Mutations are Grounded's perk system, and the right two or three change how the whole game plays. Here are the meta picks worth slotting first, how the slot-and-phase system works, and a full reference of all 41 with what unlocks each. (This is the original Grounded — for the sequel, see our Grounded 2 guides.)
If you're picking what to chase first, these earn their slots.
The endgame staple — it's what unlocks the full damage of the boss-tier weapons (Club of the Mother Demon, Scythe of Blossoms, etc.). Beat the Mantis to get it.
Candy-staff builds apply elemental status (mint/sour/spicy) and shred bosses with AoE. P3 cuts stamina cost 50%.
Swords are fast and common — this weakens enemy damage and at P3 nearly removes exhaustion. A safe all-rounder.
2% chance on hit to spawn a friendly Mant that tanks aggro for you. Beat the Mant to unlock. Free meat shield.
+50 stamina and +50 health, both bought cheaply from BURG.L. Near-universal — most builds run at least one.
Perfect blocks refund up to 100% stamina — effectively infinite stamina for a block-and-punish playstyle.
One per weapon class, each unlocked by getting 40 / 100 / 200 kills with that class. Slot the one matching your main weapon.
| Mutation | Weapon class | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Blademaster | Swords | −10/20/30% enemy damage; P3 near-removes exhaustion. |
| Whittle Wizard | Candy staves | Applies elemental status; P3 −50% stamina cost. |
| Sharpshooter | Bows / crossbows | +10/15/20% crit; P3 special candy-arrow effects. |
| Assassin | Daggers | Applies bleed; P3 −25% bleed resistance. |
| Smasher | Hammers | −10/20/30% enemy attack speed; P3 adds stun. |
| Chopper | Axes | −10/15/20% enemy resistance; P3 no stamina-regen delay. |
| Barbarian | Clubs | Rage damage (narrows perfect-block window); P3 +1 HP/sec. |
| Javelineer | Spears | Reflect + throw-damage bonuses; P3 boosts charge attacks. |
| Lil Fist | Fists | Stacking unarmed damage to +100%; P3 guaranteed double-hit. |
41 total. The weapon nine are above; here's the rest.
| Meat Shield | +50 Max Health. |
| Buff Lungs | +50 Max Stamina. |
| Daredevil | −50% fall damage; none at full health. |
| Battle Buddies | −75% friendly-fire damage. |
| Dissection Expert | +10% creature loot-drop chance. |
| Parry Master | Perfect blocks refund 25/50/100% stamina. |
| Natural Explorer | +20/35/50% move speed (out of combat). |
| Cardio Fan | +stamina regen, −exhaustion time. |
| Merteen | +underwater oxygen & swim speed. |
| Juicy | Thirst drops 50% slower. |
| Trapper PEEP.R | Crits deal +20/40/60% damage (from Gold Cards). |
| Coup de Grass | +crit chance (4-Leaf Clover + the Maze D20). |
| Rascal Rogue | Chance to steal extra loot on melee. |
| Grass Master / Rock Cracker | +gathering efficiency, refund stamina. |
| Hauling Hero | +hauling strength (from Coziness levels). |
| Reliable Friend | +25/50/75% revive speed. |
| Spicy Safety | −25/50% Smashing & Stabbing damage (eat Spicy Shards). |
| Mithridatism | +25/50/75% poison resistance (kill Wolf Spiders). |
| Fresh Defense | Gas/burn resistance (eat Mint Shards). |
| Sour Sensation | Reflects 50/100/150% damage (eat Sour Lumps). |
| Ant-nihilator | +damage to ants; P3 ant resistance. |
| Apex Predator | Unlocks boss-weapon special effects (kill the Mantis). |
| Mantsterious Stranger | Chance to spawn a friendly Mant ally (kill the Mant). |
| Mom Genes | Friendly spiderling + 50% poison damage (kill the Hedge Broodmother). |
| Spore Lord | Explosive damage stacks random buffs (kill the Infected Broodmother). |
| Corporate Kickback | Blocks → lifesteal (kill Director Schmector). |
| Shocking Dismissal | Blocks → electric AoE (kill the Assistant Manager). |
| Bardic Inspiration | Bow attacks grant random buffs (kill the Wasp Queen). |
| Truffle Tussle | Unarmed fungal explosions (kill the Infected Ladybug). |
| Antbassador / Guard Dog | Ants turn neutral (befriend Ant Queens) / +damage in defense events. |
Building a loadout? Here's the gear to go with it — and the sequel.