Death Stranding 2 Bridge Link Porter Grade explained – how to increase the stat

Wondering how to increase the Death Stranding 2 Bridge Link stat? In the early hours of the game, the Bridge Link stat will increase at a snail’s pace on the Porter Grade star meter screen whenever you complete an order. That’s especially the case compared to the others like Porter, Servicemanship, and even Combat if you’re partial to clearing out Bandit camps, which will pump up rapidly. It can be frustrating and feel like it doesn’t even budge whatever you do.

The Bridge Link stat is basically a measure of your interactions and connections with other players, but the game doesn’t necessarily do the best job of describing how to score precious Likes in this category. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to increase the Bridge Link Porter Grade stat.

How to increase the Bridge Link stat in Death Stranding 2

To increase the Bridge Link Porter Grade stat, you want to get as many Likes from other players as possible. Likes are like experience points that will level up the stat. There are several ways to get Likes from other players, as we’ll detail below:

• Build structures and signs
• Like and upgrade other players’ structures and signs
• Donate gear and weapons
• Complete Aid Requests
• Deliver Lost Cargo
• Active Bridge Link-boosting APAS Enhancements

Build structures and signs

You’ll receive Likes whenever players use or actively Like any structure you’ve built. This includes generators, postboxes, bridges, ladders, and so on, but also signs. The best structures to build to earn Likes, however, are roads. You’ll get access to these when you reach Australia in Episode 3 Drawbridge. They require quite a lot of resources but are a steady source of Bridge Link Likes. Over time, they’ll become your primary source of Likes, and it’s often the case that after loading the game back up after a day off you’ll have thousands of Likes waiting for you.

Like, upgrade, and repair other players’ structures and signs

Whenever you come across or use a vehicle, sign, or structure built by another player make sure to Like it to receive some Likes in return. Even better though is to contribute resources to upgrade and/or repair the structure. If you have some spare Metals or Ceramics when crossing a bridge, drop by the terminal and donate some. This applies to generators, roads, postboxes, monorails, and any other type of player-built structure you come across, but also vehicles.

Donate gear and weapons

At any Delivery Terminal and onboard the DHV Magellan, you’ll have the option to Share Cargo With Other Porters in shared lockers. Whenever you do this, you’ll receive Likes that contribute to the Bridge Link stat. The higher quality the item, the more Likes you’ll receive. Weapons, Skeletons, and PCCs tend to earn the most Likes so focus on donating these if you can spare them. You can also do this at Shared Lockers at postboxes.

Deliver Lost Cargo

As you explore Mexico and Australia, you’ll come across cargo disregard or lost by other players, aptly called Lost Cargo. Delivering these packages to their destination will earn you Bridge Link Likes. You can also head to any facility or prepper Delivery Terminal and check under Share Cargo With Other Porters for any orders or cargo left there by other players. Again, the game will reward you with Likes for delivering them.

Complete Aid Requests

Dropping off weapons, equipment, or materials at Aid Request signs will earn your Bridge Link Likes as well. They tend to spawn near particularly treacherous terrain or near unfinished structures. If you have any spare gear, it’s a reliable way to increase your Bridge Link stat.

Active Bridge Link-boosting APAS Enhancements

Lastly, you can also activate specific APAS Enhancements modules that should make earning Likes easier by extending the like window or allowing for more structures to appear in your world. APAS Enhancements unlock once you reach Australia in Episode 3 Drawbridge.

• Extended Like Window – Allows Likes to be given and received for a longer period of time.
• Sharing Boost – Increase the number of objects from other worlds that can be shared within the Chiral Network.
• Strand Contract Cap Boost – Increase the total number of Strand Contracts Sam can form. Forming a Strand Contract strengthens your connection with other players, allowing more structures and other objects to be shared.

While these are all reliable ways to increase your Bridge Link stat, note that it’s normal for it to be low at the start of the game. Progress the story, take on deliveries, and keep interacting with other Porters whenever you can and it will increase naturally over time.

For more Death Stranding 2 help, check out all the Mexico connection level rewards, how to unlock and use fast travel, read up on all the Death Stranding 2 weapons, get the low down on the Licky Stick item, and learn how to fix Death Stranding 2 stuttering if you’re one of those unlucky enough to experience it.