How to Kill or Escape BTs in Death Stranding 2 (July 2025 Guide)

Let me share something with you - after spending countless hours in Death Stranding 2, I've mastered both eliminating and avoiding these ghostly nightmares we call BTs (Beached Things). Whether you're a veteran porter or just starting your journey across the haunting landscapes, this comprehensive guide will transform you from BT prey to BT predator - or the ultimate stealth master.

What Are BTs in Death Stranding 2?

Before I dive into the tactics, let's understand what we're dealing with. BTs, or Beached Things, are the ghostly entities that haunt the world of Death Stranding 2. These spectral beings exist between our world and the Beach (the afterlife), making them invisible to most people. Thankfully, Sam Porter Bridges has both DOOMS abilities and his trusty BB Lou, allowing him to detect and interact with these dangerous entities.

How to Detect BTs - The Early Warning System

I've learned that detecting BTs early is half the battle won. Here's what I always watch for:

Visual Cues:

• Timefall Rain: When rain starts falling and Sam's hood automatically goes up, you're entering BT territory
• Sky Color Change: The environment turns a dark, reddish-brown hue
• Map Indicators: Red ghost icons on your map show BT-infested areas
• Ominous Music: The background soundtrack becomes haunting and tense

The Odradek Scanner: Your mechanical companion is crucial for BT detection. When BTs are nearby:

• The Odradek will activate with a distinctive animation
• It points directly toward the nearest BT
• Rapid spinning and flashing indicate extreme proximity
• Orange color means danger is close; white means you're relatively safe

How to Kill BTs in Death Stranding 2?

Now for the fun part - taking these ghosts down! Death Stranding 2 has significantly expanded your arsenal compared to the first game, giving you multiple ways to send BTs back to the Beach permanently.

Essential Anti-BT Weapons

Blood Grenades - Your Reliable Friend

• My go-to weapon for early to mid-game
• Creates a blood cloud that damages BTs over time
• Wait for the throwing radius to turn red before releasing
• Stock up on blood bags to avoid draining Sam's health

MP (Multi-Purpose) Weapons - The Heavy Hitters Look for weapons with "[MP]" in their name:

• Machine Gun [MP]: Great for sustained fire
• Grenade Pistol [MP]: Completely fills the Anti-BT meter
• Assault Rifle [MP]: My personal favorite for versatility
• Quadruple Rocket Launcher: The ultimate late-game BT destroyer

Game-Changing Special Weapons:

• EX Catcher Grenade: This is absolutely wild - you can capture weakened boss BTs and summon them against other bosses! It's like playing Pokémon in Death Stranding
• Battle Guitar: Yes, you read that right - rock your way to victory
• Blood Boomerang: Perfect for stealth kills on BTs with umbilical cords

Combat Strategies for Different BT Types

Gazers and Watchers (Floating BTs)

• Use silenced MP weapons for stealth elimination
• Target them before they spot you to avoid summoning reinforcements
• Blood Grenades work perfectly for clearing groups
• If spotted, eliminate them quickly before they can summon Hunters

Hunters (Tar Pool BTs)

• Keep moving! Standing still in tar is a death sentence
• Use shotguns or machine guns for close-range combat
• Focus on escaping the tar rather than killing every Hunter
• If overwhelmed, run toward solid ground

Catchers (Boss BTs)

• Stay far away and use high ground for mobility
• Target the glowing orange/white weak points
• Use grenades to stun them during charge attacks
• Grenade launcher attachments are incredibly effective
• Remember: you can always escape by leaving the tar arena!

Floating Jellyfish BTs

• Found along coastlines in large groups
• Use vehicle-mounted weapons or machine guns
• Target red jellyfish first - they explode and damage nearby enemies

Pro Combat Tips I've Learned the Hard Way

1. Check Your Weapon's Anti-BT Rating: In the Fabricate Equipment menu, look at the grid's "Anti-BT" section. More filled = more effective
2. Always Carry Blood Bags: Without them, weapons use Sam's health as ammo
3. Mix Your Arsenal: Combine grenades for stunning with guns for damage
4. Use the Environment: Buildings and debris in Catcher fights provide cover

How to Escape and Avoid BTs?

Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor. Here's my stealth playbook for ghosting past BTs:

The Art of BT Stealth

Essential Stealth Techniques:

1. Crouch and Move Slowly
   • BTs can't see you, only hear you
   • Crouch-walking dramatically reduces detection range
   • I've noticed DS2 BTs have smaller detection ranges than the original
2. Master the Hold Breath Mechanic
   • Hold R1 when near BTs to become nearly undetectable
   • Watch your stamina bar - breathing heavily after depletion alerts all nearby BTs
   • Stop moving to breathe safely without detection
3. Use Smoke Grenades
   • While regular BTs are blind, Watchers can see you
   • Smoke grenades block Watcher vision completely
   • Deploy them to create safe corridors through BT areas
4. Strategic Route Planning
   • The new route planner automatically highlights BT zones
   • Consider going around rather than through
   • Mountain paths often have fewer BTs than valleys

Advanced Avoidance Strategies

The Weather Talisman Trick: I discovered that equipping the Weather Talisman accessory reduces Timefall frequency, meaning fewer BT encounters overall!

Timefall Shelters: Building these structures creates BT-free zones. They're perfect for:

• Taking a breather mid-delivery
• Planning your next move
• Waiting for BT patrols to move

Vehicle Escape Method: If you have a vehicle with sufficient battery:

• Drive through at full speed
• When caught in tar, immediately boost
• The vehicle will break free before BTs can grab Sam
• Keep spare batteries for emergencies!

The Footprint Strategy: In areas you traverse frequently, follow your own footprints but avoid orange handprints - these mark where BTs previously detected you.

What to Do When Caught

If a BT grabs you:

1. Mash Square to shake them off
2. Hold L2 + R2 to maintain balance in tar
3. Sprint toward solid ground - escaping the tar ends the encounter
4. Don't panic - you have more time than you think

Equipment and Preparation Tips

Essential Loadout for BT Areas

My recommended gear setup:

• Primary: Assault Rifle [MP] or Grenade Pistol [MP]
• Secondary: Blood Grenades (at least 5)
• Support: Smoke Grenades (3-4)
• Supplies: Blood Bags (minimum 4)
• Accessory: Weather Talisman or Odradek upgrades

Resource Management

• Fabricate at Every Facility: Stock up on anti-BT weapons whenever possible
• Share the Load: Use online features to find shared lockers with supplies
• Prioritize Blood Bags: They're lighter than weapons and universally useful

New Features in Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2 introduces several BT-related improvements:

1. Enhanced Detection: Your Odradek provides clearer warnings
2. New BT Types: Including Watchers with actual vision
3. Expanded Arsenal: More creative weapons like the Battle Guitar
4. Capture Mechanics: Turn boss BTs into allies
5. Improved Stealth: Smaller detection ranges make avoidance easier

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Running Out of Stamina While Holding Breath: Always leave a buffer
2. Wasting Blood Grenades on Single BTs: Save them for groups
3. Fighting When You Can Flee: Not every BT needs to die
4. Ignoring the Map: Those red indicators save lives
5. Forgetting Blood Bags: Don't become your own ammunition

Platform-Specific Controls

PlayStation 5:

• Hold Breath: R1
• Throw Grenade: Hold L2, aim, release R2
• Shake Off BTs: Mash Square
• Scanner: R1 (when stationary)

FAQs

Q: Do all weapons work against BTs?

A: No, only weapons with blood-based ammunition or those marked as "MP" (Multi-Purpose) are effective against BTs. Standard weapons pass right through them.

Q: Can I permanently clear BT areas?

A: Defeating a Catcher BT temporarily clears the area of Timefall and BTs, but they will eventually respawn. The game is designed around recurring encounters.

Q: What's the best early-game BT weapon?

A: Blood Grenades are your best friend early on. They're easy to craft, effective against groups, and don't require advanced facilities to manufacture.

Q: Is it better to fight or avoid BTs?

A: It depends on your situation. If you're carrying valuable cargo, avoidance is usually better. If you need Chiral Crystals or want to clear an area temporarily, fighting can be worthwhile.

Q: Do different difficulty settings affect BTs?

A: Yes, higher difficulties make BTs tougher with more health, while lower difficulties make both combat and stealth more forgiving.

Q: Can BTs damage my cargo?

A: Indirectly, yes. Being dragged by BTs and fighting in tar can cause cargo to fall off and become damaged. Timefall also deteriorates cargo containers over time.

Q: What happens if a BT catches me?

A: You'll be dragged into a tar pool where you must fight Hunters. If they pull you under, you'll face a Catcher boss. Losing this fight respawns you but may trigger a Voidout, leaving a crater.

Q: Are there any areas completely free of BTs?

A: Yes, established cities, distribution centers, and areas under completed road networks are typically BT-free zones.

Final Thoughts

Mastering BT encounters in Death Stranding 2 is all about preparation, patience, and knowing when to fight versus when to flee. I personally prefer a balanced approach - stealth when I'm loaded with cargo, combat when I need resources or want to clear a path.

Remember, every porter has their own style. Some players love the thrill of sneaking past BTs undetected, while others enjoy the satisfaction of clearing entire areas with overwhelming firepower. Death Stranding 2 gives you the tools for both approaches, so experiment and find what works for you.

The most important tip? Don't let BTs intimidate you. With the right knowledge and equipment, they transform from terrifying obstacles into manageable challenges - or even sources of valuable resources.

Whether you choose to be a ghost among ghosts or a one-person BT extermination squad, I hope this guide helps you traverse the haunting world of Death Stranding 2 with confidence. Now get out there and show those BTs who's boss!

Keep on keeping on, fellow porters!