TL;DR
- Complete sub-order 100 ‘Deliver the Dismantled Rifle’ to unlock the Tranq Sniper Rifle
- Achieve Connection Level 4 with Lone Commander for LW upgrade with improved portability
- Craft using 80 Resins, 100 Metals, and 80 Chemicals after successful mission completion
- Navigate BT areas strategically while monitoring Lou’s mood to avoid combat encounters
- Prioritize side missions and cargo deliveries to efficiently build connection levels
While sniper rifles typically serve as primary weapons in most action-adventure titles, Death Stranding 2 introduces a specialized tranquilizer variant that revolutionizes non-lethal tactical approaches. Unlike conventional firearms that eliminate threats permanently, the Tranq Sniper Rifle provides strategic crowd control capabilities, allowing players to neutralize human adversaries without escalating violence cycles. This weapon becomes particularly valuable during stealth-oriented missions where maintaining low visibility proves crucial.

The weapon’s acquisition method diverges significantly from standard progression systems, requiring dedicated side mission completion rather than main story advancement. This design choice encourages exploration of Death Stranding 2’s rich side content while rewarding players with specialized tools that complement various playstyles. For those mastering different combat approaches, our Weapons Unlock guide offers additional strategic insights applicable across multiple gaming contexts.
Initiating the Tranq Sniper Rifle acquisition requires connecting The Lone Commander to Australia’s Chiral Network through a carefully structured side mission sequence. Begin by accepting sub-order 100, formally titled “Deliver the Dismantled Rifle to the Lone Commander [Breakable Cargo]”, which becomes available after reaching specific progression milestones in the central narrative. This mission classification as breakable cargo introduces additional logistical considerations, demanding careful route planning and terrain assessment.
The core objective involves navigating through designated BT territories to retrieve sentimental items, a task that demands both strategic foresight and environmental awareness. Seasoned players typically allocate 45-60 minutes for successful completion, accounting for unpredictable weather patterns and enemy patrol routes. Unlike primary story missions that automatically integrate into your journey, this side content requires intentional pursuit, making it easily missable for those focused exclusively on main objectives.
During BT zone infiltration, maintain constant awareness of Lou’s emotional state through the pod interface indicators. Significant agitation or distress signals necessitate immediate retreat and recalibration of your approach strategy. These areas contain heightened supernatural activity, making stealth and avoidance preferable to direct confrontation, especially when transporting fragile cargo.
Critical Navigation Tip: Equip yourself with blood grenades and holographic decoys before entering BT zones, as these tools provide crucial diversion capabilities when detection becomes imminent. The tranquilizing nature of the sniper rifle makes it particularly effective against human combatants, allowing you to bypass lethal engagements while still achieving mission objectives.
Elevating your Tranq Sniper Rifle to the enhanced LW variant demands dedicated relationship building with The Lone Commander, achievable through consistent mission completions and cargo deliveries. Connection Level 4 represents a significant trust milestone, typically requiring 8-12 hours of focused engagement with this specific character’s questline. The progression system rewards thorough exploration and commitment to side content rather than rapid main story advancement.
Strategic Relationship Building: Prioritize repeatable delivery missions originating from The Lone Commander’s location, as these provide the most efficient connection point accumulation. Each successfully completed assignment incrementally advances your standing, with premium cargo deliveries offering substantially greater relationship gains than standard packages.

The LW upgrade primarily enhances operational logistics rather than combat performance, reducing the weapon’s cargo footprint to S-size classification. This portability improvement allows for more flexible inventory management, particularly valuable during extended expeditions where space optimization becomes critical. For comprehensive character development strategies applicable to various gaming scenarios, consult our Class Guide covering specialized role optimization.
Despite the designation as an upgrade, the LW Tranq Sniper maintains identical ballistic characteristics to its standard counterpart, including effective range, scope customization options, and audible report when discharged. The consistency ensures that mastered shooting techniques remain applicable across both weapon iterations.
Once successfully unlocked through side mission completion, the Tranq Sniper Rifle becomes permanently available for fabrication at any private room installation. The crafting formula demands precise material quantities: 80 Resins, 100 Metals, and 80 Chemicals, resources typically accumulated through standard gameplay activities and environment interaction. Strategic players often pre-collect these components during main story progression to enable immediate weapon construction post-unlock.
Resource Acquisition Strategies: Focus on MULE camp raids and abandoned facility exploration for concentrated material yields. Resins prove particularly abundant in forested regions, while Metals frequently appear in industrial zones and mountainous areas. Chemicals typically concentrate near scientific outposts and research facilities.
Common crafting mistakes include attempting fabrication without secure storage capacity or misallocating resources needed for essential equipment. Always verify inventory space availability before initiating the crafting process to avoid wasted materials. For players seeking broader gameplay mastery, our Complete Guide offers foundational principles transferable across multiple gaming contexts.
The weapon’s non-lethal capabilities make it ideal for specific mission types where minimizing casualties aligns with narrative objectives or personal playstyle preferences. Its tranquilizing darts incapacitate targets for extended durations, providing tactical windows for stealth advancement or objective completion without permanent enemy elimination.
Action Checklist
- Accept sub-order 100 from mission terminal
- Navigate BT area to recover mementos (45-60 minutes)
- Return recovered items to Lone Commander
- Complete repeatable delivery missions to build connection
- Reach Connection Level 4 for LW upgrade
- Gather 80 Resins, 100 Metals, 80 Chemicals
- Fabricate weapon at private room
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » How to Get and Upgrade the Sniper in Death Stranding 2 Master the Tranq Sniper Rifle acquisition and upgrades with expert strategies for Death Stranding 2 players
