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Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is all about exploration, and there’s a lot to explore. However, constant travel can get dull without a bit of excitement, which is where natural disasters come into play.
Natural disasters are impossible to overlook and turn even the most familiar routes into unpredictable challenges. Understanding how these disasters happen and their impacts can help you navigate them, as there’s no way to completely prevent them.
How Do Natural Disasters Happen?
In the game, natural disasters, as the name suggests, are neither controllable by Sam nor anyone else. They happen randomly, with some exceptions for certain set events. This unpredictability means you must adapt as you go along.
That said, you can prepare yourself somewhat. For instance, Plate Quakes can be particularly destructive if you’re carrying a heavy load, so having a vehicle or a Floating Carrier on standby can help distribute the weight more evenly. Always keep some Container Repair Spray for Timefall, and pack Ladders and Climbing Anchors in case of flooding.
While storms and quakes are mostly random, flooding typically results from other natural events. After a heavy period of Timefall, rivers might overflow based on where and when the rain occurred, so checking the weather can give you a heads-up on potential flooding areas.
Plate Quakes can also cause rivers to overflow, but since predicting a quake is nearly impossible, you won’t be able to anticipate which rivers will flood afterward. Because of this, it’s wise to be as prepared as you can be.
Types of Natural Disasters
There are several natural disasters you may encounter in the game. Though the list isn’t extensive, each disaster offers unique challenges based on its strength and location.
| Natural Disaster | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Plate Quakes | Cause shaking that can knock over small items, dislodge boulders, trigger tar currents, and lead to avalanches. |
| Flooding | Widen rivers and flood other low areas, also making surrounding land slippery. |
| Wildfires | Create ongoing fires in wooded areas and can drop flaming comets from the sky. |
| Storms | Include sandstorms, electric storms, or blizzards, all of which reduce visibility and can damage cargo. |
Storms can vary significantly based on the environment, while Plate Quakes affect areas differently depending on local conditions.
How to Survive Each Natural Disaster
Each type of natural disaster in the game comes with its own challenges. Here’s how to handle each one.
Plate Quakes
Generally, you’ll receive a brief warning before a Plate Quake strikes. These quakes vary in impact based on where you are and their intensity, rated by a scale called Q-Ranks. A higher Q-Rank indicates a stronger quake.
Plate Quakes can also harm structures within their range, and there’s no way to shield against this damage.
If you’re on flat land, Plate Quakes are relatively safe. You may feel some shaking, requiring you to maintain your balance, but if you’re in a vehicle, especially an off-roader, you should be safe.
However, when you’re near hills or mountains, be cautious—boulders may fall, which could injure Sam or damage his cargo. Patience is key; sometimes it’s best to wait out the quake rather than rush ahead.
In snowy mountainous areas, Plate Quakes can trigger avalanches, which become stronger as they descend. Avoiding populated areas during quakes is critical to staying safe.
Flooding
Flooding is the most common disaster you’ll face, often set off by other natural events. When flooding occurs, rivers become much wider, making ladders and bridges less effective. Low-lying areas previously safe for walking may become inaccessible.
When a flood is imminent, the map will show the affected river highlighted in orange. Flooding is a gradual process, starting slowly and sometimes allowing you to finish deliveries before it becomes severe.
To handle flooding effectively, avoid the bodies of water whenever possible. Flooded rivers are more turbulent, draining stamina much faster than regular ones. A Climbing Anchor can help prevent being swept away if a ladder isn’t sufficient.
Wildfires
Although wildfires are rarer, they can be incredibly challenging to manage. They occur in dense forest areas and can produce ‘Chiral Comets’—meteors that exacerbate the spread of fire.
If caught in a wildfire, immediately create an escape route. Do not attempt to collect cargo, as you risk getting trapped by the flames. Vehicles are also vulnerable to fire; Sam jumps out if they catch fire.
Tar Cannons can help suppress fires, but only use them when absolutely necessary. Running from a wildfire is often the safest option as it will spread faster than you can extinguish it.
Storms
Storms vary greatly and include sandstorms, lightning storms, and blizzards. All of them are characterized by strong winds, but each has its particular challenges.
Sandstorms are your first experience with storms; they produce fierce winds that push Sam but can be navigated by taking shelter behind buildings. Visibility becomes severely reduced, so it’s better to rely on markers than sight.
Lightning storms typically occur during heavy Timefall. Though they won’t drastically reduce visibility like sandstorms, they do bring lightning strikes. The safest course is to stay mobile or seek shelter.
Blizzards resemble sandstorms in that they dramatically cut visibility and feature intense winds, but they also include snowy conditions that can harm your cargo. When caught in the mountains, shelter is your best defense.
Understanding these disasters in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is crucial for navigating the game’s dynamic world, allowing you to deliver cargo successfully while facing unexpected challenges.
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