DEAD SPACE 2 UPGRADE OPTIMIZATION GUIDE
-by Loc✃ke Quinn Seavello (aka BakusaiTenketsu of GameFAQs𓆉)
Contents:
-Plasma Cutter [PCX]
-Pulse Rifle [PRX]
-Line Gun [LGX]
-Flamethrower [FTX]
-Ripper [RPX]
-Javelin Gun [JGX]
-Detonator [DTX]
-Force Gun [FGX]
-Seeker Rifle [SRX]
-Contact Beam [CBX]
-Stasis Module [SMX]
-Rig [RGX]
General Upgrading Tips:
Whenever possible, try to 𓄧upgrade Capacity for your weapons when they are out
of ammo. 🉐 Doing so will give you a full clip of ammo, plus the upgraded
amount. Same wiꦜth upgr♏ading Health on the Rig. When you upgrade an HP node
on the Rig, you will fully regenerate all lost ꩵhealth including the health
you just upgraded.
Legend:
DMG = Weapon Damage
REL = Reload Time
SPD = Firing Speed
CAP = Ammo Capacity
ALT = Alternate Fire Damage
SPC = Special Bonus
DUR = Effect Duration
ENG = Energy Increase
CHR = Charge Time
AIR = Air Time
HP = Hitpoints
XXX = Empty Node
[ ] = Nodes you must aquire
{ } = Nodes you can skip
With out further ado... the meat of the guide!
===================
PLASMA CUTTER [PCX]
===================
[SPD]-----------{xxx}
| &n💧bsp; ꦕ; |
| &nb✅sp; &nbs🐲p;|
&n𝕴bsp; &nb🃏sp;| |
[DMG]---[CAP]---[XXX] [CAP]---[ꦇSPC]
&nbs💝p;| 🥀 |
&nbs🐟p; | |
&nbsꦏp;| &nb🥃sp; |
==> [DMG]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[DMG]---[🐟REL]---[XXX]
&nbs🤡p; | |⛎ | | |
| | | &nꦕbsp;| ꧋; |
𓄧; | | | | |
[REL]---[SPD] &nbs𝓀p; | {xxx}---[CAP]
| | 🥀 | ♎ |
| | &nb🍰sp; | &🤪nbsp; |
| | &n🙈bsp; | |
==> [CAP]---{xxx}---{xxx}---[CAP]---[DMG]
Nodes needed = 18
Nodes skipped = 4
Notes:
The🅘 Upper Right Empty Node or the Middle Empty Node on the Second Line are
interchan𝔍geably skippable (You need one but not the🐽 other, depending on how
you want to upgrade💖). Optimally, you should skip 4🀅 total nodes.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 10, with 4 upgrades of 2 damage each.
CAP = Base 10, with 5 upgrades of 2 moreᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𓄧ᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ shots each.
REL = Base 1 second reload, with 2 upgrades o𒉰f -0.25 seconds each.
SPD = Base 1 second fire time, with𓂃 2 upgrades of -0.2 seconds each.
SPC = Unlocking this adds fire damage to the Plasma C🅰utter with each shot.
Upgrade Tips:
F✱ocus on getting the Damage upgrades. Speed and Reload are less crucial to
the Plasma C👍utter than Damage is. &nb𓃲sp;Several Capacity upgrades can be picked up
when you are out of ammo for a full reload plus two more shots🃏. &⭕nbsp;The Special
is nice, but not worth rushing to get.
=================
PULSE RIFLE [PRX]
=================
[XXX]---[ALT]---[ALT]
| &༺nbsp;
| 🥃;
&nbs♈p; &nbsꦓp; |
[ALT]---[ALT]---[XXX]
|
|
|
[DMG]---[XXX]---[DMG]---[XXX]---[CAP]--🐟-[♐XXX]
| | &ꦅnbsp; | |
| | | ꦗ ⛦|
&nbs🍌p; | | | |
==> [CAP]---[XXX]-൩--[🔥REL]-----------[CAP] | [CAP]---[DMG]
&nbꦛsp;| | | |
&🍬nbsp; &nb🔯sp;| | | |
| &nbs🎐p; | &nbs𓆉p; | |
&nb🎀sp; [CAP]---[XXX]---[DMG]-𒁏--{xxx}---[REL]---{xxx}
Nodes needed = 22
Nodes skipped = 2
Notes:
Either empty space on either side of the bottom damage u♌pgrade can be skipped
and eith🍒er empty space above and belo𓃲w the far right capacity upgrade can be
skipped. The maximum skippab🅺le nodes f🍬or this weapon is two.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 5, with 4 upgrades of 1 damage each.
CAP = Base 50, with 5 upgrades of 25 ammo each.
REL = Base 1.4 seconds, with 2 upgrades o♚f -0.2 seco🌜nds each.
ALT = Base 3, with 4 upgrades of 1 point each.
Upgrade Tips:
Upgrade the🍸 capacity of this the first time, trying to get the first three
damage nodes. The power of the Pulse Rifle comes from a large clip, so&nbs♐p;
continually focus on getting Capacity upgrades when yo🌠u run out of ammo for♋ a
largeᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ boost in ammunition each upgrade. Save the Alt Fire upgrades for last
unl🦋ess you heavi🥃ly rely on grenades instead of bullets.
==============
LINE GUN [LGX]
==============
[ALT]
|
|
|
[REL]---[XXX꧑]---[DMG]---[XXX]---[DMG]
| &n෴bsp; | |
| ও; | &n𓆏bsp; |
| &n𓆉bsp; | &nb♓sp; |
==> [DMG]ꦺ-----------{xxx} [ALT]
| &൲nbsp;|
𝕴 𝓰; | |
ಞ; | 🦩; |
&n🍨bsp; {💫xxx} [CAP]---[WID]---[XXX]---[DMG]---[DUR]
&nไbsp;&nᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚbsp;| |
🐷 | 🐼;|
&༺nbsp; | |
==> [CAP]-----------[ALT] [CAP] &nbs🐷p; 🤪;[ALT] [XXX]---[ALT]
| &nbs🐽p; | | | |
| | | | ꦍ &♍nbsp;|
| &nbs🍷p; | | | |
&nbs🙈p; [CAP]---{xxx}---[WID]---[REL]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[ALT]
Nodes needed = 25
Nodes skipped = 3
Notes:
Either empty node below or to the left of the top middle damag🐻e can be
skipped. The other two nodes that are skippable 🥃are not negotiable. You
can skip 3 total nodes on this gun.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 15, with 4 upgrades of 3 points each.
CAP =🐲 Base 5, with 4 upgrades of 1 more ammo each.
REL = Base 1, with♚🌺 2 upgrades of -0.15 seconds each.
WID = Base 1, with 2 upgrades of +50% width each.
ALT = Base 20, with 6 upgrades of +5 damage each.
DUR = Shortens the timer for the Alt Fire Mine det🤪onation.
Upgrade Tips:
The Line gun shines mostly in it's wide pattern and ability to🐼 "knee-cap"
enemies in a preferably a single shot. In order to best accomplish this, i🧔t
is bes꧑t to upgrade Width and damage as soon as possible. The Alt Fire mine
is quite devastatin♛g once fully upgraded and🦩 the timer shortened, though I
feel as if this mode of fire isn't what the gun is best intende🅰d for.
==================
FLAMETHROWER [FTX]
==================
==> [ALT]---[XXX]
|
|
|
[ALT]---[ALT]---[XXX]---[ALT]
|
|
|
[REL]---{xxx} &n🔥bsp; [REL]---[XXX] {xxx} {xxx}---[CAP]
| ౠ | | | &💧nbsp; | | |
| | &🅠nbsp; | | | | &nb🧔sp; |
| | | ๊| | | |
==> [CA💛P]---[XXX] ⭕ [CAP]---[DUR]---[XXX] [REL]---[XXX]---[CAP] [DMG]
| | | &n🍬bsp;| | |
| | &nbs🦋p; ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ; | | | |
| | &nb♓sp; | | | |
[XXX]---[DAM] &nb🦩sp;&n🥂bsp; [CAP]---{xxx} [DUR]---[XXX]
Nodes needed = 24
Nodes skipped = 4
Notes:
There are a variety of ways to get the optimal build out ꦆof the Flamethrower,
but the way I have above is probablꦜဣy the most friendly as it separates the
Alternate Fire branch and the Main branch, 🎶as well as hits Damage nodes and
saves spaces o𝓡n Capacity nodes for when you need to refill an empty tank.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 4, with 2 upgrades of 4 points each.
CAP = Base 50, with 5 upgrades of 25 ammo each.
REL = Base 1, with 3 upgrad𝕴es at -0.15 seconds 💎each.
DUR = Base 5, with 2 upgrades of 5 additi🀅onal seconds ♐each.
ALT = Base 1, with 4 upgrades of 1 each.
Upgrade Tips:
The Flamethr🎀ower is very similar to the Pul𒁏se Rifle, except it scales in
damage much faster.🌃 It burns through ammo quickly🔴 however, unlike being able
to properly do spurt damage in key locཧations. So you will probably have to ﷽;
upgrade capacity quite frequently, which thank🥃f💎ully happens as along the
natural upgrade🧔 path. Upgrade Alternate Fire separately if you prefer that
weapon mode.
============
RIPPER [RPX]
============
==> [ALT]---[ALT]---{xxx}---[DMG]---[XXX]---🌌[ALT]---[ALT]
|
|
|
[XXX]---[CAP]---{xxx}---[REL]
| &♕nbsp; ♈|
⛎;| &nbs🐎p; |
| &ඣnbsp;|
==&ﷺgt; [CAP]---{xxx}---[REL]-----------[DUR]---[XXX]---[DMG]
﷽ | | |
&🐬nbsp; &nb🅷sp; | | |
| &n♏bsp; &nbs🐻p; | |
==> [DMG]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[CAP] ꧒ | [XX🍰X]---[CAP]
| &🌳nbsp; | |
| &nbsꦯp; | &nb🍸sp; |
| | &n﷽bsp; |
[DUR]-----------{xxx}---[DMG]
Nodes needed = 22
Nodes skipped = 4
Notes:
🐽Th𓆉e Ripper is highly customizable based on user preference. There are many
ways to get the optimal path depending o🍎n whether you like the A💜lternate
Fire or the Prima꧃ry Fire more. The Empty no๊de after the middle start branch
and the Empty Node on the🎀 bottom line MUST be skipped for the best routes.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 8, with 4 upgrades of 2 damage each.
CAP = Base 8, with 4 upgrad❀es of 2 more ammo each.
REL = Base 1, with 2 upgrades of -0.2💖 seconds each.
DUR = Base 5 seconds, with ෴2 upgrades of 2 seconds ♒each.
ALT = Base 20 damage, with 4 upgrades of 2.5 damage eac💝h.
Upgrade Tips:
꧃The Ripper is a comperable weapon to the Plasma Cutter. I would not focus&n🅺bsp;
upgrading both weapons together. &n🅰bsp;Damage and Duration are the more important
nodes to focus on wꩵith the Ripper as tha🌄t is where the bulk of it's power
c🌳omesꦗ from. Alternate Fire route can be maxed early if you prefer shooting
blades.
=================
JAVELIN GUN [JGX]
=================
[DMG] &nb🍎sp; [ALT]
&nbဣsp; | |
&n🎉bsp; | &nb🐻sp; |
🌜 | |
==> [ALT]---[SPD]---[XXX]---[ALT]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[CꦑAP]
&nbs📖p; | 🐽;|
⛎; | |
&꧋nbsp; &nbs꧂p; | |
[CAP] &nbs⭕p; [SPC] [SPD]🌠 |
| | &nbs🙈p; |
&ඣnbsp; 🍸 | | |
&nb𒆙sp; | ✱ | |
[CAP] | ▨[DMG] [XXX]---[ALT]---[XXX]
🎀 | | | |
&nbsꦛp; | | | |
| &🧔nbsp; | | |
==> [DMG]--🔥-[REL]---[XXX]---[REL]---[CAP]---{xxx} 𒐪|
| &🅰nbsp; |
💝 | ꦏ; |
&nbs🐈p; 𝓀 | |
[DMG]---[XXX]---[CAP]
Nodes needed = 25
Nodes skipped = 1
Notes:
The skipped node can b🍌e in one of 3 different places, but choosing the Empty
node furthest right on the bottom startiꦛng branch allows you😼 to get the most
direct path to the Special Node for the deadly one-two p🗹unch combo. If you
want to focus more on damage balance, you couldꦍ skip the middle Empty on
the second line.
Upgrades:
ALT = Base 10, with♔ 4 upgrades of 1.5 damage each.
SPD = Base 1, with 2 upgrades of -0.2 ꦅseconds each.
DMG = Bawse 50, 4 upgrades of 12.5 damage each.
CAPꦉ = Base 5, with 5 upgrades of 1 more ammo each.
SPC = Ca♈uses the Alternate Fire do explosive damage as w꧃ell as shock.
REL = Base 1.5, with 2 upgrades of -0.25 seconds🅺 each.
Upgrade Tips:
Capacity for this weapon is worth jumping aheཧad of instead of waiting for n🐼o
ammo moments. The gun'ಌs primary and alternate fire modes offer a one-two
punch which consumes ammo in even amounts fairly quic♕kly. At the very least,
attempt to have an even number o🐬f shots in your gun 🌠to avoid firing and
loꦓsing an alternate fire shot. If you are rushing the Sp♏ecial node, you will
get y꧋our one Capacity for 6 total shots early on in theꦕ gun's build.
===============
DETONATOR [DTX]
===============
﷽ [CAP]---[XXX]---[DMG]
&n🤡bsp; &nbs🅺p; |
|
ﷺ |
==> [REL] &nb🅘sp;[XXX]------൩-----[XXX]---[DMG]
| | &nb༺sp; |
| &ꦗnbsp; | |
| &nbs🧸p; | &n𝓰bsp; |
[XXX]--൩-[XXX]---[DMG] [REL] [XXX]---[DMG]
| | &nb⛄sp;| &n൲bsp; | |
| | | &n൲bsp; 𝓡 | |
| | | 🐻 | &ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚnbsp; |
==> [CAP] &nb🏅sp; [XXX]---[XXX]---[CAP] [CAP] [SPC]
|
&nbs𒁏p; |
ﷺ |
&nbs🌃p; [R🌠EL]
Nodes needed = 20
Nodes skipped = 0
Notes:
The only weapon that you can't skip൩ any nodes on, but thankfully, it requi🌳res
⛦very few nodes to fully upgrade (second 🥀lowest behind Plasma Cutter).
Upgrades:
REL = Base 1, with 🌸3 upgrades of -0.15 seconds each.
CAP = Base 3, with 4 upgrades of 1 ammo each.
DMG = Base 20, with💟 4 upgrades of +2.5 damage each.
SPC = Increases the damage radius of the mines.
Upgrade Tips:
Damage is the only thing that mattersꦇ besides the special bonus. These are
weapons you try to plant when you know you are abouღt to be🅠 attacked and have
some preparation time. You can fire off you🙈r mines, recollect them without
reloading, and then upgrade your 𝓀Capacity and increase y🎐our Mine count.
===============
FORCE GUN [FGX]
===============
==> [ALT]---{xxx}-----------[XXX]---[ALT]
| &n⭕bsp; 🅰 |
&ꦯnbsp;| &🌊nbsp; |
| &nbsﷺp; ꦗ; |
[ALT] [ALT]
&nbs𓂃p; | |
&nb💮sp;| &nb🧔sp;|
❀ |ܫ |
==> ♔[DMG]---[REL]---[X♊XX]---[REL]---[XXX]---[DMG] [DMG]
| | | &nbs🃏p; 🥂 |
| &nbs🐈p; &nb🍒sp; | | |
| | | &n🎉bsp; |
🌊; 🌟[CAP]---[DMG] [CAP] [CAP]---[XXX] [CAP] [XXX]
| | | &nbs💫p;🐽| | |
| | ꧋; | &nbs❀p; | | |
&꧋nbsp;| | | | &n𒊎bsp; | |
==> [SPD]---{xxx}---[DMG] {xxx}---[🍒SPD]---[XXX]---[CAP]
Nodes needed = 24
Nodes skipped = 3
Notes:
The three skippable nodes are not negotiable for the optimal path. Thank�꧙�s to
MrE✤ngineer1 of G🅘ameFAQs for finding the third skippable node for this gun.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 20, with 5 upgrades of 3 each.
CAP = Base 5, with 5 upgrades of 1 ammo each.
REL = Base 2,ꦇ with 2 upgr🌞ades of -0.25 seconds each.
SܫPD = Base 1, with 2 upgrades of -0.2 secon🌠ds each.
ALT = Base 10, with 4 upgrades of 5 damage each.
Upgrade Tips:
The gun serves bes෴t as a pushing weapon for those moments that🤪 you feel
claustrophobic, however the Alt Fire is a good weapon to take down Necros in&🍨nbsp;
one or two shots i💫f you have good aim. Upgrading, you can pick up the෴ Alt
Fire Nodes relatively early and✤ then finish off the rest of the 💟branches
separately.
==================
SEEKER RIFLE [SRX]
==================
&nꦆbsp; [XXX]---[XXX]---[ALT]---[XXX]---[XXX]
&nbꦦsp; | 🥀 |
| 🐈 |
| ꧟ |
==> [XXX]---[ALT] [CAP]---{xxx} &🦩nbs✅p;[ALT]
🔜; | &nb🌜sp; | |
| &n🧸bsp; | &nbs𓄧p; |
&nbs🎃p;| | |
&💖nbsp; [DMG]-----------[💖XXX]---[XXX] [XXX]---[ALT]
| 🍸 &🎃nbsp;|
| &𝓰nbsp; &nb🐻sp; |
| ♕ |
==> [REL]---[XXX]---[CAP] &🍒nbsp; [DMG]---[XXX]---[CAP]
|
|
|
[XXX]---[REL]
|
|
|
[DMG]---[XXX]--------꧂---[DMG]---[XXX]---[REL]
Nodes needed = 27
Nodes skipped = 1
Notes:
There is 🧸no choice on which node you can skip on the Seeker Rifle. This
weapon is a pain to upgrade due to i💟t'♚s limited use through the game for the
amount of nodes required to fully upgrade it.
Upgrades:
DMG = Base 50, with 4 upgrades of 5 each.
REL = Base 1, with 3 upgrades of -0.15 seconds e♊ach.
🌠CAP = Base 4 rounds, with 3 upgrades of 1 more ammo each.
ALT = Base 50, with 4 upgrades of 12.🎶5 increased scoဣping damage.
Upgrade Tips:
The Scoped damage accelerates faster th✱an the standard damage does. If you
are good at scoping and firing quickl🤪y, you m𝓰ay want to upgrade the Alternate
Fire mode first. Enemies die quickly to this weapon even with limited da🔥mage
upgradin🌳g, so it mꦺay be worthwhile to upgrade Capacity and Reload speed over
Damage first.
==================
CONTACT BEAM [CBX]
==================
𒊎 &nbs👍p; ==> [ALT]---[XXX]---[ALT] [ALT]---[SPC]
| &nbs𓃲p; &nbಞsp; | |
&🍨nbsp; | ꧙ | |
| &n🌳bsp;| |
&nbsﷺp; [XXX]---[REL] {xxx} [CAP] [ALT]---[XXX] [REL]
| | 🌄 | |
| | | &nbℱsp; ☂; |
| &nb💟sp; | | |
==> [REL]---[XXX]---[CAP]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]-♉--[XX﷽X]---[XXX]
| &nbs😼p; | | |
൩ | &nbs꧟p; | | |
&nb⛦sp; | | | |
[CHR]---[XXX] [XXX]---[XXX]✤ [CAP]
&𝔉nbsp; | |
| &🌠nbsp; &ꦚnbsp; |
| ꩵ; 𝄹; |
{xxx}---{xxx}-----------[REL]
Nodes needed = 25
Nodes skipped = 3
Notes:
The bottom two Capa🌌cities, and the empty between the top⭕ and bottom branches
are the only skippable nodes to get𓆉 the most optimal path.
Upgrades:
REL = Base 1, ꧅with 4 upgrades of ꦆ-0.25 seconds each.
CAP = Base 4, with 3 upgrades of 1 ammo each.
CHR = Base 0.8, with 2 upgrades of -0.2 seconds.
🔯SPC = A🔯lternate Fire adds Stasis effect to enemies hit.
ALT = Base 1, with 4 upgrades of 1 each.
Upgrade Tips:
Reload sꦜpeed is an absolu💦te must for this weapon. The Alternate Fire,
especially after the Stasis upgrade, is extre💃mely useful. 🎀;If you use
this weapon for it's control purposes,♈ consider focusing most your early
nodes to that part of the branch.
===================
STASIS MODULE [SMX]
===================
💟 [DUR]
|
|
|
[XXX]
|
|
|
==> [DUR]---[XXX]---[ENG]---[XXX]---[DUR]
&nbs♏p; | |
| 🦋&nbs꧒p; |
&nbs🐓p; | |
[DUR]---[XXX]---[CHR]---[CHR]
|
|
&nb♐sp; |
[ENG]
Nodes needed = 12
Nodes skipped = 0
Notes:
Nothing to skip here, but only 12 nodes to fill.
Upgrades:
DUR = Base 8, with 4 upgrades of 2 each.
ENG = Base 40, with 2 upgrades of 20 each (essentailly 2 us🍸es, with 2 more).
CHR = Base 1𝐆00 seconds, with 2 upgrades of -10 seconds each.
Upgrade Tips:
Stasis is the most important tool in Isaac's reperto😼𒆙ire. Upgrading the uses
is the most important effect൩ to focus first🐼, so grab the Energy upgrades as
soon as possible. 🍌Charge time reduction is the least important attribute.
=========
RIG [RGX]
=========
&♉nbsp; [AIR] [AIR] [AIR] [DMG]
&nb🍌sp; | &nbsꦉp; | | |
| | &nb𒆙sp; | |
🔥 | &nꦉbsp; | | |
==&g🙈t; [HP ]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]---[XXX]
| | &nꦺ𓆏bsp; | |
| | | ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚ♕ᩚᩚ |
| ♏;| | &൩nbsp; |
&nཧbsp; [HP ] [DMG] [XXX] [XXX]
🥃; | ♔ |
| 𓆏; |
| &nb⛄sp;|
[HP ] [HP ]
Nodes needed = 18
Nodes skipped = 0
Notes:
Nothing to skip here, unfortunately.
Upgrades:
HP 𓄧 = Base 100 health, with 4 upgrades of 25 health each.
DMG = Base 1 of Telekine🐈sis, with 2 upgrades of +50% strength each.
AIR = Base 120 seco𓂃nds of oxygen time, with 3 upgrades of +20 seconds each.
Upgrade Tips:
Air is worth🍸less and should be your last upgrade. You can never have too
much health, so upgrade that first, unless you like to use Tele🐻kin🍷esis alot
in which case, spread the nodes between damage🌳 and hp🍸.
==================
CONTACT INFO [CIX]
==================
This guide was written solely by Locke Quinn Seavello and ꦗmay not b🅠e copied,
duplicated, or used as an original without p꧑ermౠission of the author.
If you wish to leave cꦅomments, suggestions, complaints, or queries regarding&🎀nbsp;
this guide, I can be reached at:
Toogeloo@yahoo.com (email)
BakusaiTenketsu (GameFAQs ID)
If I find suggꦑౠestions acceptable to be added into the guide, I will credit
the users who have made the suggestion.</p>
Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMast🎀er, and SFX. He is bet𓆉ter known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 800 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.
