The Roots biome in PEAK is one of the most challenging areas in the game, filled with toxic mushrooms, airborne spores, and unpredictable enemies. To earn the Tread Lightly Badge, players must climb past the Roots biome without ever exceeding 25% spores on their stamina bar. That might sound easy, but the fungal forest is designed to punish carelessness. This guide walks you through how to plan your route, manage spore exposure, and safely earn the badge.
The Roots area is a massive fungal forest introduced in The Roots Update, featuring bioluminescent mushrooms, drifting spore clouds, and aggressive wildlife. The biome alternates with the Tropics, so it might appear as your second major climb depending on your world generation.
Each environmental hazard in this biome—especially mushroom bombs and spore clouds—can trigger infection buildup that appears as a greenish gauge over your stamina bar. Once it crosses 25%, the badge is void for that run.
What Are Spores and How They Work
Spores are a status effect unique to the Roots biome. When exposed, your stamina bar begins to fill with a green meter representing contamination. The infection can come from multiple sources:
- Airborne spore clouds: Drifting pinkish mist patches that hover between trees.
- Mushroom bombs: Fungal pods that explode when disturbed.
- Zombie or spider encounters: Occasionally spread spores upon contact.
You can accumulate spores gradually, and small amounts aren’t instantly dangerous—but for the Tread Lightly challenge, precision matters.
Safe Climbing Strategy
To earn the badge, you must reach the campfire at the top of the Roots without exceeding the 25% spore limit. Here’s how to plan your climb safely:
1. Plan Your Route Carefully
Stick to solid terrain, tree roots, and rock formations rather than cutting through mushroom clusters. Many explosions are proximity-based, so keep distance from glowing mushrooms or any moving fungal sacs.
2. Watch for Spore Clouds
Avoid the pink mist at all costs. If you see spores floating ahead, wait for wind gusts to blow them aside before proceeding. Moving too quickly can cause accidental contamination that ruins your run.
3. Stay Calm During Encounters
Enemies like fungal zombies and dung beetles can push you into contaminated areas. If you’re forced to fight or flee, retreat toward open air rather than dense fungal zones.
4. Use Environmental Anchors
During high winds, hold onto trees or rock ledges to avoid being pushed into danger. Many players fail the badge because a gust knocks them into a mushroom pit.
Healing and Protection Items
Even if you take some spore damage, the badge allows up to 25% contamination. If your infection rises close to that limit, immediately use one of these items:
| Item | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cure-All | Clears all negative afflictions | Best overall option for emergencies |
| Antidote | Removes poison and spores | Commonly found in the Roots biome |
| Medical Root | Heals minor afflictions | Slower but reliable backup |
| Fortified Milk | Temporarily blocks all incoming damage and effects | Prevents spore gain entirely if timed right |
Pro Tip: Use Fortified Milk just before crossing dense mushroom sections—it grants a brief immunity window ideal for safe traversal.
Managing the 25% Threshold
- Check your stamina bar frequently. The green segment shows spore buildup.
- Once it reaches about 10–15%, heal immediately—don’t wait.
- It’s fine to take minor contamination from unavoidable encounters, as long as it never exceeds the 25% line.
- Completing the climb with 25% or less spores when reaching the Roots campfire will automatically award the Tread Lightly Badge.
How to Stay Under 25% Spores While Climbing Roots
- Solo runs make it easier to control your movement and avoid teammates triggering bombs.
- Tenderfoot difficulty reduces stamina drain, giving more margin to move cautiously.
- Portable stoves and bandages are good for multitasking—heal and prep between safe ledges.
- Avoid temptation: Don’t collect every item along the route; exploration often leads into spore-heavy zones.
The Tread Lightly Badge not only symbolizes your mastery over the game’s most toxic terrain but also unlocks a cosmetic pairing with the Web Security Badge outfit set. It’s one of the trickier single-biome achievements, emphasizing patience, awareness, and resource management. Play Now!
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