Death Stranding 2: On the Beach pushes every porter’s skill to the limit with new terrain challenges, hostile threats, and advanced mechanics like the DHV Magellan and Gate Quakes. These 37 expertly crafted tips will help you deliver safely, survive the toughest encounters, and unlock the game’s deepest secrets.
1. Game Settings and Early Preparation
1.1 How to Choose the Right Difficulty Level
Before starting your journey, choose between Story, Casual, Normal, or Brutal difficulty. Higher difficulties mean tougher enemies, fewer resources, and more punishing terrain. If you’re new, start on Casual or Normal to learn the mechanics without constant frustration. For veterans seeking ultimate challenge and bragging rights, Brutal will test every skill you’ve got.
1.2 How to Auto-Arrange Cargo Efficiently
Press and hold Triangle in the Cargo Management menu to automatically balance your load. This saves time and reduces wobbling during travel. Trying to stack cargo manually like Tetris is slow and error-prone, especially when carrying large or odd-shaped items. Let the game distribute weight for you so you stay upright even on steep slopes.
1.3 Why You Should Check the Corpus Frequently
The Corpus is an in-game encyclopedia that stores every tutorial and lore entry. Whenever you’re unsure how something works—like Gate Quakes or Monorail mechanics—check the Corpus. New entries appear after main story missions or key discoveries, so make it a habit to review it between deliveries. It’s your best in-game help system.
1.4 How to Scan Terrain and Avoid Hazards
Press L1 to activate your Odradek, which scans the surrounding area for cargo, enemies, resources, and terrain dangers. Terrain colors reveal danger: green is safe, blue is gentle slopes, yellow is uneven terrain, and red indicates steep cliffs or deep water. Scanning constantly prevents surprise voidouts, lost cargo, or deadly falls.
Death Stranding’s map can quickly become cluttered with icons. Hold the touchpad and customize filters to show only what you need—like Orders, Structures, or Lost Cargo. This makes route planning simpler and avoids visual overwhelm. For example, filter out all vehicles if you’re traveling on foot through mountains.
You can chose the difficulty for what’s best for you.
2. Cargo and Inventory Management
2.1 Why You Should Carry Spare Boots at All Times
Every step wears down Sam’s Boots, and hiking in worn boots causes blisters, slower movement, and HP loss. Always clip a spare pair to your Boot Clip. Replace boots as soon as they hit yellow durability to avoid dangerous terrain damage. Even in vehicles, some missions require foot travel, so always be prepared.
2.2 How to Adjust APAS Enhancements for Missions
Don’t stick with a single APAS Enhancement setup. Before each big mission, open the APAS menu and reallocate points to match your goal—combat, stealth, or heavy cargo. For instance, equip stealth perks before infiltrating MULE camps, or boost Balance and Weight Capacity for massive delivery runs. Respecs are free, so use them often.
2.3 Why You Should Always Carry a PCC
A single PCC can build life-saving structures like Bridges, Timefall Shelters, or Generators. It’s your Swiss Army knife for emergencies. Carry one even if you’re riding vehicles—you might get stuck without battery power or face unexpected terrain. Just remember, you can’t deploy PCCs outside the Chiral Network until you connect the region first.
2.4 Where to Store Excess Materials Safely
Carrying too many resources slows you down. Whenever you visit a base or Facility, store spare metals, resins, ceramics, and chemicals in the private locker. This frees up weight for future orders. You can always retrieve stored materials later for building roads or structures.
2.5 How to Avoid Timefall Damage to Cargo
Timefall accelerates the deterioration of cargo containers and even Sam’s gear. Plan routes around known Timefall regions using the weather forecast map. If you’re forced through Timefall, move quickly and use Timefall Shelters to wait out the rain. Damaged cargo lowers your delivery rating.
2.6 How to Manage Vehicle Batteries Effectively
Vehicles are powerful but have limited battery life. Avoid boosting too often, and steer clear of deep rivers that can drain energy or damage your ride. Plan your routes around Generators built by you or other players. Running out of power in a BT zone is a recipe for disaster.
2.7 Why Zip Lines Are Essential for Deliveries
Although costly to build, Zip Lines transform your delivery network. They bypass mountains, rivers, and MULE territory, making future routes nearly instant. It’s a huge time-saver for reaching remote Preppers or completing repeated orders for high ranks. Build them as high as possible for maximum range.
2.8 How to Use Ladders to Cross Terrain
Sometimes one ladder just isn’t enough. Carrying two lets you bridge wider gaps, escape deep canyons, or create emergency shortcuts. They’re also useful for crossing strong currents safely. Always slot two into your equipment grid for unexpected terrain challenges.
2.9 Why You Should Recycle Empty Gear
Space and weight are precious. Recycle empty Blood Bags, half-used containers, or broken gear as soon as possible. Keeping junk in your inventory increases your wobble chance and cuts into weight limits. Clean out your pack before big missions.
Carry your cargo and manage your backpack to travel the easier possible.
3. Combat, Stealth, and Enemy Encounters
3.1 How to Use the Strand for Stealth Attacks
The Strand is one of Sam’s best stealth tools. Approach an enemy from behind and press Circle to silently subdue them. In combat, hold R2 to parry enemy melee attacks and bind them quickly. It’s perfect for dealing with MULEs without raising alarms.
3.2 Why You Should Avoid Fighting BTs
Fighting BTs can be dangerous and time-consuming. If you’re low on hematic grenades or blood bags, it’s often smarter to sneak or run. Getting caught by a BT Catcher can cause a Voidout, destroying structures and permanently changing terrain. Weigh the risk before engaging.
3.3 How to Train in VR Missions for Combat Skills
The VR Training Room lets you rehearse combat, stealth, and even specialized deliveries in a safe environment. Use it to test new weapons, learn how parries work, or improve your accuracy with ranged attacks. It’s a free way to sharpen your skills without risking cargo loss.
3.4 How to Fast Travel Using the DHV Magellan
Unlocking the DHV Magellan ship allows you to fast travel between connected facilities. You can even load your vehicle onto it, saving countless hours. However, live cargo—like animals—can’t be transported this way due to potential side effects from Chiral jumps.
3.5 Why You Should Build Monorails for Bulk Transport
As you expand the network, Monorails become critical for moving massive quantities of materials and vehicles. They’re perfect for maintaining road networks or stocking remote facilities. Invest resources into building monorail stations whenever you can.
3.6 How to Find and Deliver Lost Cargo
Picking up Lost Cargo along your routes raises Connection Levels with local facilities. Delivering these items—even if not part of your main order—earns likes, unlocks rewards, and helps expand your network. Keep your Odradek scanning for items dropped by other players.
3.7 How to Detect Gate Quakes and Stay Safe
Gate Quakes are sudden environmental disasters that cause landslides, rockfalls, or sinkholes. They’re new in DS2 and highly dangerous. Your Odradek will often twitch or spin wildly as a warning. When that happens, proceed with extreme caution or reroute entirely.
3.8 Why You Should Carry Spare Weapons
Ambushes from MULEs or terrorists can happen anytime. Always pack at least one Assault Rifle, Electric Baton, or EX Grenade. Stealth is ideal, but sometimes you’ll need firepower to recover stolen cargo or escape tight spots.
3.9 How to Unlock Gear with Connection Levels
Raising Connection Levels with facilities unlocks valuable rewards like Silenced Tranq Sniper Rifles, advanced Skeletons, and Vehicle Mods. Check the Corpus entries for each facility to see what’s waiting for you at higher star ranks.
3.10 Why You Should Rest in Private Rooms
Resting in Private Rooms restores Stamina, Blood, refills your ammo, and charges vehicle batteries. It also keeps Lou happy. Don’t risk fatigue—take advantage of private rooms between long deliveries or after fights with BTs.
3.11 How Lou’s Mood Affects BT Detection
If Lou becomes stressed or frightened, your Odradek’s ability to detect BTs weakens. Comfort Lou by holding L1 and gently shaking your controller. A calm BB means better BT warnings and fewer surprises in dangerous zones.
3.12 How to Spend Memory Points for APAS Enhancements
Memory Points are used to unlock new APAS Enhancements. Pay attention to how you earn them through gameplay: combat, deliveries, stealth. Prioritize upgrades matching your playstyle—whether carrying heavy loads or avoiding conflict entirely.
3.13 Why You Should Create Backup Saves
Autosaves don’t always happen during exploration. Before entering a BT zone or a MULE camp, make a manual save. If things go sideways, you’ll avoid hours of lost progress and ruined cargo.
3.14 Where to Check Facility Rewards
Facilities list potential rewards in their Corpus entries. Before committing to big resource donations or time-consuming orders, check the rewards and target facilities offering the best gear for your style.
3.15 Why You Should Remove Old Map Markers
Old markers clutter your map and Odradek scan results. Keep your HUD clean by removing markers for finished deliveries, reducing distractions and simplifying navigation.
3.16 How to Unlock Hidden Prepper Requests
Some Preppers unlock hidden side quests or rare items if you deliver random Lost Cargo to them. Always check new facilities for unique requests—they’re often the key to special upgrades or hidden lore.
Lou’s mood affects the BT detection, keep her calm.
4. Advanced Survival and Pro-Level Strategies
4.1 How to Recover Stolen Cargo from MULE Camps
If MULEs steal your cargo, it’s stored in their camp. Sneak in quietly with the Electric Baton for silent takedowns, or fight your way through using suppressed firearms. Retrieve your cargo from their post boxes before leaving the area.
4.2 How to Handle Terrain Hazards and Sandstorms
Sandstorms and high winds shift Sam’s load, increasing wobble and risking falls. Hold L2 + R2 to brace against gusts. Avoid Timefall pools, which act like quicksand and can drag Sam under if overloaded.
4.3 How to Upgrade Vehicles with Mods and Weapons
Vehicles can be equipped with Cargo Racks for more storage or fitted with weapons like the Heavy Machine Gun. The Sticky Cannon grabs distant Lost Cargo automatically, reducing time on foot and avoiding risky areas.
4.4 Why You Should Donate Resources to Raise Porter Grade
Donating Chiral Crystals or materials to community projects earns Likes and increases your Porter Grade. A higher grade unlocks perks like better cargo balance, faster climbing, and larger carrying capacity.
4.5 How Timefall Shelters Provide Hidden Benefits
Beyond shielding cargo, Timefall Shelters gently restore Stamina and briefly reduce BT detection range, giving you breathing room when waiting out rain or plotting your next move.
4.6 How VR Missions Unlock New Gear
Clearing challenges in the VR Training Room unlocks unique Weapon Blueprints and raises Sam’s combat proficiency. Visit the VR Room often after major story milestones to stay ahead of enemies.
4.7 How to Optimize APAS Enhancements for Your Playstyle
Adapt your APAS Enhancements to the mission at hand. Equip Stealth perks for infiltration runs, or boost Weight Capacity and Balance for heavy cargo hauls. Frequent respecs keep you efficient across all challenges.
Manage Sam and be the best Porter.
