In Dead Island 2, weapons and upgrades are your lifeline. Without them, you’re destined to face repeated deaths against the relentless hordes of zombies. This guide dives into how to find the best weapons, guns, and blueprints, as well as which upgrades are worth your time and resources.

Finding the Best Weapons

As soon as you’re free to roam, the hunt for weapons should be your top priority. Some of the earliest opportunities for powerful gear come from lockboxes. These locked safes and containers often hold valuable weapons but require special keys dropped by named enemies nearby. If these enemies aren’t appearing, it might be because you haven’t progressed far enough in the main story.

Additionally, keep an eye out for fuse boxes. These function similarly to lockboxes and guarantee a weapon drop. Fuse boxes are marked on the map and provide a random weapon, making them a reliable source for building your arsenal early on.

Side Quests and Lost and Found Missions

The best weapons and blueprints often come as rewards for completing side quests and Lost and Found missions. Side quests become available after completing main story events in an area and offer weapons that frequently come with pre-installed mods, making them superior to your current gear.

Lost and Found missions, while less straightforward, are worth the effort. The first example occurs at Ricky’s house, where you’ll find a chest in the pool that starts a quest leading to a high-quality sword. These missions are treasure hunts with multiple steps but often reward you with powerful and unique weapons.

Unlocking Guns and Managing Ammo

Guns are a powerful tool in Dead Island 2 but are not available from the start. They are unlocked during the Justifiable Zombicide quest, roughly a third of the way through the main story. Once unlocked, guns start appearing in random drops and fuse boxes.

While guns offer range, they are balanced by limited ammo availability. Crafting ammo is essential, and blueprints for it can be bought from vendors. It’s best to conserve ammo for boss fights and tough encounters rather than using it as a primary weapon.

Best Mods and Blueprints

Blueprints for mods are found throughout the game—some hidden in the world, others purchasable from vendors or awarded for completing challenges. The best approach is to maintain a versatile loadout: one electric weapon, one fire weapon, and one bleed weapon.

Bleed damage proves to be the most effective against a majority of enemy types, including standard zombies and many of the apex variants. A weapon with bleed damage can quickly chip away at enemy health, making it a solid choice for most encounters.

Vendors and Rechecking Locations

Vendors frequently update their stock as you progress, offering new blueprints and unique weapons. It’s a good idea to revisit vendors in previously explored areas to see what new gear they have for sale.

Challenges also offer a way to unlock blueprints and skill cards. Check your challenge menu regularly to target specific rewards.

Weapon Variety and Preparation

The key to surviving in Dead Island 2 is preparation. Ensure your loadout includes a mix of blunt, slash, and elemental weapons to counter different enemy resistances. For example, firefighters are immune to fire damage but susceptible to bleed, while electric zombies can be neutralized with blunt force.

Additionally, keep a powerful bleed-based weapon as a backup. Bleed weapons tend to be effective against most enemy types, providing a reliable option when elemental effects fall short.

Conclusion

Mastering weapons and upgrades in Dead Island 2 is about maintaining versatility and knowing when to use your best gear. Prioritize finding blueprints, revisit vendors often, and balance your loadout to counter various zombie types.