Death Stranding 2: Best Stats To Upgrade

Here is a guide where we break down the best stats to prioritize upgrading in Death Stranding 2 and how you can level them up.

Death Stranding 2: Best Stats To Upgrade
Best Stats To Upgrade in Death Stranding 2 (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Death Stranding 2 features a progression system where you need to consider the best stats to upgrade for Sam Porter Bridges. Each stat improves your efficiency in certain actions. This includes increasing your carrying capacity, weapon mastery, and many more.

As you continue to make progress in the game, you will eventually max out all your stats. With that said, at the start, when your stats are usually low, you need to prioritize leveling up a few of them first. Here is a guide on the best stats to upgrade in Death Stranding 2.

Also Read: Death Stranding 2: Best Backpack Attachments and How You Place It

How To Increase Stats in Death Stranding 2

How To Increase Stats in Death Stranding 2
Improving your stats will allow Sam to do cargo deliveries efficiently. (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)

There are a total of six stats in Death Stranding 2, each with its own method of progression. To level up a specific stat, you’ll need to complete the corresponding tasks tied to that stat.

Carrying Capacity

The Carrying Capacity stat increases your cargo-carrying limit. You upgrade it by stacking as much cargo as you can on a delivery. This is one of the easiest stats to improve, as you will be doing a lot of deliveries throughout the game. You’ll eventually max this out in no time.

Weapon Masteries

The Weapon Masteries stat increases your proficiency in using different kinds of weapons in the game. Yes, this also includes the electric Battle Guitar. You can upgrade this stat by using weapons in combat. It progresses faster if you regularly switch between different weapon types.

Strand Skills

The Strand Skills stat improves your proficiency in stealth tactics. The higher this stat is, the more effective your stealth abilities become. You upgrade it by taking down enemies silently with your strand. Stealth kills are also a good way to conserve ammo, so consider doing them whenever possible.

KO Resistance

With the KO Resistance stat, Sam becomes more resistant to non-lethal melee attacks. This one is a bit tricky to level up, as you need to take enemies head-on with melee combat. You can upgrade this stat naturally by simply centering your balance while out exploring.

Also Read: Death Stranding 2: Should You Play Offline or Online?

Endurance

The higher Endurance Sam has, the longer he can go on a journey without getting tired. It’s pretty handy when going on long trips, allowing you to complete deliveries with less downtime. You can upgrade it by sprinting. If you find a path that’s safe to run around, go ahead and use sprint.

Terrain Traversal

The Terrain Traversal stat allows you to travel dangerous terrains without losing too much stamina. These areas can include steep hills or shallow water. You can upgrade this stat by simply taking the treacherous paths when possible. However, be careful not to put yourself in too much danger.

Lung Capacity

If you want to remain quiet, the Lung Capacity stat helps you do that while sneaking. You can upgrade this stat by simply holding your breath while sneaking up on enemies quietly.

Also Read: Death Stranding 2: How To Secure Cargo

Best Stats To Upgrade in Death Stranding 2

Best Stats To Upgrade in Death Stranding 2
Prioritize upgrading these stats in Death Stranding 2. (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Here are the best stats you can upgrade in Death Stranding 2, in order of importance:

  • Carrying Capacity
  • Endurance
  • Weapon Masteries
  • Terrain Traversal 
  • KO Resistance
  • Lung Capacity
  • Strand Skills

Carrying Capacity is the most important stat to have in the game, as it allows you to carry heavier loads of cargo. Not only that, the higher this stat is, the more efficient you are at balancing cargo on your back without getting tired.

Next is Endurance, so you can reduce Fatigue Accumulation, resulting in longer sprints. This also allows you to be more agile in combat, as you spend less stamina when performing actions.

Weapon Masteries is self-explanatory. You will be engaging in combat most of the time while out exploring. This means you will need to be proficient in using weapons to make quick work of enemies and return to delivering cargo.

Terrain Traversal is important because of the many dangerous paths you need to cross in the game. Your stamina is precious while exploring, as you never know what lies ahead. This means reducing the stamina cost of every action is also a priority.

KO Resistance allows you to take more melee hits before being knocked down. This can be very important if you prefer melee combat rather than going in guns blazing. Additionally, this stat also helps against rubber bullets, reducing their effectiveness when used against you.

As for Lung Capacity and Strand Skills, they are also important. However, you don’t necessarily need to focus on upgrading them as fast as possible. When doing stealth attacks, you’ll eventually upgrade these naturally anyway. Additionally, you won’t be engaging in too much combat, so the Weapon Masteries stat is more than enough to cover most combat encounters in the game.


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