This The Last of Us Part II Remastered 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Ellie | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Abby | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Tommy | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Lev | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Manny | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Ellie (A-Tier)
Ellie is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Semi-Auto Pistol. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Abby (A-Tier)
Abby is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Bow. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Tommy (A-Tier)
Tommy is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Pump Shotgun. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Lev (A-Tier)
Lev is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Hunting Pistol. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Manny (A-Tier)
Manny is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Flamethrower. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-Auto Pistol | The entire early game, and finishing wounded enemies without spending rifle ammunition. | Ellie's default sidearm and the gun she is least likely to run dry on. |
| Bow | Stealth clears and Grounded runs, where a weapon that pays for itself changes the whole resource economy. | Ellie's silent option, and the only weapon whose ammunition is recoverable from bodies and walls after a kill. |
| Pump Shotgun | Corridors, Bloater encounters and the moment a stealth plan falls apart. | Ellie's close range answer, brutal against Clickers and Shamblers and completely wasted on anything past a few metres. |
| Hunting Pistol | Armoured WLF soldiers and any single target you want removed in one shot. | Abby's high calibre scoped sidearm, hitting far harder than her Military Pistol while carrying very little ammunition. |
| Flamethrower | Infected swarms in the hospital sections, where crowd control beats precision. | Picked up by Abby during The Descent on Seattle Day 2. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Weapons Analysis
Semi-Auto Pistol: Ellie's default sidearm and the gun she is least likely to run dry on. It upgrades at workbenches for stability, capacity, rate of fire and reload speed.
Bow: Ellie's silent option, and the only weapon whose ammunition is recoverable from bodies and walls after a kill.
Pump Shotgun: Ellie's close range answer, brutal against Clickers and Shamblers and completely wasted on anything past a few metres.
Hunting Pistol: Abby's high calibre scoped sidearm, hitting far harder than her Military Pistol while carrying very little ammunition.
Flamethrower: Picked up by Abby during The Descent on Seattle Day 2. It shreds grouped Infected and keeps burning after contact rather than doing one hit of damage.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in The Last of Us Part II Remastered centers on Crafting under pressure and Prone stealth and grass. 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:
- Ellie with Semi-Auto Pistol is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Listen Mode tracking builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Tommy remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Abby is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Pump Shotgun offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Manny builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Ellie | Semi-Auto Pistol | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Abby | Bow | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Tommy | Pump Shotgun | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Lev | Hunting Pistol | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Manny | Flamethrower | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
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 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
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered Classes & Characters
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