Sinkhole Anthill Turbo Optical Disk Location in Grounded 2 (Beat the Heat)
To get the Sinkhole Anthill Turbo Optical Disk in Grounded 2: Beat the Heat update, head to the East Entrance of the Sinkhole Ant Hill near the Pumpkin Patch Ranger Outpost. Follow the underground tunnels, drop through a corrosive hatch, and defeat the O.R.C. Potato Beetle, where the Turbo Optical Disk can be found on a desk behind it.
How to Get the Sinkhole Anthill Turbo Optical Disk
This is one of the new Turbo Optical Disks added in the Beat the Heat update, and it unlocks key upgrades including the Black Ant Buggy and the Buffing Barrel perk. While the route itself is fairly straightforward, the area is filled with Black Ants and ends with a mini-boss fight, so preparation is important.
You can use our Interactive Map to help track all the new locations of items that have been added in the latest updates.
Step 1: Start at the Pumpkin Patch Ranger Outpost
Begin at the Pumpkin Patch Ranger Outpost. From here, head outside and follow the path down past the nearby pumpkin.
As you move forward, you will quickly reach the East Entrance of the Sinkhole Ant Hill, which is easy to recognise due to Black Ants moving in and out of the tunnel.
Before heading inside, make sure you are stocked up on healing, as you will take damage later in the route.
Step 2: Follow the Wire Through the Ant Hill
Once inside the tunnel, follow the path forward while keeping an eye on the wire running along the ceiling, as this will help guide you through the cave.
You will reach a split in the path where you can go left or right. Take the right path, as going left will lead you to the other entrance and take you off route.
Continue following the tunnel, and shortly after, you will find a note called “A Fortuitous Beginning”. Make sure to pick this up as you pass through.
Keep following the wire deeper into the tunnel system.
Step 3: Reach the Sealed Door and Head Left
Eventually, you will enter a large open area with a big sealed door in front of you that cannot be opened yet.
Instead of trying to go through it, turn left and follow the path downward. You will notice tubing running along the ground filled with Tang liquid. Stay alongside this tubing and continue following it all the way down.
At the end of this section, the tubing leads to a hatch-like opening in the ground.
Step 4: Drop Through the Hatch and Swim Across
Before dropping down, make sure you have full health, as you will take damage from corrosion.
Drop into the opening and immediately swim across to the other side. You will take corrosive damage during this section, so move quickly and climb out as soon as possible.
Once you exit the water, heal up straight away.
You will now find yourself in a room with a decapitated Black Ant Queen.
Step 5: Climb Up Past the Ant Queen
From the Ant Queen, take a moment to look around. If you head left briefly, you can grab a Granola Bar, which is useful for healing later.
When ready, return to the Ant Queen and climb the ladders located next to her body. From here, follow the tubing upward, continuing to climb until you reach a small vent.
Crouch to enter the vent, then continue forward until you reach another set of ladders.
As you approach, you will notice an Earwig hanging from the ceiling. Do not stop—rush straight to the ladders and climb up quickly to avoid being hit.
Step 6: Enter the Glass Lab Area
At the top, before going through the next door, turn around to grab another Granola Bar on a nearby cabinet.
Go through the door and continue forward. You will pass a Black Worker Ant and some lootable bodies, which you can collect if needed.
Before entering the next glass section, make sure to pick up the note “Science Interrupted” nearby.
Once you move into the glass area, several Black Ants will attack you. It is best to take your time here and deal with them safely. Fighting near the glass is effective, as it limits how many can reach you at once.
Defeating these ants is also useful as they are protecting the Black Soldier Ant Eggs, which are required if you plan to craft the Black Ant Buggy later.
Step 7: Carrying the Black Soldier Ant Egg
After clearing the ants, collect one the Black Soldier Ant Eggs and continue following the path upward.
As you progress, you will pass a tunnel which leads you to the Four-Leaf Clover point of interest on your left. This is optional, so you can ignore it for now and continue up the hill.
Keep moving forward, running past any remaining ants, and follow the path toward another door area. From here, veer slightly left and continue along the route, passing through another glass section.
There will be another Black Ant here, but you can simply run past it and head up the stairs.
Step 8: Defeat the O.R.C. Potato Beetle
You will eventually enter a room containing an O.R.C. Potato Beetle, which is the final obstacle before obtaining the Turbo Optical Disk.
Before engaging, make sure you are fully healed and prepared. If you are carrying a Black Soldier Ant Egg, drop it before the fight.
The Potato Beetle can deal heavy damage, but if you are using a weapon like the Pinch Whacker, you can stun it and control the fight more easily. Take your time and focus on avoiding its strongest attacks.
Once defeated, the path forward is clear.
Step 9: Collect the Turbo Optical Disk
After killing the O.R.C. Potato Beetle, look directly behind where it was defeated. On the desk, you will find the Sinkhole Anthill Turbo Optical Disk.
Make sure to pick it up, then check the opposite side of the room, where you will find another note called “Completed To-Do List”. Be sure to collect this before leaving, as it is easy to miss.
You can also loot the nearby chest and body for additional resources.
Before leaving, open the nearby door, which creates a shortcut back to the start of the tunnel.
Step 10: Escape and Return to the Outpost
Once you have everything, grab your Black Soldier Ant Egg if you dropped one and begin heading back out.
Follow the tunnel back the same way you came, using the wire above as a guide. You can avoid most enemies by sprinting past them, but be careful as the Black Soldier Ants can shoot corrosive projectiles which makes you drop your egg.
When you reach the split in the tunnel again, take the left path to return to the original entrance.
Exit the cave, head back past the pumpkin, and return safely to the Ranger Outpost.
What the Turbo Optical Disk Unlocks
Once you return to the Ranger Station and analyse the disk, you will unlock:
- Black Ant Buggy (2,000 Raw Science)
- Buffing Barrel (2,500 Raw Science)
The Buffing Barrel is a training station that allows you to upgrade your buggy’s abilities, making it extremely useful for progression.
Black Ant Buggy allows you to gain the ability to hatch a Black Soldier Ant Egg at the Hatchery for the new fiercer Ant Buggy.
This sums up the Guide on how to get the Sinkhole Anthill Turbo Optical Disk. If you want to find the new unique weapons – Ice Breakers, then check out our guide here.
