Leveling Up Outposts Unlocks Powerful Gear
As you travel deeper into the world of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the gear you have access to directly depends on how much time you invest in building relationships with outposts and preppers. Completing deliveries and increasing star ratings with these locations does more than just improve your rep—it unlocks upgraded equipment and tools.
Rushing through the story without focusing on side deliveries means you'll likely miss some of the best gear upgrades. Many locations reward you with better versions of items once you hit a higher star rating, especially the coveted 5-star level which usually yields top-tier tools or weapons.
Upgrading Gear Through Relationship Progression
Most items you receive from main story missions will be basic level one versions. But there's more available if you return to outposts and continue assisting them. For example, an NPC might hand you a shotgun after your first delivery, but after a few more visits, they'll reward you with an upgraded model featuring higher damage, longer range, and a larger ammo capacity.
To make the most of your equipment, don’t ignore side objectives. Keep visiting facilities you've already been to, especially if you're gunning for that more advanced gear.
Lost Cargo Is Your Shortcut to Progress
Along your delivery routes, you’ll often come across lost cargo lying around. Don’t ignore it. Picking up and turning in lost cargo is one of the easiest ways to build reputation with nearby shelters, outposts, and preppers.
If you aren’t seeing much on your path, use a locker at a nearby location to check for available lost cargo from online porters. Delivering these will not only reward you with likes and reputation increases, but it also benefits other players in your instance.
Understanding the Like System and Why It Matters
The social interaction system from the first game returns in Death Stranding 2, and it's still based around collecting "likes." These aren't just feel-good metrics—they serve as experience points that level up your porter grade, which improves stats like balance, stability, and cargo capacity.
Likes come from two main sources: NPCs (when you complete deliveries) and online porters (when they interact with your structures or signs). Placing useful structures like zip lines, ladders, or generators in thoughtful places can generate a ton of passive likes as others use them.
Giving and Receiving Likes to Help Other Players
If you come across a structure that helped you out, it’s always a good idea to give it some likes. Players receive those in real-time, and that feedback loop encourages more helpful structures throughout the world. When placing your own items, consider spots where others might struggle—like steep inclines or timefall-heavy regions—to maximize their value.
Also, remember that online porters can manually give you likes by mashing the touchpad near your structure, in addition to the automatic ones they earn through usage.
Likes Improve Porter Grade and Unlock Stat Boosts
Every like you receive adds to your overall porter grade, a system that affects multiple aspects of Sam’s abilities. Categories like delivery time, cargo condition, and quantity of packages contribute to your ratings.
Increasing your grade boosts stats that make the game easier: better grip, more stamina, and stronger resistance to falling or damage. In short, chasing likes isn’t just cosmetic—it makes a tangible difference.
Mastering the Strand for Combat and Cargo Security
The Strand might not get much attention in tutorials, but it’s one of the most versatile tools in your kit. In combat, you can use it to counter melee attacks and restrain enemies quietly. But its real unsung use is cargo management.
To prevent cargo from flying off during slips or tumbles, you can use the Strand to tie your gear together. Just remove your backpack, equip the Strand from the D-pad menu, and use it on your cargo. Everything gets bundled more securely, even if it’s in a floating carrier.
How to Tell if You’re Connected to the Chiral Network
While exploring, you’ll often see a glowing red “Q” symbol with an “X” overlay. That means you’re outside the Chiral Network’s coverage. This indicator is crucial because it tells you whether or not you can build structures in that area or see online players’ items.
When you do connect a region, the red icon changes to a blue one with a Wi-Fi-style signal. This lets you know help from others will become visible again—like bridges, warning signs, or shelters.
Why Structure Placement Before Losing Coverage Is Key
Since you can’t build anything outside the network’s range, plan ahead when venturing into new territory. Build key items like timefall shelters, watchtowers, or power generators before you move past network coverage zones.
Getting stuck in the wild with no power for your exoskeleton or cover from rain can mean trouble for you—and your cargo.
Fall Damage Hurts Cargo Even More Than Sam
When Sam falls from a decent height, he may take some damage—but it’s your cargo that suffers most. Packages can become ruined even if Sam seems fine.
To minimize this, you can remove up to two important packages from your backpack and carry them in your hands while descending a tough slope. This gives you more control and reduces the chance of damaging high-priority items. Just be careful—if you fall while doing this, you might drop everything and make the situation worse.
Unlocking the Music Player and Custom Soundtracks
Music adds a big vibe boost to your long treks. Eventually, you’ll get access to a music player, similar to the one from the first game. This time, you can build custom playlists and choose tracks like Don't Be So Serious by Low Roar and Nightmares by Chvrches.
You can control playback through the in-game menu, but if you’re on the move and want to skip a song, just enter compass mode by holding L1, then press R2 to skip tracks. You’ll still need the menu to pause or change playlists, but skipping is now frictionless while walking.
Private Lockers Only Work Locally, So Plan Ahead
Private lockers offer a way to store items you don’t currently need, but there's a key limitation: items stored in a locker stay at that specific facility. So if you stash gear at one outpost and need it later while far away, you’ll have to trek all the way back to retrieve it.
To avoid unnecessary backtracking, try using lockers in places you return to frequently—like the DHV Mellin ship. It serves as a more consistent base of operations compared to scattered remote outposts.
Managing Lockers Through the Facility Menu
To place or retrieve items, open the Facility Storage Menu when interacting with any structure. You can also recycle unwanted gear directly from your private locker. This option is available via the Fabrication and Management Menu, so it’s pretty efficient for clearing space when needed.
If you ever forget where you stored something, head to the map, hover over a location, and press X to see what’s in storage there.
Chiral Network Affects Online Features and Fabrication
Another reason to connect areas to the Chiral Network: you can’t fabricate tools or gear in unconnected zones. That includes essentials like PCCs, climbing anchors, or boots. Without the network, you'll need to bring everything you think you might need with you.
Structures placed outside the network won’t be visible to other players either. If helping others is part of your strategy for getting more likes, always build within network boundaries.
Stamina and Balance Are Tied to Gear and Terrain
While the game doesn't make this entirely obvious, different terrains affect your balance differently—and your gear loadout plays a major role too. Heavy cargo reduces your stamina faster, especially when climbing or running through rivers or snowy areas.
Use power skeletons and stabilizers when tackling challenging terrain to maintain control. The balance mechanic plays a big role in how often you fall, which directly impacts your cargo’s condition.
Floating Carriers Can Double as Sleds
One of the best little-known uses for floating carriers is turning them into sleds for downhill travel. Once detached, hop on, and you can ride it like a makeshift board to speed up long downhill paths. It's a great time-saver and actually pretty fun.
Just make sure you don’t have fragile or critical cargo inside. Sharp turns and collisions will still cause damage to anything stored inside the sled.
Timefall Shelters Prevent More Than Just Rain Damage
You probably know Timefall deteriorates cargo—but the game doesn’t explain that Timefall Shelters also restore the condition of certain materials and gear over time.
If your equipment is starting to wear out, spending a few minutes under a Timefall Shelter can extend its life. It's a small but useful trick, especially when trying to stretch your resources during long missions away from major hubs.
Repair Sprays Work on Cargo in Carriers Too
Repair sprays aren’t just for what’s strapped to your back. You can also use them on items inside floating carriers. Just hold the spray and move the camera to aim at the container—then use it as normal.
This is helpful when you’ve already tied everything down and don’t want to waste time unpacking. It also works well when you’re in enemy territory and need to get back to safety fast.
Zip Lines Remain the Most Efficient Long-Distance Travel
Once unlocked, zip lines become a core part of fast, safe travel. They use very little stamina and avoid terrain hazards altogether. The trick is placing them with smart spacing so that your line network covers the longest possible distance.
Keep an eye on elevation and signal range when setting them up. Once you build a few well-connected routes, they’ll save you tons of time and cargo wear.
Auto-Arrange Is Handy, But Manual Setup Has Advantages
Auto-arranging cargo via the menu works fine most of the time, but if you’re planning to carry something in your hands or float items behind you, doing it manually can be better. You’ll avoid weird placement that affects balance, especially when carrying large or odd-shaped packages.
Organizing cargo manually is also useful when prepping for rough terrain—you can group fragile items in safer spots and put heavier ones lower for better balance.
Read the Glossary for Hidden Tutorials and Recaps
Death Stranding 2 includes a huge glossary, and it's more than just lore dumps. Many mechanics are quietly explained here in greater depth than the brief tooltips you get mid-game. If something seems vague—like how a piece of gear works or how to interact with NPCs—the glossary is often your best source.
It also includes a full recap of the first Death Stranding, so you can catch up on the story if you're feeling lost. Between that and optional text logs, you’ll find a surprising amount of depth that's easy to overlook.
Don’t Rush—Death Stranding 2 Rewards Patience
While there’s a core mission to follow, the game is structured to reward players who take their time. Whether it’s building relationships, setting up zip line networks, or optimizing delivery routes, Death Stranding 2 is designed to be played at your pace.
Pushing through the main story without exploration means missing many of the game’s best mechanics and upgrades. The deeper you dig into side content, the more satisfying your experience becomes.
Conclusion: Maximize Your Journey in Death Stranding 2
There’s a lot Death Stranding 2 doesn’t explain outright, especially when it comes to systems and mechanics that significantly impact your playthrough. From understanding how likes influence progression to using gear like the Strand for more than combat, taking the time to learn these hidden mechanics gives you a major edge.
The more thoughtful your approach—building relationships, managing cargo smartly, and contributing to the online world—the more rewarding the game becomes. So slow down, explore, and experiment. Death Stranding 2 offers more beneath the surface than it initially reveals.
FAQ Section
Q: How do I upgrade gear in Death Stranding 2?
A: Increase your star rating with shelters and preppers to unlock better versions of weapons and tools.
Q: What are likes used for in Death Stranding 2?
A: Likes improve your porter grade, which boosts your stats such as stamina, balance, and cargo capacity.
Q: What does the red QX icon mean?
A: It indicates you're outside the Chiral Network, meaning you can't build structures or see online features.
Q: How do I protect cargo from fall damage?
A: Carry important items in your hands or use the Strand to tie them down and reduce the risk of damage.
Q: Can I skip songs in Death Stranding 2 without pausing?
A: Yes, hold L1 for compass mode and press R2 to skip the current song without opening the music menu.
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