Starting your journey in Death Stranding 2? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the world, the cargo system, and those creepy BTs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 10 biggest mistakes beginners make that including wasting resources to ignoring vital upgrades.
Not Planning Your Route Before Every Delivery
Before you go on a mission, always plan your route. Use the map screen to check the land, see the weather, and find out where enemies or BTs might be. This helps you choose the right gear and keeps you safe. Don’t just walk into danger without knowing what’s ahead.
Ignoring Cargo Organization and Equipment Loadout
Not arranging your cargo properly or choosing the wrong tools can slow you down. Use auto-arrange to balance your load and always bring repair spray, PCC units, and blood bags. Try to prioritize lightweight gear.
Skipping Lost Cargo and Chyro Crystals
Always pick up lost cargo, cryo-bites, and chyro crystals. Lost cargo makes people like you more and helps you get cool upgrades. Cryo-bites heal you and give you energy. Chyro crystals are super important for fixing stuff and building roads, and monorails.
Neglecting Standard and Sub Orders
Don’t just rush to complete the main story. Sub-orders (sidequests) give unique items, and standard orders (repeated missions) help build your standing with facilities. These are worth doing.
Not Upgrading Facilities for Early Gear Boosts
Every time you level up a facility (by doing orders), you unlock powerful upgrades like new weapons, skeletons, or backpack parts.
- Lone Commander for weapons
- Dowser for the Boost Skeleton
- Mechanic for vehicle upgrades
Misusing Fast Travel Options
There are three ways to fast travel in Death Stranding 2. Always use the right travel method for the right job, especially when carrying high-value deliveries.
- Beach Jumping: Great for speed, but leaves your cargo behind.
- DHV Mellan: Best option—takes your cargo, but may damage it slightly.
- Monorails: The safest and most efficient for cargo and vehicles.
Not Managing APASS Enhancements & Combat Skills
APASS enhancements boost Sam’s abilities, but they must be equipped actively. Swap them based on your mission (combat, stealth, delivery, etc.).
Also, spend time in low-risk combat areas to level up Sam’s stats, like boosting reload speed, aim, and recoil handling for unavoidable boss fights.
Ignoring Backpack Upgrades & Accessories
Use backpack customization to add helpful gear like battery extenders, cargo extenders, and grenade or ammo pouches. You can also wear special items like the Otter Hood, which helps you swim, or the PCO Hat, which gives you more energy. These things might look small, but they make a big difference
Not Building Roads & Monorails Early
Roads and monorails save massive time. Build roads and rails as soon as possible to cut delivery time and preserve battery life.
Avoiding Off-Network Exploration
Some of the best rewards and secret places are outside the Chyro network. Pick up lost cargo with unfamiliar facility names. Explore places that aren’t marked on the map like mines.