Death Stranding Director’s Cut introduced a curious new weapon to Sam’s arsenal: the Tar Cannon. This bizarre device hurls sticky globs of tar that slow and damage enemies, immediately prompting the question: is it actually worth using? The answer isn’t straightforward, as the Tar Cannon occupies a peculiar niche. It’s not the most powerful weapon, nor the most efficient, but in the right situations it can feel like a game-changer. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from unlocking it to mastering its quirks, so you can decide whether the Tar Cannon deserves a spot on your tool rack.
Unlike the game’s more conventional firearms, the Tar Cannon operates on its own logic. It fires a projectile that adheres to surfaces and enemies, spreading a pool of tar that dramatically reduces movement speed. For a game built around traversal and careful planning, the ability to control the battlefield with sticky goo opens up new tactical possibilities. Let’s dive into the details.
How to Unlock the Tar Cannon
The Tar Cannon is exclusive to the Director’s Cut version of Death Stranding. You won’t find it in the base game, so if you’re still playing the original release, this weapon isn’t available. To unlock it, you must progress through the story until you reach the Central Region and accept Order No. 77 from the Distro Center North of Mountain Knot City. This order is titled “Retrieve Tar Samples from the Tar Lake” and becomes available after you have connected the Geologist and Paleontologist to the Chiral Network.
Completing Order No. 77 is straightforward: head to the tar lake, collect the samples, and return. Once you finish it, the Tar Cannon is automatically added to your fabrication list. You can then craft it at any facility with a high enough connection level. The weapon requires 280 Chiral Crystals and 64 Resins to fabricate, so stock up on materials beforehand. You’ll also need to unlock the ability to carry heavy weapons via backpack upgrades or by using the Power Skeleton, as the Tar Cannon is a bulky piece of equipment.
Tar Cannon Stats and Mechanics
Understanding the raw numbers helps clarify what the Tar Cannon can do. It holds 20 rounds per “magazine” and uses a unique tar-based ammunition that cannot be replenished from normal ammo crates. Instead, you must craft additional tar rounds at a facility or find resupply points specifically for this weapon. Each shot consumes one round, and the cannon has a moderate rate of fire, slightly slower than an assault rifle but faster than a grenade launcher.
Damage output per shot is low compared to lethal firearms. A direct hit on a human enemy deals about as much damage as one or two assault rifle rounds, but the real value lies in the secondary effect. The tar pool lingers on the ground for several seconds after impact, slowing anyone who walks through it by roughly 70%. Enemies caught in the splash zone also suffer the slow effect. The weapon automatically locks onto targets when you aim down sights, making it surprisingly easy to land hits even on moving foes.
One critical detail: the Tar Cannon does not use hematic ammunition, so it deals no special damage to BTs. Against spectral enemies, the tar blobs will pass through harmlessly. This makes the cannon strictly an anti-personnel weapon for dealing with MULEs and terrorists. It can damage vehicles like trucks and bikes, but the slow effect does not apply to them, and the low damage means destroying a vehicle takes many shots.
Tar Cannon vs Other Weapons
To decide whether the Tar Cannon is worth carrying, compare it to your other options. The most obvious rival is the Maser Gun, another non-lethal weapon introduced in the Director’s Cut that stuns enemies with electricity. The Maser Gun has unlimited ammo (it recharges over time) and can incapacitate multiple foes quickly, but it lacks area control. The Tar Cannon trades raw stunning power for persistent crowd control. Where the Maser Gun might zap one target and let you move on, the Tar Cannon can lock down a choke point for seconds, giving you time to escape or line up headshots with a bola gun.
Against assault rifles and shotguns, the Tar Cannon loses in terms of pure damage output. A high-level lethal assault rifle can drop a terrorist in a few shots, while the Tar Cannon might require three or four direct hits. However, the Tar Cannon’s slow effect often prevents enemies from returning fire effectively, reducing the risk of taking damage. This can be invaluable when facing large camps, as you can stack tar pools to create a near-impassable barrier. The grenade launcher also offers area denial with its gas or smoke rounds, but the Tar Cannon’s ammo is slightly easier to craft and its locking mechanism makes aiming trivial.
Ultimately, the Tar Cannon shines when you want a more controlled, methodical approach to combat. It’s not the weapon you’d bring for speed-running an enemy camp, but if you enjoy manipulating the battlefield and setting up ambushes, it has no equal.
When to Use the Tar Cannon
The Tar Cannon excels in specific scenarios. Against large groups of MULEs clustered together, a single shot into the centre can slow the entire pack, buying you several seconds to either pick them off or move in for non-lethal takedowns. This works especially well when combined with the Strand or Bola Gun: slow them, then tie them up while they wade through glue-like tar. In terrorist camps where enemies use lethal weapons, the slow effect reduces their accuracy and gives you a defensive edge.
The cannon is also a powerful tool for defensive missions. When protecting a cargo delivery or holding a position, you can coat critical pathways in tar well before enemies arrive. The pools last long enough to cycle through your other weapons while enemies struggle to advance. On the other hand, the Tar Cannon is less useful in swift hit-and-run attacks or when stealth is an option. Its low damage means prolonged fights, and the bright orange tar makes stealth impossible once you fire.
Avoid using the Tar Cannon against BTs entirely. Since it lacks hematic properties, it cannot harm them or cut their cords. If you’re heading into BT territory, pack a hematic grenade launcher or custom assault rifle instead. Similarly, during boss fights like the giant BT encounters or the final war sequence, the Tar Cannon’s low damage output makes it a frustratingly slow choice.
Pros and Cons Summary
To give you a quick reference, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of the Tar Cannon:
Pros:
– Exceptional crowd control with wide tar pools
– Target lock makes it easy to hit moving enemies
– The slow effect persists, allowing follow-up attacks
– Non-lethal option for pacifist playthroughs
– Fun, unique weapon that changes combat pacing
Cons:
– Low per-shot damage; kills slowly
– Ammo must be crafted or found, not purchased normally
– No effect against BTs or large bosses
– Heavy and requires backpack or Power Skeleton
– Useless if you miss, as the tar only works on impact
For many players, the Tar Cannon ends up as a situational tool rather than a mainstay. It’s at its best when you have time to set up deliberate combat encounters, which isn’t always the case in Death Stranding’s often chaotic world. Still, if you enjoy creative problem-solving, it’s a delightful addition to your arsenal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the Tar Cannon in Death Stranding?
Complete Order No. 77 from the Distro Center North of Mountain Knot City after connecting the Geologist and Paleontologist. The order tasks you with retrieving tar samples from the tar lake. Once finished, the Tar Cannon becomes available for fabrication at most facilities.
Can the Tar Cannon damage BTs?
No. The Tar Cannon does not use hematic ammunition, so it cannot harm BTs or cut their cords. It is strictly for use against human enemies like MULEs and terrorists.
What ammo does the Tar Cannon use, and how can I get more?
It uses custom tar rounds. You can craft additional ammo at facilities using Chiral Crystals and Resins, or occasionally find resupply containers in the world. Unlike the Maser Gun, it does not recharge automatically.
Is the Tar Cannon better than the Maser Gun?
It depends on your playstyle. The Maser Gun stuns instantly and has infinite recharging ammo, making it great for quick non-lethal takedowns. The Tar Cannon offers area control and the slow effect, which can be more effective in larger fights where you need breathing room. Both are useful tools for a non-lethal approach.
Can the Tar Cannon destroy vehicles?
Yes, but it does very little damage to vehicles. You’ll waste a lot of ammo trying to destroy a truck or bike. Use a rocket launcher or grenade launcher for anti-vehicle needs instead.
The Tar Cannon won’t replace your favourite assault rifle or the trusty Bola Gun, but it carves out its own niche in Death Stranding’s unconventional combat toolbox. Give it a try on your next MULE camp raid; you might be surprised by how much fun tactical tar deployment can be.
