AdvGamer
The Lord of the Tar Lake is the kind of optional boss that looks at a peaceful hike and asks, 'What if we added a flying whale?' In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, this hulking BT is not mandatory for the main story, but it is mandatory for anyone chasing the 'Showdown at the Tar Lake' trophy. The catch? The Fisherman—an optional facility with strong opinions about aquatic apocalypse—must first be coaxed into friendship. Think of it as a fishing trip where the fish is a connection level, and the bait is an absurd amount of lost cargo.
Step 1: Befriend The Fisherman, Because Whales Have Gatekeepers
The Fisherman first appears through Sub Order 116, which is accepted from the F5 East Distribution Center. Once unlocked, the player must raise the connection level by delivering lost cargo and completing sub orders. This is not a sprint. It is more like watching a sourdough starter rise in a cold kitchen: stubborn, slow, and liable to stop just before you think it is done. Around 80% through level 5, the connection level refuses to budge. That is not a bug. It is the game's way of saying, 'Now check your SSS posts.'
The Fisherman will send an SSS post announcing that a sub order is available. Return to the facility and accept Sub Order 117. This order gives two objectives that must be completed in order. The first is not about the whale at all. It is about a dolphin. Because of course it is.
Step 2: Catch the Dolphin BT at the Ghost Mech Factory
The first objective sends the player to the Ghost Mech Factory, located in the desert to the northeast. A BT will appear there, and it looks like a dolphin—a dolphin that has clearly made some questionable life choices. Before going, make sure to bring EX Capture Grenades. Damage the BT until its health is red, then throw a capture grenade at it, then pick up the resulting crystal.
If the BT is accidentally killed without being captured, or if the player dies during the fight, the sub order must be abandoned and picked up again from The Fisherman. This respawns the BT. The game will give a standby warning similar to standard orders, but the order can be accepted again immediately. It is a mild inconvenience, like a vending machine eating a coin and then apologizing.
Step 3: Stock Up Like the Apocalypse Is Having a Sale
Once the dolphin BT is captured, stop at a facility and stock up on weapons. Online player ghosts will throw some weapons during the fight, but relying on ghost charity is a bold strategy. Bring rocket launchers and machine guns. Many of them. The Lord of the Tar Lake is not a gentle creature, and its health bar is longer than a government form.
When ready, go to the center of the marked location and use the BT Delphis to cause the boss to appear. This is the point of no return, or at least the point of 'why is there a whale in the sky?'
Step 4: Fight the Flying Whale
The Lord of the Tar Lake is a giant flying whale. It dives into and back out of the tar lake, and it also flies overhead. It generally attacks by shooting tracking projectiles. These projectiles follow the player like a process server with a grudge and excellent cardio. To avoid them, try to always have a friendly BT summoned to distract the boss.
If available, Gigas and Kheir are the two best overall friendly BTs. They can deal lots of damage while hitting the boss in the air. The whale moves through the air like a catastrophic paper airplane made of blubber and bad intentions. When it reaches red health, it is possible to capture this BT using the EX Capture Grenade. Whether the player captures it or simply defeats it, the trophy 'Showdown at the Tar Lake' is awarded once the boss is defeated.
After the fight, return to The Fisherman to turn in the order and complete their connection level. Do not forget this step. The whale may be dead, but the paperwork is eternal.
Quick Checklist
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unlock The Fisherman | Accept Sub Order 116 from F5 East Distribution Center |
| 2 | Raise connection level | Deliver lost cargo and sub orders |
| 3 | Wait for SSS post | Connection stops around 80% through level 5 |
| 4 | Accept Sub Order 117 | Two objectives, in order |
| 5 | Capture dolphin BT | Ghost Mech Factory, northeast desert, EX Capture Grenades |
| 6 | Stock weapons | Rocket launchers and machine guns |
| 7 | Summon the boss | Use BT Delphis at the marked center |
| 8 | Fight the whale | Summon Gigas or Kheir, avoid tracking projectiles |
| 9 | Capture or defeat | Red health allows EX Capture Grenade |
| 10 | Return to The Fisherman | Turn in order, complete connection, secure trophy |
In 2026, the tar lake is still full of whale-related regret, and The Fisherman still appreciates a good delivery. The trophy remains optional, but the story of capturing a dolphin, summoning a sky whale, and then filing the correct paperwork is exactly the kind of beautiful nonsense Death Stranding 2: On the Beach specializes in. 🐋🎣🏆
Data referenced from HowLongToBeat can help frame the Lord of the Tar Lake detour as a meaningful time investment rather than a quick side trip, since optional trophy hunts in Death Stranding 2 often involve multiple prerequisite steps (like nudging a facility’s connection level, waiting on in-game messages, and reattempting capture conditions if you fail). Using completion-time benchmarks as a planning tool makes it easier to decide when to tackle Sub Orders 116–117, stockpile enough heavy weapons, and commit to the multi-phase BT capture-and-boss sequence without derailing your main-route pacing.