How to Unlock the Battle Guitar in Death Stranding 2 (March 2026 Guide)
Ever since the first State of Play trailer dropped, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Higgs’ electrifying Battle Guitar. Who wouldn’t want to shred through enemies with a weapon that shoots lightning while pulling off sick guitar solos? After spending countless hours in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, I can finally share the ultimate guide on unlocking this legendary weapon that’s become my go-to for every delivery mission.
Warning: This guide contains major endgame spoilers for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Proceed with extreme caution if you haven’t completed the main story!
What is the Battle Guitar?
The Battle Guitar is one of the best and most fun weapons in Death Stranding 2. This unique melee/ranged hybrid weapon was originally wielded by Troy Baker’s character, Higgs Monaghan, who returns from the Beach with a new rocker/jester aesthetic. The futuristic guitar can shoot electricity and serves as both a devastating melee weapon and a lightning-shooting ranged powerhouse.
When Can You Unlock the Battle Guitar?
Here’s the thing that might disappoint eager players: the Battle Guitar cannot be unlocked in the early stages of the game. You won’t be strumming your way through Mexico or the early parts of Australia. This weapon is locked behind the game’s endgame content, specifically during the final act of your journey.
Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock the Battle Guitar in DS2
Step 1: Progress Through the Main Story
First, you’ll need to complete the entire Mexico chapter and make significant progress through Australia. The Battle Guitar becomes available only after you’ve connected most of the continent to the Chiral Network. This means dozens of hours of deliveries, building connections, and battling through harsh environments.
Step 2: Complete Order No. 46
Order Number 46 is the last order to connect all of Australia together. This mission is no walk in the park:
- Defeat Ghost Mech Soldiers: You’ll face waves of these mechanical nightmares
- Take Down the Giant Mech Boss: A massive boss battle that tests all your combat skills
- Deliver the Drawbridge Terminal Unit: Transport this crucial cargo to the F8 distribution center
Pro tip: Stock up on anti-BT weapons and plenty of blood bags before attempting this mission. Trust me, you’ll need them.
Step 3: The Higgs Confrontation
After completing Order 46, get ready for one of the most cinematic moments in the game. Higgs appears out of the blue to congratulate you on bringing the continent together. But this isn’t a friendly visit – he attempts to attack Sam!
Step 4: Fragile’s Revenge
In an incredible turn of events, DHV Magellan emerges from the tar to knock him down, and Fragile also comes out to confront Higgs one last time. Here’s where it gets epic: Fragile grabs his battle guitar and uses this weapon to eliminate him.
Step 5: Tarman’s Modification
After Fragile defeats Higgs, she leaves the Battle Guitar with Sam. Following a lengthy cutscene aboard the DHV Magellan, Tarman confirms that the crew has modified Higgs’ Guitar for your use in the explosive finale. Congratulations – you now own the Battle Guitar!
How to Use the Battle Guitar in DS2?
The Battle Guitar isn’t just a one-trick pony. Here’s everything you need to know about wielding this beast:
Resource Management
The weapon consumes Chiral Crystals to shoot, so always keep your crystal supply topped up. I recommend maintaining at least 1000 crystals before engaging in major battles.
Combat Techniques
Melee Attacks:
- Press the circle button repeatedly for devastating close-range combos
- Perfect for clearing out human enemies and smaller BTs
Ranged Lightning Attacks:
- Hold L2 to aim, then press R2 to unleash continuous electric charges
- Great for medium-range engagements
Charged Power Attack:
- Hold R2 and release for a massive electric blast
- This move decimates groups of enemies but consumes more crystals
Battle Guitar Stats
| Attack Type | Damage | Crystal Cost | Best Used Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee Combo | High | None | Human enemies, Small BTs |
| Lightning Stream | Medium | Low | Multiple targets |
| Charged Blast | Very High | High | Boss enemies, Large BTs |
Tips and Tricks for Mastering the Battle Guitar
After using this weapon to complete dozens of unfinished deliveries, here are my top strategies:
- Crystal Conservation: Use melee attacks on weaker enemies to save crystals for tougher encounters
- Combo Master: Mix melee and ranged attacks for devastating combos
- Environmental Advantage: The lightning attacks work exceptionally well in rainy conditions
- Boss Destroyer: Save your charged attacks for mini-bosses and large BTs
- Style Points: Don’t forget to shred some solos between battles – it doesn’t affect gameplay, but it looks incredibly cool!
What If You Lose the Battle Guitar?
Don’t panic if you accidentally drop or lose your Battle Guitar! Once unlocked, you can fabricate as many as you want at any delivery terminal. The fabrication cost includes:
- 400 Metals
- 200 Ceramics
- 100 Chiral Crystals
- 50 Special Alloys
Battle Guitar vs Other Weapons
How does the Battle Guitar stack up against other endgame weapons? Here’s my honest comparison:
Advantages:
- Versatile combat options (melee + ranged)
- Looks absolutely incredible
- High damage output
- Area-of-effect lightning attacks
- Unlimited melee attacks
Disadvantages:
- Requires Chiral Crystals for ranged attacks
- Heavy weight (affects stamina)
- Late-game unlock only
- Limited range compared to traditional firearms
The Perfect Loadout
For maximum effectiveness, I pair the Battle Guitar with:
- Maser Gun (for long-range engagements)
- Blood bags (essential for healing)
- Chiral Crystal containers (keep that ammo flowing)
- Speed skeleton (compensates for the guitar’s weight)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running Out of Crystals: Always check your crystal count before major battles
- Over-relying on Charged Attacks: They’re powerful but drain resources quickly
- Ignoring Melee: The melee combos are free and incredibly effective
- Poor Positioning: Lightning attacks can damage cargo if you’re not careful
Easter Eggs and Fun Facts
- Performing a guitar solo (hold triangle) during certain story moments triggers unique animations
- The guitar’s design changes slightly based on your connection level with musicians in the game
- Troy Baker actually performed motion capture for Higgs’ guitar-playing animations
- The weapon’s electric attacks reference classic rock imagery
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unlock the Battle Guitar early through any glitches or exploits?
No, the Battle Guitar is strictly tied to story progression and cannot be obtained early through any legitimate means.
Does the Battle Guitar work against all enemy types?
Yes! It’s effective against human enemies, BTs, and even the new Ghost Mech soldiers introduced in Death Stranding 2.
Can I customize the Battle Guitar’s appearance?
While you can’t directly customize it, certain story choices may affect minor visual elements of the weapon.
Is the Battle Guitar worth the wait?
Absolutely! It’s not just a powerful weapon – it fundamentally changes how combat feels in the late game, making it more dynamic and entertaining.
How many Battle Guitars can I carry at once?
You can carry multiple guitars, but given their weight (15kg each), I recommend sticking to one unless you’re using a vehicle.
Does the Battle Guitar replace other weapons entirely?
While it’s incredibly versatile, you’ll still want traditional firearms for certain situations, especially long-range precision shots.
Final Thoughts
The Battle Guitar in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach represents everything I love about Kojima’s design philosophy – it’s weird, wonderful, and surprisingly practical. While the late-game unlock might frustrate players eager to rock out early, the wait is absolutely worth it. This weapon transformed my entire approach to combat and made completing those final deliveries an absolute blast.
If you’re still working through the story, keep pushing forward. The moment you finally get your hands on Higgs’ modified guitar and unleash that first electric chord on a group of BTs, you’ll understand why this weapon has become legendary in the Death Stranding community.
Ready to become the ultimate guitar-wielding porter? The Battle Guitar awaits at the end of your journey – and trust me, it’s a finale worth experiencing!