The Ludens Fan, a prepper
Preppers are individuals who live alone—or with others—in isolated bunkers scattered across remote regions. Because they live in isolation, they rely heavily on porters, like Sam, to deliver essential cargo and maintain their link to the outside world.
Overview[]
History[]
Before the Death Stranding, a global network existed that could transport goods from any point on Earth to any other, seamlessly linking individuals with anything they desired. This technology enabled real-time, long-distance communication, bridging vast geographical divides and connecting people across the globe. However, this convenience came at a cost. As physical presence and face-to-face interactions became increasingly obsolete, isolationism and sedentary lifestyles took hold. The diminishing need for direct, personal contact led to a profound shift in societal behavior.
Large segments of the population began exhibiting signs of social regression: the advocacy for the construction of national barriers, the rejection of refugees, and even the dissolution of broader governmental structures. This marked not just a loss of faith in the state's capacity to manage crises and protect its people, but a deeper disillusionment with institutional authority itself. Many people began to see the government not merely as inadequate, but as fundamentally opposed to personal freedom and individual sovereignty. In response, a growing number of individuals turned inward—stockpiling resources and constructing personal shelters in preparation for an anticipated systemic collapse
In America[]
When the Stranding occurred and the United States collapsed, the shelters that people had built in preparation for catastrophe became their permanent homes—places where they would live and eventually die. Though they had planned for disaster, few were prepared to live in isolation indefinitely. As resources dwindled and conditions worsened, many came to rely heavily on porters for survival.
Over time, Fragile Express emerged as the dominant delivery organization in the central region, while Bridges maintained operations in the east. Both worked in anticipation of a years-long expedition to reconnect what remained of the nation through the use of terminals connected to a new network, the chiral network. It was only through Sam's expedition westward, however, that many preppers ultimately chose to join the network, helping to reforge the fractured continent into the United Cities of America.
Interactions with Sam[]
Preppers appear to Sam via chiralgrams at their delivery terminals and typically do not come above ground. If Sam takes too long to deliver, or if he delivers damaged cargo, he receives fewer likes in return. However, the more Sam delivers to a prepper and strengthens their relationship, the more likely they are to join the chiral network and reward him with additional items. In cases where a prepper is initially unwilling to join the network, repeated deliveries may persuade them.
Once a prepper's terminal is connected to the network, Sam gains full access to its functions—including item fabrication and storage. As Sam deepens his bonds with preppers, they may provide him with design data for new vehicles, weapons, tools, and equipment upgrades that aid his journey, as well as the use of their shelter as a private room to rest and recover. Some also reward him with valuable materials or rare items such as higher-capacity blood bags or chiral boots.
Connecting more preppers to the network not only expands Sam's delivery options, but also enables the construction of more structures across the map—directly supporting his main objective. The easiest way to raise a prepper's connection level is by returning lost cargo in addition to fulfilling standard delivery orders or completing requests from other facilities.
List of preppers[]
United Cities of America[]
| Name | Address | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chiral Artist | S37-65 | Central Region |
| Chiral Artist's Mother | S37-89 | Central Region |
| Collector | S37-83 | Central Region |
| Cosplayer | S37-80 | Central Region |
| Craftsman | S23-21 | Central Region |
| Doctor | S41-07 | Central Region |
| Elder | S23-18 | Central Region |
| Engineer | S23-06 | Central Region |
| Environmental Scientist | S37-52 | Central Region |
| First Prepper | S41-87 | Central Region |
| Film Director | S23-71 | Central Region |
| Junk Dealer | S37-65 | Central Region |
| Ludens Fan | S02-01 | Eastern Region |
| Medical Device Engineer | S41-07 | Central Region |
| Mountaineer | S41-15 | Central Region |
| Mountain Guide | S41-15 | Central Region |
| Musician | S08-98 | Eastern Region |
| Novelist's Son | S41-76 | Central Region |
| Peter Englert | S23-84 | Central Region |
| Photographer | S41-04 | Central Region |
| Photographer's Mother | S41-04 | Central Region |
| Roboticist | S41-09 | Central Region |
| Spiritualist | S41-08 | Central Region |
| Timefall Farmer | S37-52 | Central Region |
| Veteran Porter | S41-46 | Central Region |
| Wandering MC | S37-80 | Central Region |
Mexico[]
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Artist | S02-49 |
| Bokka | S01-27 |
| La Madre | S01-05 |
Australia[]
| Name | Address | Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineer | ST-S05-427 | Southern Territory |
| Adventurer | ST-S05-331 | Southern Territory |
| Adventurer's Son | ST-S05-331 | Southern Territory |
| Architect | NT-S02-637 | Northern Territory |
| BPAS | ST-S08-661 | Southern Territory |
| Chronobiologist | ET-S04-168 | Eastern Territory |
| Data Scientist | NT-S03-206 | Northern Territory |
| Doctor / The Motherhood | NT-S03-184 | Northern Territory |
| Dowser | NT-S03-291 | Northern Territory |
| Fisherman | ST-S05-028 | Southern Territory |
| Glenn Rain / Rainbow Valley | WT-S01-028 | Western Territory |
| Ghost Hunter | ET-S04-089 | Eastern Territory |
| Inventor | NT-S02-218 | Northern Territory |
| Lone Commander | WT-S01-085 | Western Territory |
| Mechanic | NT-S03-811 | Northern Territory |
| Metagenomicist | ST-S05-404 | Southern Territory |
| Mr. Impossible | ST-S05-999 | Southern Territory |
| Musician | WT-S01-109 | Western Territory |
| Old Oz / The Government | WT-S01-084 | Western Territory |
| Phantom Smith | ET-S07-623 | Eastern Territory |
| Pioneer | NT-S03-001 | Northern Territory |
| Pizza Chef | NT-S03-014 | Northern Territory |
| Tar Therapist | ET-S04-006 | Eastern Territory |
Notes[]
- Preppers are typically not directly related to the main storyline of Death Stranding.
- In the UCA, the only preppers Sam meets in person during his journey are the Junk Dealer and the Chiral Artist.
- Some preppers are portrayed by celebrities, including humorist Conan O'Brien; film directors Jordan Vogt-Roberts; former Weekly Famitsu chief editor Hirokazu Hamamura; manga artist Junji Ito; journalist Geoff Keighley; musician Daichi Miura; novelist Manabu Makime; creative director Sam Lake; and producer Hermen Hulst. In some cases, their roles reflect their real-life professions through their prepper names.
Gallery[]
