The DEATH STRANDING community is never short of advice!
Throughout 2026, we want to give our experienced Porters the opportunity to share their top tips and learnings with those just starting out. Last month, we asked the following question to our community...
HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR ROUTES IN DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT? DO YOU TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE, OR DO YOU CAREFULLY ANALYSE THE ROAD AHEAD AND THINK STRATEGICALLY?
Credit - BoniBoi
Check out some of our favourite responses below. A huge thank you to everyone who got involved in our latest Porters Supporting Porters blog! Stay tuned for more info on how you can get involved in the next one.
I actually take quite a bit of time to plan. I will use the route markers to give me the general ways I need to go. But I check the ground levels frequently when plotting my route. I do wish that if I reached a further along marker that it would eventually clear the ones passed already. But I love the features we’re given and makes for unique gameplay. - abby_invasion
Meticulously plan my route in the map. Spend ten minutes gauging the landscape, planning what tools I need, and setting waypoints. Ten minutes later I'm carrying 200kg in a straight path straight over the mountain ignoring all preparations. Spite is powerful. - glytxh
Oh, the destination is that way? Goes that way, definitely destroying their truck in the process! - Sufficient_Artist_89
On my second playthrough, armed with knowledge of the map, I’ve been using the scanner and reading the terrain to find optimal routes. I’ve also been taking into account where I imagine the developers predicted we would go on our deliveries. It’s been a fun journey so far! - jaytheroarkstar
Credit - phanodemus
In general I just look where I'm supposed to deliver and that's it. Occasionally I may enter compass mode to check if I'm going in the right direction. And if I'm unsure I'll just quickly check the map. I don't take any ladders or climbing anchors but I've never found myself stuck and always find my way just walking, and often there is an easier way a bit further to the side. Keep on keeping on. - ChiralParticle
I do spend a few minutes looking over the map and taking account of armed survivalists/BT areas before deciding, then pulling it up again whenever I reach an impasse. I typically bring a PCC or two in case I want to build a jump ramp or a cargo canon. I might also take a detour to another shelter en route to pick up more orders along the way - I seldom take a direct root from A to B. - blaiddfailcam2
I usually try to plan my route. I always kept a couple ladders and a climbing anchor just in case I ran into difficult terrain. Sometimes I force myself to use my equipment because what might be easy for me might be more difficult for other porters to traverse. - Winters989
In the early to mid game I heavily rely on strand structures to get around obstacles as fast as possible when making deliveries. Then after I leave chiral bandwidth I usually check the map and drag lines through the paths of least resistance. Now that I have completed the game I have been working on restoring all of the roads in the mid-American region, they make large orders nearly effortless! A word of advice from a personal experience... Don't try to build a zipline network early game! You WILL run out of chiral bandwidth! ːsteamfacepalmː:dsdclike: - Melonzo
Credit - Sam Bridges
It really depends on what I'm doing. If I am familiar with the route or am not carrying much very far, I tend to just go with the flow. If I am doing a risky long distance or dangerous route however, I will plan it out pretty thoroughly. Usually this means using waypoints to plan my way around BT or other dangerous areas, bringing a PCC and other equipment in case I need to fabricate something in the field, and then setting out with care. - [OTS]EchoZenLogos
If I didn't already build a zipline as far out to the delivery location as possible, I cancel the delivery to go do that first so it's as smooth as possible on the way. Great chance to connect with the environment optimizing ziplines. - Swiftphantom
I'm a hiker anyway. I just looked at the map as though I was going to walk it. Sometimes that maybe got me in trouble, but it does that in real life too, and extricating myself is part of the fun for me. Scotland has slightly less BTs around though. - therealbighairy1
Check out more top tips from the community via the link below:
DEATH STRANDING SUBREDDIT
Credit - Aldothalion
JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND GET INVOLVED!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850570/DEATH_STRANDING_DIRECTORS_CUT/