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Updated July 28, 2025 by Christopher Norman W:With the recent release of Death Stranding on Xbox, new porters from around the world are making their way across Hideo Kojima’s bleak vision of a future America decimated by the eponymous event. In this guide, we focused on providing players with all the information aboutpreppersthey could ever need. This update will ensure the information is still up-to-date, and will also provide players will a new video that will detail thelocation of all preppers in Death Stranding.
Throughout the course of his journey through the world ofDeath Stranding,Sam Porter Bridges will encounter all manner of peopleand places. Some of these individuals - known aspreppersin the vernacular of the game - will be integral to the success of Sam’s mission, while others are hidden away and easily missed. Regardless of their perceived importance to the mission, each one of these groups or individuals serve as the vehicle for one ofDeath Stranding’s central questions: what is the cost of losing personal connection?
There are 36 preppersthroughout the world ofDeath Strandingthat Sam can connect with. While some may argue that the connection is its own reward, many of the game’s best tools can be acquired through deepening Sam’s bond with these survivalists, making the completionist approach more than worthwhile.
Preppers inDeath Stranding- A Quick Overview
Death Strandingconsiders every NPCthat Sam has a quantifiable relationship with to be one of it’s 36 preppers. These relationships are measured through a five-star system, with every package delivered or task completed increasing said relationship. Star levels will never be decreased, no matter what Sam does. Some preppers will be reluctant to join the United Cities of America (UCA) and the Chiral Network when first approached. Sam must convince these prickly individuals through hard work and tenacity, often signing them up on a “trial run,” agreeing first to join the chiral network before becoming full-fledged outposts for the UCA.
As Sam’s relationship with a prepper increases, there are several rewards that can be unlocked. These rewards generally take up to six forms:
All Eastern Region Preppers – Death Stranding
Once Sam gets throughDeath Stranding’s prologue, he will have access to the Eastern Region. At first, Sam will have to move west one prepper at a time, but this will slowly lead to him having access to the full region.
Keep in mind that certain prepper unlocks may not show if the relationship level is reached before the mechanic has been discovered in the overall game. For example, Nick Easton at Capital Knot City will award Sam with an extra Delivery Bot, butDeath Stranding’s Delivery Botsaren’t unlocked until later in the game. If Sam reaches a relationship threshold and does not receive a listed item, this is likely the reason. Sam must return later and complete a standard order to trigger the unlocking process.
All Jake Wind Rewards inDeath Stranding:
5. Ludens Fan - Ludens Fan’s Shelter
The Ludens Fan is the first prepper that Sam will come across that has no orders attached toDeath Stranding’s main story. There will not be any orders at all for the Ludens Fan until Sam makes the first delivery, which can only be done with lost packages found in the world. Players will likely find their first Ludens Fan package while completing the first Wind Farm delivery.
All Viktor Frank Rewards inDeath Stranding:
All Central Region Preppers Part 1 – Death Stranding
The Central Region makes upa massive chunk ofDeath Stranding, both in terms of the in-game world, and narrative content. Most events in the game take place in this region, which spans from Lake Knot City to the isolated scientists and preppers that dwell beyond Mountain Knot City.
3. Elder - Elder’s Shelter
All Elder Rewards inDeath Stranding:
TheElderis unique as far as preppers go. If Sam stops delivering his much-needed medications, he’ll die. Once this happens, there is no going back.
4. Craftsman - Craftsman’s Shelter
The Craftsman will provide Sam with some ofDeath Stranding’s first ranged weapons.
Order Unlocks:
2. Collector - Collector’s Shelter
The Collector is the prepper that unlocksDeath Stranding’s extremely useful backpack covers. Make sure Sam has unlocked backpack customization, or he will have to return to the Collector and complete another order after doing so to unlock them.
All Photographer Rewards inDeath Stranding:
3. Novelist’s Son - Novelist’s Son’s Shelter
Do not try to increase theNovelist’s Son’s relationship with Samuntil after Mountain Knot City has been brought into the fold. Many players think his meter is bugged, but they simply try too early.
Special Death Stranding Prepper - Pizza Delivery for Peter Englert
Peter Englert - Peter Englert’s Shelter
Throughout Sam’s journey,he will be asked several times to deliverDeath Stranding’s very own piping hot pizzato Peter Englert, a prepper living near Lake Knot City. Players should absolutely complete these quests, as they have a very important role in the overall narrative, and the final reward is well worth the trouble.
All Peter Englert Rewards inDeath Stranding:
Rewards are given once, after completing Order 66, the final pizza delivery:
