Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 7 – Clifford

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Transitioning from Episode 6’s intense challenges, Death Stranding’s seventh chapter introduces a deliberate pacing shift that emphasizes narrative depth and world-building. This episode functions as both a narrative bridge and gameplay recalibration period, allowing players to absorb previous story revelations while preparing for upcoming developments. The exposition-heavy nature provides essential character background that becomes crucial for understanding later plot twists.

Strategic preparation becomes paramount during this chapter. Players should prioritize upgrading their exoskeleton and stocking specialized cargo containers before embarking on main missions. The terrain introduces new navigation challenges that demand advanced equipment planning and route assessment skills.

Episode 7’s mission structure revolves around critical deliveries that reveal deeper narrative layers while testing your logistical capabilities. The primary objectives involve transporting sensitive cargo through increasingly hostile environments where standard routes prove insufficient. Advanced players should consider establishing zip-line networks between mountain peaks to bypass ground-level dangers.

New environmental factors include intensified timefall storms and expanded BT territories that require specialized detection equipment. The optimal strategy involves scouting alternative paths during clear weather conditions and marking safe routes for future reference. Vehicle deployment should focus on strategic choke points where they can serve multiple delivery routes efficiently.

• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Prologue – Foundational mechanics and initial story setup
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 1 – Bridget – Early game progression and basic systems
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 2 – Amelie – Expanded world exploration
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 3 – Fragile – Advanced transportation methods
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 4 – Unger – Combat introduction and stealth tactics
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 5 – Mama – Emotional narrative and technical challenges
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 6 – Deadman – Lore expansion and complex missions
• Death Stranding Walkthrough: Episode 7 – Clifford – Current chapter focus

This chapter introduces subtle gameplay refinements that experienced porters can leverage for efficiency gains. The cargo management system now accounts for environmental degradation rates, requiring proactive protective measures. Advanced players should master the art of multi-drop routing to maximize delivery efficiency while minimizing exposure to hazards.

Common mistakes include underestimating the narrative sequences’ duration and failing to prepare adequate shelter during extended cutscenes. Optimal play involves completing secondary standard orders before triggering main story progression to ensure proper equipment readiness. The hidden prepper locations in this episode provide exclusive gear that significantly enhances traversal capabilities in subsequent chapters.

For players seeking to optimize their class selection and loadout strategies, similar tactical planning applies to Death Stranding’s equipment choices. The terrain demands specialized gear that parallels the strategic considerations found in our complete Battlefield 6 guide for optimal performance.

As the intense confrontation concludes, you’ll likely observe your ammunition reserves depleting rapidly. Fortunately, the battlefield contains scattered firearms and explosive devices, making it essential to prioritize collecting these resources to maintain backup armaments—engaging adversaries through physical combat proves remarkably inefficient against these opponents.

Beyond basic weapon gathering, experienced players should systematically sweep the perimeter for blood packs and specialized equipment. The arena’s design intentionally places resources in strategic positions, often near cover points or elevated platforms. Maintaining at least one fully loaded secondary weapon can mean the difference between success and failure during the multi-phase encounter.

Deploy your odradek scanner consistently to identify the location of upcoming engagements. Mads additionally leaves distinctive crimson footprints that become visible following an odradek scanning pulse, providing crucial intelligence for tactical positioning.

Advanced tracking involves analyzing footprint density and direction to predict enemy movement patterns. Denser clusters indicate recent activity, while fading prints suggest the target is moving away. Combining scanning with environmental observation allows for superior battlefield control and ambush opportunities.

Remain vigilant as Mads introduces several new combat techniques since your previous encounter in Episode 7. He now employs incendiary projectiles capable of inflicting significant damage (as illustrated) and can rapidly generate additional combat units if granted sufficient uninterrupted time.

The flame attacks follow a predictable charging pattern with visible tell signs—watch for his arm glowing orange before deployment. The soldier spawning mechanism has a cooldown period; maintaining consistent pressure prevents him from overwhelming you with reinforcements. Understanding these behavioral patterns is crucial for managing the encounter’s difficulty.

My proven methodology emphasized perpetual mobility while aggressively closing distance to leverage the shotgun’s rapid discharge and quick reload capabilities—successful hits induce brief staggering, creating sustainable attack cycles when accuracy remains consistent.

When you successfully trace Mads’ footprints and anticipate subsequent soldier groupings, deploying grenades efficiently eliminates multiple threats simultaneously. This approach conserves primary weapon ammunition for critical moments against the main antagonist.

You must defeat Mads and his accompanying forces through three complete engagement cycles, necessitating strategic collection of supplementary armaments and medical supplies throughout the combat zone.

Shotgun effectiveness diminishes at range, so mastering the dash-and-strike rhythm becomes essential. Each combat phase introduces slight variations in enemy placement and behavior, requiring adaptive tactics rather than repetitive approaches.

After successfully neutralizing Mads, you’ll experience several narrative sequences before returning to your private quarters. The shower mechanic now serves as a primary progression trigger within the game’s structure.

Exit your room once gameplay restrictions lift following the cleansing ritual. However, this episode continues beyond the boss encounter—we face one additional significant mountain traversal mission!

Our destination involves meeting Heartman personally at his research facility. Can you speculate about its location? Perhaps adjacent to the extraordinarily massive heart-shaped reservoir situated directly south of Mountain Knot City? The expedition requires preparation for extreme weather conditions and potential BT encounters along the route.

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