Brittle Whetstone is one of the most essential resources in Grounded 2, allowing players to upgrade their weapons and boost both damage and durability. Early in the game, however, tracking down the materials to craft it can be tricky. This guide will walk you through where to find Brittle Quartzite, how to craft Brittle Whetstone, and the best strategies to farm it efficiently.
Why You Need Brittle Whetstone for Weapon Upgrades
If you want to stand a chance against tougher insects and mini-bosses in Brookhollow Park, you’ll need stronger weapons. Brittle Whetstone is the key material for weapon upgrades at the Smithing Station, and each level of enhancement significantly improves your weapon’s damage and durability.
- Weapon upgrades require Brittle Whetstone
- Each level-up increases damage and durability
- Higher-tier enemies become manageable with upgraded gear
Tip: To craft the Smithing Station itself, you’ll first need to unlock its blueprint from the Snackbar Ranger Station. The recipe requires 1 Brittle Whetstone, 1 Brittle Plating, and 1 Crude Rope. Without this station, you can’t perform any upgrades.
See also: Grounded 2 Red Soldier Ant Eggs: Locations, Retrieval & Buggy Guide
Where to Find Brittle Quartzite Early in the Game
To craft Brittle Whetstone, you’ll first need Brittle Quartzite Shards, which are scattered throughout the park in hard-to-reach caves and anthills.
Best locations to find Brittle Quartzite include:
- Hatchery Anthill – Found during the Investigate Snackbar Anthill mission, this anthill is one of the first reliable sources for Brittle Quartzite.
- Toxic Anthill under the Picnic Table – The best farming spot early in the game. Enter from the east side under the checkered cloth.
- Scorpion Cave (Art of War mission) – Contains both Brittle Quartzite and Marble deposits.
- Entrance Area Tree Base – Shards can appear near the large central tree.
- Flowerbeds and Statue Area – Small deposits spawn in gardens and decorative areas.
Note: Early in the game, you cannot track Quartzite or Marble using the Resource Scanner until after completing the “A Strange Warning” mission. You must rely on careful exploration to find deposits.
See also: Grounded 2 Cold Resistance Guide: How to Resist the Chill and Survive
Tips for exploration:
- Bring torches to navigate dark tunnels.
- Use a Red Ant mount in the Toxic Anthill to avoid being attacked by local ants.
- A Tier 1 Omni-Hammer is enough to break Brittle Quartzite deposits.
- Quartzite can blend with cave walls, so check corners and floors carefully.
Bonus Tip: The Toxic Anthill also contains a Milk Molar, giving you an extra incentive to explore its deeper tunnels.
How to Craft Brittle Whetstone at the Workbench
Once you collect Brittle Quartzite Shards, you can convert them into Brittle Whetstone at a Workbench.
Recipe for Brittle Whetstone:
- 1x Brittle Quartzite Shard → 1x Brittle Whetstone
Later in the game, you can unlock a renewable recipe using the Black Anthill Chip: 1x Sap + 1x Larva Spike → 1x Brittle Whetstone. This is great for sustainable crafting once you exhaust early deposits.
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With enough Whetstones, head to a Smithing Station to upgrade your weapons:
| Upgrade Level | Brittle Whetstones Required | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 0 → 1 | 5 | +10% Damage & Durability |
| 1 → 2 | 10 | +10% Damage & Durability |
| 2 → 3 | 15 | +10% Damage & Durability |
Tier 2 weapons can be upgraded to Level 3, but higher tiers may unlock additional upgrade levels later in the game.
Best Places to Farm Whetstone Materials
If you want to stockpile Brittle Whetstone early on, focus on the Toxic Anthill:
- Enter under the east side of the Picnic Table.
- Venture deep into the stone tunnels where cockroaches appear.
- Break all visible Quartzite deposits and collect shards.
- Exit and re-enter daily to allow resources to respawn.
Combining Quartzite and Marble farming in the same loop saves time, as you will also collect Brittle Plating for armor upgrades.
See also: How to Get Spine Nubs in Grounded 2: Best Locations & Farming Guide
Early-Game Tips to Manage Whetstones and Plating
- Repair before crafting new weapons – Upgraded gear is expensive to maintain early on.
- Combine trips with Marble farming – Brittle Plating is also crucial for armor upgrades.
- Plan your upgrades wisely – Focus on your main weapon first for the best return.
- Use renewable recipes once unlocked to ensure you never run out of upgrade materials.
With these strategies, you’ll never be short on Brittle Whetstones and can tackle Brookhollow Park’s dangers with confidence. Play Now!
