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Death Stranding calls on players to travel across the post-apocalyptic United States to establish links between the disparate survivors. To achieve this, Sam Porter Bridges must shoulder the burden of innumerable packages for delivery on his trusty backpack.
After delivering Sam’s first package to the Distribution Center South of Lake Knot City, players will unlock the ability to customize their backpack. To do so, simply visit any Safe House and look to the right of BB on the wall to see the option. Players are able to customize the pack to their liking, equipping extra storage and batteries, and decorating it with patches. However, with only a 5x6 grid to place attachments, it can be hard to know what the optimal layout for Death Stranding's backpack is, so this guide will walk players through their options, explaining their utility and creating an optimal layout.
Extra Battery
Arguably the best and most useful item to have on Sam’s backpack is an Extra Battery. These chunky attachments, while taking up a 3x6 grid, provide a lot more electrical charge for any items that use batteries. This is especially handy for players using Exo-Skeletons, which can dramatically enhance Sam’s natural abilities so long as his battery is charged. Consider this a must-have.
By delivering packages and getting Connection Rank 5 at the Distribution Center North of Mountain Knot City, Death Stranding Director’s Cut owners can unlock the Extra Battery (Lv. 4) which only takes up 3x5 spaces and has the highest energy capacity.
Spare Ammo Container
The Spare Ammo Container allows Sam to carry more ammunition for his weapons, which is invaluable in a fight against BTs, Terrorists, or MULES. Though hefty, taking up 3x5 slots, with the Extra Battery placed horizontally players can just about fit them both on.
In order to get their hands on this item, players must reach Connection Rank 3 with the Distribution Center North of Mountain Knot City, unlocked during Episode 5. Owners of the Director’s Cut can unlock Level 2, which only takes up 3x3 spaces, by completing all of Death Stranding's Firing Range Drills with a grade of B or above. The Firing Range is unlocked after acquiring any weapon, and the final drills are unlocked once players have obtained every weapon toward the very end of the main story.
Grenade Pouch
Another useful addition to the backpack is the Grenade Pouch, which allows Sam to carry more Grenades, including Hermetic and Stun Grenades. While the regular 1x2 Pouch holds one case of Grenades, the Large Grenade Pouch can hold up to 3, though it takes up 2x2 spaces.
To unlock the Grenade Pouches, players must complete Order No. 37 and reach Connection Rank 3 with The Cosplayer near Lake Knot City.
Utility Pouch
The Utility Pouch can also prove useful in a pinch, allowing Sam to carry 4 extra blood bags without taking up space on his back. Though using 3x2 of the backpack, if players often find themselves running out of health in a fight, this upgrade is invaluable. To get it, players must deliver enough packages to Conan O'Brien's Cosplayer to reach Connection Rank 2.
Stabilizer
The Stabilizer enticingly promises to reduce fall damage, increase jump distance and improve Sam’s balance. However, this particular Death Stranding gadget isn’t nearly as useful as it sounds. Taking up the entire backpack at Level 1, the Stabilizer prevents players from making the most of the pack. Even at Levels 2 and 3, when it takes up 5x4, the Stabilizer does not allow enough space for the incredibly useful Extra Battery.
If players still wish to find it, complete Order No.46 and increase Sam’s Connection Rank with Mountain Knot City.
Accessories
There are 8 accessories available to the player in Death Stranding Director’s Cut, each one providing a small buff to the player, though only one can be equipped at a time.
The One Dollar Coin increases Sam’s scan range when locating Chiral Crystals, making it useful when players are low on this versatile resource. It is unlocked by delivering any piece of Death Stranding's mysterious lost cargo to the Spiritualist in the mountains near Mountain Knot City.
The Love Knot increases the number of Likes that Sam receives, so players who contribute a lot to building and repairing structures for other players will find this helpful. It’s unlocked after reaching Connection Rank 1 with the Spiritualist.
The Bell reduces the radius at which a BT notices Sam, so stealth-averse players sneaking through BT territory should have this equipped. To get this, reach Connection Rank 1 with the Novelist’s Son, found between Mountain Knot City and the Distribution Center north of it.
The Porter Charm reveals a key feature of Death Stranding's multiplayer - the location of other players on Sam’s map, allowing him to meet them and get useful items. Reaching Connection Rank 3 with the Veteran Porter northwest of the Timefall Farm will unlock this charm.
The Bridges/Monster Energy Drink Charm grants Sam extra stamina, meaning he can keep on keeping on just a little longer without rest. Get this by reaching Connection Rank 3 with the First Prepper in the mountains east of Mountain Knot City.
The Windmill helps reduce BB’s stress levels when falling or entering BT territory, so players who often need to comfort BB to avoid autotoxemia may find this useful. Getting the Windmill requires reaching Connection Rank 1 with the Distribution Center South of Lake Knot City.
The Cryptobiote Charm reduces the chance of cryptobiotes fleeing when Sam nears their nest, making farming them for health much easier. This will unlock upon reaching Connection Rank 4 with Heartman’s Lab.
Finally, the Weather Talisman reduces the chance of Death Stranding's troublesome timefall, helping Sam deliver his goods undamaged. Sam will be given this upon reaching Connection Rank 4 with the Weather Station.
Backpack Cover
The Backpack Cover Levels 1 and 2 are unlocked by completing orders for the Collector, found south of the Distribution Center South of Lake Knot City. Capable of covering items up to Sam’s shoulders, it will completely protect them from the effects of timefall, though will eventually need replacing. Players should always have one of these equipped to keep Death Stranding's often unusual packages valuables in tip-top condition.
The Optimal Backpack Setup
Ultimately, the best backpack setup is very much reliant on personal preference. However, Sam should always have at least one Extra Battery equipped. By nearly doubling his power supply, this gives Sam plenty of battery for Armor Plates, Exo-Skeletons, and vehicles, reducing the need for generators and ensuring he can transport heavy goods for long distances.
Beyond that, players will want to decide what kind of weaponry they want to use; if they enjoy using grenades, then a Large Grenade Pouch will do, whereas if they prefer guns, having a Spare Ammo Container (Lv. 2) will cut it. Players should also consider whether they desire more healing in combat or more grenades. If players are using lots of hermetic weaponry against BTs, as they likely will at the game’s climax, then carrying more blood packs in a Utility Pouch is a good idea.
As stated, Sam should always have a Backpack Cover equipped and, in terms of accessories, players ought to decide what effect suits them best. Arguably the Bell or the Windmill provide the most utility by reducing the difficulty of Death Stranding's BT encounters, however, each charm offers its own situational advantage so be sure to experiment.
Finally, over Sam’s adventures, he can unlock plenty of unique patches to place on his backpack. Therefore, players will want to weigh up the benefits of using space for purely cosmetic reasons.
One potential layout involves an Extra Battery (Lv. 4) placed horizontally at the bottom of the pack, while above it is a Spare Ammo Container (Lv. 2) and a Utility Pouch placed vertically. 3 spaces left next to the battery are filled with a regular Grenade Pouch and a cute “BB on Board” patch. This is a highly versatile layout, giving Sam plenty of extra battery, spare ammo for guns, extra blood packs for helping with Death Stranding's clunky combat, and a few spare grenades.
However, other players may find they don’t need more ammo and blood packs, and may instead opt for two batteries and some grenade pouches instead. After all, ammo, grenades, and blood packs can be carried on Sam’s back, whereas more power is only obtained by using Extra Batteries. In the end, it comes down to how distant the stretches are between generators, how much energy players are using, and just how badly they want those cute patches showing.
Death Stranding Director's Cut is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.