Death Stranding 2: How to defeat the final boss Higgs?

The finale of Death Stranding 2, main order No. 48, consists entirely of the final duel with Sam's archenemy, Higgs. The final battle has three phases and you cannot take any equipment with you - your only weapon will be a battle guitar with infinite ammo. On this page of the guide we've described how to use the battle guitar, how to defeat the red samurai and how to defeat Higgs.

• How to use the battle guitar?
• How to defeat the red samurai?
• How to beat Higgs on the beach?
• How to beat Higgs in a duel?

How to use the battle guitar?

The battle guitar is the only weapon Sam can take with him to the APAS 4000 Beach, where the final battle will take place. It's both a ranged weapon and a melee weapon. Sam can wield it like an axe, hitting nearby enemies with it. He can also aim it by holding L2, rapid fire by pressing R2, or charge more powerful shots by holding R2. You can also block melee attacks with it. Unlike with other melee weapons, you only need to hold L2 to block - Sam will automatically deflect all melee attacks from the front, unless you're charging up a shot.

During the final battle the guitar has infinite ammo. At the start of the battle take some time to familiarize yourself with it - you'll get to shoot a few weak BTs before Higgs attacks you.

How to defeat the red samurai?

In the first phase of the battle, Higgs is remotely piloting the red samurai. The boss can block your bullets with his katana. Fire charged shots at him - the samurai will be stunned for a moment after parrying a charged shot. This will let you fire rapid shots at him or get in close and strike him with your axe.

Be careful when attacking the samurai in melee. While the first hit will always knock him off balance, Sam's basic combo consists of four hits. When the samurai recovers, he can immediately counter with a quick slash. If the samurai stands up straight in the middle of your combo, immediately dodge or block.

Keep moving sideways while charging your shots. Occasionally the boss will throw knives at you, which you cannot block while charging your guitar. If you keep moving sideways, the thrown knifes should just barely miss you. If you're rapid firing at the samurai, move towards him - Sam will block the knife as long as you're aiming.

Occasionally the boss will crouch and lower his guard. He'll then start shooting razor wind at you. Rapid fire at him while avoiding the wind. The opponent can also jump into the air - move in any direction, as he's about to land on you. He can also charge at you, which you must dodge.

Since you don't have any blood bags with you, your only method of healing are cryptobiotes. There are several nests along the edges of the arena - use them if your health gets low. After defeating the red samurai, you will immediately move on to the second phase of the battle - you will face Higgs amidst the APAS 4000 servers.

How to beat Higgs on the beach?

The battle against Higgs is a cat and mouse game. You fight him amidst the APAS 4000 servers, with the servers serving as cover for you both. Keep scanning the area with your odradek to spot Higgs' silhouette. Once you spot him, charge your guitar, lean out from behind cover, and fire a charged shot to bring Higgs down to his knees. If he's close, start hitting him with your guitar. If he's far away, rapid fire at him until he teleports away. You can repeat this strategy throughout the entire fight.

Midway through the battle, Higgs will activate the flamethrower in his guitar. From now on, staying close to him is very dangerous, the flames are wide and difficult to avoid. When Higgs readies his flamethrower, hide behind one of the servers.

He'll also start teleporting on top of the servers, firing lightning bolts with a large area of effect. You can either shoot him down or fire a charged shot at the server he's standing on. Even a partially charged shot will destroy the server, making Higgs lose his footing and fall. You can then freely attack him until he gets up.

Towards the end of the battle, Higgs will start teleporting atop the massive BTs surrounding the arena. The BTs will start flicking the servers, knocking down entire rows like dominoes. Keep an eye out for the collapsing servers and move away from falling debris, then keep looking for Higgs.

The longer the battle lasts, the less cover you'll have. Quickly finish off Higgs to start the final phase of the fight.

How to beat Higgs in a duel?

The final phase of the battle is more of a spectacle than a mechanical challenge. You'll face Higgs in a guitar-axe duel. Block Higgs' strikes by holding L2 and hit him with your guitar when he's not attacking. If Higgs starts blocking, quickly dodge to get besides him.

You can avoid aerial strikes with a quick side dodge and then immediately counterattack. Most of his moves can be easily blocked though.

Halfway through the battle, Higgs will teleport to the center of the arena and challenge you to a guitar solo. Agree by pressing Square. During the solo, be ready for QTEs (always press Circle) and mashing Circle. If you win the solo, Sam will heal and Higgs will give you a thousand likes.

Once Sam disarms Higgs, be ready for another QTE. Quickly mash Circle to push Higgs away and move on to the final part of the fight.

Sam and Higgs are already exhausted, so the final phase is very easy. Attack Higgs - your combos consist of two strikes at most. Immediately after your combo ends, start blocking Higgs' attacks. If Higgs raises his guard, wait until he lowers it - otherwise he will block your strike and immediately counter you.

Finally, after a long battle, you will bring Higgs down to his knees. Press Square to finish him off and end the fight.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

June 26, 2025

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