Death Stranding 2 takes significant strides in enhancing combat mechanics compared to its predecessor, introducing more dynamic melee actions and varied approaches to engage or evade threats. While the game has occasionally been dismissed as merely a “walking simulator, ”it offers a richly woven experience filled with dangers that compel players to confront challenges directly.
This sequel not only amplifies the combat framework but also expands the arsenal available to players. The game includes a diverse range of innovative weapons that enhance the UCA’s capabilities, providing players with fresh tools to tackle adversaries. Each piece of equipment you choose carries weight and necessitates resources for crafting, making every weapon selective and purposeful. Below, we outline ten essential weapons that you should prioritize on your journey.
Note: Certain weapons, like the Strand and Blood Boomerang, are default inclusions in Sam’s inventory and will not be detailed here.
Warning: This section contains mild story spoilers!
10. Grenade Launcher
With Volatile Reactions
- Acquisition Method: Establish a connection from the F5 East Distribution Center to the Chiral Network in Australia.
For players who enjoy both stealth and explosive tactics, the grenade launcher offers a thrilling option for combat. This weapon is particularly effective against larger threats such as BTs or ghost mechs. Although not as powerful as a rocket launcher, the grenade launcher’s portability and rapid fire rate make it a formidable choice for ranged attacks.
Utilize it to deliver grenades across substantial distances, easily incapacitating most human foes and inflicting substantial damage on stronger enemies. However, the grenade launcher ranks lower on our list; ammo depletion can happen swiftly without delivering commensurate damage to your targets, establishing a tactical challenge to its usage.
9. Maser Handgun
How Shocking
- Acquisition Method: This weapon is available right from the game’s outset.
Despite its compact design, the Maser Handgun is an extraordinary stealth weapon that can eliminate human adversaries in a single shot, regardless of their armor. As a shock-based weapon, it requires a moment to charge, making timing essential in combat.
While early access gives players an advantage when dispatching foes discreetly, its limited effectiveness against ghost mechs and BTs makes it less versatile.
8. Tranq Sniper Rifle
Boom. Headshot.
- Acquisition Method: Connect the Lone Commander to the Chiral Network in Australia and achieve Max Connection Level to obtain the SL version.
The tranq sniper rifle is a highly effective long-range weapon ideal for skilled marksmen. It does require great precision and awareness of projectile travel time, making it a weapon of choice for methodical gameplay.
Firing it can compromise stealth due to its loud report, and its limited ammo capacity necessitates careful aim. Once players attain a higher connection level, they unlock a silenced variant that greatly enhances stealth capabilities, making it possible to dismantle an entire bandit camp from a distance.
7. Battle Guitar
Rock On!
- Acquisition Method: Automatically unlocked at the beginning of Episode 14, titled “Last Stranding.”
The Battle Guitar is not only a quirky weapon but also a highly versatile one, transitioning seamlessly between a ranged firearm and a melee axe. This late-game weapon can discharge lethal rounds as well as electric attacks at the cost of chiral crystals, making it uniquely adaptable.
Its ability to tackle various enemy types—ranging from humans to BTs—combined with the potential for infinite ammo supply via chiral crystals makes it a top-tier weapon for combat enthusiasts.
6. Blood Grenades
Now With Ethically Sourced Non-GMO Vegan Blood
- Acquisition Method: Complete Order 4, “Recover All Chiral Density Gauges Stolen by Bandits”in the early game.
In the original game, blood grenades were crucial for early BT encounters, but their consumption often drained resources. This sequel corrects that, allowing unrestricted use without depleting Sam’s blood supply.
Furthermore, these grenades create lingering blood vapors upon impact, gradually chipping away at the health of BTs such as Watchers, ideal for those who employ patience in their strategies.
5. Multirocket Launcher
Rocket Jumps Not Included
- Acquisition Method: Achieve Connection Level 2 with the Phantom Smith in Australia.
The multirocket launcher is dedicated to obliterating targets with unparalleled efficiency. With several types, including guided and unguided options, it’s an essential tool for demolishing BTs.
Its payload can annihilate smaller BTs like BT Delphis or Octopoid in one shot. However, while effective against BTs, it is less suited for human encounters, as targeting ghost mechs during ambushes can be fraught with difficulty.
4. Silenced Machine Pistol
An Infiltrator’s Best Friend
- Acquisition Method: Connect with Ciudad Nudo del Norde (C1) in Mexico, reaching Connection Level 2 for standard version and Level 3 for the SL version.
As the weapon choices become simpler, their applications grow exponentially. The silenced machine pistol exemplifies the principle that less can often be more.
Its compact design allows it to remain inconspicuous, essential for stealth operations. Boasting a magazine of 17 rounds, it quickly dispatches human adversaries while offering quick-response options in crisis situations.This upgrade in suppression renders it a primary tool for silent eliminations, positioning it as a critical component in any player’s arsenal.
3. Lightweight Machine Gun
Endless Dhaka
- Acquisition Method: Attain Connection Level 2 with Gregory Southall at the Southern Environmental Observatory in Australia.
The lightweight machine gun excels in delivering consistent damage across various enemy factions. Its high ammo capacity allows players to maintain pressure on enemies including bandits, BTs, and ghost mechs without relenting.
Moreover, its surprising accuracy at distance amplifies its effectiveness, making it a versatile choice for sustained engagements. The lightweight variant adds significant ease in maneuverability, enabling seamless transitions between equipment management.
2. Lightweight Shotgun
Get Out Of My Personal Space
- Acquisition Method: Connect with the Musician in Australia to reach Connection Level 2; access the LW Shotgun Lv2 at Level 4.
This shotgun excels in close-quarters combat, delivering extraordinary burst damage capable of incapacitating heavily armored enemies with just a couple of shots. Although both standard and lightweight models exist, the lightweight version notably allows for easier transport without sacrificing effectiveness.
Additionally, it comes equipped with a single-shot grenade launcher at Level 2, offering tactical versatility for taking down tougher opponents.
1. SL-LW Assault Rifle
Simple And Clean
- Acquisition Method: Connect the Data Scientist to the Chiral Network in Australia.
The SL-LW Assault Rifle stands out due to its versatility and ability to evolve throughout gameplay, offering players three distinct variants and a grenade launcher similar to the shotgun’s setup.
The silenced, lightweight version of this weapon is particularly advantageous for discreet engagements.It allows for quick takedowns without alerting nearby enemies while maintaining firepower against formidable foes like ghost mechs and BTs, ensuring it remains a staple in any player’s weapon rotation.
The integrated grenade launcher further enhances its capability, proving useful for dealing with larger targets when necessary.
For comprehensive insights about the game’s arsenal, check out the detailed source here.
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