Sam can increase his skill and proficiency with his stats and weapons in Death Stranding 2, allowing him to show the world why he's a Porter of Legend as he makes his way across the continent to unite humanity with the Chiral Network. Upgrading every stat in Death Stranding 2 is important for survival and skill, so how is it done?
Death Stranding 2: What Do Likes Do?
Give and get a bundle of likes in Death Stranding 2 to keep on keeping on, but what does this cheery thumbs up do for players?
Below is a list of every stat in Death Stranding 2, along with how to upgrade them, and what each upgrade rank does, so that players will know which ones to focus on so that they can create the best Porter possible throughout their journey in Death Stranding 2.
How to Increase Terrain Traversal Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the Terrain Traversal Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Traversal Endurance |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0% |
|
Level 2 |
+10% |
|
Level 3 |
+20% |
|
Level 4 |
+30% |
|
Level 5 |
+40% |
The Terrain Traversal stat improves Sam's total Endurance when traversing through obstacles like slopes and rivers. By upgrading this stat, Sam will have a slower Endurance reduction rate as he travels through water and climbs up steeper gradients. The way to increase Terrain Traversal is simply by walking through rivers and climbing slopes.
How to Increase Carry Capacity Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the Carry Capacity Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Maximum Carrying Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0kg |
|
Level 2 |
+10kg |
|
Level 3 |
+20kg |
|
Level 4 |
+25kg |
|
Level 5 |
+30kg |
The Carrying Capacity stat determines how much cargo Sam can carry before he exceeds his total weight amount, meaning that he cannot walk when overencumbered. This is one of the most important stats to invest in, and players can increase Carrying Capacity for cargo by carrying lots of cargo over long distances.
How to Increase Endurance Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the Endurance Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Fatigue Accumulation |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0% |
|
Level 2 |
-10% |
|
Level 3 |
-20% |
|
Level 4 |
-25% |
|
Level 5 |
-30% |
The Endurance stat measures Sam's fatigue level, which is represented by the gray bar on the Stamina Gauge. The more Sam runs and fights, the more fatigue will accumulate, forcing Sam's Stamina Gauge to drain to its maximum amount, which will only be replenished with rest. The Endurance stat will reduce the total Fatigue obtained, and this can be improved simply by running for long distances.
How to Increase KO Resistance Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the KO Resistance Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
KO Damage Reduction |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
-0% |
|
Level 2 |
-10% |
|
Level 3 |
-20% |
|
Level 4 |
-25% |
|
Level 5 |
-30% |
The KO Resistance stat will help Sam to resist enemy attacks and electric shocks, ensuring that he isn't easily knocked down when carrying cargo, so that he can keep his balance. The KO Damage Reduction stat increase will provide Sam with a greater resilience to enemy attacks, which in turn makes it harder for Sam to get knocked out, so that MULEs and Bandits can steal his cargo. The KO Resistance stat is upgraded by blocking enemy attacks and centering Sam's balance with L2 and R2 when being attacked.
How to Increase Lung Capacity Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the Lung Capacity Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Maximum Lung Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0% |
|
Level 2 |
+10% |
|
Level 3 |
+20% |
|
Level 4 |
+30% |
|
Level 5 |
+40% |
The Lung Capacity stat helps Sam to hold his breath for longer periods of time with his Stamina Gauge, ensuring that he can sneak through BTs and MULEs without them hearing his breathing so that he can safely get past them without a fight, or get close enough for an attack. The more stats players have with Lung Capacity, the longer they will be able to hold their breath. Lung Capacity can be improved by holding Sam's breath, which is achieved by holding the R1 button.
How to Increase Strand Skills Stat in Death Stranding 2
What Does the Strand Skills Stat in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Attack Range |
|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0% |
|
Level 2 |
+10% |
|
Level 3 |
+20% |
|
Level 4 |
+30% |
|
Level 5 |
+40% |
While Sam's better off using Assault Rifles with rubber bullets for enemies, he can use his Strand rope to bind enemies to subdue them with stealth. The Strand rope is Sam's default attack method, and it's used to bind hostiles and can be increased simply by repeatedly binding enemies from behind. Improving this stat will increase the range that the Strand weapon can be used, meaning players will have a stealth weapon that can be used from further away.
How to Increase Mastery Stats in Death Stranding 2
What Do the Mastery Stats in Death Stranding 2 Do?
|
Level |
Reload Speed |
Reticle Sway |
Recoil |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
+0% |
-0% |
-0% |
|
Level 2 |
+10% |
-12.5% |
-12.5% |
|
Level 3 |
+20% |
-25% |
-25% |
|
Level 4 |
+30% |
-37.50% |
-37.50% |
|
Level 5 |
+40% |
-50% |
-50% |
Outside of Sam's stats, there are Mastery Proficiencies that players will want to focus on. Sam's Mastery Stats focus on Sam's arsenal, and each Mastery Stat can be increased simply by defeating enemies with the specific weapons shown above. Each of these weapons has its own upgrade tier that can be upgraded simply by using said weapon against enemies. The stats shown above are the same for Handguns, Assault Rifles, and Machine Guns.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
