The Roots biome in PEAK is one of the trickiest areas to survive in. It has a dense jungle layout and spore-producing mushrooms that slowly infect you the longer you linger in contaminated zones. These spores don’t just cloud your vision; they can quietly sabotage your entire run if you’re not careful. Interestingly, there’s even an achievement badge tied to the spore infection in PEAK, called Tread Lightly.
PEAK: How to Find & Try All 5 Types of Shroomberries (Advanced Mycology Badge)
There are five different types of Shroomberries in PEAK. Here’s how you can find them all and claim the Advanced Mycology Badge.
How to Get the Tread Lightly Badge in PEAK
To get the Tread Lightly badge, you need to climb through the Roots biome without letting your spore infection rise above 25%. Spores are a harmful status effect unique to the Roots biome. You can notice spore zones by faint clouds drifting through the air.
Walking through these spore zones causes your infection meter to rise, shown on your stamina bar as a growing spore gauge. The higher the percentage, the more infected you are. Once your spores exceed 25%, you’ll no longer qualify for the Tread Lightly badge, even if you make it to the end of the biome.
First off, if you get bitten by a zombie in PEAK, it’s over for you. You can’t get this achievement because you will be afflicted with spores. Next, avoid running headfirst through dense areas or tight tunnels. Use your camera and movement carefully to spot glowing mushroom clusters before moving ahead. These mushrooms act like spore bombs, which, if triggered, burst and release a toxic cloud that instantly raises your infection level.
If you accidentally get infected, don’t panic. You can reduce spores using healing items. Here’s what you can use:
- The Cure-All is the most reliable option since it cleanses all negative status effects instantly.
- The Antidote heals spores and can be used up to three times.
- The Medicinal Root, a consumable found throughout the Roots biome, can also heal spores. If you cook Medicinal Root, you’ll get extra spore reduction.
- Using the First Aid Kit instantly cures spore infections, completely removing any active Spores affliction.
The Faerie Lantern is another great way to counter spore buildup in the Roots biome. If your spore level starts creeping up, cook the Lantern while it has remaining fuel. This will cause it to explode, restoring about 25 spores in a 3-meter radius.
If you can reach the exit of Roots without ever crossing 25% spores, you’ll unlock the Tread Lightly badge and be rewarded with the Plague Doctor hat and outfit.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- June 16, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Landcrab
- Publisher(s)
- Aggro Crab, Landfall
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Exploration, First-Person
