To get into the Abyss in Grounded 2, craft basic pond gear, find the Skunk Pond Diving Station, collect all three Aquatic Optical Disks, unlock and craft the full Diving Suit, then return to the deep lab scanner to open the Abyss access door.
The August 11, 2026 Into the Abyss update turns Skunk Pond into a layered underwater progression route, not just a swim to the bottom. The first lab is reachable with basic pond gear, but the actual Abyss gate is locked behind the full three-piece Diving Suit.
Abyss access requirements
| Requirement | Use |
|---|---|
| Clippers | Cut Eelgrass Strand for early pond gear. |
| Gill Tube | Gives enough oxygen for the first Skunk Pond lab route. |
| Fin Flops | Improves swim movement while crossing and descending Skunk Pond. |
| Diving Station lab access | Leads to the first Aquatic Optical Disk and the deeper scanner route. |
| Three Aquatic Optical Disks | Unlock the Diving Helmet, Diving Suit Chestplate, and Diving Boots recipes. |
| About 4,500 Raw Science | Plan around 1,500 Raw Science per suit recipe at the ASL terminal. |
| Full Diving Suit | Passes the deep lab scanner that blocks the Abyss moon pool. |
| Charcoal Torch | Optional light for the dark, cold water before the Diving Station ladder. |
For the early pond kit, analyze Eelgrass Strand to unlock the Gill Tube and a Water Boatman Fin to unlock Fin Flops. The Gill Tube costs 2 Lilypad Wax, 4 Eelgrass Strands, and 2 Silk Rope; Fin Flops use Lilypad Wax, Water Boatman Fins, and Eelgrass Strands.
Key The Clippers come from the Omni Tool lineup, but you still need to unlock them with 1,000 Raw Science, Lilypad Wax, and a Water Boatman Fin before you can harvest Eelgrass Strand in the pond.
How to reach the Diving Station and open the Abyss in Grounded 2
This route starts at Skunk Pond, reaches the hidden lab, then loops through the recipe unlocks before the final scanner opens.
STEP 1/17
Prepare basic pond gear
Unlock the Clippers, then craft the Gill Tube and Fin Flops before going under Skunk Pond.
STEP 2/17
Start at the Diving Station marker
Go to Skunk Pond and use the pond skimmer basket as the surface landmark for the route.
STEP 3/17
Swim to the far lily pad
Cross near the sprinkler or fountain and reach the last lily pad over the deeper water.
STEP 4/17
Drop toward the underwater triangle
Swim straight down toward the layout formed by a lily pad strand, a branch, and a small tube.
STEP 5/17
Push through the dark cold water
Keep descending and use a Charcoal Torch if the water gets too dark to read clearly.
STEP 6/17
Use the Toe Biter as a depth marker
The large Toe Biter appears near the correct route to the station entrance.
STEP 7/17
Climb into the Diving Station
Find the ladder in the station hatch and climb up into the hidden lab.
STEP 8/17
Ride the Pneumatic Transit System
Move through the lab corridors and use the Pneumatic Transit System tube to reach the deeper facility.
STEP 9/17
Check the Abyss scanner
The scanner shows ACCESS DENIED until the Diving Helmet, Diving Suit Chestplate, and Diving Boots are equipped.
STEP 10/17
Pick up the first Aquatic Optical Disk
Take the lab disk from the bench inside the Diving Station.
STEP 11/17
Pick up the second Aquatic Optical Disk
Climb Gnarly Bark to the classroom-like area for the next recipe disk.
STEP 12/17
Pick up the third Aquatic Optical Disk
Climb onto the bridge and collect the disk on top.
STEP 13/17
Buy the suit recipes
Use the three Aquatic Optical Disks at an ASL terminal so the Diving Suit pieces become craftable.
STEP 14/17
Craft the Diving Helmet
Build the helmet after gathering its workbench materials.
STEP 15/17
Craft the Diving Suit Chestplate
Build the chestplate after gathering its workbench materials.
STEP 16/17
Craft the Diving Boots
Build the boots after gathering its workbench materials.
STEP 17/17
Open the Abyss entrance
Equip all three Diving Suit pieces, return to the scanner, open the moon pool, and descend into the Abyss.
Video help
Diving Station entrance landmarks
The entrance line is easy to lose because Skunk Pond gets darker before the metal doorway appears. From the far lily pad, hold the line toward the triangle-like layout below: a lily pad strand, a branch, and a small tube clustered under you.
If you pass the large Toe Biter, you are near the right depth. Watch your oxygen, keep moving downward, and look for the ladder set into the station hatch.
Use the Charcoal Torch for the approach; the scanner checks the Diving Suit, while the torch simply keeps the dark Skunk Pond drop readable.
Deep lab scanner route
The first station room is quiet and empty, so use it as a breather rather than a fight room. Move through the metal corridors, take the ladder cleanly instead of dropping down the shaft, and follow the lab path until the Pneumatic Transit System prompt appears.
The transit tube sends you farther under Skunk Pond. In the deeper facility, red suit lights point toward the scanner; without the full suit equipped, it sends you back to the Aquatic Optical Disk recipe chain.
Aquatic Optical Disk locations
| Optical Disk | Location |
|---|---|
| Aquatic Optical Disk 1 | On a bench inside the Diving Station lab; unlocks the Diving Helmet. |
| Aquatic Optical Disk 2 | Up the Gnarly Bark tree, in a classroom-like area; unlocks the Diving Boots. |
| Aquatic Optical Disk 3 | On top of the bridge; unlocks the Diving Suit Chestplate. |
Each Aquatic Optical Disk unlocks one Diving Suit recipe at an ASL terminal. The three pickups are spread between the lab, Gnarly Bark, and the bridge, so collect all of them before spending your Raw Science.
Diving Station lab disk
The lab disk is the cleanest pickup because it sits in the same place used for the Abyss route. After climbing into the station, check the bench before leaving through the deeper transit route.
Gnarly Bark disk
The Gnarly Bark disk takes more climbing. Work up the tree until you reach the classroom-like space covered in growth, then loot the disk there for the boots recipe.
Bridge disk
The bridge disk is the easiest outdoor pickup. Climb onto the top of the bridge and grab it for the chestplate recipe.
Diving Suit recipes and support builds
| Suit Piece | Materials |
|---|---|
| Diving Helmet | Quartz Glass, Toe Biter Shell, Cattail Fluff, Wax |
| Diving Suit Chestplate | Chrysalis Leather, Quartz Glass, Cattail Fluff, Lint Rope |
| Diving Boots | Chrysalis Leather, Fire Brick, Toe Biter Shell, Wax |
Once the recipes are unlocked, the suit itself is crafted at a workbench. The time sink is the material chain behind Quartz Glass, Fire Brick, Chrysalis Leather, and Toe Biter Shell.
The shared production chain starts under Gnarly Bark, where purple crystal clusters give Phantom Quartz Shard. Bring around 14 Phantom Quartz Shards for the full suit-and-station chain, then use a Quern to grind them and a Kiln to make Quartz Glass.
To unlock the Kiln blueprint, cut Horsetails with tier 2 Clippers and analyze Horsetail Stem. If the stations are not built yet, the Quern uses 4 Sturdy Quartzite Shards, 2 Lint Rope, 2 Pinecone Pieces, and 3 Striped Scorpion Chunks; the Oven uses 10 Clay, 4 EverChar Coal Chunk, and 4 Boiling Gland; and the Kiln uses 3 Fire Brick, 5 Green Shield Bug Parts, 3 Rust, and 3 Horsetail Stem.
For Fire Brick, combine the grinder output with Clay inside the Oven; the boots need 2 Fire Bricks, and one Oven recipe makes 4. Chrysalis Leather comes from harvesting Chrysalis and drying it, Toe Biter Shell comes from regular nymph Toe Biters, Cattail Fluff is easy to grab at the pond skimmer basket, and Wax is found on lily pads.
Farm Toe Biter nymphs under the bridge while collecting the bridge disk; that route can cover the disk and the Toe Biter Shells in the same trip.
Open the Abyss moon pool
When all three pieces are crafted, put on the Diving Helmet, Diving Suit Chestplate, and Diving Boots before touching the deep lab scanner. Return through the Pneumatic Transit System, interact with the scanner, and the moon pool door opens for the descent into the Abyss.
First Abyss descent prep
The Abyss is the deepest and coldest part of Skunk Pond, with limited visibility and a much harsher threat curve than the route to the lab. Treat the first descent as a scouting run: preserve oxygen, keep your sight lines clear, and leave enough stamina to retreat.
Some underwater base spaces remain filled with water, so use bubble diffuser points to refill oxygen instead of assuming every lab area is dry. Bring upgraded gear and a combat loadout you are comfortable using underwater, because the suit opens the door; it does not clear out the Toe Biters, Catch ‘N Kill robots, or Diving Bell Spider threats waiting below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you enter the Abyss without the full Diving Suit?
No. The scanner requires the Diving Helmet, Diving Suit Chestplate, and Diving Boots to be equipped before it opens the moon pool.
Where do you find Phantom Quartz Shards?
Phantom Quartz Shards are found underneath Gnarly Bark, around the purple crystal clusters. Process them through the Quern and related crafting stations for the suit chain.
Is the Toe Biter Buggy required to get into the Abyss?
No. The Toe Biter Buggy is an amphibious travel helper, but Abyss access is gated by the Diving Suit and the deep lab scanner.
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