Dead Island 2 Hollywood Blvd Guide: Starla’s Safe Key Location & Boss Fight Strategy

Welcome to the glitz, glamour, and gore of Hollywood Boulevard! In Dead Island 2, the post-apocalyptic streets of HELL-A are filled with more than just generic shamblers; they are home to 'named' special infected who hold the keys to some of the most powerful loot in the game.

One such encounter involves the starlet-turned-slaughterer Starla Taylor-Moore. If you've been wandering the red carpet and found yourself wondering how to unlock the mysterious 'Starla’s Award Show Safe,' you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the boss encounter, the key acquisition, and the exact path to your legendary rewards.

Who is Starla Taylor-Moore?

Starla Taylor-Moore is a unique Apex Variant zombie found in the Hollywood Boulevard district. Like many named zombies in Dead Island 2, Starla doesn't just provide a tough combat challenge; she acts as a gatekeeper for high-tier equipment. Defeating her is the only way to obtain Starla's Safe Key, which is required to open her personal safe located nearby.

Where to Find Her

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You will encounter Starla in the outdoor plaza area of Hollywood Boulevard, typically near the red carpet and stage setups. Keep an eye out for a zombie with a unique nameplate over her health bar. Unlike standard runners or walkers, Starla has significantly higher HP and more aggressive attack patterns.

Pre-Fight Strategy: Gearing Up for the Red Carpet

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Before engaging Starla, it is vital to have the right tools for the job. In the gameplay footage, we see a focus on high-mobility and high-impact melee weapons.

• Weapon Selection: A Katana is excellent for quick slashing attacks to build up bleed damage, while a modified pole-arm provides the reach necessary to keep Starla at a distance.
• Tactical Positioning: Do not let yourself get cornered against the stage equipment. The Hollywood Blvd area is open, so use that space to your advantage. Ensure you have your Curveballs (like Chem Bombs or Meat Bait) ready to manipulate the flow of the fight.

The Boss Fight: Defeating Starla Taylor-Moore

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The battle with Starla is an intense exercise in Dead Island 2's 'FLESH' system and combat mechanics. Here is how to take her down efficiently:

1. Master the Dodge and Parry

Starla’s attacks are fast and punishing. Success in this fight relies heavily on the Dodge mechanic. By timing your dodges perfectly, you trigger a 'Perfect Dodge,' which slows down time momentarily and allows you to land a devastating counter-attack.

2. Use Heavy Attacks

While light attacks are good for speed, Starla’s stability needs to be broken. Use charged Heavy Attacks with your pole-arm or sledgehammer to deplete her stamina bar. Once her stamina is gone, she will be vulnerable to a 'Maiming' attack or a finisher.

3. Environmental Hazards

Hollywood Blvd is littered with canisters and electrical wires. If you can lure Starla into a puddle of water and toss an electrified weapon or a shuriken, you can stun-lock her, giving you a window to unleash your most powerful Fury mode abilities.

Collecting Starla's Safe Key

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Once Starla Taylor-Moore has been laid to rest (permanently this time), she will drop several items. Look for the glowing blue item drop labeled Starla's Safe Key. Along with the key, she usually drops a decent amount of cash and potentially a high-tier weapon mod or blueprint. Make sure to clear out any remaining 'background' zombies before looting to ensure you don't get bitten while picking up your prize.

Finding the Award Show Safe Location

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Having the key is only half the battle. Now you need to find the Starla's Award Show Safe.

From the spot where you defeated Starla, head toward the area known as 'The Romeros' stage area. This is a large, theatrical setup designed for an awards ceremony.

1. Locate the seating area facing the main stage.
2. Look for a small, tucked-away corner near the stage equipment and scaffolding.
3. The safe is a small, black floor safe embedded near the base of the structure.

The Reward: Unlocking the Loot

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Interact with the safe using your newly acquired key. The animation will play, and the safe will pop open to reveal its contents. While loot in Dead Island 2 can scale with your level, the Starla’s Award Show Safe is known to drop:

• A Superior Sledgehammer: A high-damage blunt weapon perfect for smashing through Crusher and Butcher variants.
• Rare Crafting Materials: Essential for upgrading your gear at the workbench.
• Cash: A significant stack of in-game currency to help with your next weapon repair.

Key Takeaways for Hollywood Blvd Exploration

• Check the Names: Always pay attention to the names of the zombies you encounter. If they have a first and last name, they are carrying a key to something valuable nearby.
• The 'Romero' Connection: The stage area is a tribute to George A. Romero, the father of the modern zombie film. It’s one of the many 'Easter Eggs' tucked away in Hollywood Blvd.
• Upgrade Before You Go: Hollywood Blvd is a late-game area. Ensure your weapons are leveled up to your current player level at a workbench before picking a fight with Starla.

Conclusion

Finding Starla Taylor-Moore and unlocking her Award Show Safe is a must-do activity for any player looking to maximize their arsenal in Dead Island 2. Not only do you get a satisfying boss fight, but the reward—a powerful sledgehammer—will make your journey through the rest of HELL-A significantly easier.

Are you struggling to find other named zombies in Hollywood Blvd? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to check out our other Dead Island 2 guides for more secret loot locations!