Introduction to the Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is an essential mobility tool in Enshrouded that allows you to traverse large gaps, climb elevated areas, and reach otherwise inaccessible locations. Similar to the Glider, the Grappling Hook is required for progression in many areas of the game, including The Ancient Spire and other important locations.
Why You Need a Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is essential for:
- Required Progression - Some areas cannot be accessed without it
- Vertical Exploration - Climb to elevated platforms
- Gap Crossing - Swing across large distances
- Ancient Spire - Needed to complete the tower
- Hidden Areas - Access secret locations and chests
- Efficient Travel - Faster than walking around obstacles
Important: You will encounter locations marked with “Grappling Hook Required to Cross” - you cannot progress without one.
Grappling Hook Recipe
To craft a Grappling Hook, you need:
- 4x Metal Scrap
- 7x String
- 10x Shrouded Spores
Crafting Station: Workbench
Prerequisite: Crafting a Workbench
Before you can craft the Grappling Hook, you need a Workbench.
Workbench Recipe:
- 3x String
- 8x Wood Logs
How to Build:
- Collect Plant Fiber from bushes
- Craft String from Plant Fiber
- Chop trees for Wood Logs
- Place Workbench at your base
Material Farming Guide
How to Get Metal Scrap
Metal Scrap is an early-game resource found in multiple locations.
Primary Methods:
1. Longkeep Location (Best Early Source)
- Travel to Longkeep
- Break boxes, pots, and containers
- High metal scrap drop rate
- Safe and efficient farming
2. Metal Objects Throughout the World
- Any object with metal components
- Wood walls/fences with metal reinforcing
- Metal objects are reliable source
- Break everything that looks metallic
3. Ancient Vault Enemies
- Enemies found at Ancient Vaults
- Drop Metal Scrap when defeated
- Requires combat but worth the loot
Visual Tips:
- Look for rusty, metallic objects
- Containers often have metal components
- Destroyed structures yield metal
- Check around old ruins and buildings
How to Get String
String is one of the easiest materials to craft.
Recipe: Plant Fiber → String
How to Collect Plant Fiber:
- Find small bushes in grassy areas
- Bushes are everywhere throughout the map
- Harvest by interacting with them
- Each bush gives multiple Plant Fiber
Locations:
- Springlands (starter area)
- Any grassy biome
- Along forest edges
- Meadows and clearings
You’ll Need: At least 7 Plant Fiber to craft 7 String
How to Get Shrouded Spores
Shrouded Spores are dropped by shrouded enemies within the Shroud.
Best Early Farming Location: Longkeep Area
Method:
- Locate Shrouded Areas - Purple fog on the map
- Near Longkeep - Excellent early farming spot
- Enter the Shroud - Bring Shroud Survival Flask if possible
- Defeat Shrouded Enemies - Kill enemies in the fog
- Collect Spores - Loot from enemy corpses
Enemy Types That Drop Spores:
- Shrouded Scavengers
- Corrupted creatures
- Any enemy found within the Shroud
Tips:
- Start with easier shrouded enemies
- Farm near the edge of shroud areas (easier escape)
- Watch your shroud timer
- Bring healing potions
- Farm 10+ spores for Grappling Hook
Safety Advice:
- Don’t overstay your shroud timer
- Fight one enemy at a time initially
- Have an escape route planned
- See our Survive Shroud Guide for detailed tips
Crafting Your Grappling Hook
Once you have all materials:
Step-by-Step:
- Return to your Workbench
- Open crafting menu
- Find Grappling Hook recipe
- Verify materials:
- 4 Metal Scrap ✓
- 7 String ✓
- 10 Shrouded Spores ✓
- Craft the Grappling Hook
Result: Grappling Hook added to your inventory
How to Use the Grappling Hook
Equipping the Grappling Hook
Step 1: Equip
- Open your Inventory (Tab key)
- Locate the Grappling Hook
- Select the item
- Choose “Equip” option
Step 2: Find Grappling Points
- Look for metal hook interaction points
- These are found in elevated areas
- Game will show prompt: “Grappling Hook Required to Cross”
Step 3: Use
- Aim toward the grappling point
- Use item when prompted
- Character will swing/grapple automatically
Where You Can Use It
Grappling Hook works at designated points:
Common Locations:
- Ancient Spire - Multiple floors require it
- High Ledges - Reaching elevated platforms
- Gap Crossings - Swing across chasms
- Metal Hook Points - Look for visual indicators
- Puzzle Areas - Specific progression paths
Visual Indicator: When you approach a grappable area, you’ll see a message and an interaction prompt.
How It Works
Unlike a freeform grappling hook in some games, Enshrouded’s Grappling Hook:
- Works at specific designated points only
- Requires metal hook interaction markers
- Automatic traversal - you don’t manually control the swing
- No durability - unlimited uses once crafted
- Can be used repeatedly without wear
Think of it as: A key to unlock grappling-required areas, rather than a freestyle climbing tool.
Grappling Hook vs Glider
Both are mobility tools with different purposes:
| Feature | Grappling Hook | Glider |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Vertical/Gap crossing | Horizontal gliding |
| Usage | Specific points only | Anywhere in the air |
| Required For | Certain areas (forced) | Optional but helpful |
| Crafting | 4 Scrap, 7 String, 10 Spores | 2 String, 2 Fur, 2 Spores, 8 Shroud Wood |
| Control | Automatic | Player-controlled |
Best Practice: Craft both as early as possible for maximum mobility.
Early Game Progression Path
Optimal Order:
- Craft Workbench (3 String, 8 Wood Logs)
- Farm Materials:
- Metal Scrap from Longkeep
- Plant Fiber for String
- Shrouded Spores from shroud enemies
- Craft Grappling Hook (first)
- Gather Shroud Wood (while farming spores)
- Craft Basic Glider (second)
Timeline: Can be completed in first 2-3 hours of gameplay
When You’ll Need It
Required Locations:
Ancient Spire (Main Quest):
- Second floor requires grappling
- Cannot progress without it
- See our Ancient Spire Quest Guide
Other Towers and Spires:
- Multiple Ancient Spires use grappling mechanics
- Exploration challenges
- Hidden treasure rooms
Secret Areas:
- Many optional content areas
- Hidden chests
- Shortcut routes
Tips for Efficient Use
Exploration Tips:
- Always Keep Equipped - Have it in quick slot
- Look Up - Grappling points are often above you
- Metal Indicators - Watch for metal hook visuals
- Try Everything - Some grappling points are subtle
- Combine with Glider - Grapple up, glide across
Combat Considerations:
- Cannot use in combat - Specific interaction points only
- Safe Areas - Grappling points usually enemy-free
- Escape Route - Sometimes leads to safety
Material Costs are One-Time:
Once crafted, the Grappling Hook:
- Lasts forever
- No repair needed
- No charges/durability
- One-time investment
Common Questions
Do I Need Multiple Grappling Hooks?
No. One Grappling Hook is permanent. You don’t need to craft more.
Can I Grapple Anywhere?
No. Only at designated metal hook interaction points. It’s location-specific, not freeform.
What Happens If I Don’t Have One?
You’ll be blocked from progression. Areas requiring grappling cannot be bypassed without it.
Can I Craft It Later?
Yes, but it’s highly recommended to craft it early. You’ll encounter required areas soon after starting.
Troubleshooting
Can’t Find Metal Scrap?
- Go to Longkeep specifically
- Break every container you see
- Look for metal-reinforced objects
- Farm Ancient Vault enemies
Not Enough Shrouded Spores?
- Enter shroud near Longkeep
- Defeat more shrouded enemies (need 10 total)
- Each enemy drops 1-3 spores typically
- Bring healing and watch timer
Can’t Find Grappling Points?
- Look for “Grappling Hook Required” message
- Check in elevated areas and gaps
- Ancient Spire has obvious ones
- Some are hidden - explore thoroughly
Grappling Hook Not Working?
- Verify it’s equipped (check inventory)
- Must be at a designated grappling point
- Look for metal hook visual indicator
- Not all gaps are grappable
Advanced Strategies
Speed Running:
For fastest Grappling Hook crafting:
- Rush to Longkeep immediately
- Farm 4 Metal Scrap quickly
- Grab Plant Fiber on the way
- Do one shroud run for 10 spores
- Craft at your first workbench
Time: ~15-30 minutes if efficient
Resource Efficiency:
- Farm extra Metal Scrap while at Longkeep (for other crafting)
- Get 20+ Shrouded Spores (you’ll need for Glider too)
- Stockpile Plant Fiber (always useful)
Multiplayer:
- Split farming duties - one person gets scrap, another gets spores
- Share materials - pool resources to craft for everyone
- Craft multiple - each player needs their own
Post-Grappling Hook
After crafting your first Grappling Hook:
Next Steps:
- Complete Ancient Spire - Now accessible
- Craft Glider - Complement your mobility
- Explore Gated Areas - Previously inaccessible locations
- Progress Main Quest - Many objectives now completable
Unlock New Areas:
- High ledges you couldn’t reach
- Gaps you couldn’t cross
- Secret treasure rooms
- Progression-critical towers
Related Tools
After getting your Grappling Hook, consider:
- Basic Glider - Horizontal travel
- Advanced Glider - Better gliding (requires Carpenter)
- Extraordinary Glider - Best gliding (late game)
- Ghost Glider - Special quest reward
See our Gliders Guide for complete glider information.
Conclusion
The Grappling Hook is an essential tool that opens up vertical exploration in Enshrouded. While it requires entering the Shroud to farm Shrouded Spores, it’s a one-time investment that pays off immediately by unlocking critical areas like The Ancient Spire.
Quick Recap:
- Recipe: 4 Metal Scrap, 7 String, 10 Shrouded Spores
- Craft at: Workbench
- Farm Scrap at: Longkeep
- Farm Spores from: Shrouded enemies
- Works at: Designated grappling points only
- Durability: Permanent, no repairs needed
- Priority: Craft as early as possible
Get your Grappling Hook and start exploring the vertical world of Enshrouded!
Related Guides
- How to Unlock All Gliders
- Ancient Spire Quest Guide
- How to Survive in the Shroud
- Beginner’s Guide to Enshrouded
Related Guides
How to Unlock All Gliders in Enshrouded - Complete Guide
Complete guide to unlocking and crafting all gliders in Enshrouded, including Basic Glider, Advanced Glider, Extraordinary Glider, and Ghost Glider with recipes and usage tips.
Beginner's Guide to Enshrouded - Getting Started
Complete beginner's guide for Enshrouded covering essential survival tips, first steps, crafting basics, and everything you need to know to start your adventure.
The Ancient Spire Quest Guide - Complete Walkthrough
Complete walkthrough for The Ancient Spire quest in Enshrouded, including all floors, puzzles, hidden chests, and fast travel point activation.