Sam Porter Bridges has successfully reconnected America. Now, at the onset of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, he's got an even bigger task ahead of him: reconnecting far-flung settlements in Mexico, Australia, and beyond. Of course, the journey is long and arduous, filled with threats both human and otherworldly. Fortunately, our Death Stranding 2 guide has several tips to help prepare you for your trek.
20 tips you need to know before you play Death Stranding 2
Our Death Stranding 2 beginner's guide tackles numerous facets about the game. We start with some of the most basic mechanics, such as planning your route and scanning your surroundings. We then discuss enemies, vehicles, and even devastating weather phenomena.
Plan your route before heading out
When you're about to head out, whether on a mission or just part of regular delivery runs, it's a good idea to plan your route carefully to your destination. You can do this by opening the map, then holding the Square button to create a starting point, followed by the end point for your route.
The map shows you not just the potential threats you might face, but also terrain features in a region. Sure, taking a straightforward path to your objective might save you some time, but you might encounter more mishaps if that path is perilous.
Scan your surroundings carefully for loot and hazardous terrain
One of the most important Death Stranding 2 tips to remember is that you should scan the terrain as often as possible. This is done by pressing the L1 button, which causes your Odradek device to ping a wide area around you. Here are some of the more notable tidbits that you should look for:
Chiral Crystals - Collect a bunch of these to make Sam's load lighter.
Cryptobiotes - Restores a bit of blood--i.e. health.
Lost Cargo - These containers can be delivered to settlements to gain their trust.
Resources - Various materials used for crafting and repairs can be found all over the map.
Terrain hazards - Terrain features are color-coded in this manner:
Green - Denotes tall grass that you can hide in if you crouch and your backpack loot isn't full of crates.
Blue - Flat and easily navigable surfaces.
Yellow - Slightly sloped or rocky surfaces.
Red - Steep surfaces that could cause you to stumble or fall if you're not careful.
Manage your inventory properly
Death Stranding 2, much like its predecessor, is all about carrying all sorts of wares and objects from one location to another. You're basically a porter or courier, delivering goods to settlements in the hopes that they would prosper once more. This means you need to properly check your inventory, since you can't carry all the loot around you at all times. Here's the gist:
- Sam has a carry weight limit. Being close to that limit causes encumbrance, making it harder to move or maintain your balance.
- You'll often find yourself shifting your weight to the left or right by holding the L2 or R2 button, respectively.
- Everything from the slightest movement to the most catastrophic fall could cause damage to your cargo.
- You can hold/carry various containers by using different slots--i.e. backpack, pouches, limbs, hands, and the like.
- There's an option to instantly arrange your inventory so that the priority slots are filled with related items, and the rest can be lugged around on your back.
- You may recycle gear pieces that you don't need, which turns them into materials. You may also store these materials/items in facilities so you don't have to bring them with you all the time.
- There are methods that help increase your carry weight/carrying capacity, too.
Do your best to deliver undamaged goods
As mentioned above, mishaps that may occur during your journey can cause damage to your containers. Your cargo can only take so much of a beating until the actual goods inside also get destroyed.
Naturally, it's much better if you can repair crates to make them sturdy again. This is done through various means, including the use of Container Repair Sprays and Timefall Shelters. If you're able to hand over these goods in pristine condition, then the folks in settlements will be more thankful for your effort.
Earn likes and level up your reputation with settlements
Another important Death Stranding 2 tip to remember is that every region has a faction or NPC that controls it. Initially, they just yearn to be connected to the UCA's network, and you're just happy to help by completing their missions.
The tasks that you fulfill, along with other methods, all add to the number of "likes." In turn, likes increase your reputation/connection with these people and their settlements. At certain levels, you'll earn rewards such as:
- New items and gear pieces that can be fabricated/crafted.
- Additional skill points cap.
- Allowance for more buildable structures.
- More materials that you can transfer to your inventory.
Make changes to your skill tree as you wish
Death Stranding 2's skill tree system can be seen in the APAS Enhancements menu, which is unlocked upon reaching Episode 3/Act 3 of the campaign. APAS offers five trees, which are leveled up depending on the actions you undertake as you progress: Porter, Bridge Link, Combat, Stealth, and Servicemanship.
As mentioned earlier, increasing your reputation with settlements also boosts your skill points cap, allowing you to select more perks. Even better, you can freely reallocate these points and fine-tune your build via the APAS menu as long as you're in a zone that's connected to the Chiral Network.
Customize your backpack with different kinds of attachments
You'll be able to customize your backpack early in the game. However, come Episode 3, you'll be given the opportunity to include new attachments. You can craft different kinds, including those that increase carry weight, grant additional ammo, or provide shielding for your crates. However, your backpack has limited space, so you need to carefully consider the attachments that you'd select.
Bring extra tools and PCCs with you
Ideally, you should store most of your loot in a facility to help manage your encumbrance. However, you should still bring some extra tools and gear with you. Here are some examples:
- Weapons - You'll want to have at least a couple of weapons depending on the armament type or the foes that you're about to face.
- PCCs - These contraptions let you create structures, such as generators, bridges, and postboxes.
- Climbing Anchors - These allow you to rappel or climb cliffsides and rocky crags easier, as opposed to potentially stumbling or falling to your doom.
Bring an extra pair of shoes while you're at it
Lest we forget, it's also a good idea to bring at least one extra pair of shoes with you. It can be attached to your boot clip to help with inventory management, too.
The reason for this is that the boots that you have equipped will get damaged due to wear and tear--things get even worse if you're trekking across treacherous terrain. If you lose your equipped shoes and Sam has to roam around barefoot, he'll end up walking slower and his health/blood will gradually be depleted as well.
Scout first before approaching enemy bases
It goes without saying that you should be careful when approaching enemy bases and hideouts. There are a few methods to help you with this task:
- Odradek - The scanner, which is activated by pressing the L1 button, has a motion detector that can sense enemy movement. Hostiles will be highlighted in red.
- Binoculars - You can bring out your binoculars by holding the L1 button. This lets you tag opponents, items, and points of interest.
- Dollman - Later in the game, you'll be joined by a fella named Dollman. You can equip him as a throwable item, then toss him right above an enemy camp. Dollman functions just like a pair of binoculars, though he has a bird's-eye view of the area.
- Watchtowers - If you build a Watchtower structure using a PCC, you can get a bird's eye view of the area. Panning the camera around instantly tags enemies, resources, and containers.
Sneak around or go in guns blazing
You can opt for a stealthy approach or you can go charging into the fray. Here's what you need to do if you want to be sneaky:
- First, look for tall grass that you can hide in and make sure that your backpack loot isn't sticking out.
- You should then press R1 to crouch so you can approach enemies when they have their backs turned.
- Next, hold the R1 button so Sam can hold his breath, which prevents him from making too much noise.
- If you get close enough to a target, press the Circle button to incapacitate them.
- Alternatively, equip a weapon with a suppressor/silencer, which lets you eliminate threats from a distance.
If you want more action or you were too clumsy and you got spotted, then it's time to duke it out with your foes:
- Enemies that have melee weapons--i.e. Electric Rods--can still throw them at you. The polearm then triggers a shocking reverberation that deals damage to Sam and his cargo.
- Enemies with firearms can easily shoot Sam from afar, though most use non-lethal rounds.
- If you get incapacitated by hostiles, you'll reawaken with your loot already stolen. You have to return to the bandit base/hideout to reacquire your goodies.
Be careful when dealing with BTs
Beached Things, also known as BTs, are the most dangerous foes in Death Stranding 2. These are the souls of the damned, left wandering the Earth, eager for a chance at vengeance.
Generally speaking, BT encounters are preceded by a warning effect that (a) slows down time, and (b) makes the screen go dimmer/redder. At this point, you should beware of the otherworldly threats around you. Here are a few tips:
- The Odradek spins around and points at the possible location of BTs, even if you can't see them yet.
- Gazers and Watchers will beeline for you when they see you, often causing tar prints to appear nearby.
- Hunters will drag you and cling onto you if you're stuck in tar.
- Catchers and other gigantic BTs are the most vicious of the bunch. If they manage to grab you, a "voidout" will occur.
- A voidout is a massive explosion that destroys the surrounding area. In normal encounters, Sam will be able to respawn, but you could still see the devastation around you.
Capture unforgettable moments via photo mode
The visuals in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are an absolute treat for fans of action games. That's why we encourage you to make use of photo mode, which can be activated by pressing the left-hand side of the touchpad. You can make changes to the lighting, frames, filters, angles, poses, and even expressions just to get that perfect screenshot.
Related guide: How to use photo mode
Rest and recuperate in private rooms
Larger facilities and bases tend to have private rooms. These offer a variety of functions:
- You'll be able to customize Sam's clothes, cap, shades, and backpack designs.
- You can sleep to pass the time. This fully restores Sam's blood/health and stamina.
- Resting also fully replenishes the ammo reserve of all your guns.
- You can eat food and drink soda. Note that drinking soda increases your maximum stamina by up to 25%.
- Showering allows Sam to wash off all the dirt and heal sunburns. Chiral Crystals may even drop as a result.
- There's a firing range where you should be able to test your weapons.
- The screensaver/wallpaper on the wall can be changed to other pictures. You may even use your photo mode images.
Comfort Lou and keep her in a good mood
Lou, Sam's beloved baby, can be comforted during your adventure. This is done by holding the L1 button and pressing the down button on the D-pad. This causes Sam to hold Lou in his arms--you can then lightly shake the PS5 DualSense controller to lift Lou.
Note that Lou will become distraught if you struggle in combat or if you keep falling while carrying your loot. But if you keep her in a good mood, including long and smooth drives on your vehicle, she'll grant some "likes" as well. Furthermore, Lou's positive mood improves Sam's ability to detect BTs from a distance.
Drive a vehicle to help with your deliveries
Speaking of long and smooth drives, you're going to need a vehicle soon enough. Initially, this comes in the form of the Tri-Cruiser, which can be fabricated in a large facility with a garage. Eventually, though, you'll be able to find vehicles left behind by enemies, and even those abandoned by other players.
You can place cargo in your vehicle, and you don't even have to get out if you just want to pick up some items on the ground. Best of all, even when you're carrying around a lot of stuff, you won't struggle with the weight shifting/balancing mechanic anymore. The only downside is that vehicle batteries need to be recharged periodically. You don't want to run out of juice in the middle of nowhere.
Take a ride on the Monorail and unlock fast travel options
While you can ride vehicles just to get from one area to another, there are other ways to speed up exploration. First, there's the DHV Magellan, a mobile base that follows you around as you complete main missions. Once you've finished Order 12, though, you'll unlock its fast travel function. This basically lets you teleport to places that you've already visited and connected to the Chiral Network.
Similarly, there's the Monorail, which is the best way to transport unbelievably large shipments of resources. You can load it with tons of cargo and even vehicles, so you can funnel materials from one base to another. Soon enough, you'd have multiple lines and hubs available for use.
Related guides:
Be ready to weather storms and other disasters
The world of Death Stranding 2 is full of dangers, and it's as though even Mother Nature is out to get you. All sorts of weather disturbances can happen in various locations, and you have to adapt if you want to survive. Gate Quakes might be brief, but boulders and entire cliffsides can crash down right on top of you. Sandstorms, meanwhile, happen for prolonged periods, and you're likely to get buffeted in all directions. There's even the insidious Timefall, a type of rainfall that corrodes vehicles and metal containers.
Help and engage with other players
Although Death Stranding 2 is primarily a single-player game, the online functionality lets you engage with other players. Here are some examples:
- Every structure that you build using PCCs may appear in the realms/worlds of other players. Everyone can make use of these whenever they're in a bind.
- Players can ask for help if they're having trouble with resources, repairs, or combat.
- You can leave signs to express yourself and delight other people.
- You may have Strand Contracts with other players via the SSS menu. This allows you and a buddy to share more of your resources and structures.
Keep a handy backup save in case of issues
We've saved the best Death Stranding 2 tip for last, and it's something that one could easily forget through hours of playing. Basically, we encourage you to keep a backup save handy just in case you encounter some problems. Here's the gist:
- The game has an autosave system, but this usually triggers when (a) you complete deliveries/missions, (b) you enter a new region, or (c) during major story events.
- What happens in the "in between" tends to be important, such as collecting lost cargo, gathering resources, general exploration, and so on. The autosave doesn't trigger during these moments, so it can be a hassle if you have to reload a save at an earlier point.
- Moreover, there will be times when you'd have mishaps--i.e. you entered an area filled with BTs and you don't have enough ammo/grenades. As such, having a save just prior to arriving at this area might keep you well-prepared.
That does it for our Death Stranding 2 guide. We hope these tips help you make it all the way to the end of your journey.
