Developing solid NPC relationships is important in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The stronger you get along with facilities and characters, the more useful tools, weapons, and cosmetics you unlock. This guide breaks down how to get to 5-star connection levels fast and provides strategies for unlocking all items effectively.
What Are Connection Stars?
Every character or facility in Death Stranding 2 possesses a Connection Level, which is indicated by stars from 0 to 5. Raising this level by fulfilling missions and delivering cargo allows for special gear and rewards.
Connection Rewards Breakdown
| Star Level | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| ★★ | Basic tools like Trekking Boots, Sticky Gun |
| ★★★ | Combat gear such as Power Gloves, Bola Gun upgrades |
| ★★★★ | Rare cosmetic items, holograms, and exclusive gear (e.g., SL-LW Tranq Sniper) |
| ★★★★★ | Rare cosmetic items, holograms, and exclusive gear (e.g. SL-LW Tranq Sniper) |
You can track all unlocks by checking Corpus in your terminal, which displays each NPC’s potential rewards and progress.
How to Increase Connection Levels Fast
Prioritize Lost Cargo Deliveries
A quick way to raise connection levels in Death Stranding 2 is through discovering and reclaiming lost cargo. These products, dispersed over the landscape, provide a great increase in likes, most notably the XL-sized containers. A good strategy here is to keep scanning within an area of around 1,000 meters around every facility. Particular regions, like areas close to the Lone Commander or BT zones and MULE camps, are highly likely to contain valuable cargo. It’s not uncommon to collect 12 to 15 crates in a single run, and each delivery can yield up to 2,000 likes.
Entrust Cargo for Passive Progress
Instead of personally delivering every piece of cargo, entrust it to automated porters or deposit it in a facility’s locker. Though taking a little extra time, this also generates almost the same amount of likes as direct delivery. It’s particularly useful when handling huge volumes of cargo within the same region. For online gamers, the process is made even more efficient as cargo can be re-entrusted via Shared Lockers to further increase network likes.
Complete Standard Orders and Aid Requests
Aside from lost cargo, take more Standard Orders and Aid Requests frequently. The missions can be repeated a number of times, even after having completed them for the first time. To gain the most likes possible, take the Premium Delivery alternative whenever it is provided and target the “Legend of Legends” performance rating. Certain places will also ask you to finish certain side missions or timed delivery jobs to get the final connection star. Having an eye on the mail system is useful, as most of these secret tasks are discovered through NPC messages.
Use Efficient Tools and Vehicles
Fast and safe travel is the way to repeat deliveries within less time, which ultimately determines how quickly you can increase connection levels. Utilize cargo trucks for carrying heavy loads and motorcycles to reduce travel time significantly. Use provisioning tools such as Floating Carriers, Sticky Guns, Climbing Gloves, and Ziplines for easier access to items and movement over difficult terrain. Expand infrastructure like roads and bridges around busy areas to minimize the risk of cargo damage and maintain high delivery quality, a key component for maximizing likes.
Optimize Delivery Strategy
If any of the cargo gets destroyed during transport, canceling and reaccepting the order from the start restores its state, guaranteeing a full reward upon its completion. Lastly, also regularly check NPC mail, since some messages trigger special delivery missions or must be completed to progress to the final connection level with some characters.
Must-Have Unlocks by Star Level
Here’s a snapshot of key early-game and mid-game unlockables:
| Facility/NPC | Unlock Level | Key Items |
|---|---|---|
| Bokka (Mexico) | ★★–★★★ | Trekking Boots, Sticky Gun, Patches |
| Lone Commander | ★★★★★ | SL-LW Tranq Sniper, Custom Holograms |
| Aeronautical Engineer | ★★★★ | Floating Sentry, Power Gloves |
| Inventor / Data Scientist | ★★–★★★★ | Otter Hood, Pekora Hat, Boost Skeleton |
| Pizza Chef | ★★★★★ | Exclusive emotes and pizza-themed cosmetics |
Tracking each NPC’s reward list via Corpus ensures you never miss an important unlock.
Final Checklist: How to Reach 5 Stars Efficiently
- Scan and pick up lost cargo around major facilities (XL crates reward additional likes).
- Deposit cargo through porters or lockers for passive delivery advancement.
- Do Standard and Premium Orders, as well as side missions.
- Construct infrastructure and utilize vehicles to conserve time and prevent damage to cargo.
- Watch Corpus and NPC mail to remain current about unlocks and secret requirements.
- Time deliveries to prevent throwing away extra likes.
Conclusion
Achieving 5-star connection levels in Death Stranding 2 is not just about grinding—it’s about being strategic with time, tools, and terrain. Use lost cargo smartly, rely on the network, and maintain constant delivery activity to maximize rewards. With these tactics, you’ll unlock every upgrade, tool, and cosmetic item available, preparing you fully for the deeper mysteries of the Beach.
