Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Guide | How To Unlock Your First Vehicle

Here's how you can find and use your first vehicle in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Game Guide by Ornstein on Jun 26, 2025

Death Stranding 2 is renowned for its challenging landscapes and extensive on-foot journeys. Walking through the landscape is a great way to get a feel for the game, but getting a vehicle early on makes things much more efficient, lets you carry bigger orders, and cuts down on the time you spend figuring out dangerous routes.

This guide details exactly when and where to unlock your first vehicles, how to fabricate and customize them, and the unique strengths of each model to maximize your deliveries.

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Unlocking the Tri-Cruiser

Deep into Chapter 1, following a somber conversation with the Deadman and a brief holographic exchange with Fragile, you can gain access to the first vehicle: the Tri Cruiser.

After completing the call with Fragile, return to the surface and rendezvous with Alex at the former Geophysicist Research Lab to receive your next order. During this exchange, Alex informs you that the Tri Cruiser is now available for fabrication.

Head to the garage and select Fabricate a Vehicle, then choose the Tri Cruiser. Ensure that all required components are in your possession before proceeding. Once fabrication is complete, the Tri Cruiser can be customized with a variety of colors and decals to suit personal preferences.

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If it is no longer needed, the vehicle can be recycled to reclaim materials and clear garage space.

Unlocking the Pickup Off-Roader

While the Tri Cruiser serves well for early-game speed and moderate cargo loads, larger shipments call for a more robust vehicle. The Pickup Off-Roader becomes available upon completion of Delivery 13.

Fabrication follows the same process as the Tri Cruiser: visit the garage, select Fabricate a Vehicle, and choose the Pickup Off-Roader once the necessary materials are on hand.

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Where Each Vehicle Excels

The Tri Cruiser and the Pickup Off-Roader are both very useful in Death Stranding 2. The Tri Cruiser is great for quick small to medium deliveries, and it has six attachment spots for extras.

Its front wheels can be turned into blades to help it climb steep hills, and it works reliably on rocky ground. However, using all accessory slots will prevent cargo attachments on the vehicle's sides.

The Pickup Off-Roader shines when managing large shipments and hostile encounters on the open road. Weaponize it with a Sticky Cannon, Heavy Machine Gun, or Chiral Cannon, equipping up to two weapons at a time alongside four additional accessory slots for items such as extra batteries.

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With this much firepower, you can fight enemies while they're moving and quickly gather items that are spread out.

It is very important to know the weight and capacity limits for both cars. When weight limits are exceeded, driving speed is slowed down, and deliveries are held up because of exceeding capacity. Making sure these limits are followed before leaving makes sure everything runs smoothly.

A handy feature of both vehicles is the ability for Sam to drive while carrying cargo. As long as free capacity remains, Sam can board the driver's seat with attached carriers, facilitating long-distance trips that combine driving with on-foot sections without constant unloading and reorganization.

Also, check our Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review and other guides below: