Spine Nubs are a key crafting resource in Grounded 2, used to create and repair the Weaver armor set and other gear like the Bombuckler shield. While they aren’t the rarest material in the game, many players struggle to find them because they come from a source that’s easy to overlook. This guide explains exactly where to find Spine Nubs, how to farm them efficiently, and the safest methods to collect them.
What Are Spine Nubs Used For?
Before you start hunting Caterpillars for Spine Nubs, let’s understand what these rare drops are used for in crafting and progression:
- Weaver Armor Set: Requires multiple Spine Nubs for crafting both chest and leg pieces.
- Bombuckler Shield: A defensive item that uses Nubs as part of its recipe.
- Base Decorations: Some crafting recipes include Spine Nubs for aesthetic builds.
Since you’ll only need a handful to craft a full Weaver set, collecting just a couple of Caterpillar drops is often enough to get started.
See also: Don’t Buy the Wrong Grounded 2 Editions—Read This First
Where to Find Spine Nubs in Grounded 2
Spine Nubs are obtained exclusively by harvesting Caterpillars. These gentle giants don’t fight back, making them an easy source of materials once you reach their location. Caterpillars are completely docile and will not attack, so they’re ideal for beginners looking to farm rare materials.
Key Caterpillar Locations
- Snackbar Outpost Area (Early Game)
- Look for a Caterpillar sitting on a large leaf west of the Ranger Outpost: Snackbar.
- You can climb the nearby woodpile to reach it safely.
- This Caterpillar respawns daily, making it a reliable farming spot.
- Pine Hill Outskirts (Mid Game)
- Found in the western forested areas with dense leaves and tree bark.
- Accessing this zone requires elevation; use a Buggy Mount or stair builds to reach leaves.
- The area contains multiple Caterpillars, allowing faster farming for multiple Nubs.
- Large Tree Roots (Southwestern Map)
- Caterpillars sometimes appear on leaves near the big acorn tree in the southwest.
- Use nearby terrain to climb up or build temporary platforms.
Tip: Their bright green bodies with red and yellow bulbs make Caterpillars easier to spot from higher ground, though they’re nearly invisible from below. Using the Resource Tracker can also help locate Caterpillar spawns, but northern Snackbar spots are less reliable compared to Pine Hill.
How to Reach and Harvest Caterpillars
Simply finding a Caterpillar isn’t always enough—you’ll need a safe approach to reach and collect Spine Nubs:
- Climbing and Jumping: Some leaves are accessible via branches or wooden planks. Move carefully to avoid fall damage.
- Building Stairs: If natural paths are unavailable, craft staircases after unlocking them at a Science Station.
- Buggy Mount Access: Using a mount allows easier navigation to elevated spots, especially in Pine Hill.
Once you reach a Caterpillar, hit it a few times with any melee weapon. They are extremely low in health and will drop Spine Nubs when harvested.
See also: Best Base Spots in Dune Awakening: Early, Mid & Late Game
How to Farm Spine Nubs Fast
If you’re looking to collect Spine Nubs quickly for armor and tools:
- Start at Snackbar Outpost: Farm the daily Caterpillar spawn first.
- Move to Pine Hill for Bulk Farming: Hunt multiple Caterpillars without much resistance.
- Use Respawn Timers: Leave the area or sleep to trigger Caterpillar respawns.
- Optional Route Loop: Snackbar → Pine Hill → Southwest Acorn Tree → Return to Snackbar after respawn. This maximizes Nub collection per in-game day.
Spine Nubs may seem elusive at first, but once you know they drop from Caterpillars on high leaves, collecting them is straightforward. Focus on Snackbar for early farming, expand to Pine Hill for larger hauls, and always bring a plan to reach elevated leaves safely.
With a few Spine Nubs in your inventory, you’ll unlock Weaver Armor, shields, and other helpful gear to survive tougher challenges in Grounded 2. Play Now!
