, especially early on when Bombardier Beetles are still a genuine threat to your survival.
Taking it to the Next Level: Augmentations
Once you’ve got your axe, the game opens up. You’ll eventually get access to the Smithing Station.
Upgrading the Insect Axe to +5 is a solid investment. I wouldn't go much further than that because you will eventually replace it with the Termite Axe in the late game, but those initial five levels make a world of difference in durability and harvest speed. It saves you trips back to the workbench. It keeps you in the field longer.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
If you're currently staring at a Ladybug and shivering, here is exactly what you do.
First, craft a Weevil Shield. You cannot effectively hunt tier 2 insects without a shield. It negates almost all chip damage from Ladybug charges and Bombardier acid splashes.
Second, head to the western edge of the pond or the rock wall near the hedge. These are reliable spawns for Bombardier Beetles. Engage them one-on-one. If you see two, run. They don't play fair.
✨ Don't miss: Why spider solitaire game full screen is the only way to play
Third, once you have your three parts and one head, run straight to a Field Station. Analyze everything. Even if you think you know the recipe, analyze the parts anyway for the extra Raw Science.
Finally, craft the axe and immediately go find a Crow Feather. The boost in your crafting capabilities from that first feather will make the entire struggle worth it. You're not just a tiny kid in a big yard anymore; you're starting to own the place.