Best Dead Island 2 weapon mods: Perks & weapon upgrades

Best Dead Island 2 weapon mods: Perks & weapon upgrades
Images via Dambuster Studios

Written by 

Tarran Stockton

Published 

20th Apr 2023 17:22

In Dead Island 2, you have the option to upgrade your melee and ranged weapons with mods and perks that change their damage and status effects - so here are the best weapon mods to pick while you're out exploring LA. 

Dead Island 2 brings back the weapon mod system of the first game and expands it further, adding tiered upgrades, perk slots based on weapon rarity, and unlockable bonuses. So, if you need a breakdown of the best Dead Island 2 weapon mods and perks, read on. 

Best Dead Island 2 weapon upgrades

an image of a Dead Island 2 baseball bat with a weapon mod
Click to enlarge

Here are our picks for the best Dead Island 2 weapon mods and upgrades:

  • Liquidator Mod - This converts the weapon damage to Caustic and applies a melting effect to enemies when struck with successive hits. 
  • Impactor Mod - This gives the weapon a damage and force boost, and applies a traumatised effect to enemies when struck with successive hits that sends them flying.
  • Cremator Mod -  This converts the weapon damage to Fire and applies an ignited effect to enemies when struck with successive hits. 
  • Electrocutor Mod - This converts the weapon damage to Shock and applies an electrified effect to enemies when struck with successive hits. 

You can upgrade your weapons with mods in Dead Island 2 by visiting a workbench at safehouses or intermittent locations across the game's ten maps. It costs money and crafting resources to upgrade your weapon with a particular mod, with it increasing based on the rarity of the mod.

Like weapons themselves, all weapon mods have a rarity associated. These are: Uncommon, Rare, and Superior, with each subsequent tier costing more and improving the weapon further.

It also goes without saying that any higher rarity version of a weapon mod is better than the previous version, so make the switch whenever you pick a new one up.

  • Our ten Dead Island 2 tips will also ensure you learn everything you need to know about surviving HELL-A.

Best Dead Island 2 perks

an image of a Dead Island 2 rifle with a weapon perk
Click to enlarge

Here are our picks for the best Dead Island 2 perks:

  • Vampire - Killing a zombie gives a chance to regain health.
  • Hazardous - Hitting a zombie that has a status effect triggers a forceful explosion. 
  • Damaging - Increases damage.
  • Honed - Increases the damage of critical hits, but reduces your standard damage.
  • Bloodthirsty - Killing a zombie gives a moderate damage boost, and generates increased fury. 
  • High-Caliber - Increases damage and force, but reduces magazine size and accuracy.
  • Vigilant - Reload to gain a moderate damage boost. 
  • Mind-Blowing - Killing a zombie with a blow to the head triggers a forceful explosion.

Dead Island 2 weapon perks are similar to weapon mods, in that they can be applied to weapons at workbenches in exchange for cash and resources. They don't overhaul weapons like mods do, but they add passive bonuses and extra effects that make them more effective in combat.

Perks also have rarity tiers that make them better, so always swap out your older perks when you pick up a higher rarity version.

That's all for our breakdown of the best Dead Island 2 weapon mod upgrades and perks, and now you know which ones are most worth applying to your weapons at workbenches.

Our breakdown of all Dead Island 2 key locations so far will make opening locked containers for weapons even easier.

For more Dead Island 2 guides, keep reading GGRecon.

Tarran Stockton
About the author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
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