The Last of Us Part 2 has undergone more than just the typical remastering most PlayStation titles experience. Naughty Dog has introduced a new roguelike feature called No Return, which allows players to select a variety of characters for survival runs. A significant change in this mode is the permanency of death; if your character falls, you must restart your journey.
Though all characters have their strengths in the daunting post-apocalyptic world, some excel above the rest. In this article, we will evaluate each survivor through a tier list, helping you identify which character aligns best with your gameplay style.
Disclaimer: The ranking and assessments provided in this article are shaped by the author’s personal interpretations of each character’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered: No Return Tier Ranking
Recently, The Last of Us Part 2 has found its way to PC, introducing two new playable characters: Bill and Marlene. Each of these survivors brings unique traits that contribute to the game’s intricate storytelling and technical brilliance.
Survivor Categories:
- S-Tier: Joel, Manny, Jesse, Ellie
- A-Tier: Tommy, Marlene, Abby, Bill
- B-Tier: Mel, Dina, Yara, Lev
Let’s explore the specifics of each character, detailing why they fit into their respective categories.
S-Tier Survivors: The Ultimate Problem Solvers
Joel Miller
As the last character accessible on Ellie’s side, Joel is undeniably powerful. Although he shares attack animations with Abby, his durable physique and combat skills allow him to inflict significant damage. Equipped with a customized revolver and a trusty wooden plank, Joel is formidable against any threat.
Playstyle: Unstoppable
Traits:
- Custom Revolver
- High resilience in melee combat
- No dodging capability
- Shiv crafting recipe
- Shiv upgrade path
While Joel thrives in direct confrontations, he can also employ stealth tactics, utilizing shivs for swift eliminations. His optimal blend of strength and weaponry solidifies his top-tier status in No Return.
Manny Alvarez
Manny, the last unlockable character on Abby’s side, excels due to his military background. A key advantage is his ability to craft ammunition in an environment where resources are limited.
Playstyle: Resourceful Armory
Traits:
- 50% more crafting parts
- 150 max health
- No health kit crafting recipe
- Bullet crafting recipe
- Munitions upgrade path
Though Manny lacks the ability to make medkits, his resourcefulness ensures he remains a valuable addition to any run, contributing to his S-tier ranking.
Jesse
Beginning each match with a pistol and silencer, Jesse is adept at stealthy eliminations. His unique ability to earn infinite rolls at trading posts proves invaluable as it allows him to gather supplies quickly.
Playstyle: Strategic and Resourceful
Traits:
- 30% increased currency acquisition
- Special items at trading posts
- Silencer crafting recipe
- Pipe bomb crafting recipe
- Guerrilla upgrade path
With speed and leadership skills, Jesse effectively takes on both infected and human adversaries. His ability to craft devastating pipe bombs places him just below Manny.
Ellie Williams
Ellie stands out as a swift and nimble character who can navigate through hostile environments effortlessly. Armed with her signature switchblade, she excels in stealth situations.
Playstyle: Agile and Balanced
Traits:
- 50% more supplements
- Molotov crafting recipe
- Two upgrade paths
Ellie’s Molotov cocktails, effective against both the undead and hostile humans, exemplify her versatility, making her an excellent choice for gamers who value stealth and direct confrontation.
A-Tier Survivors: Strong but with Limitations
Abby Anderson
If you’re accustomed to Abby’s aggressive playstyle from the campaign, you’ll find her equally formidable in No Return. She specializes in close-quarters combat, making her perfect for direct confrontations.
Playstyle: Aggressive Close-Combat
Traits:
- Health recovery on melee kills
- Melee upgrade recipe
- Brawler upgrade path
With a health regeneration ability tied to melee combat, Abby can sustain herself effectively throughout her runs, solidifying her position within the A-tier.
Tommy Miller
Tommy Miller brings his expertise as a sniper to No Return. Armed with a customized sniper rifle, he can eliminate threats from a distance. Like Joel, he cannot dodge but he boasts additional resilience, benefiting his performance in melee situations.
Playstyle: Strategic Sniping
Traits:
- Custom sniper rifle
- Enhanced melee resistance
- No dodging ability
- Marksman upgrade path
Despite his superior skills, Tommy’s lack of evasive maneuvers keeps him in the A-tier.
Marlene
As a fresh addition to the roster, Marlene closely mirrors Ellie’s attack styles but wields a custom assault rifle. However, her heavy weaponry comes with significant recoil, making accuracy a challenge in chaotic scenarios.
Playstyle: High-Risk, High-Reward
Traits:
- Custom assault rifle
- Path reroute capability (one-time only)
- Risk-oriented gambits
- Calculation-focused upgrade path
Marlene’s abilities place her third in the A-tier, although the potential for losing all rewards on failed gambits poses a significant risk for disadvantageous players.
Bill
Bill, known for his background as a smuggler, demonstrates self-sufficiency and combat skills. Armed with a powerful custom shotgun, he can swiftly deal with threats that come his way.
Playstyle: Smuggler
Traits:
- Increased rewards from dead drops
- Custom shotgun
- Sturdier against melee attacks
- Cannot dodge
- Trap mine crafting recipe
- Prepper upgrade path
Similar to his peers in the A-tier, Bill’s inability to dodge pushes him down the ranks, though his firepower certainly does provide him an edge.
B-Tier Survivors: Potential for Growth
Lev
Lev is a competent character, primarily known for his expertise with the bow. His smaller frame facilitates stealth gameplay, although his overall abilities don’t make him the strongest option for survival.
Playstyle: Stealthy Archery
Traits:
- Improved bow draw speed
- Enhanced listen mode
- Archery-based upgrade path
Despite his strengths, the lack of versatility in his loadout keeps Lev at the lower end of the tier list.
Mel
Mel serves as a competent medic; however, her limited traits hinder her overall effectiveness. While she can find extra health between runs, her combat capabilities leave more to be desired.
Playstyle: Support Medic
Traits:
- Speed enhancement from healing
- Healing-focused upgrade path
Her restricted skill set and lack of offensive capabilities justify her place in the B-tier.
Dina
Dina specializes in crafting and has defensive skills but struggles in aggressive confrontations. Nonetheless, she can create various gadgets such as trap mines and stun bombs, which are essential in certain situations.
Playstyle: Tactical Crafter
Traits:
- Trap mine crafting recipe
- Stun bomb crafting recipe
- Double-crafting upgrade path
While Dina’s crafting abilities are certainly useful, her utility is compromised by a lack of direct combat effectiveness in challenging encounters.
Yara
With the least impressive traits, Yara’s skills rely on her collaboration with her younger brother, Lev. While this partnership could be beneficial, it limits her effectiveness for solo play.
Playstyle: Team Player
Traits:
- Synergy with Lev
- Ally-based upgrade path
This character’s teamwork capabilities are more suited for cooperative gameplay, which is why Yara ranks at the bottom of the B-tier.
The Last of Us Part 2 is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, offering an expansive universe for players to explore.