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If you’re new to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach this strange post-apocalyptic world, the game can feel overwhelming at first, but these essential tips will help you navigate the experience smoothly. The game brings back the unique delivery gameplay that made the first game special, but with improved combat, better vehicles, and more complex systems. Here are the key things you need to know to get started on the right foot.
Managing Your Cargo Like a Pro
One of the most important skills in Death Stranding 2 is learning how to handle your cargo properly.
- Quickly Drop All Cargo
Hold down the △ (Triangle) button to instantly drop everything on your back. This is useful when entering combat or needing to go lightweight fast. - Secure High Stacks with Strands
Use the Strand (hold L2) and aim at your cargo to reveal a “Tie Cargo Together” option. Tied cargo stacks won’t scatter easily when you fall. - Quick Access Cargo Management via D-pad
Opening the Cargo Menu with the D-pad allows for quick actions like “Offload All Cargo” “Offload Delivery Cargo Only” , especially helpful before sneaking into enemy bases or boss fights. - Use ‘Auto Arrange’ Feature
After adding cargo, use the “Auto Arrange” button in the Cargo screen to optimize your loadout and avoid imbalance. - Maintain Balance with L2 + R2
When overloaded, Sam becomes unsteady. Holding both L2 and R2 continuously helps maintain balance without constant manual corrections. - Recycle Empty Items
Even if items like blood bags are depleted, return them to facilities when possible—they can be recycled into resources. Weapons out of armor also can be refilled after rest at any facilities.
Fighting Smart from Day One
- Block & Counter with Precision
When unarmed, holding L2 or R2 enters a defensive stance. Blocking and immediately countering deals strong stagger damage. With a Strand equipped (hold L2 + R2), you can counter at the moment of an enemy’s strike for a quick takedown. - Anything Can Be a Weapon
Pick up nearby objects with L2/R2 to wield them as makeshift weapons. Pressing Circle lets you hurl them at enemies—more powerful than a bare-handed punch. - Set a Default Weapon
In your backpack menu, press R3 on a preferred weapon to mark it as your default. This ensures quick access during combat without fumbling through menus. - Use the VR Training Room
Visit the training simulation at any Drawbridge base to hone your skills with specific enemy types, melee timing, firearm recoil, or grenade throws.
Getting Around Efficiently
- Tri-Cruiser
A nimble early-game trike capable of traveling over water and tar. While not ideal for heavy loads, it’s great for short-range missions or quick enemy takedowns. - Pick-up Roader
A fully customizable truck for long-distance heavy deliveries. You can mount up to six components—ideal loadout includes 5 batteries and 1 anti-gravity module for maximum power and fall protection. Add Sticky Cannons and Machine Guns for auto cargo pickup and auto-aimed defense as Arm Components. - DHV Magellan Transport Ship
After connecting to the Chiral Network, unlock this ship for fast travel between bases. It can carry Sam and his vehicle, but cargo sent this way won’t earn a delivery rating. (Pro tip: One trophy requires 30 S-rank deliveries—don’t use DHV for those!) - Zip-lines
Perfect for vertical terrain and mountainous regions. Floating carriers will travel with you, making it ideal for remote delivery spots like “The Inventor”. Additionally, zip-lines can be freely used at Monorail stations without needing to build new anchor points. - Monorail System
High resource cost, but worth it for transporting large cargo or vehicles between hub regions. You can dispatch cargo or vehicles remotely, then deliver them upon arrival. However, keep in mind: you must wait for the previous monorail to arrive before dispatching another.
Dealing with Weather and Hazards
The game’s day and night cycle affects gameplay significantly. BTs (the ghostly enemies) are more active at night, and visibility drops, so try to travel during the day when you’re starting out. Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and avalanches can change your routes, so always check the weather radar before heading out.
Different terrains require different approaches.
- Snow: High slip risk. Prioritize anti-slip boots. Trucks can also equip snow tires.
- Mountains: Use ziplines, climbing anchors, and the climbing exoskeleton.
- Tar Pits: Tri-Cruiser or the late-game Coffin Board is essential.
- Forests: Travel light or use the Tri-Cruiser. Roader trucks struggle in dense woods.
Small Tips That Make a Big Difference
Before starting long journeys, drink energy drinks at bases to boost your stamina by 25%. This extra energy can make the difference between completing a delivery and collapsing halfway through.
When you need to rest and save your game, hold Square to stand and rest. This restores stamina, auto-saves your progress, and creates a small cairn that other players can see and use.
The game features different types of Cryptobiotes that provide various benefits. Regular Cryptobiotes restore blood levels, Electrobiotes recharge battery power and store automatically when your battery is full, Chlorobiotes increase oxygen levels to prevent your endurance from draining during climbs or river crossings, and Chronobiotes speed up your reactions and make the world feel like it’s moving in slow motion.
Pay attention to road signs left by other players – they’re not just decorative. Signs saying “You got this” restore stamina, “Stay Warm” gives temporary cold resistance, and “Don’t let the heat get you down” helps protect against heat damage.
Death Stranding 2 offers much more than simple delivery missions. Every successful delivery and each “Like” you give or receive helps rebuild the broken world and represents the human connections that bind us together. These tips should help you navigate your first hours more smoothly, keeping your balance steady and your deliveries on track. Remember: keep on keeping on, and safe travels to all fellow Porters out there.
