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.
Combat in The Last of Us Part II Remastered rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Crafting under pressure
Molotovs, shivs, health kits, explosive arrows and trap mines all draw on one shared pool of alcohol, rags, blades, binding and explosives, and crafting runs in real time without pausing. Every health kit you make is a Molotov you did not.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Prone stealth and grass
Part II added going prone, dodging and sliding under vehicles, which turns tall grass into a genuine hiding layer instead of scenery. Human enemies call your last known position to each other, so a broken stealth run becomes a coordinated sweep.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Listen Mode tracking
Holding Listen Mode outlines nearby enemies through walls after a brief focus. Lev's No Return trait improves it, while Grounded strips it out entirely along with most of the HUD.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. Weapon and skill upgrades
Parts upgrade guns at workbenches and supplements buy skills, but each skill branch only opens once you find its training manual. Ellie has Survival plus Crafting, Stealth, Precision and Explosives; Abby has Field Tactics plus Covert Ops, Close Quarters, Firearms and Ordnance.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. No Return run structure
A run chains randomised encounters of four types, Assault, Hunted, Holdout and Capture, with optional gambits paying bonus currency, and finishes on a boss. Six bosses unlock in sequence from the Arcade Bloater to the Rat King, after which they appear at random.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Crafting under pressure + Prone stealth and grass
Molotovs, shivs, health kits, explosive arrows and trap mines all draw on one shared pool of alcohol, rags, blades, binding and explosives, and crafting runs in real time without pausing. When combined with Prone stealth and grass, part ii added going prone, dodging and sliding under vehicles, which turns tall grass into a genuine hiding layer instead of scenery. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Listen Mode tracking + Weapon and skill upgrades
Holding Listen Mode outlines nearby enemies through walls after a brief focus. Paired with Weapon and skill upgrades, parts upgrade guns at workbenches and supplements buy skills, but each skill branch only opens once you find its training manual. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
No Return run structure as a Multiplier
A run chains randomised encounters of four types, Assault, Hunted, Holdout and Capture, with optional gambits paying bonus currency, and finishes on a boss. Six bosses unlock in sequence from the Arcade Bloater to the Rat King, after which they appear at random. This system amplifies everything else. The better your No Return run structure optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Role
Each role approaches combat differently:
Ellie (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Semi-Auto Pistol Primary mechanic: Crafting under pressure
Ellie offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Abby (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Bow Primary mechanic: Prone stealth and grass
Abby offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Tommy (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Pump Shotgun Primary mechanic: Listen Mode tracking
Tommy offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Lev (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Hunting Pistol Primary mechanic: Weapon and skill upgrades
Lev offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Manny (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Flamethrower Primary mechanic: No Return run structure
Manny offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your weapons to your role's stat priorities
- Exploit Crafting under pressure for maximum damage windows
- Chain Prone stealth and grass and Listen Mode tracking for combo damage
- Use Weapon and skill upgrades to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Crafting draws on one shared pool, so a health kit and a Molotov compete for the same alcohol and rags. On Survivor and Grounded most players over craft health kits early and then have nothing to throw when a Bloater arrives.
- Position using Crafting under pressure to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and weapons for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Prone stealth and grass: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong weapons for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Jackson but will get you killed in Santa Barbara.
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 Boss Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Maps & Locations
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Crafting Guide
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
