Mastering the Electric Rod in Death Stranding 2 On The Beach

When I first stepped into the world of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach back in 2025, I was struck by how every single step felt like a calculated dance. Literally, it's a walking simulator at its core, where balancing cargo becomes an art to avoid toppling over. I mean, who would've thought delivering packages could be so intense? But there's more to it—each delivery builds connections with people like La Madre, that pregnant woman in Mexico who lives with a group of elderly folks. Helping her isn't just about the feels; it rewards you with new gear, like the awesome Electric Rod, which totally changes how you navigate dangers. Let me walk you through my journey of unlocking and using this game-changer, based on what I learned from the early Mexico sections. And yeah, I'll toss in some tips and common questions players like us often have along the way. 😊

Helping La Madre and Starting the Aid Request

After connecting La Ciudad Distribution Center to the Chiral Network, I got a new order to deliver Remote Medical Units to Villa Libre—La Madre's remote settlement. Picture this: a small group of elderly people struggling without medical supplies, all in a flood-prone area. I had to choose my path: one route led through a bandit camp, which sounded risky, or a safer path that came with flooding rivers. Rivers in this game aren't just obstacles; they can overflow and turn valleys into lakes, making navigation a nightmare. I opted for the safer route but brought two ladders just in case—connecting them helped me cross wider gaps. Remember, if you're carrying heavy cargo, avoid running on slippery ground to prevent falls. Once I handed in the units and connected Villa Libre to the network, La Madre introduced Aid Requests, a new type of mission that's less formal and more about grabbing lost cargo out in the wild. Here's a shot of the moment I arrived:

• Key steps I took:

• Picked up the main order for Remote Medical Units.

• Chose between the bandit path or flood-prone route (I went safe but prepared for water).

• Used ladders to cross rivers—always pack extras! :ladder:

• Walked slowly on wet terrain to keep cargo balanced.

People Also Ask: How do I avoid bandits while delivering? Well, stealth is key, or go at night with low visibility. But honestly, sometimes it's worth facing them for quicker progress.

Unlocking the Lost Cargo Recovery Request

After linking Villa Libre, La Madre gave me another main order through a forest bandit camp, but she also offered the first Aid Request: recovering walking sticks washed away in a flood near bandit territory. This wasn't a timed quest—just cargo scattered in the world for me to collect whenever. I found it super convenient since it didn't interfere with other missions. To unlock it, I had to build trust; each delivery, even small lost cargo found randomly, boosts your connection level. But focusing on her specific requests speeds things up. Check out this scene from when I accepted the request:

Why this matters:

Strategy	Benefit	Risk
Collecting general lost cargo	Small connection boosts	Time-consuming
Completing specific Aid Requests	Big jumps in levels	May involve hazards like bandits

People Also Ask: What's the fastest way to increase connection levels? Prioritize Aid Requests—they give huge boosts compared to random finds.

Retrieving the Walking Sticks

Now, onto the fun part—finding those walking sticks! As my first Aid Request, it was pretty straightforward. I had to leave space in my inventory for four small cargo pieces before heading out. They were located near a riverbank, close to a bandit camp, but not on my main path to the next distribution center. To make it easy, I went when the rivers weren't flooding (floods can wash cargo away again!) and chose nighttime for stealth—bandits are less alert then. :night_with_stars: Descending into the dry riverbed, I scooped them up and trekked back without issues. Handing them to La Madre sealed the deal. Here's a glimpse of the area:

• My retrieval checklist:

• Check flood forecasts—go during calm periods.

• Use night travel to evade bandits. 😎

• Keep cargo balanced on the return trip.

This step felt rewarding and set me up for bigger unlocks.

Unlocking the Electric Rod

Ah, the Electric Rod—a game-changer I unlocked by reaching a two-star connection level with La Madre. In Death Stranding 2, gear rewards come from leveling up with characters, and this rod is a beast for combat and defense. To hit two stars fast, I completed that Lost Cargo Recovery Request; it gave a massive boost, almost edging me to three stars. You can grind with random deliveries, but Aid Requests are the turbo button. La Madre offers it as a token of gratitude, and trust me, it's worth the effort. Here's the moment I got it:

Connection level progression:

• 1 star: Basic rewards like supplies.

• 2 stars: Unlock the Electric Rod. :zap:

• 3 stars: Higher-tier gear (I'm working on that now).

People Also Ask: Can I unlock the Electric Rod without doing Aid Requests? Yes, but it'll take longer—focus on requests for efficiency.

Using the Electric Rod Effectively

Once I fabricated the Electric Rod, it transformed my gameplay. It's not just for show; it's multi-functional. I could swing it in combat to knock out enemies, but that drains durability—so I used it sparingly. For defense, holding L2 blocks all incoming attacks without timing worries, which saved me in bandit skirmishes. The coolest part? Throwing it: tap R2 for a quick toss or hold to aim precisely. It disables vehicles and stuns groups, making it perfect for crowd control. Here's me in action:

• Usage tips from my experience:

• Combat: Swing for high damage but repair often. ⚔️

• Defense: Block with L2—no dodging needed!

• Throwing: Aim for clusters to maximize stun effects.

People Also Ask: What's the best way to conserve the Electric Rod's durability? Use blocking and throwing over frequent swings; it lasts longer that way.

Reflecting on all this, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is still blowing my mind in 2025 with its depth. Unlocking the Electric Rod through La Madre's requests added a layer of strategy I didn't expect. If you're starting out, focus on those Aid Requests—they pay off big time. But hey, what about you? Ever tried sneaking past bandits at night or experimenting with different gear combos? There's always more to explore. 🌍