Grounded 2 Suggestion: Fighting Styles

Idea: Add a new category of combat mutations called Fighting Stances, unlockable styles inspired by specific bugs. Each stance slightly alters how players fight and gives unique bonuses. Only one stance can be active at a time.

System Overview

• Fighting Stances are unlocked by:

  1. Collecting gold cards for a group of related bugs

  2. Completing a challenge or ritual (e.g., eating a food, fighting a mini-boss, visiting a location)

• Each stance includes:

  • A passive bonus

  • A special combat trigger

  • A unique attack animation set (can be minimal or visual-only to reduce dev strain)

• New “Stances” tab added under the mutations menu

• Stances are exclusive — only one can be equipped at a time

Example Stances

Spider Stance (rogue/agile style)

• Unlock: Gold cards for Orb Weaver, Wolf Spider, Tarantula

• Ritual: Eat a special spider dish at a web-covered shrine

• Special: On a successful dodge, the next attack triggers a 3-hit combo (like enraged Black Widow)

• Passive: Chance to apply poison on all attacks

• Animation: Low, stabbing, skittering movements

Mantis Stance (fighter/tactical style)

• Unlock: Gold card for Mantis + 1 other mantid

• Ritual: Duel a spirit version of the original Mantis boss in a hidden location in the wall of the park.

• Special: Perfect block chains add stackable bleed. Attacking right after a perfect block triggers a counterattack with a small crit chance

• Passive: Slight crit boost; increased Poison Coating effectiveness

• Animation: Fast, slicing forearm-like strikes

Dev Notes

• Animation needs can be kept minimal at first — reusing or slightly altering existing ones works

• Adds purpose to gold card collection and biome exploration

• Gives players soft class identity without adding gear complexity

• Future styles could include (Bruiser/Tank), Butterfly (Mage), and Something flying for Archer, (maybe just literally kung fu for fist that would be cool)

• Easily balanced since it’s isolated from weapons and armor

Why It Works

• Gives long-term players more depth

• Encourages bug study and full biome exploration

• Fits the theme and tone of Grounded 2’s world

• Can be expanded slowly without major system overhauls
  
  Thank you for reading to the end and considering this idea. I will be posting more suggestions. I love Grounded and Grounded 2, STAY TINY!