If you’ve spent even a few hours roaming the post-apocalyptic United Cities of America in the latest Kojima Productions title, you’ve probably already heard horror stories about the f3 crater death stranding 2’s most unforgiving environmental hazard. I stumbled into it on my third main story delivery, lost three crates of rare medical supplies, and spent two real-time hours trying to climb out before I figured out the tricks most players miss. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to cross, explore, and even farm resources in the crater without wasting hours or losing valuable cargo.
What Makes the F3 Crater in Death Stranding 2 So Challenging?
The F3 Crater formed after a massive voidout event 20 years before the game’s main story, so its terrain is unlike any other area on the map. Uneven volcanic rock that reduces traction by 40% compared to standard grassy terrain covers 90% of its surface, so even small missteps can send you sliding down a 100-foot ledge with all your cargo. I once tried to ride my upgraded bike through the crater to save time, and I ended up flipping it into a small tar pit 2 minutes in, losing half my cargo before I could even react. Don't make that same mistake.
On top of the bad terrain, the crater has far higher BT activity than surrounding regions, plus timefall storms that hit three times more often and last twice as long. Low-oxygen pockets also pop up randomly in the deeper sections, so you can't just sprint across without checking your surroundings first. Most new players write the crater off as a nuisance to avoid, but once you know how to navigate it, it’s actually one of the most useful areas in the game.
Essential Gear to Bring Before Entering the F3 Crater
You can get away with minimal gear for most low-difficulty delivery routes, but the F3 Crater requires a bit of preparation. I’ve tested every possible loadout for the crater over 20+ runs, and these are the only items you really need to bring to stay safe:
- Level 3 All-Terrain Exoskeleton: The extra traction and jump boost will save you from slipping down steep slopes more times than you can count. Don't bother with the standard speed or heavy load exoskeletons, they don't have the grip you need here.
- Multiple blood bags and a Level 2 Hematic Grenade: The crater has three permanent BT nests along the most common traversal routes, and you won't always have space to sneak around them. You don't want to get caught without supplies if a giant catcher spawns.
- Two spare floating carriers with stabilizer upgrades: You'll use these to carry extra cargo across narrow rock ledges, and they can double as a temporary platform if you get stuck in a loose gravel patch.
- Portable weather station: Timefall storms hit the crater 3x more often than surrounding areas, and they can erode your cargo to 0% integrity in less than 10 minutes if you don't find shelter fast.
I used to skip the weather station on my first few runs, and I ended up abandoning a 5-star delivery for a mountain knot city because a storm hit out of nowhere. It only takes up one small cargo slot, so it's never a bad call to toss one in your pack before you head in. If you’re carrying extremely fragile cargo, you can also bring a few extra container repair sprays just in case you slip on a loose rock.
Step-by-Step Route to Cross the F3 Crater With Zero Cargo Loss
The game’s default map marker will send you through the eastern entrance of the crater, but that’s easily the most dangerous route, with two BT nests and multiple steep drop-offs. The safest entry point is actually the northwestern ledge near the Timefall Farm outpost, where the slope is far less steep and you won’t run into any BTs for the first 10 minutes of your crossing. Stick to the elevated rock ridges on the western side of the crater once you’re inside, as they don’t have loose gravel and will let you avoid 2 of the 3 permanent BT nests entirely.
Halfway across the crater, you’ll find a hidden cave system that’s easy to miss if you’re not scanning your surroundings regularly. It has a player-built rest stop, a private room, and a shared storage locker where other players leave extra blood bags, repair sprays, and even exoskeleton parts for other porters to use. I found it completely by accident when I was hiding from a BT patrol, and it cuts the total crossing time in half if you know where to look. There are also pre-placed climbing anchors and ladders along the ridge route from other players, so follow those if you see them – they almost always lead to safer, shorter paths.
Don’t try to cut across the center of the crater even if it looks like a shorter route. The center has a deep tar pit that spawns catcher BTs constantly, and you’ll lose all your cargo if you fall in. If you do end up running into a BT patrol, hold your breath and move slowly – the crater’s enclosed space makes it easier for BTs to hear you than open areas, so running will almost always get you caught.
Hidden Resources and Side Missions You Can Find in the F3 Crater
Most players just cross the crater as fast as possible to get their deliveries done, but it’s actually one of the best places to farm rare endgame materials in the game. Volcanic crystal deposits that spawn along the southern edge of the crater are used to craft level 4 exoskeleton parts and high-end shelter upgrades that you can’t get anywhere else. I farm 20 units of volcanic crystals every time I pass through the crater, and I’ve already upgraded all my gear to max level months before I finished the main story.
There’s also a hidden side mission near the eastern edge of the crater that most players never find. A stranded porter got stuck there after a BT attack, and he’ll give you a rare golden backpack upgrade if you deliver him three cans of timefall-resistant beer from the nearby Timefall Farm. The upgrade reduces cargo damage by 25% permanently, so it’s totally worth the extra 20 minutes of exploration to get it. You’ll also find pre-Death Stranding wreckage scattered across the crater floor that has hidden chiral crystals and data logs that expand the game’s lore, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Just don’t get so focused on farming resources or looking for side missions that you forget to check your portable weather station. Storms hit without warning in the crater, and there are far fewer shelter spots than in open areas. If you see a storm coming, head for the nearest cave immediately, even if it means abandoning your current route for a few minutes.
At the end of the day, the f3 crater death stranding 2's most intimidating area doesn't have to be a death sentence for your deliveries. If you bring the right gear, follow the safe western ridge route, and keep an eye out for hidden player-built shortcuts, you can cross it easily, and even make a little extra profit from the rare resources hidden inside. I still run deliveries through the crater at least once a week now, and I haven't lost a single crate since I started using the tips in this guide. Next time you get a delivery request that sends you through the crater, don't panic – just grab your all-terrain exoskeleton and go.
