A powerful early-level stealth weapon like the Tranq Sniper Rifle is a must-have for long-range takedowns, but it’s easy to miss. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the unlocking method, which involves completing a side quest chain in Australia, includes tips for navigating terrain, avoiding BTs, and earning the Lone Commander’s trust.
Why the Tranq Sniper Rifle Matters?
If you’re well into Death Stranding 2 and seek to add a practical long-range weapon to Sam’s arsenal, the tranquilizing sniper rifle should be your choice. It’s not something you gain through the main story; you’ll need to go off the beaten path a bit and complete a side mission or two for it.
Starting the Quest: Visit the Government Base
Once you arrive in Australia, one of the first places you’ll connect to the Chiral Network is the Government Base. Chat with the Prepper here and he’ll casually mention a delivery sub-order: bring a Dismantled Rifle to a guy known as the Lone Commander. It’s pitched as non-essential, but don’t ignore it—it’s your ticket to unlocking one of the better stealth weapons in the game.
Reaching the Lone Commander
The path to his outpost is tricky—it’s steep, rugged terrain and not ideal for driving. Leave your vehicle (especially the DHV Magellan) somewhere safe and make the trip on foot. It’s easier to manage and reduces the risk of losing gear to timefall or slipping off a cliff.
First Delivery: Rifle Handoff
So, you drop off the rifle expecting a reward, right? Nope. The Lone Commander tells you it’s not enough to get him to join the Chiral Network yet. You’ll need to prove yourself with a second task.
Second Task: Recovering the Mementos
Your follow-up job is to retrieve Mementos from a BT-infested area. It’s not super difficult, but it can get tense—especially if you haven’t geared up properly yet.
If you’re still early in the game, avoid fighting. Here’s how to stay under the radar:
- Tap R1 to crouch and keep noise to a minimum.
- Hold R1 to make Sam hold his breath and slip past BTs undetected.
- Watch your Odradek scanner—it’ll twitch in the direction of nearby BTs.
Crafting isn’t available at the Commander’s base, but he does give you a couple of Ladders and a Climbing Anchor, which are enough to complete the mission if you plan your path smartly.
Unlocking the Rewards
Once you successfully return the Mementos, the Lone Commander finally links up to the Chiral Network. This unlocks:
- The Tranq Sniper Rifle – perfect for silently taking down human enemies.
- The Smoke Grenade – great for covering your tracks when using unsuppressed weapons.
Final Notes
The tranquilizer sniper rifle might be skippable if you’re rushing through the story, but for players who enjoy stealth and long-range play, it’s absolutely worth picking up. Just be ready for a bit of sneaking and a light detour to earn it.
