Although many of the items useful for all of Sam’s journeys are obtained during the main missions of Death Stranding 2, players can also pick up other good pieces of equipment by completing the side quests in Hideo Kojima’s new game. One of these options is the tranq sniper rifle, available a short time after reaching Australia, but it's easy to overlook.
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Even though it is ineffective against BTs found in certain parts of the map and works only on human foes, the Sniper Rifle in Death Stranding 2 ranks among the best long-range weapons, granting players a solid advantage. However, unlocking it requires overcoming a few challenges, such as a steep stretch of terrain and a BT Zone, before adding it to Sam’s arsenal.
How to Unlock the Tranq Sniper Rifle in Death Stranding 2
One of the first sites players connect to the Chiral Network in Australia in Death Stranding 2 is the Government Base, and during the conversations there, the Prepper mentions a sub-order for Sam: delivering a Dismantled Rifle to the Lone Commander. Although he notes that it is not a priority, players should accept this side quest and complete it as soon as possible to expand Sam’s load-out.
The outbound path, despite being steep, is relatively straightforward because players only need to avoid falling. Leaving any vehicle behind, preferably on the DHV Magellan to avoid losing it to timefall or other hazards, and covering this stretch on foot is recommended, as Sam handles the route better manually.
However, handing over the Dismantled Rifle to the Lone Commander is not the only step required to finish this mission. Even after receiving the cargo, he states that it is not enough for Sam to connect him to the Chiral Network yet. To reach that level and unlock him as a Prepper, players must complete a subsequent task before gaining access to the sniper rifle in Death Stranding 2.
How to Recover the Mementos from the BT Area in Death Stranding 2
The Lone Commander’s second mission, Recover the Mementos from the BT Area in Death Stranding 2, is also relatively simple but demands a bit of patience from players. If this side quest is tackled early, the chances of having gear strong enough to face the BT encounters are low, so the best approach is to avoid combat.
Fortunately, Sam has several tools that help him steer clear of direct contact with the BTs during these sections, so players should heed the following commands and information provided by the characters:
- Press R1 to make Sam crouch, silencing his movements.
- Hold R1 to hold his breath, making it harder for BTs to detect him.
- The Odradek usually points toward the nearest BT, so pay attention to its direction.
In addition, because the Lone Commander is not connected to the Chiral Network, fabricating items at his base is impossible. Even so, he provides Sam with two Ladders and one Climbing Anchor to make this mission easier, and these items are more than enough for players to recover the lost Mementos from the BT Area.
The Sniper Rifle doesn’t come with a suppressor, so it’s important to stay on the move when using it or throw a distraction, like a smoke grenade, to avoid being spotted by enemies.
After returning to him and completing this second mission, the Lone Commander will finally agree to join the Chiral Network, expanding Sam’s network of Preppers and granting the Tranq Sniper Rifle and the Smoke Grenade to the players’ arsenal in Death Stranding 2.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
