Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

The best weapon mods and perks in Dead Island 2

By

Ever since Dead Rising came onto the scene, it is almost mandatory for zombie games to include some kind of weapon-crafting system. The first Dead Island had it, and now Dead Island 2 does as well. This system lets you turn any ordinary bat or blade into an electrified powerhouse, flaming flurry, and much more. Aside from needing the materials to actually construct these mods on your weapon of choice, you also need to find their respective blueprint in order to craft it. Considering there are more 30 mods — and even more perks — in Dead Island 2, we don’t expect you to go find them all and figure out which ones are best. You’ve got too many zombies to kill for that, so we’ve done the homework and listed all the best weapon mods and perks in Dead Island 2, plus where you can get them if you haven’t found them yet.

Best weapon mods

An upgraded bat weapon.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Superior Melee Liquidator Mod

Any mod that applies the Liquidator effect to your weapon means it will start inflicting Caustic damage. While every element is useful, Caustic in particular is the top choice because there are very few zombies that are immune to this damage type. Because status effects build up based on continuous hits, this mod works best when attached to a weapon with a high rate of attack like a dagger or brass knuckles.

Recommended Videos

It is given as a reward for completing the “Fool’s Gold” Lost and Found quest, which is also how you can get the Blood Rage Legendary dagger.

Related

Superior Melee Electrocutor Mod

As far as a more traditional elemental mod, we favor the Electrocutor mods above the others. Shocking a zombie in normal circumstances is already great for two reasons; it stuns them, and it can arc over to other zombies nearby. Things only get better when there’s water nearby, which is more often than you might think. Just make sure you’re not the one who’s wet when the sparks start flying.

You can get this mod by completing the “Dez and the Mother of Satan” sidequest in Venice Beach.

Superior Ranged Punctuator Mod

Bleed isn’t the most flashy or exciting status, but it works on just about every enemy you’ll face and ticks down their health just as effectively as anything else. This time we’re highlighting the ranged version of this mod because it also comes with a damage boost that works wonders with an automatic weapon.

This is a trickier mod to get. It is found in the Theater Box Office Safe in the Hollywood Boulevard area, but getting the key to it is where things get problematic. The key is held by a zombie named Nick, but where and when he spawns is completely random within this hub.

Superior Melee Mutilator Mod

Alongside a nice little damage buff, the Mutilator mod also comes with the bonus of Weakening enemies. Despite the name, this doesn’t mean zombies take (or deal) less damage; rather it means that every hit you land restores stamina. If you’re fond of using those big, charged attacks, this mod will keep you swinging.

Just like the previous mod, the Superior Melee Mutilator Mod is locked in a safe. This one is in the Serling Reception Safe in the hotel. The key is held by another random zombie somewhere in the Lotusville Mall.

Best weapon perks

An electric mace.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Leech

You might be confused as to why there is both a Leech and Vampire perk in Dead Island 2, but we’ll explain the difference for you. Leech is no doubt the better option and likely does what you assume both would do — every time you damage a zombie gives you a chance to restore some health. Over the course of the game, this will save you tons of medkits, if not respawns, by offering you a renewable way to regain health.

This is an easy perk to get, too, since you will probably unlock it without even trying. To get it, you need to complete the Leechblade Challenge, which asks that you just kill 100 zombies with melee weapons.

Vampire

So, if Leech restores health on hit, then what does Vampire do? Well, it restores health on each zombie killed. Obviously, that’s not quite as good, but still is a great way to conserve health and med packs. Plus, you can slap both perks on a weapon and stack the benefits!

The Vampire perk is tied to the Vampire Challenge. You can’t even begin this challenge until you have reached Venice Beach and get the ability to collect zombie parts. Once you can, collect 200 of them to get the perk.

Static Charge

This is a more specialized perk since you can only put it on a weapon with an Electrocutor Mod, such as the one we listed above. By adding this perk to the mix, you get a major boost to how much electricity you inflict with each hit — and it makes zombies that are hit enough times shoot out electric shocks.

All you need to do is inflict 50 zombies with the Electrified status to get this perk.

Ferocious

Once you unlock Fury mode, you will likely use it every time a special infected shows up that you don’t want to deal with. The best part is that every attack you land in Fury restores some health, so getting back into Fury mode is always the best option. This perk increases the amount of Fury you build up with each zombie killed so you can unleash your rage more often.

This last perk is tied to completing a sidequest. The one in question is called “Lending a Hand” and is found on the Ocean Avenue map.

Editors' Recommendations

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
All sphinx riddle solutions in Dragon’s Dogma 2
A sphinx in Dragon's Dogma 2.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is full of mythological monsters and beasts. During your travels, you will encounter many classics like Cyclopses, Griffins, and Dragons, but a more obscure creature is hidden away in a cave waiting to challenge you in a different way. The Sphinx is found in the Mountain Shrine at the top of the hill once you go through Wordlsend Cave. It won't attack you when you approach, but instead, it will challenge you to a test of intellect. There are a total of 10 riddles to be solved, with a reward given for each one you manage to crack. Dragon's Dogma 2 never holds your hand with anything, so we'll help you unravel these riddles.
First five riddle solutions

The first half of the riddles are given at the location mentioned above. Once you solve this first batch, the Sphinx will move, and you will need to find it again to continue. Here are the first five riddles, their solutions, and rewards.
Riddle of the Eyes
“Our eyes are our allies, yet oft do they betray, for eyes tell lies, so I advise, and thence do lead astray. Yet how will your eyes advise you? Venture through yonder door and retrieve that which is of greatest value.“

Read more
The best accessories in Rise of the Ronin
A ronin near a cat on a roof in Rise of the Ronin.

Following in the footsteps of the Nioh games, Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin is absolutely bursting at the seams with loot. Between mission rewards, materials in the open world, drops from enemies, and loot from treasure chests, you will be managing your gear very often to keep your character as strong as possible. Aside from your two weapons and armor slots, you begin with a single Accessory item to equip. These are more unique items that fall into certain categories that focus on buffing specific stats or aspects of your character. Picking the right one, or multiple once you unlock additional slots, really ties your build together. Here are a few of the best Accessories to keep an eye out for while exploring Japan.
Best Accessories
While each Accessory is unique, there are only a few "types" that have variations in terms of their main effect's potency and what secondary bonuses they offer. The examples we list mainly focus on that primary stat, so even after you find one, you may encounter one of the same type later with a better version of that effect. Also, all stats stack. If you have multiple slots and want to really buff one specific thing, slot in multiple of the same Accessory type.
Talismanic Arrow

The Talismanic Arrow's main buff is related to how much Karma you gain for everything you do in Rise of the Ronin. Because Karma is cashed in for skill points, it goes without saying that you will want to build up as much as possible. Early versions will give you low percentage increases, but when you consider how much Karam you get all the time, it adds up fast. The extra perks that come with it are less important but may end up helping your build as well.
Calabash Gourd

Read more
The best skills in Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin protagonist using a pistol.

While you do pick a starting class of sorts in Rise of the Ronin, that doesn't lock you out of using any of the game's numerous weapons or abilities. That initial choice simply determines your starting stats and skills, and you can still freely mold your ronin's proficiencies with as much detail as you can their appearance. Previous Team Ninja games have had some less-than-friendly UIs for their leveling system, and while it is much better here, it is still quite overwhelming. You have multiple branches of skills spread across the four main categories, plus most skills can be leveled up more than once. If you're ready to learn the ways of the samurai, enter our dojo to learn which skills are the best.
The best skills in Rise of the Ronin
Skills are broken down into the Strength, Dexterity, Charm, and Intellect branches. Some skills just require normal skill points, while others must be unlocked using that section's specific skill points.
Best Intellect skills

A major part of the time period of Rise of the Ronin involves the introduction of outside influences on Japan, with firearms being one of the biggest disruptors. Along with your katanas and bows, handguns and rifles can be equipped and used in fights. The Handgun Critical Hit gives you a second option when you deplete an enemy's ki 9basically a stamina and stagger bar). Instead of doing a powerful melee attack with whatever weapon you have, you can pull the left trigger to deal an even stronger finishing move with your pistol. It's flashy and deadly.

Read more