Grounded: All Mutations [Ultimate Guide]

How Mutations in Grounded work, what they do, how to unlock and upgrade them

By Irfan Ansari October 19, 2022

10 minutes read

Whether you are just starting out or in the late game, you need to know what mutations are to get the most benefits from them. So here’s everything you need to know about Mutations in Grounded. If you want to know the best ones, check out our Tier List on Mutations.

Key Takeaways

Before moving on, check out the complete list of Mutations in Grounded:

Mutation Name	Type	Effects (First Phase, Second Phase, Third Phase)	Requirements (First Phase, Second Phase, Third Phase)
Lil Fists	Unlockable Mutation	Unarmed attack damage plus 25/50/75 percent	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with fists
Chopper	Unlockable Mutation	Lowers target's busting, chopping, and stabbing resistances by 10/15/20 percent	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with an axe
Smasher	Unlockable Mutation	Attack speed decreases by 10/20/30 percent for 30 secs for the targeted enemy	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a hammer
Javelineer	Unlockable Mutation	- Spear attacks deals 50/75/100 percent dmg back to the attacker - Spear throwing dmg increased by 10/20/30 percent	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a spear
Assassin	Unlockable Mutation	- Dagger attacks puts your target in the bleed status effect - Dmg dealt is 30/50/75 for 5 secs	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a dagger
Sharpshooter	Unlockable Mutation	- Bow/Crossbow attacks results in the decrease in stamina by 50/75/100 percent - Duration: 5 secs	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a Bow/Crossbow
Barbarian	Unlockable Mutation	- Enter rage mode when using club attacks - Club dmg increases by 15/20/25 percent	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a club
Blademaster	Unlockable Mutation	- Attacks from a sword reduces the dmg dealt by the targeted enemy	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a sword
Whittle Wizard	Unlockable Mutation	- Mint Staff Attacks: Reduction in movement speed by 10/20/30 percent for 5 secs - Sour Staff Attacks: 2/4/6 increase in stun on attacks - Spicy Staff Attacks: Sets the target on fire and deals 20/50/75 dmg after every 5 secs	Eliminate 40/100/200 Hostile Creatures with a candy stave
Parry Master	Unlockable Mutation	Perfect blocks builds back stamina by 5/10/15 value	Block 20/60/100 times perfectly
Grass Master	Unlockable Mutation	FP/SP: Chopping efficiency plus 25/50 percent TP:- Chopping efficiency plus 100 percent - Replenishes lost stamina	Cut 50/200/500 blades of grass
Rock Cracker	Unlockable Mutation	Mining efficiency plus 25/50/100 percent	Mine 25/75/100 rocks
Ant-nihilator	Unlockable Mutation	FP/SP: Damage plus 25/50 percent against ants TP: - Damage Plus 75 percent against ants - 10 percent increase in damage resistance	Eliminate 50/100/150 Ants
Coup de Grass	Unlockable Mutation	Critical hit damage plus 25/50/75 percent	FP: Reach the 4 Leaf Clover Landmark SP: Roll a 20 on the 20 sided dice in the conclusion of Minotaur Maze
Juicy	Unlockable Mutation	FP: 50 percent thirst	FP: Get your hands on all 5 juice boxes
Natural Explorer	Unlockable Mutation	FP: Sprint Speed plus 3/6/10 percent	Find 20/50/90 Landmarks
Merteen	Unlockable Mutation	- Oxygen time underwater plus 10 percent - Swim speed plus 15 percent	- Uncover 3 Underwater Landmarks
Cardio Fan	Unlockable Mutation	Stamina regen plus 25/50/75 percent	Exhaust your teen 100/250/500 times
Reliable Friend	Unlockable Mutation	Revives friends 25/50/75 percent faster	Revive friends 5/15/30 times
Fresh Defense	Unlockable Mutation	Burn, Sizzle, and Poison Gas Resistance plus 25%/50%/75%	Swallow 1/5/10 Mint Shard
Spicy Safety	Unlockable Mutation	Smashing and Stabbing attacks do 25/50 percent less dmg	FP: Swallow 1 Spicy Shard SP: Swallow 5 Spicy Shard
Mom Genes	Unlockable Mutation	- Poison attack dmg increase by 50 percent - 10 spawn percentage rate of a spiderling	- Eliminate the Hedge Broodmother
Mithridatism	Unlockable Mutation	25/50/75 percent poison damage resistance	Eliminate 1/5/10 wolf spiders
Truffle Tussle	Unlockable Mutation	10 chance percentage of a fungal explosion that deals 75 explosive dmg	- Eliminate the Effect Ladybug located at Haze Labs
Guard Dog	Unlockable Mutation	Factional Raids, MIX Rs, Spicy Coaltana Event, and the Java Matic Event receive 10/25/50 percent increased attack dmg	Finish 1/3/6 MIX.R
Trapper PEEP.R	Unlockable Mutation	Critical hit damage plus 25/50/75 percent	Acquire 1/3/5 Golden Cards
Mantsterious Stranger	Unlockable Mutation	2 percent chance of a mantis spawning and fighting alongside you	- Defeat the Mant
Apex Predator	Unlockable Mutation	- Increased poison dmg with the Club Of Mother Demon or Blaster Of The Moldy Matriach - Increased attack speed with Scythe Of Blossoms - Increased chances of spawning a wasp with Bard's Bow	- Slay the Mantis
Corporate Kickback	Unlockable Mutation	- The attack following a block has a chance to lifesteal	- Eliminate the Director Schmector
Shocking Dismissal	Unlockable Mutation	- After a block, you have a chance to perform an AOE electric shock attack	- Eliminate the Assistant Manager
Meat Shield	Purchasable Mutation	- Adds 30 points to your Max Health	- Requires 3000 Raw Science
Buff Lungs	Purchasable Mutation	- 50 extra stamina points	- Requires 3000 Raw Science - Discover Red Anthill BURG.L Chip
Daredevil	Purchasable Mutation	- 50 percent less fall damage	- Requires 3000 Raw Science - Discover Hedge BURG.L Chip

Lil Fists

Mutation Lil Fist In Grounded — Grounded Lil Fist Mutation – [Image credit: eXputer]

In Grounded you start out with nothing but your wisdom and your fists. You can use your fists to fight with the creatures in your backyard, but it’s not very effective. Lil Fist gives you a fighting chance against the enemy; with Lil Fists mutation activated, you have a chance to deal bonus damage to the bugs and insects you are up against. The effects of Lil Fists stack infinitely, so the longer the fight goes on, the more damage you do.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with fists
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with fists
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with fists

Chopper

When you’re not using your fist, you will like to use a tool or a weapon to give you the upper hand in your duels. One such weapon is the axe, and with the Mutation on, you have a chance at staggering your opponent. Stagger stops the enemy in its tracks and cancels any attack they are preparing to launch. This can be of use when the enemy charging its attack or trying to get away.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with an axe
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with an axe
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with an axe

Smasher

Another tool you can utilize to bash in the skull of your enemies is the hammer. The hammer smashing on their heads sends the enemy into a state of concussion and dazes the enemy. While dazed, the attack speed of the enemy is reduced, so you can just keep smashing away. The ability to daze really comes in handy when facing enemies with a fast attack speed than you, so with Smasher, you can level the playing field.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a hammer
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a hammer
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a hammer

Javelineer

Grounded allows you to throw whatever weapon is currently in your hand, so you can attack enemies from afar but act carefully cause now your weapon is attached to the enemy. One of the best weapons to use for long-range attacks is the spear. With Javelineer Mutationyou can pierce through the enemy’s defense, making them weaker for your next attack, and in return, the spears do more damage.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a spear
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a spear
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a spear

Assassin

If daggers are your preferred weapon of choice, then you’re going to love the Assassin Mutation. With the Assassin Mutation, you become skilled in the knife arts and can inflict pain on your enemies. Assassin Mutation gives your knife attacks to bleed the enemy; the bleed effect is similar to the poison effect cause it damages the target over time. You can use the bleed effect to damage the enemy while you take cover, heal, and get back in the fight.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a dagger
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a dagger
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a dagger

Sharpshooter

Not everyone prefers close combat. Maybe you are a player who likes to snipe enemies from afar. Sharpshooters can aim you in your quest to shoot down your foes and root them to the ground. Rooted targets can no longer move for a short duration, so you can easily get a few shots off without having to aim or run around. Root also helps stop enemies dead in their tracks, giving you an opportunity to gain some distance if you are in low health.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a Bow or Crossbow
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a Bow or Crossbow
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a Bow or Crossbow

Barbarian

Maybe close-range combat is your thing, and you like to get in the enemy’s face and clumber them. Barbarian Mutation allows you to go full caveman on your enemies and enter a fit of rage. While you are enraged, you deal bonus damage, but you have a tougher time blocking attacks with the desynchronized block timing. Rage gives you a chance to take on bigger foes and demolish your targets faster.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a Club
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a Club
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a Club

Blademaster

While using a skillful weapon such as a sword, you lose quite a lot of stamina when doing combo attacks. But do not worry with the Blademaster Mutation each combo attack reduces the stamina cost of the following. Blademaster truly makes you an adequate Swordman and allows you to land combo after combo on your target. With the Mutation activated, you can take on much bigger foes.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a Sword
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a Sword
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a Sword

Whittle Wizard

One of the unique weapons in the game is the Candy Stave and boy does it come with its special perks. With the Whittle Wizard Mutation, your culinary skills reach new limits and you unlock some spicy secrets. There are three types of attacks, Minty, Sour, and Spicy and each of these has a debuff that it can apply to the Enemy.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 40 hostile creatures with a Candy Stave
Second Phase: Eliminate 100 Hostile creatures with a Candy Stave
Third Phase: Eliminate 200 hostile creatures with a Candy Stave

Parry Master

Block is an important part of any duel, blocking the enemy’s attack at the perfect time allows you to stay on your feet without missing a beat. Parry Master Mutation makes your perfect block even stronger by replenishing your stamina. Parry Master allows you to have more stamina for combos and run around. So focus on blocking your enemy’s attack; if the timing is right, you’ll be the better fighter.

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Requirements

First Phase: Block 20 times perfectly
Second Phase: Block 60 times perfectly
Third Phase: Block 100 times perfectly

Grass Master

Grassmaster is still one of the most useful. Cutting grass is a repetitive part of the game and can get boring at times but with the Grass Master Mutation, you don’t need to fear it anymore. Grassmaster allows you to become a skilled gardener increasing your chopping efficiency with each phase and even restoring the stamina lost while performing the act. Making cutting grass a walk in the park.

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Requirements

First Phase: Cut 50 blades of grass
Second Phase: Cut 200 blades of grass
Third Phase: Cut 500 blades of grass

Rock Cracker

Mining rocks is as essential as eating food to progress your objectives in the game. With the Rock Cracker Mutation activated you become an insatiable miner and become a living jackhammer. Rock Cracker gives you an efficiency boost while mining for stone. As you mine those rocks it gets easier and easier to upgrade to the next phase of the mutation.

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Requirements

First Phase: Mine 25 rocks
Second Phase: Mine 75 rocks
Third Phase: Mine 100 rocks

Ant-nihilator

Ants are an annoying threat in the game which you will have to fight and eliminate for your survival. With the Ant-nihilator Mutations a path of destruction is left in your wake and all ants who are foolish enough to face you, feel your wraith. Ant-nihilator, at first, increases damage output against all ants including the Mant, but as you upgrade and reach the Third Phase you also take less damage from ant attacks. You become an ant-killing machine and all ants shall fear you.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminates 50 Ants (Black Ants, Fire Ants, or Red Ants)
Second Phase: Eliminates 1-0 Ants (Black Ants, Fire Ants, or Red Ants)
Third Phase: Eliminates 150 Ants (Black Ants, Fire Ants, or Red Ants)

Coup de Grass

The Coup de Grass Mutation increases your luck and gives you a chase to deal critical hits. Coup de Grass mutation is a little different from others, it has only two phases and these can be unlocked in any order since their requirements are not linear. With Coup de Grass you can deal extra damage to your foes and win more fights.

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Requirements

First Phase: Reach the 4 Leaf Clover Landmark
Second Phase: At the conclusion of the Minotaur Maze, roll a 20 on the 20-sided dice

Juicy

Thirst is a mechanic in the game that requires you to quench your thirst and if you are unable to do so it results in taking damage over time. Juicy allows you to survive without water longer and reduces your thirst 50 percent slower. This can be useful when you are out exploring or on a mission and run out of drinkables.

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Requirements

Find all 5 juice boxes

Natural Explorer

Exploring is a big part of Grounded, you can discover so much and have unique experiences you never imagined in your own backyard. When you stumble upon a new landmark it’s always a great opportunity to find new things. Running around can seem a bit slow at times, but as you find new places you are able to unlock the Natural Explorer Mutation.

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Requirements

First Phase: Find 20 Landmarks
Second Phase: Find 50 Landmarks
Third Phase: Find 90 Landmarks

Merteen

Swimming is a fun part of the game and you can discover a lot of new things when underwater, but it’s a little hard to breathe down there. But the Merteen Mutation is here to help, when activated you will have increased oxygen time underwater and also increased movement speed underwater. Merteen only has 1 phase and is relatively easy to unlock.

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Requirements

Uncover 3 Underwater Landmarks

Cardio Fan

While playing Grounded you will be running around a lot since that’s your primary mode of travel. Sprinting exhausts your stamina bar and you slow down for a few moments until is filled and you can start running again. Cardio Fan mutation helps you adapt better to exhaustion and you can regen your stamina faster. The Mutation has 3 phases allowing you to become a better runner as the game goes on.

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Requirements

First Phase: Exhaust your teen 100 times
Second Phase: Exhaust your teen 250 times
Third Phase: Exhaust your teen 500 times

Reliable Friend

Grounded is a game you can play with your friends as well and a friend in need is a friend indeed. You can use Reliable Friend Mutation to revive your friends fast and get them back in the game. You will want to have a Reliable Friend ready in team fights and if your friend is in low health and might get downed.

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Requirements

First Phase: Revive friends 5 times
Second Phase: Revive friends 15 times
Third Phase: Revive friends 30 times

Fresh Defense

Fights are a common occurrence in the game and you will want to have the best possible defense when fighting foes. Some enemies can burn you or release poison gas that damages you over time. Those effects are dulled by the Fresh Defense Mutation, increasing your resistance to burn and poison gas. You will want to activate the mutation when going up against foes who have poison and burn attacks.

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Requirements

First Phase: Swallow 1 Mint Shard
Second Phase: Swallow 5 Mint Shard
Third Phase: Swallow 10 Mint Shard

Spicy Safety

Similar to the Fresh Defense another great defense to have in your back pocket is the Spicy Safety Mutation. With this Mutation, your skin thickens and you are more durable. You take less damage when stabbed or smashed, which makes you more powerful against certain enemies with those attacks. Spicy Safety also gives you some resistance against explosions and protects you if you get caught in the flames.

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Requirements

First Phase: Swallow 1 Spicy Shard.
Second Phase: Swallow 5 Spicy Shards.

Mom Genes

One of the mechanics that keeps the game interesting is the summoning mechanic, Players have a chance to summon certain creatures with particular Mutations. With Mom Genes, your attacks have a chance to magically summon a spiderling that will fight by your side. Mom Genes can come in handy to distract enemies and get in some hits while the spiderling takes damage for you. Mom Genes Mutation has no upgrades.

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Requirements

Eliminate the Hedge Broodmother

Mithridatism

Grounded has many creatures and some of these creatures like spiders can put a poison debuff on you. Mithridtism gives you bonus resistance to these poison debuffs so you take less damage. With the Mithridatism Mutation, you will have an easier time dealing with foes with poison attacks and the spiders will fear you.

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Requirements

First Phase: Eliminate 1 Wolf Spider
Second Phase: Eliminate 5 Wolf Spiders
Third Phase: Eliminate 10 Wolf Spiders

Truffle Tussle:

Another Mutation that twists your unarmed attacks is the Truffle Tussle. The Truffle Tussle can create an explosion that damages all foes caught in the blast zone. So if you are unarmed and fighting against a hoard of Lawn Mites this helps you out. Truffle Tussle does not have upgrades.

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Requirements

Eliminate the Effect Ladybug located at Haze Labs

Guard Dog

Particular events in Grounded require you to fight hoards of insects and guard a point. It can be slightly hard and terrifying to go up against waves of enemies. But the Guard Dog Mutation comes in clutch and gives you bonus damage to mow down your enemies. Guard Dog Mutation only works during Factional Raids and MIX.Rs.

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Requirements

First Phase: Finish 1 MIX.R
Second Phase: Finish 3 MIX.Rs
Third Phase: Finish 6 MIX.Rs

Trapper PEEP.R

As you continue facing foes each tougher than the last, you need some extra damage. Trapper PEEP.R increase the damage of your critical attack, making them even deadlier. The Mutation has 3 phases and each phase increases the percentage at which your attacks deal damage. Activate Trapper PEEP.R in fights against Foes that have bigger health bars and see them crumble.

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Requirements

First Phase: Acquire 1 Golden Card
Second Phase: Acquire 3 Golden Cards
Third Phase: Acquire 5 Golden Cards

Mantsterious Stranger

One of the strongest summonses in the game is the Mant summon. Your attacks have a chance to summon a Mant that will fight for you for a brief duration before eventually dying. The Mant is one of the bosses in Grounded so it’s an incredible feeling to have a boss fight for you. Now you can take down enemies with a friend until he dies.

Apex Predator

Become the teen of your backyard, after defeating some of the bosses you can craft weapons with the blood and bones of your enemy. But this Mutation Unlocks the weapon’s full powers. Apex Predator increases the poison effect of Club of the Mother Demon and deals bonus damage to all who stand in your way. Not only that but it also gives you bonus attack speed when you are using Scythe of Blossoms so you reap the souls of your enemies faster.

Requirements

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Slay the Mantis

Corporate Kickback

Corporate Kickback Mutation enchants your blocks to gain you the ability to restore some of your lost health on your next attack. The Lifesteal ability lets replenish some of your health allowing you to stay in the battle longer. Those extra health points can come in clutch when both you and the enemy are on low health. The mutation has no upgrades so you can just unlock it once and slay those beasts.

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Requirements

Eliminate the Director Schmector

Shocking Dismissal

The last upgrade you can give your blocks is with the Shocking Dismissal Mutation. When you have Shocking Dismissal activated it gives you the opportunity to convert the following melee attack into an AOE attack. The attack shocks and damage all enemies caught in its radius. Shocking Dismissal has no upgrades similar to Corporate Kickback and using these attacks together can be a dangerous combo.

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Requirements

Eliminate the Assistant Manager

Purchasable Mutation

Unlike unlockable Mutations, purchasable ones can not be unlocked through normal gameplay and require you to save up for them and purchase them. These can not be upgraded and only have one phase. Purchasable mutations change the base stats of the player and provide you with things like extra max health.

Meat Shield

The Meat Shield Mutation gives your teen an extra boost in max health and makes him a human shield. With the max health, you can challenge foes who were giving you a problem and tank hits like a boss. Meat Shield is really important in battle or exploring the backyard and could be the difference between life and death. Whether it is early game, mid-game, or late game, the Meat Shield buff is a must-have in combat.

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Requirements

Requires 3000 Raw Science

Buff Lungs

As previously mentioned, stamina is an important part of the game, and you will need it to play the game as efficiently as possible. Buff lung mutation gives you increased stamina. It is really useful if you play solo and focus on melee-heavy gameplay. Buff Lung is more of a situational Mutation, not one you would want all the time but it has its perks and can be useful.

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Requirements

Requires 3000 Raw Science
Discover Red Anthill BURG.L Chip

Daredevil

The last purchasable Mutation is the Daredevil Mutation. Daredevil Mutation makes the character light as a feather, and in return, the player takes less damage. Not only that, but if a player falls from a height that would most certainly kill them, they are spared and left with one HP. The reason this is not very useful is that falling from heights is quite rare in the game, and you won’t be using it much. But it can still be useful in missions where you are climbing the picnic table or running around your base.

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Requirements

Requires 3000 Raw Science
Discover Hedge BURG.L Chip

Next: How To Repair Tools & Structures

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Lil Fists

Requirements

Chopper

Requirements

Smasher

Requirements

Javelineer

Requirements

Assassin

Requirements

Sharpshooter

Requirements

Barbarian

Requirements

Blademaster

Requirements

Whittle Wizard

Requirements

Parry Master

Requirements

Grass Master

Requirements

Rock Cracker

Requirements

Ant-nihilator

Requirements

Coup de Grass

Requirements

Juicy

Requirements

Natural Explorer

Requirements

Merteen

Requirements

Cardio Fan

Requirements

Reliable Friend

Requirements

Fresh Defense

Requirements

Spicy Safety

Requirements

Mom Genes

Requirements

Mithridatism

Requirements

Truffle Tussle:

Requirements

Guard Dog

Requirements

Trapper PEEP.R

Requirements

Mantsterious Stranger

Apex Predator

Requirements

Corporate Kickback

Requirements

Shocking Dismissal

Requirements

Purchasable Mutation

Meat Shield

Requirements

Buff Lungs

Requirements

Daredevil

Requirements

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