4 Essential Tips to Master Death Stranding 2 Deliveries

After sweating through my first 20 hours in Death Stranding 2’s sprawling wilderness, I discovered a handful of tricks that would have spared me broken cargo and bruised Sam. Whether you’re hunting down S-ranks or just want fewer faceplants on muddy hills, these four tips will turn you from rookie porter into a delivery pro.

Why These Tips Matter

Death Stranding 2’s terrain is unforgiving and mistakes cost you time, likes and your precious cargo condition. Nail these core strategies and you’ll:

• Avoid wipeouts and injuries from poor weight distribution
• Keep key gear within reach during ambushes
• Cut travel time by planning multi-stop runs
• Preserve delicate packages for top-tier rewards

What You Need Before You Start

• At least one delivered package to unlock backpack systems
• Access to a distribution center for early upgrades
• Your preferred controller or keyboard/mouse setup
• Optional: spare ladder/anchor, repair spray and a Sticky Gun upgrade

Tip 1: Balance Your Cargo Weight

My first mistake was piling boxes sky-high—hello, faceplants in rivers. Keep these steps in mind:

1. In the Cargo Pickup screen, review each item’s size and weight. Use multi-select (Square on PlayStation or Shift on PC) to speed up packing.
2. Watch your weight bar. Yellow or red zones mean you’ll lurch, slow down and risk spills.
3. Decide between backpack travel (stable, slower) and vehicles (faster, noisy, terrain-limited).
4. Distribute heavy items low and close to Sam’s mid-back to maintain a low center of gravity.

Pro tip: If you’re near overload, drop non-essential materials or stash them at a relay point to stay nimble.

Tip 2: Organize Your Backpack Layout

Auto-arrange is convenient but sloppy. Manual layout ensures you can grab ladders or grenades without menu dives.

1. Open Cargo Management > Backpack Layout before launch.
2. Place primary delivery cargo on your back’s core slots.
3. Attach ladders, anchors and exoskeletons to suit rig slots to reduce damage risk.
4. Reserve pouches for consumables like blood bags and grenades—quick access can save your run.

Trust me, no more frantic menu navigation when a BT ambush hits.

Tip 3: Stack Deliveries and Plan Efficient Routes

Running single deliveries is a rookie move. Here’s how to optimize:

1. In the Orders menu, multi-select contracts in the same region (Square/Shift).
2. Check the map for clustered drop-off points to minimize detours.
3. Pick up lost cargo along the way for extra likes—only if weight allows.
4. Use support tools like Sticky Gun on vehicles to grab stray packages automatically.

Bundling jobs will supercharge your progress and free up resources for longer hauls.

Tip 4: Protect Fragile Cargo for S-Rank Rewards

S-ranked deliveries hinge on box AND content condition. Keep these in mind:

1. Move carefully: use L2+R2 to brace yourself on slopes and during sharp turns.
2. Choose gentler routes for delicate packages and avoid BT zones when possible.
3. Slow down and steer clear of obstacles when using vehicles.
4. Take shelter from timefall to prevent rapid container and content damage.
5. Finish each run with a quick repair spray on your worst-hit boxes.

Note: Cosmetic dents aren’t fatal—focus on avoiding falls that harm the contents.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Cargo keeps tipping? Lower overall weight, rebalance manually and stash excess materials.
• Routes too rough? Use the map’s route planner or backtrack to safer paths.
• Gear shortages? Carry spare ladders/anchors in suit slots or grab lost cargo when you can.
• Missed S-rank by box scuffs? Prioritize spray repairs or take alternate, less bumpy routes.

Conclusion: Deliver Like a Pro

Death Stranding 2 can feel brutal until you master these four pillars: balance your load, customize your layout, chain deliveries and safeguard your cargo. Apply these strategies on every run and you’ll unlock better rewards, climb the ranks faster—and actually enjoy the journey across those mud-soaked hills. Good luck out there, porter!