How To Defeat The Kraken Ghost Mech In Death Stranding 2

Full Guide Intro

The Kraken Ghost Mech is one of the first major boss encounters in Death Stranding 2, and for many players it's the fight that proves combat is far more demanding than it was in the original game.

This massive mechanical creature appears during Order 12 and combines heavy damage, multiple attack patterns, and destructible weak points into a memorable battle that rewards preparation and precision.

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When You Fight The Kraken Ghost Mech

The encounter begins during:

Order 12: Investigate the Unusual Tar Currents Near F1

The mission starts at the Musician and leads toward West Fort Knot (F1).

As you approach the fort, you'll notice strange tar formations rising into the sky.

Crossing into this area triggers the boss fight.

Before entering, make sure all preparations are complete since there are no opportunities to restock once the battle begins.

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Kraken Ghost Mech Weak Points

The Kraken's biggest weakness is its collection of glowing orange components.

Look for:

• Orange joints on each tentacle.
• Large orange nodes underneath the body.
• The glowing face section.

These areas take significantly more damage than the rest of the boss.

Destroying tentacle joints can cripple individual limbs and dramatically reduce the Kraken's offensive capabilities.

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Best Weapons Against The Kraken

Shotgun

The most effective weapon in the encounter.

Benefits include:

• Massive weak point damage.
• Fast destruction of tentacle joints.
• Excellent close-range burst damage.

Even lower-level shotguns perform well, but higher-level versions make the fight much easier.

Grenade Pistol

A strong secondary weapon.

Benefits include:

• High burst damage.
• Easy weak point targeting.
• Useful during attack recovery windows.

MP Grenades

Helpful for extra damage when the Kraken is stationary.

Use them after major attacks when the boss cannot immediately retaliate.

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Recommended Loadout

Before accepting Order 12, consider bringing:

Weapons

• Shotgun MP Lv2 x2
• Grenade Pistol MP x2
• MP Grenades

Equipment

• Battle Skeleton
• Blood Bags
• Cryptobiotes

Backpack Upgrades

• Additional Grenade Pouches
• Spare Ammo Containers
• Large Spare Ammo Container

Extra ammunition is especially valuable since the Kraken has a large health pool.

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Recommended APAS Enhancements

Helpful upgrades include:

Combat

• Improved MP Bullets
• Aim Assistance

Porter

• Skeleton Auto-Assist

These upgrades increase damage output and make weak point targeting more reliable.

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Three-Tentacle Swipe Attack

One of the Kraken's most dangerous attacks occurs when it raises three tentacles simultaneously.

Warning signs:

• Three tentacles rise together.
• The Kraken pauses briefly.
• A wide sweeping attack follows.

When this happens:

1. Wait for the strike to begin.
2. Dodge at the last moment.
3. Counterattack during recovery.

Dodging too early often results in getting clipped by the attack.

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Body Slam Attack

The Kraken occasionally lifts itself high into the air using its tentacles.

It then:

1. Raises its body.
2. Suspends itself briefly.
3. Crashes into the ground.

This attack deals heavy damage but creates one of the best damage opportunities in the fight.

After landing, the Kraken remains vulnerable for several seconds.

Use this time to:

• Target weak points.
• Fire grenades.
• Destroy exposed tentacle joints.

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General Combat Strategy

The safest approach is to focus on weak points rather than the boss's main body.

During the fight:

• Prioritize glowing orange targets.
• Stay mobile.
• Dodge instead of blocking.
• Use recovery windows after major attacks.
• Conserve ammunition when weak points aren't exposed.

A few accurate shotgun blasts often outperform entire magazines from weaker automatic weapons.

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How To Survive On Higher Difficulties

On Brutal difficulty, many attacks can eliminate Sam in only a few hits.

To improve survivability:

• Carry multiple Blood Bags.
• Stock up on Cryptobiotes.
• Keep moving constantly.
• Never stay directly beneath the Kraken.
• Prioritize dodging over attacking.

Patience is often more important than aggression.

The fight becomes much easier once several tentacles have been disabled.

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Defeating The Kraken

As more weak points are destroyed, the Kraken's health will rapidly decline.

Continue targeting:

• Tentacle joints.
• Lower body nodes.
• Face weak point.

Eventually the Kraken will collapse, allowing Sam to complete the order and continue the story.

For many players, this battle serves as the first major test of the advanced combat systems introduced in Death Stranding 2.