Dead Island 2 Complete Weapons Guide: All Weapons, Their Locations, How To Customize And Upgrade Them

A complete guide on weapons of Dead Island 2.

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

  1. Axe
  2. Bear Claws
  3. Baseball Bat
  4. Bo-Staff
  5. Brass Knuckles
  6. Sledgehammer
  7. Chainsaw
  8. Claw Hammer
  9. Claymore
  10. Cleaver
  11. Garden Rake
  12. Golf Club
  13. Hammer
  14. Katana
  15. Knife
  16. Machete
  17. Meat Mallet
  18. Metal Pipe
  19. Officer’s Cutlass
  20. Pickaxe
  21. Pike
  22. Scaffold Bar
  23. Spear
  24. Shovel
  25. Tonfa
  26. Two-Handed Axe
  27. Wrench

Ranged

  1. Carbine
  2. Crossbow
  3. Hunting Rifle
  4. Nail Gun
  5. Pistol
  6. Revolver
  7. Shotgun
  8. 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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