What Does Showering Do in Death Stranding 2? (July 2025 Guide)

25th June, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach brings back many beloved mechanics from the first game, and showering is one feature that's more important than ever. While it might seem like a simple cosmetic feature, I've discovered that showering in Death Stranding 2 is actually a crucial gameplay mechanic that can significantly boost your Chiral Crystal farming and reduce your carry load. Let me share everything you need to know about this surprisingly useful feature.

Table of Contents

What Does Showering Do in Death Stranding 2?

When I first started playing Death Stranding 2, I thought showering was just about keeping Sam clean. Boy, was I wrong! Showering not only cleans Sam, but also takes the Chiral Crystals from the outside world and adds them to your inventory. This makes it one of the easiest ways to passively farm this essential resource.

The primary benefits of showering include:

Free Chiral Crystals: The longer you're out, the more Crystals you'll collect when showering
Reduced Carry Load: For every 1000cg, your carry load is reduced by 1kg
Clean Appearance: Removes mud, dirt, and grime from Sam's character model
No Weight Addition: These items have no carry weight, so they do not add to your load

How to Take a Shower in Death Stranding 2?

Taking a shower in Death Stranding 2 is straightforward once you know where to look. Here's my step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Find a Private Room

Private Rooms can be found in any large facility, not just a Prepper's home. Look for these locations:

DHV Magellan (your main base)
Distribution Centers
Safe Houses
Large facilities throughout the map

Step 2: Enter the Private Room

You have two options:

You can directly enter the private room by standing on the large circular elevator in the main room of a shelter
Access it through the terminal menu

Step 3: Initiate the Shower

Once in your private room, look off to Sam's left and you'll get a prompt to shower by pressing circle.

Pro Tip: Skip the Cutscene

The showering scene can be skipped if you want to focus on just getting the Crystals, making this an efficient farming method.

Why You Should Shower Every Time?

I can't stress this enough - shower every single time you enter a Private Room! Here's why:

1. Essential Resource Farming

Chiral Crystals have two very important uses: Used as a basic currency to fabricate a lot of different things. You'll need tons of these crystals for:

Crafting equipment
Building structures
Upgrading facilities
Powering devices like the Floating Carrier

2. Passive Income

Unlike fighting BTs or searching for crystal deposits, showering requires zero effort or risk. It's literally free resources every time you visit a shelter.

3. Weight Management

The weight reduction benefit is a game-changer for long delivery runs. Every kilogram matters when you're trying to maintain balance and speed.

Best Practices for Maximizing Shower Benefits

Through my extensive playtime, I've developed these strategies:

Time Your Showers Strategically

You can shower anytime after going outside of a shelter and entering again
Don't rush back just to shower - complete multiple deliveries first
The crystal yield depends on time spent outside

Combine with Other Activities

When visiting a Private Room, I always:

Take a shower first (for crystals)
Use the toilet (for EX grenades)
Check equipment condition
Rest if needed

Skip When Farming

If you're specifically farming Chiral Crystals, skip the cutscene to save time. You can shower multiple times by simply leaving and re-entering facilities.

Alternative Ways to Get Chiral Crystals

While showering is my favorite passive method, here are other ways to farm crystals:

Environmental Collection

They appear as crystalline protrusions from the ground. Look for hand-shaped formations in:

Timefall-affected areas
After storms pass
BT territories

Combat Rewards

After you get rid of these creatures, you get some crystals for your troubles.
Larger BTs drop more crystals
Boss BTs provide massive crystal rewards

Timefall Storms

If you manage to wait out or escape from a Timefall storm where everything rapidly ages, you will get a lot of Chiral Crystal deposits in its wake.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

During my journey across Australia in Death Stranding 2, I've learned from these mistakes:

Not Showering Frequently: Even if you've only been outside briefly, always shower
Forgetting Private Room Locations: Mark them on your map for easy reference
Ignoring the DHV Magellan: Your mobile base has shower facilities too
Hoarding Crystals: Use them! They're meant to make your journey easier

Platform-Specific Tips

PlayStation 5 Controls

Circle button: Initiate shower
R3: Adjust camera to find shower prompt
Options: Skip cutscene

Accessibility Options

Cutscene skip available for all players
No QTEs or timing requirements
Works with all control schemes

Check out more gaming guides on Of Zen and Computing for tips on other popular games!

Advanced Strategies

Crystal Farming Route

I've developed an efficient farming route:

Start at Distribution Center
Make 3-4 deliveries to nearby locations
Return and shower for maximum yield
Repeat using different facilities

Combining with Online Features

PlayStation 4 players do not need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play the game. The online Porter network enhances the experience by:

Sharing structures between showers
Finding player-built Safe Houses with showers
Accessing shared lockers after showering

Equipment Synergy

After showering and collecting crystals, immediately use them for:

Floating Carriers (for easier transport)
Advanced weapons (for BT areas)
Structure upgrades (for better facilities)

The Science Behind Showering

The lore explanation is fascinating - Sam's body accumulates Chiral contamination from the environment. Similar to its predecessor, taking a shower not only cleans Sam up but also makes for an excellent opportunity to farm Chiral Crystals in Death Stranding 2 from body fluids. This contamination crystallizes and can be harvested through the shower's specialized filtration system.

Comparing Death Stranding 1 vs 2 Shower Mechanics

Having played both games extensively, here's what's changed:

Death Stranding 1

Provided EX Grenades No. 0
Basic cleaning function
Limited crystal rewards
Longer cutscenes

Death Stranding 2

Major crystal farming method
Weight reduction benefits
Skippable cutscenes
More frequent shower opportunities
Available in DHV Magellan

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Can't Find Shower Prompt?

Tilt camera towards the bathroom area
Ensure you're in a Private Room, not main area
Try different angles until prompt appears

No Crystals After Showering?

You must go outside between showers
Longer outdoor time = more crystals
Check if crystals were auto-deposited

Game Version Mismatch?

If you're experiencing technical issues, check out our guide on How to Fix 'Game Version Does Not Match Host' Error for solutions.

FAQs: Death Stranding 2 Showering

How often should I shower in Death Stranding 2?

Players should shower every time they enter a private room, as it is a great source of Chiral Crystals. There's no downside to frequent showering, so make it a habit whenever you visit any facility.

Can I shower in the DHV Magellan?

Yes! Showering is done anytime in a Private Room or the DHV Magellan. Your mobile base has full shower facilities just like stationary Private Rooms.

Do I see Sam naked when showering?

No need to worry! A small cutscene will play out, and the upper half of Sam's body will be visible. The game maintains its tasteful approach to these scenes.

What's the best way to farm Chiral Crystals through showering?

Spend extended time making deliveries before returning to shower. The amount of Crystals you get for the shower depends on how long you were out. Combine multiple delivery routes before returning for maximum efficiency.

Can I shower multiple times in a row?

You can shower anytime after going outside of a shelter and entering again, but you need to leave the facility between showers to accumulate more crystals.

Does showering affect my carry weight?

Yes, positively! For every 1000cg, your carry load is reduced by 1kg. The Chiral Crystals you collect have no weight themselves and actually reduce your overall burden.

Are there other benefits besides Chiral Crystals?

Showering also cleans Sam's appearance, removing all the mud and grime accumulated during your travels. While cosmetic, it's satisfying to see Sam looking fresh!

What happens if I never shower?

You'll miss out on tons of free Chiral Crystals and the weight reduction benefits. Your gameplay won't be blocked, but you're making things unnecessarily difficult for yourself.

Final Thoughts

Showering in Death Stranding 2 is far more than a cosmetic feature - it's an essential gameplay mechanic that smart players use to their advantage. By incorporating regular showers into your routine, you'll never run short of Chiral Crystals and can maintain a lighter carry load throughout your journey.

Remember, showering is another easy way that can help you passively get more as you play. So next time you see a Private Room, don't just walk by - hop in that shower and collect your rewards!

Have you discovered any other shower tips in Death Stranding 2? Share your strategies in the comments below! And if this guide helped you, consider bookmarking it for future reference as the game continues to evolve with updates.