How to get the first weapons in Death Stranding? Death Stranding guide, walkthrough
Last update: 21 November 2019
This page of our Death Stranding guide is dedicated to gaining first weapons which will surely be useful when fighting against initial opponents. Remember that you need to find a given weapon before it can be found among the dropped loot. Each weapon must first be unlocked by progressing in the main story. Only then they can also appear in the game world.
Strand
Strand is a type of a rope that can be used to tie cargo. It can also be used to eliminate live opponents e.g. MULs. This item is available from the beginning of the game, you can select it from the inventory if the enemy is approaching
The Strand allows you to eliminate MULs through stealth attacks. You need to sneak behind the back of the enemy, so there is an opportunity to attack by surprise. The MUL will be rendered unconscious without risk of warning the enemy (provided, of course, that the attack wasn't seen by other enemies).
Bola Gun
Bola Gun is a weapon that is gained thanks to progress in the story. To get it, you need to complete task 22 (Recovery: Toolbox) in the central area of UCA. The launcher is a reward for delivering the Toolbox to one of the NPCs.
The first launcher you get is free and you can select it immediately from the drop down menu. Unfortunately, the launcher has a limited amount of ammo (14). After the weapon gets worn, you can craft a new launcher thanks to crafting.
Bola Gun acts as a kind of stun gun. It fires wires that can immobilize and knock down struck MUL. Such an opponent can also be hit to deprive him of conciousness.
Unlike Strand, the Bola Gun can be successfully used when Sam is detected. Aim well everytime you fire, as to not waste charges in vain.
Hematic Grenade
Hematic Grenade is a weapon which is unlocked along the progress in the main story. You need to unlock task 14 - Aid Package Delivery: Port Knot City. As a reminder, this quest involves a long trip to the port with an intent to leave the starting area of the game.
At the same time, you'll unlock task 15 - Equipment Trial: Hematic Grenade. The task will allow you to "test" the grenades.
Hematic Grenades are used to banish Beached Things (BTs). Their important feature is that grenades consume the hero's blood. They can extract it directly from Sam's health bar or from portable blood bags. The whole mechanism of using of hematic grenades and blood bags is described in detail in the chapter Fighting the BTs.
Once you locate a BT, you can throw a grenade at it. The explosion of blood will drive away the monster, and he will disappear from the given area. Each defeated BT leaves behind loot - chilorium crystals.
Anti-BT Handgun
Anti-BT Handgun is the weapon you will get during the progress of the main story. You must specifically complete Order no. 33 - Hourglass Delivery: Chiral Artist.
Anti-BT handguns can be created by using crafting or even found in the game world. Each of them has 8 charges. Anti-BT handguns have similar characteristics to hematic grenades - they need blood to operate, which is taken directly from the health bar or from the carried blood bags.
An important feature of this handgun is the possibility to control its attack strength. We recommend that you always hold down the R2 button to amplify the attack and deal as much damage as possible. That way, you won't waste ammunition on weaker attacks.
Alternative - melee combat
If you don't have Bola Gun or you've failed a stealth approach, you can engage in melee combat. This applies only to Mules - do not attempt to attack a BT in this way. Melee combat is quite simple - focus on one opponent until he loses consciousness. You can also perform dodges - this is especially useful when Sam is surrounded by a large group of opponents. Watch out for spears that can shock the hero with electricity.