Resource gathering is the heart of crafting and survival in Grounded 2. Although a few raw materials can be acquired from flora or immovable objects like Acorns, more advanced components—especially those for equipment and traps used in combat—are acquired from the drops of insects. One such material that players will frequently require during early-game is the Acid Gland.
Despite its title, the Acid Gland is not cultivated from acid-shooting or spitting bugs. In fact, it’s a pretty easy material to cultivate—if you have an idea of how to prepare yourself for the fight and where they can be found.
Where to Get Acid Glands
Acid Glands are generally dropped by two types of bugs: Larva and Red Soldier Ants.
Larva
Larva are in a couple of locations near the park, but they are very common around the Snackbar area. They roam individually or small groups and don’t have high health pool, thus are simple for players in the early game with regular armor and weapons.
But locating them can be random at times since they don’t appear close to specific points of interest. Venturing into open spaces around logs, rocks, and leaf-covered ground heightens your possibility of running into them.
Red Soldier Ants
For a better, higher-yield source of Acid Glands, Red Soldier Ants are your best option. These larger, more aggressive ants can be encountered in the vicinity of or within Ant Hills, which will mark on your map when discovered.
As opposed to the domesticated Worker Ants, Red Soldier Ants will strike at you on sight. They are easily recognized from other ants because they are bigger and have big mandibles. Even though harder to kill, they give a more reliable farming source for Acid Glands and also drop Red Ant Parts and Red Ant Mandibles, both of which are key to armor and weapon production.
Safe Tips for Farming Acid Glands
Red Soldier Ants are numerically powerful, and fighting one near a colony can very soon turn into a swarm. To avoid being swamped:
- Lure solitary ants away from their units where possible, isolating them for an easier fight.
- Deploy equipped repaired armor into combat zones.
- Use ranged attacks such as a bow to weaken them at a distance—this is particularly convenient because Red Soldier Ants have slow charge times, giving you time to fire some rounds before they get to you.
- If you do happen to die in battle, the Ant Hill remains marked on your map, and it is simpler to return and retrieve your lost gear.
Do Red Soldier Ants Respawn?
Yes, Red Soldier Ants do re-spawn after a few in-game days. When you have found a good Ant Hill, you can visit it every now and then to harvest Acid Glands and other Red Ant materials. This makes Ant Hills one of the most effective and consistent sources for mid-level crafting materials.
While Acid Glands are not Grounded 2’s rarest material, they play a role in progressing through most recipes—particularly traps, tools, and early defense. While the ubiquitous nature of Larva on the map or the high-reward battle of Red Soldier Ants sound appealing to you, both provide what you have to keep progressing in the backyard.
