Death Stranding 2 retains one of the oldest and most crucial mechanics in games — the health system, which determines how much damage the main character can withstand before dying, after which you'll need to replay the moment from the checkpoint.

That's why it's essential to know how to restore health in Death Stranding 2, to increase your chances of survival, safely reach your destination, and deliver the vital and valuable cargo on which the survival of humanity, teetering on the brink of extinction, depends.

All Ways to Heal in Death Stranding 2

In Death Stranding 2, there are three ways to help Sam Porter restore health during his journeys. Below, we describe each of these methods and what is required.

Method 1: How to Heal Using Blood Bags in Death Stranding 2 

The easiest and most basic way to restore health in Death Stranding 2 is using blood bags.

Main advantage: when a blood bag is in the Utility Pouch, it activates automatically. To equip blood bags, open the Ring Terminal and go to Cargo Management.

You won't need to apply them manually during combat: when Sam takes damage, the blood bag automatically starts restoring health using the stored blood. This means that healing depends more on prior preparation than on the player's quick reaction.

One blood bag contains approximately 500 ml of blood, and Sam's total health capacity is 1000 ml. So, for a full recovery from zero, at least two full bags are needed. You can store extras in your backpack or in the suit's storage — the game automatically switches to the next full bag when the current one runs out.

Making blood bags is simple but requires certain resources. They can be crafted at any Distribution Center, Safehouse, or Facility connected to the Chiral Network. For this, you will need:

• 15 Chiral Crystals
• 10 Resins

These materials are not rare, but it's always worth collecting them, especially if you're heading into a BT zone.

Method 2: How to Heal Using Cryptobiotes in Death Stranding 2

The next way to restore health in Death Stranding 2 involves Cryptobiotes — microscopic airborne creatures that act as quick, traditional healing items. If you take some damage and don't want to use blood bags, cryptobiotes are a good option. Especially when you're out of combat or conserving resources.

Cryptobiotes are often found near red coral formations in the wild. Use the scanner (R1) to highlight them, then approach and press triangle on the controller to catch them. Once a cryptobiote is in your inventory, it can be used by holding right on the D-pad and selecting it from the quick access wheel.

They don't restore as much health as blood bags but act faster and don't require materials to craft. In essence, they're like an energy drink or a quick snack: fast, simple, and effective.

Method 3: How to Heal Using Private Rooms in Death Stranding 2 

In certain situations where you need full restoration of health, stamina, and blood level, the best option is to rest in a private room. These are available at main bases and individual bunkers. Inside, Sam automatically lies down and begins recovery.

Private rooms are the main rest hub after long journeys. Here you can check the status of BB (or other companions), clean equipment, craft gear via the terminal, and receive new tasks.

This is a slower method of recovery that can't be used during missions or urgent situations, especially in combat, but it's extremely important between them. If you're out of blood bags or exhausted after a fight, it's not wise to proceed without a full rest.