How to Obtain the Scarlet Aegis in Grounded: A Comprehensive Guide

The Scarlet Aegis is a formidable shield in Grounded, offering significant defensive capabilities and a unique perk that can dramatically enhance your team’s combat effectiveness, especially when coordinated buggie assaults are your preferred tactic. Unlike some other late-game items that require intricate crafting recipes and rare resources, the Scarlet Aegis is obtained through exploration and puzzle-solving. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to acquire this powerful shield, ensuring you can bolster your defenses against the backyard’s challenging creatures. We’ll delve into each step with precision, offering tactical advice and navigational assistance to streamline your quest.

Locating the Secret Lab: The First Step to Acquiring the Scarlet Aegis

Before embarking on the mission to get the Scarlet Aegis, it’s essential to understand that the shield is hidden within a secret laboratory. This laboratory’s entrance is not immediately obvious, requiring some degree of environmental awareness and navigational skill.

Navigating to the Shed Surroundings

The first area we will need to navigate to is the area surrounding the Shed. The Shed is located in the upper yard of the map and is a structure that can be seen from some distance. Start your journey by heading towards the Shed, orienting yourself to the north side of the shed.

Identifying the Hidden Entrance

The secret lab’s entrance is concealed behind a movable brick in the retaining wall which is partially hidden by some dirt and shrubbery on the north side of the shed. The brick blends relatively well with its surroundings, so carefully examine the wall for any irregularities or breaks in the pattern. The brick can be found under some green moss and dirt.

Activating the Mechanism

Once you’ve located the correct brick, interact with it. Interacting with the brick will cause the brick to be pushed in, revealing a hidden passage into the secret lab. Be prepared for a short descent as you enter the lab; ensure you have a light source, such as a torch or the Peeper weapon, to navigate the dimly lit passageway.

Exploring the Secret Lab: Overcoming the Environmental Challenges

The secret lab is not just a simple room; it is a complex network of corridors, chambers, and environmental puzzles. Navigating it effectively requires patience, observation, and a strategic approach.

Dealing with Initial Obstacles

Upon entering the lab, you will be confronted with a series of obstacles. One of the most common is blocked pathways. These are typically solved by locating nearby mechanisms such as switches or buttons that will open doors or retract barriers. We recommend carefully surveying each room for clues and interactive elements before proceeding.

Navigating Water Hazards

Water-filled areas can present a significant challenge, especially if you are unprepared. Ensure that you have the ability to swim or use flotation devices, such as Lilypad Shoes, to traverse these sections. These sections are a great place to encounter a variety of hostile water-based creatures like Diving Bell Spiders.

Avoiding Environmental Hazards

The secret lab may contain environmental hazards like poisonous gas vents or electrified water. Keep a keen eye out for visual cues indicating these dangers, and equip gear that offers resistance to these effects. For instance, Gas Masks will mitigate the effects of poisonous gas, while insulated armor will protect you from electrical damage.

Solving the Lab Puzzles: A Step-by-Step Approach

The secret lab is filled with puzzles designed to test your problem-solving skills. These puzzles are critical to progress and obtaining the Scarlet Aegis. We’ll break down the most common types and provide solutions.

The Power Restoration Puzzle

One common puzzle type involves restoring power to certain areas of the lab. This typically requires finding and activating power generators. These generators are located in different rooms and connected by a series of cables. Follow the cables to identify which generator powers which device or door. Be prepared for potential enemy encounters while activating the generators.

The Lever and Switch Puzzle

Another frequent puzzle involves manipulating levers and switches in the correct sequence to unlock doors or disable traps. Look for clues in the environment, such as numbers or symbols associated with each lever or switch. Trial and error, combined with careful observation, is often the key to solving these puzzles.

The Code Entry Puzzle

Some doors may be locked by numerical codes. These codes can usually be found hidden within the lab’s environment, such as on documents, posters, or engraved on walls. Pay close attention to any numbers or symbols you encounter, and try different combinations until you find the correct code.

Reaching the Final Chamber: Confronting the Guardians

After overcoming the environmental challenges and solving the lab puzzles, you will eventually reach the final chamber where the Scarlet Aegis is located. This chamber is typically guarded by one or more powerful enemies.

Identifying the Guardians

The guardians of the Scarlet Aegis can vary, ranging from mutated insects to robotic defenses. Identifying the specific type of enemy is crucial for developing an effective combat strategy. For example, if you encounter armored insects, use weapons that deal piercing damage.

Preparing for Combat

Before engaging the guardians, ensure that you are fully prepared for combat. This includes equipping your best armor and weapons, consuming buffing items like smoothies and meals, and coordinating with your teammates if you are playing in multiplayer mode.

Utilizing Tactical Maneuvers

During the fight, utilize tactical maneuvers to gain an advantage. This includes using cover to avoid enemy attacks, flanking enemies to exploit their weaknesses, and coordinating your attacks with your teammates to maximize damage output.

Claiming the Scarlet Aegis: Securing Your Reward

Once you have defeated the guardians, you can finally claim the Scarlet Aegis. The shield is typically located on a pedestal or within a container in the final chamber.

Locating the Shield

Carefully search the final chamber for the Scarlet Aegis. It may be hidden in a corner or behind some debris. Once you have located the shield, interact with it to add it to your inventory.

Verifying Acquisition

After acquiring the shield, verify that it has been successfully added to your inventory. Check your inventory screen to confirm the presence of the Scarlet Aegis.

Understanding the Shield’s Properties

Once acquired, take the time to understand the shield’s properties and unique perk. The Scarlet Aegis offers a high degree of damage resistance and, more importantly, triggers a team-wide buff when blocking an attack. This buff enhances the damage output of your entire team, making it invaluable in coordinated buggie assaults.

Optimizing the Scarlet Aegis: Enhancing Its Effectiveness

Now that you have acquired the Scarlet Aegis, it’s time to optimize its effectiveness. This involves upgrading the shield and understanding how to best utilize its perk in combat.

Upgrading the Shield

The Scarlet Aegis can be upgraded at a crafting station using various resources found throughout the backyard. Upgrading the shield increases its durability and damage resistance, making it even more effective in combat. Prioritize upgrades that enhance its defensive capabilities.

Mastering the Blocking Technique

To effectively utilize the Scarlet Aegis, you must master the blocking technique. Time your blocks precisely to deflect enemy attacks and trigger the team-wide damage buff. Practice blocking different types of attacks to become proficient at this technique.

Coordinating with Your Team

The Scarlet Aegis’s true potential is realized when coordinated with your team. Communicate with your teammates to coordinate your attacks and take advantage of the damage buff. Assign one player to focus on blocking while the others unleash their attacks.

Strategic Combat Applications: Utilizing the Scarlet Aegis in Different Scenarios

The Scarlet Aegis is a versatile shield that can be utilized in a variety of combat scenarios. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses will allow you to deploy it effectively in different situations.

Against Large Boss Enemies

The Scarlet Aegis is particularly effective against large boss enemies. Its high damage resistance allows you to withstand powerful attacks, while the team-wide damage buff provides a significant boost to your team’s damage output. Use the shield to tank damage while your teammates focus on dealing damage.

In Coordinated Buggie Assaults

The Scarlet Aegis is ideal for coordinated buggie assaults. Equip the shield on the driver of the lead buggie to provide protection and trigger the damage buff for the rest of the team. Coordinate your attacks to maximize the effectiveness of the buff.

In Defensive Positions

The Scarlet Aegis can also be used to establish defensive positions. Position yourself behind cover and use the shield to block enemy attacks while your teammates provide support from a distance. The shield’s high damage resistance will allow you to withstand sustained attacks, while the team-wide damage buff will help you to whittle down enemy forces.

Combining the Scarlet Aegis with the Crimson Avenger: A Synergistic Pairing

As the introduction mentioned, the Crimson Avenger can be a powerful pairing with the Scarlet Aegis, and it’s not just flavor text. The Crimson Avenger is a weapon that increases attack speed after a perfect block.

Location of the Crimson Avenger

To find the Crimson Avenger, head over to the Picnic Table. Be mindful as you traverse to this location because you will have to make your way through a high traffic area for bugs. The Crimson Avenger is located on the Picnic Table under a plate that is on the side that is tilted.

How they work together

The Crimson Avenger is a weapon that increases attack speed after a perfect block. This synergizes incredibly well with the Scarlet Aegis, because now that you have the buff active, you can deal even more damage faster.

Leveraging Milk Molars for Additional Perks: Further Enhancing Your Capabilities

To further enhance your capabilities in Grounded, you can seek out Milk Molars, which are scattered throughout the backyard. Milk Molars can be used to unlock powerful perks that provide additional benefits.

Locating Milk Molars

Milk Molars can be found in various locations throughout the backyard, often hidden in out-of-the-way places. Explore thoroughly and keep an eye out for these valuable items.

Unlocking Powerful Perks

Once you have collected enough Milk Molars, you can use them to unlock powerful perks at a Milk Molar dispenser. These perks can provide a variety of benefits, such as increased health, stamina, or damage resistance. Choose perks that complement your playstyle and enhance your overall effectiveness.

By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully obtain the Scarlet Aegis and utilize it to its full potential. This powerful shield will significantly enhance your survivability and combat effectiveness in Grounded, allowing you to take on even the most challenging creatures and scenarios. Good luck, and happy hunting!