Death Stranding 2 Pizza Chef Guide: Unlock Pizza-Do Moves and Secret Live Rounds

Meeting the Pizza Chef

In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the Pizza Chef is impossible to miss for long. The main story eventually sends Sam to the Pizza Chef's facility through Order 24: Deliver Beach Yeast to the Pizza Chef. Completing that order awards a few hundred likes, but those likes alone may not push the connection rank to the next threshold. Like other NPCs and facilities, the Pizza Chef's rank increases through deliveries and lost cargo.

Players looking to speed up progress should watch for several sources of reputation. Lost cargo containers with the Pizza Chef tag are usually found near the central-to-eastern portion of the map. Lost cargo shared by other players can also be picked up at facilities. Certain NPCs or facilities, such as the Architect and Data Scientist, might have delivery orders for the Pizza Chef. Two notable sub-orders stand out: Recover one or more empty pizza containers from the Armed Survivalists, and Return the Pizza Chef's misanga. These items are located in the Armed Survivalist base due north of the Pizza Chef's facility.

The Rank 2 Discovery and Ghost Mech Fight

Once connection rank 2 is reached, something is amiss. Players should go down the steps behind the terminal and follow the narrow walkway. Upon approaching the door, two Ghost Mechs attack. Electricity-infused weapons make quick work of them, but any weapon effective against mechs should suffice. After defeating the two enemies, players can open the door and watch the cutscene. GameSpot describes it as one of the most over-the-top and ridiculous moments in the game.

All Pizza Chef Connection Rank Rewards

At this stage, players should be able to unlock the Death Stranding 2 Pizza Chef techniques by increasing connection rank further. The reward list is both practical and absurd, mixing combat tools with cosmetic items.

Connection Rank	Reward
Rank 2	Rubber Pizza, which can be thrown as a weapon and knocks out enemies on a headshot; Secrets of Pizza-Do Acrobatic Karate: Striking, which enables the Great Spinning Pizza Strike
Rank 3	Machine Gun [MP] Level 2; Secrets of Pizza-Do Acrobatic Karate: Kicking, which enables the Pizza Whirlwind Kick
Rank 4	Knitted Cap, which makes it harder for Sam to lose consciousness when equipped; Secrets of Pizza-Do Acrobatic Karate: Slamming, which enables the Great Spinning Pizza Slam
Rank 5	Pizza Chef's Suit, Pizza Chef's Boots, Pizza Chef's Hat, Custom Hologram: The Pizza Chef, and Backpack Patch 10: Pizza Atami

How Pizza-Do Techniques Work

The Pizza-Do techniques are melee abilities that can be used in combat by holding either or both shoulder buttons and pressing Circle. These moves are flashy and effective against humanoid opponents. They give Sam additional close-quarters options, and they fit the game's tendency to blend serious delivery work with surreal humor. The Great Spinning Pizza Strike, Pizza Whirlwind Kick, and Great Spinning Pizza Slam each add a different flavor to melee encounters, making the Pizza Chef connection more than a novelty.

The SSS Post Secret Code

Last but not least, players should check out the Pizza Chef's SSS post, where he tells players about a secret code. To use it, hold right on the D-pad and pick a valid firearm. Then press L2 + R2 + Circle simultaneously and hold these buttons for a couple of seconds. This causes the gun to switch from MP ammo to live rounds, allowing players to kill human enemies instead of incapacitating them. That said, enemy corpses must be disposed of to prevent a Voidout from occurring.

Why the Pizza Chef Matters in 2026

As of 2026, the Pizza Chef remains one of the most rewarding optional connections in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The character starts as an average-looking NPC, but the truth behind him leads to a hidden fight, a ridiculous cutscene, and a full set of combat and cosmetic rewards. Players who invest in lost cargo deliveries, shared cargo pickups, and sub-orders from the Armed Survivalists will find the effort pays off. The Rubber Pizza alone offers a non-lethal headshot knockout tool, while the Pizza-Do moves expand melee combat for players who prefer to fight up close. The rank 5 gear and hologram also give Sam a complete Pizza Chef look, which is ideal for players who want their porter to stand out in online structures and shared deliveries.

The secret live-round code is especially important for players who want more control over lethal encounters. Incapacitating enemies is often safer, but some situations call for live ammunition. By holding the correct inputs, players can toggle their firearm to lethal rounds and deal with human threats permanently. The Voidout warning should not be ignored, however, because leaving corpses unattended can cause a catastrophic event. Players should always carry a corpse disposal route or use a facility incinerator when using this secret.

For completionists, the Pizza Chef checklist includes reaching rank 5, trying every Pizza-Do move, equipping the Knitted Cap when consciousness is a concern, and testing the live-round toggle on a valid firearm. The connection also complements other NPC guides, such as the Ghost Hunter, and fits into the broader Death Stranding 2 guides hub. With its mix of martial arts, pizza-themed gear, and a hidden lethal option, the Pizza Chef remains a standout side story in the game's post-launch landscape.