The truth is, you can only do so much in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach with brute force or blind speed. And if you’ve spent enough time hiking across crumbling highways, dodging BTs or hauling absurdly tall stacks of cargo through a sandstorm, then you already know how tough it can be to survive. That’s why you need as many APAS enhancements as you can get.

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These skills tweak the way you move, scan, fight and even drive. Some help you scan terrain faster so you don’t fall flat on your face, while others let you sneak past enemies like a ghost or keep your balance while walking on tight ropes. So this ranking focuses on the APAS Enhancements that do the most heavy lifting. The ones you’ll feel working with every step, scan and dodge.

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8Sensor Mode Change

Improves Scanning Reach

Sensor Mode Change switches your Odradek terrain scanner from its usual spherical sweep into a focused, cone-shaped scan with noticeable depth. This skill lets you detect distant landscape features like cliffs at much greater distances. The only disadvantage is that the scanner detects less around you.

When you’re walking across long flat plains, desert-like valleys or wide highways, Sensor Mode Change gives you a sneak peek at the land ahead. You can spot where the ground suddenly dips or where pavement changes steeply. That helps you pick the best route before ever getting there. It’s like seeing the road ahead on a foggy morning.

Sensor Mode Change Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

7Simple Noise Canceller

Move in Silence

Usually, walking or running creates noise that can alert enemies. With Simple Noise Canceller, your footfalls are faint, and almost nonexistent. Say you’re walking around the edges of a BT zone at dawn. Normally, each of your steps could crack leaves or rocks.

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With this skill, footsteps don’t give you away so easily. You can crouch-walk close enough to scout or get past with much less risk. The Simple Noise Canceller is most effective during early morning runs or infiltration missions where being heard is the first step toward trouble.

Simple Noise Canceller Skill in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

6Emergency Vehicle Charger

Portable Vehicle Charger

Emergency Vehicle Charger gives Sam the power to share his battery charge with nearby vehicles, like bikes or carriers. You no longer need to walk back to the last outpost when a ride dies out; just transfer your power and get rolling again.

This skill matters most during long trips with few charging stations. If your cargo-laden bike runs dry mid-route, you may revive it and keep moving without abandoning it or trekking back. You just have to watch your own battery levels, but with this skill, you won’t abandon vehicles.

DeathStranding2-Boots0Fea

5Skeleton Auto-Assist

Helps You Balance with Heavy Load

Skeleton Auto‑Assist works with yourexoskeletonto adjust your stance automatically, helping you stay upright when moving through uneven terrain or carrying heavy cargo. If you’re climbing a rocky path with two backpacks without this skill, every step is a fight for balance.

But with Skeleton Auto‑Assist, the suit shifts your hips and legs subtly, preventing you from stumbling. It doesn’t reduce falling damage, but it keeps you upright more often. This skill is really great when crossing mountain paths, canyon ledges, or leaning over ridges. It frees you from micromanaging every movement, so your mind can focus on route and threat detection.

Emergency Vehicle Charger Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

4Battery Efficiency Boost

Go Farther on One Charge

Battery Efficiency Boost reduces the rate at which your vehicle uses power. If you’re driving across long stretches or making multi-drop runs, this skill helps you conserve energy. Every trip becomes more economical, letting you go farther without recharging.

Think of it like upgrading from a small fuel tank to a slightly bigger one. When used with Emergency Vehicle Charger, you get greater endurance and flexibility. It’s a smart choice for explorers who want to see more ground per charge.

3Improved MP Bullets

Make Every Shot Count

If you want to increase the accuracy and damage of your guns, Improved MP Bullets is what you need. With this upgrade your pistol rounds hit harder and straighter. You don’t need heavy weapons to defend yourself efficiently. Bigger enemies go down faster and you won’t burn through ammo as quickly.

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I particularly love using the skill in run-and-gun fights where you need to stay light and mobile. Swap that backup gun in just in case, and you won’t be (over) reliant on ammo caches. It givesnon-lethal weaponsreal punch in close-quarters or fast skirmishes.

2Augmented Terrain Scanner

Double the Viewing Window

This is a Porter skill that gives your Odradek double the normal scanning range. So, instead of a short ping, you get a long-range view of hills, ridges or cliffs ahead. Say you’re standing at the base of a mountain range. With this skill, your scanner shows those ridges before you’re even close. you’re able to spot steep slopes, sharp rocks or narrow paths easily.

You will appreciate this skill more when you’re carrying heavy cargo and wrong turns could be costly. With the Augmented Terrain Scanner, you may drop or adjust your load before hitting rough areas.

1Faster Scanner Recharging

No Scanner Cooldowns

With Faster Scanner Recharging, your Odradek sensors come back to life much more quickly after each scan. Gone are the long waits between motion or terrain scans. This enhancement can be a lifesaver when you find yourself in dangerous areas. If you’re sneaking through a valley full ofstrong BTsor wild animals, with quick scan refreshes, you can scan, move a bit, then scan again almost immediately.

That scan, see, move and immediately scan again rhythm means you never enter zones blind. Even in quick patrol zones, you stay informed and alert.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

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