Koi – SamaGamer

Grounded has a brand new content update that was released on November 10, finally bringing the highly anticipated Koi Pond. This brought in new enemies, materials, a whole new environment, and access to the Third Secret Lab. The previous two labs are one in the oak where you meet “BURG.L”, and the other in the hedge bush.

The trip to the Secret Lab in the Hedge isn’t too dangerous, as long as you keep your balance. The Secret Lab in the Koi Pond is a bit of a different story, however. Here’s the best way to access the new lab, as well as pick up the Koi Pond “BURG.L” chip.

In the depths of Koi pond

Grounded

Survival coop

Grounded is an Early Access Co-op survival game created by Obsidian Entertainment. Can your shrunken self survive among ladybugs, ants, wolf spiders and uncover the secrets of mysterious laboratories?

Find the lab

Where is the Koi pond?

For those unfamiliar with grounding and landscape layout, there is an easy way to find out where the Koi Pond is and where to find it. Look out to the horizon and gaze at the oak tree, as the koi pond is behind the tree. Since the koi pond is a whole new biome to explore, it would be a good idea to set up a base camp nearby.

There are many spiders along the inner edge of the pond, especially the oak side. Head to the north edge of the pond and look for the “Frankenline” toy which is the ground. It’s a giant, green, Frankenstein-like drawing machine. This is a great area that provides enough materials to get you established and ready to tackle the koi pond.

Prepare the dive

Once you’ve established a base camp, it’s time to dip your toes in the water and go for a swim. Be warned; the pond does not forgive. You’ll want to be properly equipped before trying to make your way to the secret lab at the bottom of the pond. The first thing you want to take out in the pond and collect is a new material called lilypad wax. This material is very easy to collect and appears under the lilypads. There are no tools required to harvest this material; pick it up as you would any normal item. For quick and easy preparation of the items you will need, here are the materials you will need for each item.

Pebblet Dagger: Pebblet x2, corde brute x2, cire Lilypad x2.
Flops d’aileron: Water Boatman’s Fin x4, Eelgrass Sprig x4, Lilypad Wax x2.
Tube Gill: Lilypad Wax x2, Eelgrass x4, Silk Rope x2 – Eighty seconds of oxygen.

Once you collect your first lilypad wax, it will unlock recipes for a pebble knife and fins, both of which are essential for managing the koi pond. You will also need the level one rebreather, called the Gill Tube, to breathe longer underwater. It is important to note that you only have forty seconds of oxygen without the aid of additional equipment. Use your time wisely and act quickly.

Between the two new recipes you just learned, you will first need to craft the Pebble Knife. This tool is essential for progressing in the koi pond. Once the knife is made, you will have to hunt and collect with it. To do the fin jumps, you will have to hunt down four waterboatman bugs. They are large swimming insects that have two large legs that propel them into the water. They mostly swim a little below the surface of the water. Insects are tough and swim quickly, so be careful to monitor your oxygen level at the same time as you stalk them. It might also be a good idea to keep an eye out for swimming spiders and Koi fish. Yes, Koi fish can kill you in one hit if you’re not careful.

You will also need to cultivate a material called Eel Grass. It sits at the bottom of the pond and looks like long strands of seaweed. You will need to harvest this with your pebble knife that you recently made. Gathering the Eel Grass will also unlock two other additional recipes for the Gill Tube and the Slime Lantern. Once you’ve gathered at least a stack of ten, you’ll be able to flip those flippers and swim around the pond faster. Now it’s time to craft the Gill Tube and dive into a second, deeper area that leads to the Secret Lab.

Entrance to the Koi Pond Secret Lab

Now that you’re equipped to handle the pond, it’s time to figure out how to get to this secret lab. You have familiarized yourself with what is in the first area of the koi pond, but now is the time to take it a step further. There is another area below the koi pond called “The Depths” which you will need to walk through. There are two entrances to this deeper area, but there is only one safe way to descend; unless you really feel like fighting a few spiders while diving.

Let’s take the safest route because it is also the fastest way to open the entrance to the secret laboratory door. By now you may have noticed black plastic tubes moving along the bottom of the pond. There are notches in this tube that allow air to escape, which is a great way to quickly top up your oxygen meter. Follow this tube directly to the entrance to the depths; just be sure to fill up with oxygen along the way. The character’s location on the map above shows exactly where the hole will be.

Start diving into the deep, dark hole the tube is moving through and move quickly. There is a final notch in the tube as you approach the bottom of the hole that supplies oxygen. It is essential that you use it before going any further. This is right next to the giant T-Rex toy that you just encountered. Also make sure to save your game. This next segment is a little stressful. Welcome to the depths!

How to open the door to the secret laboratory

As soon as you are in oxygen, swim towards the lamps and follow the tunnel. You will see a large cave a little further down the tunnel, with the door to the Secret Lab at the top of the chamber. Before you head into the tunnel to the door, there is something very important that you will need to do on your way to the laboratory door. There are three timer dials in the area, and these are used to activate and open the secret lab door.

The first dial you’ll need to activate is at the bottom left, with the airflow just above and the depths entrance at the far end.

You will see the first one on the right side of the tunnel near the end. Look towards the lamp closest to you and take the draft to propel yourself into the tunnel. When you activate the first dial, look above and find the vent spitting air bubbles.

Dial # 2 is on the left side of the cave, Dial # 3 is further on the right side, and the lab entrance is in the ceiling.

This is activated when you activate the dial, and it will help you propel yourself quickly through the water. It’s much faster than just swimming, especially if you’re low on oxygen. Bring the jet stream to the next dial, activate it, then repeat the process until you’ve activated all three dials. Once they’re all on, the lab door at the top of the chamber will open and you can enter the Secret Lab!

Opening of the dome of the secret laboratory

The electrical network room is on the left side, access to the dome corridor is in the center, above the entrance to the laboratory.

Once you’ve arrived at the lab, rest easy knowing the hard part is officially over! There are now just a few quick and easy steps to turn on the power supply in the lab and open the dome. Take a look at the room you just entered, grab some items from the area, and head to the power grid control room.

Flip the switch, then exit. Interact with the computer in the secret lab bay room, and it will open the locked door and give you access to the ramp leading to the dome. Go up the ramp and enter the Great Dome Room. Climb up the spiral walkway and activate the computer controls you find at the top.

The dome will open and the secret koi pond lab will finally be operational. Don’t forget to take the BURG.L chip from the koi pond which is right next to the biodome computer. This will unlock a floating foundation and a science-based sign game. You’ll also have unlocked a shortcut to the lab from the main area of the koi pond. You no longer need those long dives if you don’t want to risk.