Finding the Death Stranding Veteran Porter is a massive pain. Honestly, if you aren’t actively looking for the tiny slit of a bunker tucked away in the mountains, you’ll probably beat the entire game without ever seeing his face. That would be a mistake. Kojima likes to hide the most useful gear behind these "optional" preppers, and the Veteran Porter is the gatekeeper for some of the best survival tools in the late-game.
He's a hermit. A grumpy one.
Most players stumble upon his location while wandering the snowy peaks between the Geologist and the Timefall Farm. He lives in the southern part of the Central Region, perched on a slope that looks like every other rocky outcropping in the area. But once you find him, the real grind begins. He’s not like the Waystations or the Cities that just join the UCA because you showed up with a box of resins. He’s skeptical. He’s seen how the world fell apart, and he isn't exactly sold on Sam Porter Bridges' "let’s all be friends" routine.
Where is the Veteran Porter hiding?
Go south from the Paleontologist. If you hit the Timefall Farm, you went too far. You’re looking for a specific elevation on the mountain range that separates the ruin-heavy valleys from the southern coast.
The easiest way to track him down is to look for lost cargo. Seriously. Around his general vicinity, you’ll find containers labeled for the "Veteran Porter." Picking these up is the only way to get him to even open his door for the first time. You can’t just knock. Well, you can, but he won’t answer. You need a peace offering.
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Once you deliver that first piece of lost cargo, he’ll appear on your map. But don't get excited yet. He’s a "tough nut to crack" prepper, meaning his star rating will get stuck. You'll deliver a massive haul of premium deliveries, expecting a reward, and the bar won't move an inch. It’s frustrating. It feels broken. It isn't.
Breaking the "Stuck" Star Progression
If you're stuck at a sliver under two stars, stop delivering. You're wasting your time. Hideo Kojima designed several of these NPCs—like the First Prepper and the Veteran Porter—to require "rest" between interactions.
- Deliver a batch of cargo.
- Go back to a private room (the one at the Timefall Farm is closest).
- Sleep.
- Read the email he sends you. This is the trigger.
- Go back and deliver more.
If you haven't read his emails, he will not progress. He needs to "process" your help and reflect on the UCA. It’s a narrative mechanic disguised as a gameplay loop. You basically have to pen-pal him into joining the network.
The Reward: Why You’re Doing This
Is it worth the trek through the snow and the constant threat of BTs? Yes. Absolutely.
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The Death Stranding Veteran Porter gives you the Backpack Accessory: The Weather Talisman. This isn't just a cosmetic trinket. In a game where Timefall ruins your equipment and kills your stamina, having a slight buff to weather resistance is huge. But the real prize is the Backpack Cover.
If you're playing on Hard or Very Hard, or if you're trying to get those "Legend of Legends" ranks, the Level 2 Backpack Cover is mandatory. It protects your cargo from Timefall damage while it’s on your back. No more spraying repair chemicals every five minutes while you're trudging through a blizzard. It saves weight, saves time, and saves your sanity.
Beyond the Gear: The Lore Connection
There’s a reason he’s called the Veteran Porter. He represents the old guard. Before the UCA started using the Chiral Network to coordinate deliveries, guys like him were doing it solo with nothing but grit and boots.
He’s cynical about the network because he thinks it makes people soft. He’s seen porters lose their minds to the "DOOMS" or become MULEs. When you talk to him, you're getting a glimpse into the world immediately following the Death Stranding event—a world that was much more disconnected and terrifying than the one Sam is building. His dialogue reflects a deep-seated trauma that many of the "newer" NPCs don't really touch upon.
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Best Routes for Leveling Up Fast
Don't just carry his stuff. You need to be smart about which orders you take. The Timefall Farm often has high-volume deliveries for him. Because the farm is at a lower elevation, you're going to be climbing.
- The Zip-line Strategy: Do not attempt to five-star this guy without a zip-line network. Set up a line from the Paleontologist to the Veteran Porter, and another from the Veteran Porter down toward the Timefall Farm.
- The Truck Problem: You can technically get a truck up there, but the terrain is a nightmare. One wrong turn and you're tumbling down a cliffside, losing half your cargo's durability. Stick to the All-Terrain Skeleton (Level 3) or the Zip-lines.
- Large Deliveries: Occasionally, the Lake Knot City or South Knot City terminals will have "Large" or "Extra Large" orders for him. These provide the biggest boosts to his connection level. If you see one, grab it, but make sure you have the cargo capacity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A lot of players think they can just grind out the five stars in one go. You can't. If you see the connection circle glowing but not filling up, you've hit a story cap.
Also, watch out for the BT territory just north of his bunker. It’s easy to get complacent because he feels "isolated," but the mountain passes around him are crawling with gazers. If you’re carrying a heavy load for him and get caught, the struggle to escape in the deep snow is much harder than in the grassy fields near Capital Knot.
Keep an eye on your boots. The rocky terrain around his shelter eats through footwear faster than almost anywhere else in the game. Always carry a spare pair on your boot clip before heading up there.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
To efficiently finish the Veteran Porter's questline, start by scouring the area between the Paleontologist and the Timefall Farm for "Lost Cargo" specifically belonging to him. Deliver at least two pieces of lost cargo to unlock his initial dialogue. Immediately after, head to the nearest Private Room and sleep to trigger his first email. Continue this cycle—deliver, sleep, read email—until you reach the three-star mark to unlock the Backpack Cover Level 1, then push to four stars for the Weather Talisman. Do not ignore his emails; they are the literal "keys" to unlocking his progression levels and the high-end gear he provides.