Since most of Death Stranding's vehicles can be leveled up, it's important to know which ones are worth putting resources into. Here we're talking about the best vehicles' strengths, and how to get their blueprints.
5. Reverse Trike (Best for early game)
The design data for the standard Reverse Trike is awarded to the player after completing Order No. 23.
The Reverse Trike is the first vehicle the player will be able to craft in the game, and after learning the mechanics of balancing on foot it’s a welcome addition. The Reverse Trike comes with its own set of mechanics to get a feel for, although they aren’t too different from what the player has already learned. Ultimately the standard Reverse Trike offers more speed and mobility than the Trucks, but at the expense of limited storage, no defenses, and a battery the player will have to keep an eye on.
Reverse Trike Stats
- Light Storage Capacity
- 100% Battery Power
- No Shields
What Makes Reverse Trike Great
- Granted to the player early on
- Can traverse certain obstacles
- Much faster than travelling on Foot
4. Reverse Trike: Long Range (Best for distance travel)
Just as the Standard Type listed above, the design data for the Reverse Trike: Long Range is awarded to the player after completing Order No. 23.
The Longe Range variant of the Reverse Trike is made craftable to the player at the same time as its standard counterpart. As such, a lot of its benefits overlap with the standard variant. The Long Range Reverse Trike has the benefit of twice the battery power at the expense of the storage capacity. If the player’s Orders are farther out, they’ll definitely want to opt for the Long Range option and plan their storage accordingly.
Reverse Trike: Long Range Stats
- No Storage
- No Shields
- 2x The Battery Power
What Makes The Reverse Trike: Long Range Great
- Increased battery power for distance travel
- Can traverse certain obstacles
- Much faster than travelling on foot
3. Truck: Long Range (Best for exploring)
The design data for the Long Range Truck is obtained after the player reaches a 3 star connection level with Thomas Southerland, in the Distribution Center South of Lake Knot City.
The Long Range variant of the Cicada MC 2000 truck is a very comfortable option for players looking to take some time to explore the world of Death Stranding. The game’s music, visuals, and atmosphere all ask the player to spend some time alone with their own thoughts. The Long Range truck can be leveled up to the highest battery life in the game, and as such, is a great option for if the player just wants to cover ground for a while in between Orders.
Truck: Long Range Stats
- Max Storage
- 2x Battery Power
- Reaches 3x Battery Power at Level 3
- No Shield
What Makes The Truck: Long Range Great
- The high battery power gives the player room to breathe if they feel like exploring
- Max capacity is always a plus
- Can drive right over smaller obstacles
2. Truck: Defensive (Best for areas with MULEs)
The design data for the Defensive Truck is obtained after the player reaches a 4 star connection level with Owen Southwick, in South Knot City.
The Defensive variant of the Cicada MC 2000 truck is the best choice for when the player is bound to encounter MULEs. While the controls are clunkier than the Defensive Reverse Trike, the increased battery capacity means they will hold up much longer. The Defensive Truck also has hefty storage space for cargo. Additionally, if the player is in a pinch, they can run over MULEs, transporting the bodies afterwards to prevent voidouts.
Truck: Defensive Stats
- Max Storage
- 150% Battery Power
- Battery-Powered Shields
What Makes The Truck: Defensive Great
- The Truck’s storage helps protect the cargo
- The shields are useful if the player suspects they will be encountering MULEs on a delivery route
- As a last resort, the player can run over MULEs
1. Reverse Trike: “Ride” Type (Best Overall)
The “Ride” Type Reverse Trike can be crafted after the player finds a memory chip Southeast of the waterfall near the Cosplayer.
The “Ride” Type Reverse Trike is another brand tie-in to the game -- but hey, it works. Whereas the other Reverse Trikes make the player decide between storage, shields, and battery power, this one has all three. It’s a versatile choice for any player who enjoys the speed and maneuverability of the Reverse Trikes without wanting to necessarily plan out their routes. I’d just recommend muting the voice lines while using it, Sam has an odd tendency to promote the show while riding this Trike.
Reverse Trike: “Ride” Type Stats
- Light Storage
- Battery-Powered Shields
- 150% Battery Power
What Makes The Reverse Trike: “Ride” Type Great
- Well balanced mix of speed, storage, and defense
- “This should be on an episode of Ride With Norman Reedus.” - Norman Reedus