Frostbitten Key Grounded 2 has quickly become one of the most searched items in the game, and for good reason. It unlocks a hidden chest inside the dangerous Ice Cream Cart area and rewards players with rare crafting materials that are extremely useful in the early and mid-game. The key is completely optional, yet missing it means skipping some of the strongest frost-based progress available right now.
This guide explains exactly what the Frostbitten Key is, where to find it, how to survive the freezing environment, and how to use it properly once you have it.
What Is the Frostbitten Key in Grounded 2?
The Frostbitten Key is a special collectible hidden within the Ice Cream Cart region. It is not required to advance the main storyline, but it unlocks a buried chest that contains rare resources used for crafting frost weapons.
Because the Ice Cream Cart is a high-risk area filled with extreme cold and hostile creatures, the Frostbitten Key feels more like a reward for prepared players rather than a simple collectible. Its location is easy to miss, which is why many players walk right past it without realizing what they are skipping.
How to Prepare Before Entering the Ice Cream Cart
Before attempting to get the Frostbitten Key, preparation is essential. The Ice Cream Cart is one of the coldest zones in Grounded 2, and freezing damage builds up quickly.
You should bring freeze-resistant armor, ideally Fuzzy Armor or any set that reduces chill buildup. Blazin’ Brew smoothies are strongly recommended because they temporarily slow freezing effects. Heat-related consumables such as spicy shards also help keep movement speed stable. On top of that, carry plenty of healing items because enemies and environmental damage stack fast in this area.
Entering the Ice Cream Cart unprepared almost always ends in death before reaching the key.
How to Find the Frostbitten Key in Grounded 2
To locate the Frostbitten Key, start by heading to the Ice Cream Cart in the cold southern region of the map. Look near the base of the cart for a small tunnel opening on the southwest side.
Once inside, follow the icy path to the right. You will move through frozen corridors and ice-covered obstacles until you reach a large open chamber. Near the back of this room, you will find the body of an Ominent scientist lying on the ground.
The Frostbitten Key is located beside the corpse. It blends into the icy surroundings, so look carefully before moving on. Picking it up does not trigger any combat or cutscene, which makes it easy to miss if you rush through the area.
How to Use the Key
Getting the key is only half the task. To use it, you need to locate the Frostbitten Chest hidden elsewhere inside the Ice Cream Cart.
After collecting the key, head back toward the upper levels of the cart. Look for a frozen mechanical fan mechanism along the way. You will need a Tier 2 Omni-Hammer to break the ice covering it. Once freed, the fan activates and opens access to a new tunnel.
Follow this tunnel until you reach a snowy area with faint blue glimmers in the ground. Use a Tier 2 Omni-Shovel to dig at this spot. The buried Frostbitten Chest will appear, and you can unlock it using the Frostbitten Key.
Frostbitten Chest Rewards
Inside the Frostbitten Chest, you will find Mint Globs. These are rare crafting materials used to create or duplicate frost-based weapons, including Ice Sickles.
Mint Globs are difficult to obtain elsewhere, which makes this chest one of the most valuable optional discoveries in Grounded 2. Frost weapons crafted using these materials are especially effective against certain enemies and provide a strong advantage in colder regions.
Pro Tips to Grab the Frostbitten Key Safely
Always keep a heat source nearby to slow freezing buildup while exploring. Do not rush through the Ice Cream Cart, as stamina loss combined with cold damage can overwhelm you quickly. If you are playing in multiplayer, assign one player to manage digging and another to watch for enemies to reduce risk.
Leaving the area immediately after unlocking the chest is recommended unless you are fully stocked on healing and buffs.
Why this Key Is Worth Your Time
The Frostbitten Key is one of the smartest optional pickups in Grounded 2. It combines challenging exploration, environmental hazards, and rewarding loot into one satisfying mini-quest. Players who take the time to prepare and carefully navigate the Ice Cream Cart are handsomely rewarded with rare Mint Globs and frost-based weapons that are hard to find anywhere else. If you’re serious about maximizing survival and crafting efficiency in Grounded 2, getting the Frostbitten Key should be at the top of your checklist.
Related Guides: Grounded 2 Sizzling Key: How to Get It and What It Unlocks
