This The Last of Us Part I tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Full stealth strangler | 9.5/10 | Clear rooms one enemy at a time from the back, using thrown objects to reposition patrols. Retreat and reset if an enemy turns rather than committing to a fight. |
| A | Shiv and bottle specialist | 8.5/10 | Save shivs for Clickers and shiv doors, stun humans with a thrown bottle and finish with melee, and leave firearms holstered until a room goes loud. |
| A | Molotov crowd control | 8.5/10 | Bait Infected into a corridor, throw one molotov into the chokepoint, and let fire clear a group that would otherwise cost a full magazine. |
| B | Long gun marksman | 7.5/10 | Find elevation, open the encounter with a headshot, and reposition after every two shots so enemies converge on the wrong spot. |
| B | Brawler with melee weapons | 7.5/10 | Rush human groups after a thrown brick opens the first enemy, and switch to the Shotgun the moment Infected join the fight. |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Full stealth strangler (S-Tier)
Choke everything from behind and never fire a shot until forced. It preserves ammunition for the encounters that cannot be stealthed, which is what makes Survivor and Grounded runs viable.
Best with: Bow, shivs, bricks and bottles, upgraded holster. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Listen Mode range, then crafting speed, then melee damage
Shiv and bottle specialist (A-Tier)
Built around shiv efficiency and free thrown objects. The Shiv Master upgrade gives each shiv extra uses, turning Clicker-heavy areas from resource sinks into free kills.
Best with: Shivs, bottles, bricks, shiv crafting manual. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Shiv Master first, then crafting speed, then health
Molotov crowd control (A-Tier)
Fire solves the encounters stealth cannot: Bloaters, packed Runner groups and the Pittsburgh hotel basement. Alcohol and rags are the limiting resource, so this build spends almost nothing on health kits.
Best with: Molotovs, nail bombs, smoke bombs, bomb crafting manual. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Crafting speed, then health, then Listen Mode range
Long gun marksman (B-Tier)
Hunting Rifle and Bow with the scope and sway upgrades, killing from outside detection range. Strong across Pittsburgh and the Winter chapters, weak in enclosed Infected areas.
Best with: Hunting Rifle with scope, Bow, El Diablo. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Weapon sway reduction, then Listen Mode range, then healing speed
Brawler with melee weapons (B-Tier)
Machetes, pipes and bats with the binding upgrade, taking human enemies apart at close range. It burns melee weapons quickly and does nothing to a Clicker without a shiv attached.
Best with: Machete, pipe, 2x4, melee upgrade manuals. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Melee damage, then health, then healing speed
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9mm Pistol | Every difficulty from start to finish, especially Survivor runs where 9mm rounds are the ammunition you actually find. | Joel's starting sidearm, cheap on ammo and accurate once the sway upgrade lands. |
| Hunting Rifle | Open outdoor encounters and the Winter chapters where Ellie fights David's group across long sightlines. | Bolt action rifle that one-shots Runners and Stalkers at range and staggers Clickers. |
| Pump Shotgun | Enclosed rooms, tunnels and any moment a Clicker has already heard you. | The one gun that reliably kills a Clicker with a single close shot and knocks a Bloater back. |
| Bow | Stealth clears that thin a group before it detects you, and the low-ammo stretches of the Suburbs and Tommy's Dam. | Silent, and arrows can be pulled back out of corpses and walls, so it costs nothing while your aim holds. |
| Molotov Cocktail | Bloater fights and any encounter with three or more Infected clumped together. | Thrown fire that kills Clickers on contact and burns groups packed into a corridor. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Weapons Analysis
9mm Pistol: Joel's starting sidearm, cheap on ammo and accurate once the sway upgrade lands. Two headshots drop most human Hunters and one kills a Runner.
Hunting Rifle: Bolt action rifle that one-shots Runners and Stalkers at range and staggers Clickers. The scope upgrade turns Pittsburgh rooftops and the University quad into safe firing positions.
Pump Shotgun: The one gun that reliably kills a Clicker with a single close shot and knocks a Bloater back. Damage and clip upgrades make it the emergency button when stealth collapses.
Bow: Silent, and arrows can be pulled back out of corpses and walls, so it costs nothing while your aim holds. Headshots kill Runners and Clickers outright without alerting the room.
Molotov Cocktail: Thrown fire that kills Clickers on contact and burns groups packed into a corridor. It also blinds and panics human enemies, who then break cover into your line of fire.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in The Last of Us Part I centers on Listen Mode and Workbench weapon upgrades. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Full stealth strangler with 9mm Pistol is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Crafting from scavenged parts builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Molotov crowd control remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Shiv and bottle specialist is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Pump Shotgun offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Brawler with melee weapons builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Full stealth strangler | 9mm Pistol | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Shiv and bottle specialist | Hunting Rifle | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Molotov crowd control | Pump Shotgun | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Long gun marksman | Bow | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Brawler with melee weapons | Molotov Cocktail | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More The Last of Us Part I Guides
- The Last of Us Part I The Last of Us Part I Overview
- The Last of Us Part I Best Builds
- The Last of Us Part I Walkthrough
- The Last of Us Part I Beginner's Guide
- The Last of Us Part I Tips & Tricks
- The Last of Us Part I Weapons Guide
- The Last of Us Part I Combat Guide
- The Last of Us Part I Boss Guide
- The Last of Us Part I Maps & Locations
- The Last of Us Part I Crafting Guide
- The Last of Us Part I Classes & Characters
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