In Death Stranding, boss fights offer unique challenges and require a combination of strategy, timing, and resource management to succeed. Below is a detailed guide that outlines effective tactics for battling both BTs (Beached Things) and human enemies such as Higgs and Combat Veterans.

General Tactics for Boss Fights

1. Maintain Distance and Evade:
– Many BT bosses utilize powerful ranged attacks. Stay mobile by running, jumping, and dodging to evade area attacks like tar flung at you or sweeping strikes from the bosses. Remaining stationary often leaves you vulnerable to devastating hits.

2. Concentrate Fire on Weak Points:
– Observing and targeting weak spots is crucial. For example, the Giant BT boss will have a prominent orange-red glowing area around its mouth. Focus your fire on these spots to maximize damage output efficiently.

3. Use Appropriate Weapons:
– Assault Rifles: Ideal for long-range engagements due to their accuracy and range, which is particularly beneficial when facing airborne or distant enemies.
– Shotguns: Effective in close-quarters combat, especially against groups of smaller BTs or when dealing with human opponents like Combat Veterans.

4. Manage Your Ammo and Healing:
– Ammo can deplete rapidly in intense battles. To avoid running out, aim for weak points and use grenades or explosives judiciously. Take advantage of quieter moments during the fight to heal and maintain your HP, increasing your survivability against powerful attacks.

Specific Tactics Against Notable Bosses

Giant BT Boss (From Death Stranding 2)
– Mobility: Always stay on the move to avoid tar and other area attacks. Utilize environmental objects, like vehicles, to jump and dodge effectively.
– Dodge Teleports: Anticipate the boss’s teleportation, and prepare to dodge its whip-like appendages by jumping or sprinting sideways.
– Aim for Critical Spots: Focus your attacks on the skull-shaped core or glowing weak point near the mouth for maximum damage output.

Higgs (Combat Veteran)
– Use Cover: Utilize the environment to shield yourself from Higgs’s attacks while aiming for headshots when using an Assault Rifle to potentially achieve instant kills.
– Charge for Stun: When Higgs reloads or prepares an attack, sprint towards him and use a shoulder charge to briefly stun him, providing an opportunity to inflict damage.
– Handle Accompanying BTs: Stay vigilant of the smaller BTs accompanying Higgs, as they can quickly overwhelm you. Keep a shotgun handy to effectively manage and eliminate these threats.
– Multi-Phase Combat: Be prepared for a protracted fight. After dealing sufficient damage, Higgs will retreat and require you to engage him again in subsequent phases.

Additional Tips

– Utilize the Scanner: Keep your scanner activated to locate bosses and minions, allowing you to plan your attacks better and avoid unpleasant surprises.
– Environmental Awareness: Employ the surroundings to your advantage for both cover and mobility, especially to evade large area attacks or damaging projectiles.
– Cooperative Elements: In Death Stranding 2, you may encounter shadowy figures or even other players who can offer valuable assistance during boss encounters, especially when resources become scarce.

By blending precise movements with strategic weapon choices and careful resource allocation, players can effectively navigate the complexities of boss battles in Death Stranding. This systematic approach ensures a higher chance of victory against both BTs and human foes alike, minimizing damage taken while maximizing damage dealt.