Unlocking Backpack Covers in Death Stranding 2: A Guide to Weathering Timefall

For weary porters traversing the haunting landscapes of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, few things instill dread like the first droplets of Timefall. This corrosive rain eats away at cargo and morale alike, turning routine deliveries into desperate sprints. 😩 Veteran players clutch their controller tighter when gray clouds gather, remembering how Backpack Covers became literal lifesavers in the original game. The collective sigh of relief from the community was palpable when Kojima Productions confirmed their return—but oh, the agony of waiting! Newcomers might naively assume Sam Bridges would start with this essential gear, while seasoned couriers exchange knowing glances. That gut-wrenching tension when Timefall starts while you're miles from shelter? Absolutely visceral.

The Episode 8 Grind: Patience Required

Prepare for frustration—Backpack Covers don't unlock until Episode 8, forcing players to endure seven chapters of nail-biting cargo sprints. 😤 The development team clearly wants porters to feel that raw vulnerability before offering protection. When Viktor Frank finally mentions a "fisherman in the tar lake" during Order 34, it’s like spotting an oasis in a desert. That moment when the F5 East Distribution Center flickers online? Pure dopamine. Yet the real journey begins with Sub-Order 116—a retrieval mission demanding 200kg of hauling through treacherous terrain. Wear your skeleton exosuit or bring a floating carrier unless you fancy three agonizing trips.

Connection Levels & Crafting Costs

Completing Sub-Order 116 connects The Fisherman to the Chiral Network, rewarding you with explosive weaponry… but no covers yet. The real magic happens at these milestones:

Connection Level	Unlock	Materials Required
2 Stars	Lv1 Backpack Cover	120 Chiral Crystals + 80 Resins
4 Stars	Lv2 Backpack Cover	TBA (Devs teasing upgrades!)

Reaching 2 stars feels like finally getting armor after fighting bare-chested—a glorious buffer against those soul-crushing Timefall stains. 💪 But the real grind begins with:

• Standard Order 494 (BT extermination along the coast)

• The Fisherman’s Aid Request (recovering scattered cargo)

Finding those shimmering lost packages around the tar lake becomes a therapeutic scavenger hunt. Each piece hauled back inches you closer to the holy grail: that beautiful Lv2 cover fabricating option.

Installation & Final Notes

Once crafted, installing your hard-earned shield takes seconds in the backpack customization menu. That satisfying click when the cover snaps into place? Worth every crystal. Strangely, the interface hints at a mysterious Lv3 slot—likely reserved for late-game surprises.

Walking through your first Timefall storm with cargo intact delivers an almost spiritual relief. Suddenly, the world feels less hostile; those ominous raindrops become background noise rather than impending doom. While the grind tests patience, overcoming it transforms gameplay—turning tense sprints into confident journeys. Ready to shield your hopes against the downpour? 🔒 Connect with fellow porters, share cover strategies, and brave Kojima’s beautiful apocalypse today—your cargo (and sanity) will thank you! ✨