TL;DR
- Progress to Episode 8: Deluge and complete the Chronobiologist main mission
- Craft EX Capture Grenades and accept the ‘Deliver proof of attack’ sub-order
- Activate and complete the Headless Riders elimination mission from Ghost Hunter’s terminal
- Use strategic positioning and equipment to defeat spectral enemies efficiently
- Maximize connection level to unlock exclusive gear and achievement rewards
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Embarking on the journey to recruit the Ghost Hunter in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach presents a unique gameplay challenge that many players find initially perplexing. While you’ll naturally encounter a delivery task directed toward this mysterious figure during normal progression, completing that initial assignment alone proves insufficient for establishing a Chiral Network connection. The key insight many miss is that this NPC operates by different rules than standard characters, requiring a dedicated secondary mission chain to fully integrate him into your network infrastructure.
The Ghost Hunter represents one of the game’s optional NPC encounters, meaning his inclusion in your Chiral Network demands specific, deliberate actions beyond main story progression. Understanding his role in the game’s lore helps contextualize why standard approaches fail—he’s designed as a specialist who values demonstrated capability over routine service.
- Advance through the primary narrative until reaching Episode 8: Deluge, where critical gameplay mechanics become available
- Complete the central mission objective to locate and assist the Chronobiologist character
- Recognize that initial interactions provide only partial progress toward full integration
Your encounter with the Chronobiologist serves as the foundational step for accessing the Ghost Hunter’s full potential. At this specialist’s encampment, you’ll gain access to advanced equipment crafting, specifically the EX Capture Grenades that enable BT capture and summoning capabilities. This technological advancement proves crucial for dealing with the supernatural threats you’ll later face.
The Chronobiologist’s terminal contains the vital sub-order “Deliver proof of an attack to the Ghost Hunter,” which initiates your formal introduction to this elusive character. From this location, navigate northward along the descending pathway to discover the Ghost Hunter’s compact outpost nestled in the terrain.
- Master EX Capture Grenade deployment: these specialized tools allow temporary BT manipulation for tactical advantages
- Strategic preparation: ensure your loadout includes adequate defensive equipment before departure
- Route optimization: the path to the Ghost Hunter’s base contains several challenging terrain features requiring careful navigation

Simply completing the delivery mission from the Chronobiologist won’t secure the Ghost Hunter’s Chiral Network affiliation. Many players mistakenly believe that gathering scattered cargo in the vicinity will help, but this approach yields minimal results. The breakthrough comes from accessing the Ghost Hunter’s own terminal and selecting the specific assignment: “Uncover the identity of the Headless Riders and remove the threat.”
This combat-focused mission demands careful preparation and strategic execution. The target zone lies northeast of the Ghost Hunter’s camp, positioned across the river passage that connects back to the Mechanic’s location. This area features distinctive environmental markers that help with orientation.
- Location precision: the Headless Riders manifest in a specific spectral zone marked by environmental anomalies
- Combat readiness: these ethereal enemies require specific tactical approaches rather than conventional weaponry
- Time investment: allocate approximately 20-30 minutes for thorough exploration and engagement


Advanced Combat Strategy: Position yourself on elevated terrain when engaging Headless Riders, as their movement patterns become more predictable from above. Utilize cover strategically since these enemies employ projectile attacks that can quickly deplete your health. The EX Capture Grenades prove particularly effective when deployed as area denial tools against their advance routes.
Successfully eliminating the Headless Riders threat represents the pivotal moment in your relationship with the Ghost Hunter. Upon mission completion, return to his terminal to formalize the connection, which will now progress significantly faster than through standard delivery missions alone.
The Ghost Hunter offers unique rewards that justify the investment in this complex recruitment process. These include specialized equipment unavailable through other NPCs and contribution toward completion-based achievements.


Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Many players underestimate the combat requirements of the Headless Riders mission, arriving unprepared for the engagement’s intensity. Others fail to recognize that standard delivery missions to the Ghost Hunter provide diminishing returns compared to the specialized combat assignment. Proper equipment selection before engaging proves crucial for success.
For players seeking to master Death Stranding 2’s complex NPC interaction systems, understanding these specialized recruitment patterns becomes essential. The Ghost Hunter exemplifies the game’s deeper mechanics that reward investigation and persistence over straightforward progression.
Action Checklist
- Progress main story to Episode 8: Deluge and complete Chronobiologist mission
- Craft EX Capture Grenades and accept ‘Deliver proof of attack’ sub-order
- Navigate to Ghost Hunter’s camp and complete initial delivery
- Accept and complete Headless Riders elimination mission
- Return to Ghost Hunter’s terminal to establish Chiral connection
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » How To Unlock The Ghost Hunter Rewards In Death Stranding 2 Complete guide to unlocking the Ghost Hunter NPC in Death Stranding 2 with advanced strategies and rewards
