The Last of Us Part II is a dense, emotionally charged, and often brutal game with deep mechanics, layered systems, and plenty of room for optimization—if you know where to look. Some of the most helpful tools and strategies are tucked away, unspoken by the game itself. Here are ten key tips to get the most out of your journey through this post-apocalyptic world.
1. Use Accessibility Options as Tactical Tools
Under Accessibility > Magnification and Visual Aids, enabling High Contrast Mode highlights collectibles and interactables in a visually distinct way, similar to detective vision in Batman: Arkham games. Alternatively, turn on Enhanced Listen Mode under Navigation and Traversal to scan for nearby items. While these break immersion for some, they can guarantee you don’t miss critical gear like weapon holsters or training manuals—especially for completionists or those who need gameplay assistance.
2. Prioritize the Endure Skill Early
Unlockable through the Survival skill tree, Endure lets you survive a single blow that would normally be fatal. It’s a lifesaver—literally—and it synergizes well with aggressive tactics like close-range rushes or risky stealth maneuvers. Healing items are rare and hard to use mid-combat, so this safety net is essential.
3. Covert Ops and SHIVs Are Back
Ellie has a switchblade, but you’ll eventually gain the option to craft SHIVs via the Covert Ops training manual. SHIVs give you:
- Stealth kills from behind
- Defense against clicker grabs
The first skill in the Covert Ops tree unlocks SHIV crafting—so once you find that manual, don’t delay. It’s an old-school mechanic that makes a strong return.
4. Bricks and Bottles: MVP Tools
Bricks and bottles are essential across all difficulty levels. They help you:
- Distract enemies
- Break line of sight
- Stagger enemies for a quick melee finisher
On Survivor, where ammo is limited, these items become lifelines. Use them often, and don’t worry—environments regularly replenish them.
5. Master the Dodge
Close combat is much more demanding than the first game. Instead of mashing, you’ll need to dodge (L1) with precision. Enemies have varied attack patterns, and dodging too early or too late will get you killed. Practice reading enemy animations and respond with well-timed dodges followed by counterattacks.
On harder modes, dodging is essential for survival, especially when ammo is scarce.
6. Going Prone Isn’t Just for Stealth
Going prone allows you to:
- Sneak under rubble or through tall grass
- Improve your aim (best with rifles)
A prone position significantly reduces sway, helping land critical headshots—especially on armored enemies. Use it for high-value targets and then reposition. Ambush, reposition, repeat.
7. Focus Weapon Upgrades on Stability and Capacity
Upgrade Weapon Sway first for better accuracy, especially with pistols and rifles. Then consider Ammo Capacity, which not only increases your clip but sometimes your total carried ammo as well.
On Survivor mode, skip Capacity—ammo’s too rare. But Weapon Sway is universally beneficial.
8. Molotovs Make Better Traps Than You Think
Molotovs are ideal for crowd control—especially infected. Clickers and Bloaters are drawn to sound and will wander directly into flames if distracted. They act like flame-seeking missiles and often burn to death without realizing it. You can save ammo by using fire smartly.
Nail Bombs are another trap alternative, but Molotovs are more abundant and double as distractions.
9. Restart Encounters If Things Go Wrong
Don’t hesitate to use the Restart Encounter option (not Checkpoint). This resets the entire combat scenario—not just your position—so you can re-approach smarter.
If you wasted too much ammo or took unnecessary damage, it’s worth retrying. On Survivor, this strategy helps preserve precious resources.
Also: don’t feel bad about killing dogs. It’s rough, but they’re gameplay obstacles more than anything—and sneaking past them is a headache.
10. Try a No-HUD Immersive Playthrough
For a more visceral and cinematic experience, go into HUD Settings and disable UI elements and button prompts. This makes for a slower, tougher game, but it lets you truly take in the world’s beauty and details. Weapon swapping and crafting become more instinctual once you’re used to the controls.
The game is still playable this way, and many fans swear by it as the definitive way to immerse yourself in The Last of Us Part II.
Final Thoughts
Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic sequel is rich in detail and brutality, but also in mechanics and subtlety. These lesser-known tips can dramatically change how you play and survive. Whether you’re burning through ammo or trying to avoid combat entirely, these tricks will keep you alive longer—and elevate your understanding of what the game truly offers.
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