If you’ve been grinding through the dark, monster-infested floors of Deadly Delivery, you’ve probably heard whispers about two elusive hostages: Sam and Graves. Let me tell you, finding these NPCs isn’t just a side quest—it’s your ticket to unlocking some of the most powerful classes in the game. After countless runs and more than my fair share of close calls, I’m here to share everything I’ve learned about tracking down these crucial characters.
Deadly Delivery isn’t just about surviving monster encounters and delivering packages. The game features a sophisticated hostage system that becomes active once you reach deeper floors. While regular hostages start appearing after floor 10, offering modest coin rewards, Sam and Graves are special NPCs tied directly to your progression system.
What makes them unique? Unlike random hostages that simply give you gold, rescuing Sam and Graves unlocks entirely new character classes that can dramatically change how you play the game. The Porter class (from Sam) and Veteran class (from Graves) are game-changers that many players consider essential for high-level runs.
I’ll admit it—I’m addicted to the thrill of the hunt. There’s something incredibly satisfying about pushing through floor after floor, knowing that around any corner could be the NPC you’ve been searching for. My most memorable moment came during a solo run where I found Sam on floor 12, only to discover Graves hiding in the same building on floor 18. That double rescue run remains one of my proudest gaming achievements.
What keeps me coming back is the progression system. Each rescue feels meaningful, pushing me closer to unlocking classes that open up entirely new playstyles. The randomness keeps things fresh, and the challenge of escorting these NPCs safely through monster-infested territory never gets old.
Sam is generally the more predictable of the two hostages, making him the perfect starting point for your rescue missions.
Based on my research and personal experience, Sam follows these spawn rules:
Unlike completely random hostages, Sam has preferences for certain room types. I’ve found him most frequently in:
Pro Tip: Sam can sometimes spawn directly in front of the elevator on his designated floor. Always give the immediate elevator area a quick scan before moving deeper into the floor.
Once you spot Sam, here’s my step-by-step rescue process:
Graves is where things get challenging. This NPC is notoriously difficult to find, but the reward is absolutely worth the effort.
Graves operates on a completely different system:
Unlike Sam, Graves can appear literally anywhere on floors 15 and below:
Critical Note: Graves and Sam cannot spawn on the same floor. If you find Sam on a particular floor, you won’t find Graves there, and vice versa.
Rescuing Graves requires more preparation and skill:
The real value in finding Sam and Graves lies in the classes they unlock. Let me break down what you’re working toward:
Why it’s amazing: The Porter class gives you access to the Backpack item, dramatically increasing your carry capacity. This is invaluable for farming runs and collecting valuable resources.
Unlock requirements:
Best uses:
Why it’s game-changing: Currently considered the strongest class in Deadly Delivery, the Veteran class comes with unique passive boosts and unlocks the powerful Double Barrel Shotgun.
Unlock requirements:
Best uses:
The recent Bloomaw Update added a third hostage, Mr. Bill, who’s worth mentioning even though he’s not the focus of this guide.
What he unlocks: The Daily Tasks system in the Lobby Why it matters: Daily tasks provide rotating challenges with valuable rewards like cash, gears, and items Spawn rules: Similar to Sam and Graves, but he doesn’t unlock a class
The Bloomaw Update significantly changed the hostage rescue system:
After dozens of successful rescues, here are my top strategies:
Based on community feedback and my own experiences, here are solutions to frequent rescue issues:
Problem: Hostage dies during escort
Solution: Clear wider areas around the NPC before starting the rescue, and move slowly but steadily toward the elevator
Problem: Can’t find hostages despite reaching high floors
Solution: Thoroughly explore every room, including corners and behind obstacles. Hostages can be hidden in plain sight
Problem: Monsters spawn during rescue animation
Solution: Have teammates guard the area during the untie process, or use area-of-effect weapons to clear spawn points
Problem: Not enough gold to unlock classes after rescue
Solution: Focus on farming regular hostages for gold between special NPC rescue attempts
Q: What’s the absolute minimum floor where Sam can spawn? A: Sam can technically spawn as early as floor 10, but your chances are extremely low. I recommend focusing your search from floor 12 onward for better results.
Q: Is there a guaranteed way to make Graves spawn? A: Unfortunately, no. Graves’ spawn is completely random, but your odds increase significantly after floor 15. The deeper you go, the better your chances.
Q: Can I find both Sam and Graves in the same run? A: Yes! While they can’t spawn on the same floor, it’s possible to find Sam on one floor and Graves on another during the same run. I’ve done this twice, and it’s incredibly rewarding.
Q: Do I need to escort them all the way to the elevator? A: Yes, unlike some games where rescue is instant, you need to safely escort both Sam and Graves to the elevator. The rescue isn’t complete until they board safely.
Q: What happens if I die after rescuing them but before reaching the elevator? A: The rescue doesn’t count. You’ll need to find them again in a future run. This is why reaching the elevator safely is just as important as finding them in the first place.
Q: Are there any visual or audio cues that hint at nearby hostages? A: Some players report hearing faint whimpering sounds when near hostages, but this isn’t guaranteed. Visual searching remains the most reliable method.
Finding Sam and Graves in Deadly Delivery is more than just a checkbox on your progression list—it’s an adventure that tests your skills, patience, and strategic thinking. The Porter and Veteran classes they unlock are absolutely worth the effort, opening up new playstyles and making high-floor runs much more manageable.
Remember, persistence is key. It might take several runs before you find these elusive NPCs, but each attempt makes you a better player. Focus on survival, explore thoroughly, and don’t get discouraged by failed attempts.
I’d love to hear about your own experiences hunting for Sam and Graves! Share your stories, tips, and questions in the comments below. What strategies have worked best for you? How many runs did it take you to finally unlock these game-changing classes?
Happy hunting, and may your rescue missions be successful!
