If you sunk dozens of hours into the first Death Stranding’s delivery loop, you already know standard orders are the backbone of the game’s progression and world connection. Death Stranding 2 standard orders build on that familiar foundation with new hazards, reward tiers, and companion mechanics that make even short runs feel more dynamic and high-stakes. I’ve put 60+ hours into the pre-release build testing routes, loadouts, and workarounds for common pain points, so all the tips below are tested in actual play, not just pulled from patch notes. You won’t find any fluff here, just actionable steps to nail every delivery and cut down on frustrating reruns.
Core Rules for Completing Death Stranding 2 Standard Orders Without Losing Cargo
The biggest mistake new players make is jumping straight into a standard order without doing 2 minutes of pre-mission prep. DS2’s open world is far more dynamic than the first game’s, with random landslides, sudden timefall surges, and roving MULE patrols that can derail a delivery in seconds if you’re not prepared. These non-negotiable rules will keep your cargo intact and your runs on track 90% of the time:
- Always scan your full route for BT zones, landslide risks, and MULE camps before leaving a distribution center
- Allocate 10% of your cargo capacity to repair sprays, extra battery packs, and a single blood bag for emergency BT encounters
- Check the weather forecast for the next 2 in-game hours to avoid getting caught in unplanned timefall surges mid-delivery
- Mark 2 to 3 rest stops along your route where you can recharge your exosuit and repair damaged cargo if needed
Never skip the pre-mission route scan, even for short deliveries. I made that mistake on my third run, wandering straight into a hidden BT zone with no blood bags, and lost 70% of a high-priority medical cargo that took me an hour to haul halfway up a mountain. Cargo weight distribution matters more than ever in DS2 too. If you stack all heavy items on one side of your exosuit, you’ll trip 3x more often on uneven terrain, even if you’re well under your maximum carry limit. Take 30 seconds to balance heavy items evenly across your back and suit hooks, it saves so much hassle later.
How to Maximize Rewards for Every Standard Order
Standard orders don’t just give you likes to boost your connection level. Perfect runs (no cargo damage, on-time delivery, all items included) unlock exclusive exosuit schematics, discounted gear at distribution centers, and even unique side missions tied to specific NPCs. You don’t have to go out of your way to get these rewards, just small tweaks to your run routine will make a huge difference over time.
Prioritize orders marked with a blue "high priority" tag first. These orders give 3x the affinity points for the node that posted them, which unlocks faster travel options and discounted repair supplies much faster than regular orders. For example, I maxed out my affinity with the northern mountain relay in 4 runs just by focusing on their high priority medical orders, and now I get free repair sprays and battery packs every time I stop there. Delivering extra small items to nodes along your route doesn’t take much extra time but adds up to thousands of extra likes per run. If you’re hauling cargo from the southern distribution center to the coastal outpost, drop off a few extra cans of food or repair supplies to the small relay station halfway, and you’ll unlock permanent perks there after just 3 or 4 extra drops.
You also get a 20% reward bonus if you use player-built structures for at least part of your route. Liking those structures after you use them doesn’t cost you anything, and it helps other players who are running the same routes later. It’s a small touch that makes the whole connection loop feel way more intentional.
Common Standard Order Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced Death Stranding players fall into bad habits that make their runs way harder than they need to be. Most of these mistakes come from assuming DS2’s mechanics work exactly like the first game’s, but there are a few key differences that can trip you up if you’re not paying attention.
Overpacking is the most common mistake I see. You don’t need 5 blood bags and 4 repair sprays for a 30-minute delivery through safe, paved terrain. That extra weight takes up space you could use for extra cargo that earns you more likes and rewards. Stick to the 10% capacity rule for supplies we mentioned earlier, and you’ll never waste space on gear you don’t need. Don't ignore MULE camps if they're on your route either. If you take 5 minutes to clear them out with a stun gun, you can pick up free lost cargo that counts towards extra rewards, and you won’t have to worry about them stealing your haul on future runs through the same area.
Another easy mistake to miss is forgetting to check cargo condition mid-run. Even a small scratch from a trip or light timefall can turn into full cargo destruction if you don’t spray it with repair spray early. Get in the habit of checking your cargo status every time you stop at a rest point, it takes 10 seconds and can save you from losing a perfect delivery reward.
Best Loadouts for Different Standard Order Types
DS2’s new exosuit variants are built for specific delivery types, and using the right one for the job cuts your run time in half and reduces the risk of cargo damage by a huge margin. Don’t just stick to the same suit for every run, even if it’s your favorite.
For short-distance, small cargo orders (under 50kg, less than 1 hour of travel time), use the lightweight exosuit. You don’t need heavy armor or extra battery capacity, so the increased movement speed will get you to your destination way faster. For long-distance, heavy cargo orders (over 200kg, 2+ hours of travel time), use the heavy lift exosuit, bring 2 repair sprays, 2 blood bags, and an extra battery pack. If the route goes through mountain terrain, bring a climbing anchor too, it’s worth the extra weight to avoid slipping down steep slopes. For time-sensitive orders, use the speed exosuit, stick to paved roads and player ziplines, and skip extra cargo stops unless they’re directly on your route. Always match your exosuit to the order type, not your personal preference – I tried using the speed exosuit for a heavy construction material delivery once, and I tripped so many times I ended up 2 hours late and lost 40% of the cargo.
If you’re running a high-priority order through BT-heavy terrain, consider bringing Fragile as a companion. She can teleport you out of BT encounters if you get cornered, and she only takes up a small amount of cargo space for her gear. Just don’t forget to bring extra snacks for her, her affinity goes up fast if you feed her on the road, and she’ll give you free teleport tokens as a reward.
At the end of the day, Death Stranding 2 standard orders are more than just fetch quests – they’re the core of the game’s connection theme, and every run feels like a small contribution to rebuilding the world. You don’t have to be perfect every time, but following these tips will cut down on frustration and help you unlock all the best gear and story content way faster. I still get a kick out of seeing a player-built zipline right where I need it after a 2-hour haul up a mountain, and that’s the magic of these standard orders that keeps me coming back for more runs even after I’ve finished the main story.
