The Nightstalker: Best Support Build for Grounded 2
Getting straight to the point, if you are looking to become an indispensable asset to your team in Grounded 2, the Nightstalker Support Build is what you need. This setup focuses on delivering massive burst damage and crippling weak spots from range, effectively doubling your squad’s output while keeping you safe from the thick of the fight.
This guide will break down the essential gear, mutations, and consumables required to put together this support archer archetype.
Core Gear Breakdown: Weak Spot Dominance
The power of this build centers on synergy between its main components, all of which are built from parts of the tough new backyard foe, the Axl Tarantula.
Armor: Nightstalker Set (Full)
| Piece | Key Effect | Set Bonus |
| Nightstalker Armor Set | Increased damage to weak spots. | Increased Buggy Damage output. |
The Nightstalker Armor Set is a new addition and the backbone of this build. Each piece provides a boost to damage against enemy weak spots, which is crucial for maximizing ranged weapon effectiveness. The full set bonus applies a passive damage increase to Buggy Damage—a new damage type that stacks with critical hits and weak spot damage to tear through enemy health bars.
Crafting the Nightstalker Gear
To craft this high-tier armor, you will need to defeat the AXL Tarantula boss. Specifically, you will be aiming for:
- Tarantula Fang: Used in the armor pieces, possibly for the visual or serrated elements.
- Tarantula Talon: Likely a component in the helm or greaves, adding a grim, protective edge.
- Poison Sack: This material is often involved in high-tier recipes to imbue gear with a subtle, debilitating effect, even if the primary damage is physical.
This gear is not cheap or easy to acquire, but the rewards for farming the new AXL Tarantula boss are substantial and necessary for a top-tier build.
Weapon: Black Fang Greatbow
| Weapon | Key Effect | Tier |
| Black Fang Greatbow | Charge shots do significantly more damage. | Tier 3 (Late-Game) |
The Black Fang Greatbow is a powerful Tier 3 weapon that elevates this build from a standard archer to a true weak spot specialist. Its defining feature is a strong multiplier on fully charged shots. Since your role is ranged support, you should always aim for maximum charge before releasing an arrow into an enemy’s vulnerable point.
The recipe for the Black Fang Greatbow specifically requires the Tarantula Fang. Analyzing this part should unlock the recipe at the workbench. This confirms the heavy focus on the new boss’s loot for this entire setup.
Accessory: Nifty Needle Trinket
| Accessory | Key Effect |
| Nifty Needle Trinket | Further increases charged shot damage. |
This is a simple, yet highly effective trinket. By stacking the Greatbow’s inherent charged shot bonus with the Nifty Needle Trinket’s effect, you turn every fully drawn arrow into a miniature artillery strike. Combined with the weak spot damage boost from your armor, you can quickly shred high-priority targets from the backline.
Mutation Loadout: The Backline Arsenal
The chosen mutations complement the ranged, support-focused playstyle, emphasizing damage output, utility, and team support.
| Mutation | Effect and Rationale |
| Sharpshooter | Directly increases bow critical hit chance and critical hit damage. This is a non-negotiable choice for any bow build, maximizing the effectiveness of every charged shot. |
| Trapper Peep.R | Granted by thoroughly studying creatures, this mutation significantly increases weak spot damage. Stacking this with the Nightstalker Armor’s bonus is where your large damage numbers originate. |
| Cardio Fan | Reduces stamina drain and increases stamina regeneration. Keeping your stamina high is crucial for quickly repositioning or drawing your Greatbow for maximum charge without being penalized. |
| Reliable Friend | A key support mutation. It increases your revival speed and grants a portion of the revived ally’s max health upon resurrection. Your primary function may be damage, but this ensures you can save a failing run quickly and safely. |
Alternative: If you find stamina management is not an issue, consider swapping Cardio Fan for a utility mutation like Mithridatism (Poison resistance) or a combat-focused one to further increase output.
Essential Consumables
For boss fights and tough encounters, consumables are what turn a strong build into an overpowered one. These two are essential for a quick takedown.
| Consumable | Effect and Rationale |
| Liquid Rage | Provides a temporary boost to overall attack damage. Timing this drink for a boss’s vulnerable phase can lead to absurd damage spikes, greatly shortening the fight. |
| Larvagna | Provides a temporary boost to weak point damage. Stacking this food with your Nightstalker armor, the Trapper Peep.R mutation, and your charged shots makes your weak spot hits devastatingly powerful. |
The strategy is simple: pop both a Liquid Rage and a Larvagna just before engaging a boss or high-health enemy. Line up your fully charged Black Fang Greatbow shot with a vulnerable weak spot, and watch the health bar plummet.
Playstyle Summary
The Nightstalker Support Build is straightforward and effective:
- Stay Ranged: Position yourself where you have a clear line of sight to the enemy’s weak spot, but remain safely behind your melee teammates.
- Charge Shots Only: Never fire a quick shot. Your damage multipliers rely entirely on fully charging the Black Fang Greatbow.
- Prioritize: Focus on high-value targets or creatures that are causing your team problems. Your ability to exploit weak points makes you the ideal counter to high-armor bugs.
- Team Utility: Be ready to use Reliable Friend instantly. Your ranged position allows you to quickly sprint in and revive a fallen ally before returning to your support role.
By combining the weak spot focus of the new Nightstalker Armor and the charged shot power of the Black Fang Greatbow, you become the definitive ranged asset. It’s a satisfying, if somewhat quiet, role that ensures your team’s success.