TL;DR
- Six hidden preppers offer unique gear and story content if you explore off main routes
- Lost cargo scattered near shelters provides the key to initiating contact with reclusive characters
- Each prepper relationship unlocks specialized equipment from holographic signs to advanced exoskeletons
- Strategic planning for BT territory and difficult terrain is essential for reaching remote locations
- Building connections with all preppers significantly enhances your delivery capabilities and game completion
Death Stranding transforms the desolate American landscape into a network-building challenge where forming connections with isolated survivors—known as preppers—becomes your primary mission. As Sam Porter Bridges, your cargo deliveries serve a dual purpose: expanding the chiral network to restore the United Cities of America while personally reconnecting humanity’s fragmented remnants. While you’ll encounter numerous preppers along main delivery routes, the game deliberately conceals several fascinating characters in remote locations that require dedicated exploration to discover.
Many players complete their entire journey without ever encountering these hidden individuals, missing out on valuable equipment, compelling storylines, and the satisfaction of complete network restoration. These overlooked preppers include The Collector, The Musician, and The First Prepper, each offering unique benefits that enhance your traversal capabilities and deepen the narrative experience.
The most reliable indicator of nearby hidden preppers is discovering lost cargo addressed to unfamiliar recipients. These packages typically appear in areas slightly off the beaten path and serve as your invitation to establish new connections. Successfully delivering this cargo initiates dialogue and begins the relationship-building process that defines Death Stranding’s core gameplay loop.
Strategic exploration pays substantial dividends in Kojima’s masterpiece. Venturing beyond safe routes not only reveals these hidden characters but also provides access to specialized gear that dramatically improves your delivery efficiency. This guide provides comprehensive location details and practical strategies for connecting with every prepper in the game.
Among the most recognizable hidden preppers is The Ludens Fan, portrayed by veteran games journalist Geoff Keighley. This eccentric character embodies the spirit of Kojima Productions fandom and offers one of the game’s most visually distinctive rewards for dedicated porters.
Locating The Ludens Fan requires careful navigation northeast from Distribution Center West of Capital Knot City in the Eastern Region. His shelter sits strategically positioned beyond dangerous BT territory atop a challenging steep incline, requiring both caution and proper equipment preparation. The area surrounding his location consistently spawns lost cargo specifically addressed to The Ludens Fan—collecting these items is essential for initiating your first interaction.
Developing your relationship with The Ludens Fan culminates in receiving a unique holographic sign featuring the iconic Luden mascot—though rendered in a more stylized, cartoonish aesthetic than the official logo. This decorative item allows for personalized marker placement throughout the world, adding a touch of character to your delivery routes.
Pro Tip: Approach this area during clear weather conditions to minimize BT encounters. Consider constructing a zip-line network from nearby high points to create a reliable route for repeated visits and additional delivery opportunities.
The Musician represents one of Death Stranding’s more audio-focused characters, offering gear that enhances both your traversal capabilities and immersive experience. This prepper specializes in audio technology and provides equipment that literally changes how you experience the game world.
You’ll find The Musician’s shelter situated in the forested regions west of the Timefall Farm. His location becomes accessible after establishing connection with the Weather Station, making him a mid-game discovery for most players. The area features relatively gentle terrain compared to other hidden preppers, though it still requires navigation through wooded areas that can conceal BTs.
Building your star rating with The Musician unlocks the harmonica, an instrument that Sam can play during rest periods. While primarily cosmetic, this item adds depth to character moments and provides brief respites from the game’s tension-filled delivery sequences.
Common Mistake: Many players overlook the scattered audio logs near his shelter that provide additional backstory and context for his character development.
The Collector stands out as one of Death Stranding’s most valuable hidden preppers for players focused on equipment optimization. This data-obsessed survivor hoards valuable information that translates into practical gear enhancements for dedicated porters.
His shelter is cleverly concealed within a cave system located south of the Timefall Farm and north of the Distribution Center South of Lake Knot City. The entrance blends seamlessly with the rocky terrain, making it easy to bypass during standard deliveries unless you’re actively searching for hidden entrances.
As you increase your connection level with The Collector, you’ll unlock increasingly sophisticated backpack customization options. These include the backpack cover, which protects cargo from Timefall degradation, and additional accessory slots that significantly expand your loadout flexibility.
Optimization Tip: Focus on delivering data storage devices and old-world media to accelerate your star rating progression. The Collector values information above all other cargo types.
The Veteran Porter offers some of Death Stranding’s most practical equipment for serious delivery professionals. This experienced courier has survived years in the wilderness and shares hard-won knowledge through specialized gear.
Locating this character requires ascending to high-altitude terrain northeast of Mountain Knot City. His shelter perches precariously on a mountain ridge, requiring careful navigation through snow-covered paths and potential BT territories. The journey demands proper cold-weather gear and oxygen masks for safe passage.
Developing your relationship with The Veteran Porter rewards you with advanced exoskeleton variants, including the powerful Speed Skeleton that dramatically increases movement velocity across difficult terrain.
Route Planning Advice: Establish a zip-line network connecting Mountain Knot City to his shelter for efficient repeated access. The high altitude makes this location ideal for creating transportation links to other mountain-based preppers.
The Novelist’s Son provides one of Death Stranding’s more narrative-rich connections, tying into the game’s broader themes of legacy and connection across generations.
You’ll find his shelter hidden in a secluded valley southwest of the Distribution Center North of Mountain Knot City. The location requires careful navigation through narrow ravines and around rocky outcrops that can easily conceal his location from casual observation.
Building your connection with The Novelist’s Son unlocks additional lore entries and backstory elements that enrich your understanding of Death Stranding’s world.
Story Integration Tip: Deliver manuscripts and literary works to accelerate relationship building. The character’s storyline connects meaningfully with other narrative threads throughout the game.
The First Prepper represents one of Death Stranding’s most isolated and philosophically significant characters. This original survivor embodies the game’s core themes of connection and isolation in the post-stranding world.
His shelter occupies an extremely remote position in the mountainous regions near the Edge Knot City approach. The journey demands extensive preparation, including all-terrain skeletons, thermal pads, and substantial oxygen supplies for the high-altitude traversal required.
Connecting with The First Prepper unlocks specialized equipment focused on survival in extreme conditions. These items prove invaluable during the game’s final chapters and for players pursuing complete world connection.
Advanced Preparation: This connection requires the most extensive planning of all hidden preppers. Consider establishing a multi-stage zip-line network and stockpile resources before attempting the journey.
Mastering Death Stranding’s hidden prepper system requires understanding several advanced gameplay mechanics that experienced porters utilize for efficient exploration.
Lost Cargo Analysis: Systematically scan areas for cargo addressed to unfamiliar recipients. These items consistently spawn within 300-500 meters of hidden shelters, providing reliable directional cues when you’re in the right vicinity.
BT Territory Navigation: Many hidden preppers position their shelters beyond BT-infested zones. Develop strategies for stealth movement through these areas or utilize anti-BT weaponry for more aggressive approaches. Timefall weather patterns often indicate nearby BT presence before visual confirmation.
Equipment Preparation: Before seeking remote preppers, ensure you have: all-terrain exoskeletons for difficult terrain, oxygen masks for high-altitude locations, thermal pads for cold environments, and sufficient construction materials for establishing temporary shelters or zip-lines.
Common Exploration Mistakes: Avoid these frequent errors: insufficient oxygen reserves for mountain ascents, lacking proper exoskeletons for weight management, and failing to establish return route infrastructure.
Time Investment Estimates: Finding all hidden preppers typically requires 4-6 hours of dedicated exploration beyond main story progression. The investment pays dividends through enhanced equipment and complete network connectivity.
Action Checklist
- Scan all areas for lost cargo addressed to unfamiliar preppers – this indicates nearby hidden shelters
- Prepare appropriate gear: all-terrain skeleton, oxygen mask, thermal pads, and anti-BT weapons
- Establish zip-line networks to remote prepper locations for efficient return visits
- Prioritize preppers offering equipment that matches your playstyle
- Deliver preferred cargo types to accelerate relationship building with each prepper
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Death Stranding Guide: Hidden Preppers You Might’ve Missed – Collector, Veteran Porter, And More Complete guide to finding Death Stranding's hidden preppers with expert strategies and rewards