The Ultimate Guide to Death Stranding 2: Tips, Tricks, and Essential Gameplay Advice
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Death Stranding 2 has returned, offering players an even deeper and more engaging experience than the first game. With complex mechanics, unique traversal systems, and intricate combat, newcomers and returning players alike may feel overwhelmed at first. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide covering essential tips, overlooked features, and strategies to make your journey smoother, more efficient, and far more enjoyable.
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1. Mastering Weapon Mechanics
Many players underestimate the depth of Death Stranding 2’s combat system. Weapons aren’t just about firing—most come with multiple firing modes, including semi-automatic, burst, full auto, and even grenade launcher options for upgraded weapons.
A hidden feature is the ability to turn off a weapon’s safety lock, enhancing damage and fire rate. To do this:
- Press Right on the D-pad to open the weapon menu.
- Hold R2 + L2 + Circle.
⚠️ Warning: This mode can be lethal to human enemies. Aim for limbs to knock foes unconscious; headshots could cause a catastrophic void out.
2. Traversal: MonoRails and Zip Lines
Building mono rail lines is a fantastic way to transport cargo efficiently, but did you know you can also use zip lines at active bases? Sam can use zip lines to traverse the world quickly, bypassing tricky terrain.
Pro Tip: Zip lines can now connect to monorail lines, giving you an extra 50 meters of distance for longer connections. Use the vertical option to hop over obstacles and maintain line-of-sight.
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3. Leveling Combat and Firearm Skills
Experience points in combat aren’t only gained through story missions. VR missions let you spawn enemies or run trials, quickly leveling up combat skills. Benefits include:
- Reduced weapon sway
- Increased melee damage
- Extra bonuses across weapon categories
Practicing combat often will make Sam significantly more effective in the field.
4. Prioritizing Gear and Unlocks
Not all gear is created equal. To know which preppers’ next unlocks are worth pursuing:
- Open the Corpus databank.
- Look under People → Prepper.
- Scroll to see the upcoming unlocks.
This helps you focus on gear that actually benefits your playstyle.
5. Inventory Management
Managing cargo can be tricky, but Death Stranding 2 offers several tools:
- Auto-sort: Hold Triangle or Up + Diagonal Right in the menu to optimize load distribution.
- Strand Binding: Equip the strand from the weapon menu to bind cargo together, preventing spills if you topple. Later, autobinding upgrades automate this process.
You can even bind cargo on floating carriers for extra security.
6. Entrusting Cargo to Other Players
When exploring, you may find lost cargo. Instead of delivering it yourself, entrust it to other players via preppers. This allows you to gain connection points and progression while offline.
7. Combat Tips and Tricks
- Parrying with Strand: Hold L2 while timing R2 against melee attacks. This exposes enemies for a follow-up bind with Circle or R2.
- Drop Kicks: Sprint, jump, and press attack for a powerful drop kick—especially effective with exo suits.
- Blood Grenade Combos: Fire bullets through blood clouds to inherit blood damage, maximizing BTS damage.
- Vehicle Combat: Weapons can be fired from vehicles using R1, perfect for taking out guards quickly.
Defensive and offensive options are versatile—experiment with melee combos, bracing, and counterattacks to handle different threats.
8. Stamina, Batteries, and Ammo
- Conserve battery on Sam or vehicles by turning off lights (tap left on the D-pad).
- Out of ammo? Press Down on D-pad while aiming to drop weapons instantly, avoiding slow menu animations.
- Returning to your private room replenishes weapon ammo (except grenades).
- Use Kyle tea in your private room for a 25% stamina bonus.
9. Using Your Private Room Efficiently
- Navigate menus quickly with the D-pad instead of rotating the camera.
- Skip cutscenes by holding X or pressing Start → Skip.
- Resting changes the time of day and sometimes the weather, while auto-saving progress.
10. Traversal Techniques
- Stepping: Hold R2 + L2 and press X to cover difficult terrain. Uses stamina but helps mobility.
- Ladders: Connect ladders to reach high places or wheelie across ladders with the Tri Cruiser.
- Exo Suits: Enhance stepping and mobility, making heavier cargo easier to manage.
11. Managing Hubs and Map Resources
- Click on hubs in the map to check private locker contents.
- Running out of Chairo bandwidth? Hover over unwanted structures and hold Triangle to delete them.
Final Thoughts
Death Stranding 2 is a game rich in mechanics and hidden systems. From combat nuances and cargo management to advanced traversal techniques, these tips will save time, resources, and frustration. Experiment, explore, and don’t hesitate to use tools like the strand, zip lines, and exo suits to their fullest.
If you have your own tips for Death Stranding 2, share them in the comments—let’s all learn together!
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