Traversing the vast Australian landscape in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has been nothing short of a revelation. While the journey itself presents its own challenges, it's the unpredictable natural disasters that truly test my mettle as a porter. These aren't just minor inconveniences – they're game-changing events that transform familiar paths into treacherous obstacles, forcing me to adapt or perish.
As I've logged hundreds of hours delivering packages across this fractured world, I've come to understand that these disasters aren't merely random annoyances but integral parts of the game's ecosystem. They occur constantly, mostly at random, though some encounters are predetermined. This unpredictability means I can never fully plan around them, but I've learned that preparation is still half the battle.
The Four Horsemen of the Porter's Apocalypse
Death Stranding 2 features four distinct types of natural disasters, each presenting unique challenges:
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Plate Quakes - These seismic events shake the ground, knocking me over if I'm carrying too much, dislodging boulders from cliffs, triggering tar eruptions, and causing devastating avalanches in mountainous regions.
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Flooding - Rivers swell beyond their banks, low-lying areas become submerged, and surrounding terrain turns treacherously slippery, even after the waters recede.
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Wildfires - These rare but deadly events consume wooded areas while summoning flaming "Chiral Comets" from the sky, creating an apocalyptic hellscape.
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Storms - Coming in various forms (sandstorms, lightning storms, blizzards), these reduce visibility, push me with powerful winds, accelerate cargo deterioration, and can strike me with lightning.
How Do These Disasters Actually Happen?
The mechanics behind these events fascinate me. While most occur randomly, I've noticed patterns that help me anticipate trouble.
Flooding, for instance, often results directly from other events. A heavy period of Timefall frequently causes rivers to overflow, and this happens regionally based on precipitation patterns. I've found that checking the weather forecast gives me a rough idea of where flooding might occur next. Plate Quakes also tend to cause rivers to flood, creating a cascading effect of natural hazards.
What's the Best Way to Survive a Plate Quake?
When my Odradek starts flashing and I feel that first tremor, I know I have just seconds to prepare. Plate Quakes are measured on a Q-Rank scale – the higher the number, the more violent the quake.
I've learned that flat ground is relatively safe during quakes. I simply need to stand still and center my balance. Vehicles provide excellent protection, with the Pickup Off-Roader offering superior stability.
However, near hills or mountains, I'm constantly scanning for loose boulders that could come crashing down. In these scenarios, patience trumps progress – I'd rather wait out a quake than risk my cargo and life.
The snowy mountains present the greatest danger during quakes. Massive avalanches cascade downward, gaining momentum as they travel. My strategy is simple: avoid uneven terrain where an avalanche could sweep me away, and if I see one coming, I run perpendicular to its path.
People Also Ask: Can You Predict Natural Disasters in Death Stranding 2?
While most natural disasters occur randomly, there are some warning signs. Plate Quakes give a brief warning before they hit, flooding is often indicated on the map with orange highlights, and storms typically build gradually. Wildfires are the least predictable, often starting without warning in densely wooded areas.
Navigating the Rising Waters
Floods have become my most frequent adversary since the game's 2025 release. They're particularly insidious because they're often triggered by other disasters. When flooding occurs, existing rivers widen dramatically, rendering my carefully placed ladders and bridges ineffective.
What's worse is that previously dry lowlands can suddenly become submerged, forcing me to dramatically alter my route. The surrounding terrain also becomes slick with moisture, making it easy to lose footing even after the waters recede.
I've developed a habit of checking my map regularly for orange river highlights – the universal warning sign for impending floods. This advance notice allows me to adjust my route or prepare appropriate equipment.
One crucial insight I've gained is that flooding occurs gradually. If I'm lucky enough to catch the early stages, I can sometimes complete my delivery before conditions deteriorate. Similarly, floodwaters recede slowly, so timing my journey can make all the difference.
When I absolutely must cross flooded waters, I've found that they drain stamina much faster than normal rivers and pull me more forcefully in the current's direction. A climbing anchor has saved me countless times by preventing me from being washed away when a ladder wasn't sufficient.
When the World Burns: Surviving Wildfires
Though rare, wildfires are perhaps the most terrifying natural disaster I've encountered. They exclusively occur in wooded areas, which are already challenging to navigate due to limited mobility options.
The most distinctive feature of these infernos is the "Chiral Comets" – essentially flaming meteors that bombard the area, causing fires to spread at an alarming rate. The flames themselves are extremely damaging, and there seem to be no limits to how far or fast they can spread.
My approach to wildfires is simple: immediate evacuation. Unlike other disasters where waiting it out might be viable, fires expand too quickly to hunker down. I immediately plot the quickest escape route, abandoning any non-essential cargo.
Tar Cannons are the most effective firefighting tool, especially when planted in the ground. However, I only use them when flames block my path or threaten critical cargo. The fire will almost always spread faster than I can extinguish it, so retreat remains my primary strategy.
Weathering the Storm
The various storms I've encountered across Australia each present unique challenges. Sandstorms push me with incredible force and reduce visibility to near zero, making navigation by markers essential. Taking shelter behind large structures provides some respite from the punishing winds.
Lightning storms typically accompany heavy Timefall and feature periodic lightning strikes that can hit me directly. I've learned to either keep moving or find a Timefall Shelter – standing still in the open is asking for trouble.
Blizzards combine the worst aspects of sandstorms (poor visibility and powerful winds) with the added complication of snowy Timefall, which accelerates cargo deterioration. When caught in a mountain blizzard, I prioritize finding shelter to protect my precious deliveries.
My Essential Disaster Survival Kit
After countless close calls, I've assembled a disaster survival toolkit that I never leave a distribution center without:
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Container Repair Spray - Essential for mitigating Timefall damage during storms
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Ladders and Climbing Anchors - Critical for navigating flooded areas
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Floating Carriers - Help distribute weight during Plate Quakes
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Tar Cannons - Last resort for clearing paths through wildfires
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Weather Forecast Checker - I check this religiously before each delivery
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Vehicles - The Pickup Off-Roader offers the best protection during quakes
The Unpredictable Nature of Nature
As I reflect on my experiences with Death Stranding 2's natural disasters, I'm struck by how they mirror our relationship with nature in the real world. We can prepare, we can predict to some extent, but ultimately nature remains a wild and unpredictable force.
What makes these disasters so compelling isn't just their danger but how they transform the gameplay experience. A routine delivery suddenly becomes a desperate struggle for survival. A familiar path transforms into unrecognizable terrain. The tension of carrying precious cargo amplifies when the earth itself seems determined to stop you.
As I look out across the fractured landscape of Australia, I wonder: are these disasters merely obstacles to overcome, or do they serve a deeper narrative purpose? In a game about connection, perhaps they remind us of our fundamental vulnerability and interdependence. When the ground shakes beneath my feet or the sky ignites with Chiral Comets, I'm reminded that in this strange, beautiful world, we are all ultimately at the mercy of forces beyond our control.
What strategies have you developed to navigate these apocalyptic events? How have these natural disasters changed your approach to deliveries? The journey continues, and the elements wait for no porter.