After an almost decade-long wait for a sequel in the zombie-slaying, semi-open world franchise Dead Island, we finally have a worthy successor in the form of Dead Island 2. A massive gaming experience, Dead Island 2 has a dizzying array of features and options to aid in your zombie killing adventure, be they Skill Cards, Weapons, or Curveballs.
The following guide is a comprehensive listing of weaponry, their locations, and customization blueprints.
Base Weapons In Alphabetical Order
Melee
- Axe
- Bear Claws
- Baseball Bat
- Bo-Staff
- Brass Knuckles
- Sledgehammer
- Chainsaw
- Claw Hammer
- Claymore
- Cleaver
- Garden Rake
- Golf Club
- Hammer
- Katana
- Knife
- Machete
- Meat Mallet
- Metal Pipe
- Officer’s Cutlass
- Pickaxe
- Pike
- Scaffold Bar
- Spear
- Shovel
- Tonfa
- Two-Handed Axe
- Wrench
Ranged
- Carbine
- Crossbow
- Hunting Rifle
- Nail Gun
- Pistol
- Revolver
- Shotgun
- SMG
Weapon Rarity
Those weapons can be found throughout the world of HELL-A, in five distinct rarities:
- Common in White
- Uncommon in Green
- Rare in Blue
- Superior in Pink
- Legendary in Orange
Mod Blueprint Rarity
WIth that level of variation established, any given weapon can be further customized through the use of Blueprints which come separately for Melee and Ranged weapon classes, and in three levels of Rarity each that determine to what degree it will enhance the weapon:
- Uncommon for Minor
- Rare for Moderate
- Superior for Major
Workbenches
This is where you will apply customizations to your weapons. Just select the weapon, press the designated Upgrade button, and begin applying Mods and Perks, the latter of which there are a vast number to be purchased from merchants, or earned through gameplay.
Mod Blueprints
Each mod causes a certain type of elemental damage, as well as a persistent debuff/status effect if used repeatedly, on the target.
- Impactor
Force Damage, followed by the Traumatized debuff for repeat strikes
- Mutilator
Force Damage, followed by the Weakened debuff for repeat strikes
- Puncturator
Bleed Damage, followed by the Bleeding debuff for repeat strikes
- Cremator
Fire Damage, followed by the Ignited debuff for repeat strikes
- Electrocutor
Shock Damage, followed by the Electrified debuff for repeat strikes
- Liquidator
Caustic Damage, followed by the Melting debuff for repeat strikes
This brings the weapon elemental mod count to 36.
(Ranged or Melee) 2 x (Uncommon, Rare, or Superior) 3 x (Elemental Damage Types) 6.
Perk Blueprints
Over 40 perks are listed below with their locations, in alphabetical order.
Accurate
Raise accuracy while aiming down sights. Found with the Workbench near a tent and flatbed truck in the CDC Headquarters at The Pier.
Acid Rain
Set of a Caustic cloud by killing a zombie. Can be earned as a Lockbox Reward from the Secure Bio Container found on the lower floors of the centrally located mansion in Beverly Hills.
Agile
Raise and stack Agility by slaying zombies. Found with the Workbench near the Ferris Wheel at The Pier.
Bloodthirsty
Raise damage and grants extra Fury from slaying zombies. Buy for $1,000 from Trader Francesca in Beverly Hills, after partial completion of her Side Quests.
Contagious
Spread a zombie’s debuffs to other zombies in the vicinity, by using a Heavy attack. Use Heavy attacks a hundred times to hit zombies for the Contagious Challenge.
Damaging
Raise damage. Automatically awarded at Level 13. Can also be found with the Workbench in the Brentwood Sewers before then.
Destructive
Set off an explosion by slaying a zombie. Can be earned as a Lockbox Reward from Lt. Land’s Case after the “Beach Offensive” Story Quest in Venice Beach.
Do Or Die
Raise Toughness based on current health level, with lower health granting the highest buff. Found with the Workbench in the Re-Aging Clinic on Hollywood Boulevard.
Empowering
Raise damage inflicted by Heavy and Critical Hits. Can be found on a shelf during the “Justifiable Zombicide” Story Quest in Beverly Hills.
Energize
Replenish stamina, based on current stamina levels, by slaying zombies. Lockbox Reward from the Guest’s Keepsake Box after “The Final Gauntlet” Story Quest.
Enhanced
Raise damage, but lower durability. Can be earned as a reward automatically during the “Call The Cavalry” Story Quest in Bel-Air.
Ferocious
Grants extra Fury from slaying zombies. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “Lending A Hand” Side Quest on Ocean Avenue.
Guardian
Raise Toughness while using the weapon. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “The Hero’s Journey” Side Quest at The Pier.
Hair Trigger
Raise rate of fire, but lower accuracy. Inside a shipping container under the lifeguard tower north of The Tower in Venice Beach.
Hazardous
Set off an explosion by striking a zombie with a debuff already applied. Found with the Workbench in a side room upon initial entry into The Metro.
High-Caliber
Raise damage and Force, but lower accuracy and magazine size. Buy for $1,000 from Trader W.O. Rodriguez at The Tower in Venice Beach.
Honed
Raise Critical Hit damage, but lower regular damage. Buy for $500 from Trader Roger at Roxanne’s House in Beverly Hills.
Infectious
Hits cause extra Bleeding debuffs, and spreads the debuff to zombies in the vicinity as well. Apply the Bleeding debuff fifty times to zombies for the Infectious Challenge.
Leech
Chance to replenish health by inflicting damage to zombies. Use melee weapons only to kill a hundred zombies for the Leechblade Challenge.
Lightweight
Raise attack speed, but lower Force. Buy for $500 from Trader Roger at Roxanne’s House in Beverly Hills.
Mind-Blowing
Set off an explosion by headshotting and killing a zombie. Found with the Workbench while leaving the CDC Headquarters at The Pier.
Precision Shots
Raise and stack damage 5x with repeated successful hits in a short period of time. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “Diaries Of The Dead” Side Quest in Venice Beach.
Precision Strikes
Raise and stack Critical Damage with successive Critical Hits. Buy for $1,000 from Trader Dougie at the Serling Hotel on Ocean Avenue.
Primed
Cooldown reduction for current Curveball by slaying zombies. Found with the Workbench in the area leading from Venice Beach onto Ocean Avenue.
Reinforced
Raise durability and Force, but lower attack speed. Found with the Workbench in Curtis Sinclair’s Mansion garage in Bel-Air.
Relentless
Raise damage upon successful Critical Hits. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “More Than The Badge” Side Quest on Ocean Avenue.
Restoring
Chance to replenish stamina from slaying zombies. Explore the subway car that is northwest of the platform during the “End Of The Line” Story Quest in The Metro.
Russian Roulette
Raise damage as the magazine empties out. Buy for $1,000 from Trader Dougie at the Serling Hotel on Ocean Avenue.
Shockwave
Set off an explosion by knocking down a zombie. Knock down zombies a hundred times for the Shockwave Challenge.
Skilled
Raise damage and lower charge time for Heavy attacks by killing a zombie. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “Boardwalking Dead” Story Quest at The Pier.
Slaughter
Raise durability and damage to limbs. Found with the Workbench in Sound Stage 3 in Monarch Studios.
Speedloader
Hasten reload speed. Can be picked up in Nikki’s House after completing the “Justifiable Zombicide” Story Quest in Beverly Hills.
Static Charge
Hits cause the Electrified debuff, with repeated hits causing an explosion that spreads the debuff to zombies in the vicinity as well. Apply the Electrified debuff fifty times to zombies for the Static Charge Challenge.
Tactical Reload
Hasten reload speed by killing a zombie. Buy for $1,000 from Trader W.O. Rodriguez at The Tower in Venice Beach.
Tear ‘n Sear
Create a puddle of ignited fuel at a zombie’s feet by dismembering it. Apply the Ignited debuff fifty times to zombies for the Infernal Combustion Challenge.
Tenacious
Raise Toughness based on current health level, with lower health granting the highest buff. Can be earned as a Lockbox Reward from the Fancy Leather Trunk found near the elevators on the third floor of the Halperin Hotel.
Unstable
Chance to set off an explosion with successful Critical Hits. Can be earned as a reward automatically during the “The Giant-Slayer” Story Quest in Venice Beach.
Vampire
Chance to replenish health from slaying zombies. Amass 200 Zombie Parts for the Vampire Challenge.
Vengeful
Raise damage after being countered or knocked down. Can be earned as a Lockbox Reward from the Randgate Secure Case after “The Search For Truth” Story Quest on Ocean Avenue.
Vigilant
Raise damage by reloading. Found with the Workbench at The Tower in Venice Beach.
Violent
Raise damage by slaying zombies. Can be earned as a reward by completing the “Organ Donor” Side Quest in Venice Beach.
Weighted
Raise Force, but lower attack speed. Buy from Trader Kai at the Blue Crab Grill in Venice Beach.
Named Weapons
These weapons have a distinct name, span classes and rarities, and can neither be scrapped nor sold. They can be found through the course of the game, either as secrets, objectives, or quest rewards. Some are also exclusively part of Pre-Order DLC, Deluxe/Gold Edition DLC, post-launch DLC, Twitch Drops, and official newsletter sign-up rewards.
Story Rare Weapons
Black Magic
Baseball Bat that can be found as a Lockbox Reward from Rose’s Storage Box in Venice Beach.
Gastric Bypass
Sledgehammer that can be found as a Lockbox Reward from the Burger ‘66 Staff Locker in Venice Beach.
Raven
Rifle that can be earned as a reward by completing “My Mailman Was A Zombie” Lost & Found Quest in Bel-Air.
The Tenderizer
Hammer that can be bought from the Trader in Venice Beach.
Story Superior Weapons
Extinction Event
Revolver that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Justifiable Zombicide” Story Quest in Beverly Hills.
Jade Dragon
Sword that can be earned as a reward by completing “The Terror Of Sound Stage 7” Side Quest in Monarch Studios.
Peggy
Rifle that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Creature Comforts” Side Quest in Bel-Air.
Red Dragon
Shotgun that can be purchased from the Trader on Ocean Avenue.
Shark Tooth
Sword that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Dez and Mother Satan” Side Quest at The Pier.
Special Forces Knife
Knife that can be bought from the Trader in Venice Beach.
Wildstyle
Axe that can be earned as a reward by completing “The Art Of War” Side Quest on Ocean Avenue.
Zom-B-Gon
Axe that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Going Viral” Side Quest on Hollywood Boulevard.
Story Legendary Weapons
Big Shot
Handgun that can be earned as a reward by completing the “It’s Not Your Fault” Side Quest in Bel-Air.
Blood Rage
Knife that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Fool’s Gold” Lost & Found Quest at The Pier
Bodycount
Rifle that can be earned as a reward by completing the “[REDACTED]” Lost & Found Quest in Venice Beach.
Brutalizer
Machete that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Body Art” Side Quest in Bel-Air.
Emma’s Wrath
Hammer that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Hollywood Ending” Story Quest on Hollywood Boulevard.
Krakatoa
Axe that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Missing: Steve” Lost & Found Quest in Monarch Studios.
Party Starter
Brass Knuckles that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Drunk and Disorderly” Lost & Found Quest in Venice Beach.
The One
Claymore that can be earned as a reward by completing the “Beacon Of Hope” Side Quest on Hollywood Boulevard.
Memories of Banoi Pre-Order DLC:
Banoi Baseball Bat
- Uncommon
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
Banoi War Club
- Uncommon
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
Golden Weapons Dead Island 2 Deluxe/Gold Edition DLC:
Abuela’s Ashes
- Superior
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
One-Hit Wonder
- Superior
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
Pulp Weapons Dead Island 2 Gold Edition exclusive DLC:
Eye-Opener
- Superior
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
Homewrecker
- Superior
- Claim for free from a Trader once in-game.
Character Pack 1 Dead Island 2 Deluxe/Gold Edition DLC:
The Devil’s Horseshoes
Claim for free from a Trader once made available in-game.
Character Pack 2 Dead Island 2 Deluxe/Gold Edition DLC:
Casimir & Julienne
Claim for free from a Trader once made available in-game.
Twitch Drop
Fenrir’s Howl
- Superior
- Shotgun that can be earned by linking your game and Twitch accounts, and then watching any Twitch stream of Dead Island 2 with Twitch Drops activated, for a minimum of twenty minutes.
Official Dead Island 2 Newsletter DLC:
Tricksters’ Smile Knife
- Uncommon
- Knife that can be earned by registering for the official Dead Island 2 newsletter, and then claiming the weapon from the Trader Carlos in Emma’s Mansion.
And that’s everything you need to know about acquiring and preparing your tools of the trade for your adventures in HELL-A.
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