Cryptobiote

> A cryptobiote a day keeps the timefall away.
> – Fragile
>
>

A **cryptobiote** is a small life form in the world of *Death Stranding* which, when ingested, replenishes a small amount of a person's blood.

## History

Cryptobiotes were rarely seen prior to the Death Stranding, only recorded in reference books and databases but without a specific study, classification or proper name. After the Death Stranding, a researcher called these bugs Cryptobiotes, for the process of cryptobiosis, which means "hidden life", also recognizing their beneficial abilities. They found that the cryptobiotes can survive anything and anywhere, even on the Beach or in the Seam, and also that humans who eat them acquire a limited resistance to timefall. They can be found in correspondence of coral formations of various shapes and sizes.

Since they can be found on Earth, even if in few and hidden places, on the Beach and in the Seam too, this indicates that they seem to be capable of traveling between worlds, theorizing a possible origin from the "other side".

### D-Cryptobiotes

The Novelist's Son discovered a special cryptobiote variant inside one of his gourds. Eating it sends his hematic regeneration levels through the roof, with a sensation like falling into some kind of dreamland. After this experience he called this variant D-Cryptobiotes, where the "D" stands for "Dream". The Novelist's son later rewards Sam with a jar of D-Cryptobiotes for completing some deliveries.

## Notes

* Cryptobiotes and Blood bags are the two primary ways Sam can restore his health/blood.
* One cryptobiote will restore 25 blood.
* When used, Sam will eat as many cryptobiotes as needed to restore his blood level in one bite.
* You can find cryptobiotes in the wild, in coral formations.
* The chiral matter in Sam's urine can attract cryptobiotes to the mushrooms that grow in the urination spot. The more other players all urinate in the same spot, eventually lots of cryptobiotes will appear in that location (5+); more than will be found in a coral hive.
* When Fragile visits Sam in his private room, she gives him a jar of cryptobiotes that can be eaten any time he is in the room.
* If you hold the button to collect cryptobiotes instead of tapping it, you collect them faster and you will be able to collect more before they run away.
* Reaching the rank 4 of connection with Heartman unlocks the cryptobiote accessory with which it will be easier for you to catch the cryptobiotes.

## Trivia

* Cryptobiosis is a metabolic state of life entered by an organism in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all measurable metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair.
* They resemble tardigrades, aka Water Bears; although much larger.
	+ This is probably because of their capacity. Tardigrades are real-life "cryptobiotes", as they are capable of enter in cryptobiosis for a long time, even years.
* The trailer suggested that eating a cryptobiote is capable of thwarting the onset of timefall rain.

## Gallery

Sam looking at a coral hiveMenu entryCryptobiote accesory

## References

1. **^** YouTube – "*DEATH STRANDING - Teaser Trailer – E3 2018 - 4K*"