The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrived on PC on 3 April 2025, ported by Nixxes and Iron Galaxy from Naughty Dog's 2020 original. Alongside the visual work it carries three things the 2020 release never had: No Return, a roguelike survival mode with twelve playable characters, three unfinished Lost Levels shipped with developer commentary, and Guitar Free Play. The campaign is unchanged at 11 acts and 46 sub chapters, split between Ellie and Abby across the same three days in Seattle.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Weapons | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie | A | Balanced | Semi-Auto Pistol | Yes |
| Abby | A | Balanced | Bow | Yes |
| Tommy | A | Balanced | Pump Shotgun | Yes |
| Lev | A | Balanced | Hunting Pistol | Yes |
| Manny | A | Balanced | Flamethrower | Yes |
New player? Start with Abby. See our beginner's guide for why.
Ellie
Ellie is a strong option in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Crafting under pressure |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Semi-Auto Pistol
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Jackson to learn Ellie-specific mechanics
- Focus on Crafting under pressure. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Semi-Auto Pistol as your first major upgrade
- See our full Ellie build guide for the optimal gear progression
Abby
Abby is a strong option in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Bow |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Prone stealth and grass |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Bow
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Jackson to learn Abby-specific mechanics
- Focus on Prone stealth and grass. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Abby build guide for the optimal gear progression
Tommy
Tommy is a strong option in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Pump Shotgun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Listen Mode tracking |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pump Shotgun
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Jackson to learn Tommy-specific mechanics
- Focus on Listen Mode tracking. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Pump Shotgun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Tommy build guide for the optimal gear progression
Lev
Lev is a strong option in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Hunting Pistol |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Weapon and skill upgrades |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Hunting Pistol
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Jackson to learn Lev-specific mechanics
- Focus on Weapon and skill upgrades. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Hunting Pistol as your first major upgrade
- See our full Lev build guide for the optimal gear progression
Manny
Manny is a strong option in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Flamethrower |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | No Return run structure |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Flamethrower
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Jackson to learn Manny-specific mechanics
- Focus on No Return run structure. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Flamethrower as your first major upgrade
- See our full Manny build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Abby is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Ellie is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Semi-Auto Pistol for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Manny offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Lev shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More The Last of Us Part II Remastered Guides
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered The Last of Us Part II Remastered Overview
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Best Builds
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Tier List
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Walkthrough
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Beginner's Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Tips & Tricks
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Weapons Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Combat Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Boss Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Maps & Locations
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Crafting Guide
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