The Last of Us Part II: Best Weapons

The Last of Us Part II fleshes out Joel and Ellie's post-apocalyptic universe by not only expanding its open-world playground for players to traverse, but also by leveling up its arsenal and available upgrades for you, the weary survivor, to adopt and utilize. Question is, with all the weapons, tools, and resources at bay, which of them are actually worth the trouble of obtaining?

Of course, it all boils down to personal preference and play style, as a shiv can most definitely match the power of a rifle, all things considered. Looking down at what's available on paper, though, will probably tell you otherwise. And if you had to ask us which of the countless weapons are the most effective in the campaign, then we'd probably slate them as follows.

5. Flamethrower (Abby)

As far as highly effective weapons that have specialized abilities to whittle down enemies in bulk go, the flamethrower is a real home-runner, and also perhaps one of the most sought-after weapons in the entire game. The only caveat here is that it's only available for Abby, which means chapters featuring Ellie can be made slightly tougher as a result. Even still, it's an elementary choice for Abby, and one that can quite simply make the later stages in the game a total cake walk, rather than an endearing trudge through a bottomless hellhole.

So, what is it that makes the flamethrower the unstoppable fiery demon that it is? Well, in spite of its upgradeable components being next to nonexistent, its core features are still surprisingly hard-hitting—especially in cramped quarters with large amounts of enemies roaming in the vicinity. The fact is, if you're ever stuck in a sticky situation with one or two Clickers too many, then hey, the flamethrower should always be your first port of call.

4. Hunting Pistol (Abby)

If you're thinking about upgrading any weapon at all during the campaign, then you needn't bother entertaining anything that doesn't come within range of Abby's ludicrously powerful hunting pistol. Truth be told, if you're able to pour all your acquired resources into equipping it with a 4X scope, then you'll quickly find that what you have in your hands isn't just your everyday sidearm—but the equivalent of Gears of War's Hammer of Dawn.

In spite of the clip only allowing eight bullets at a time, each and every shot can still send both Clickers and bosses packing, either dismembered, decapitated, or with their tails tucked firmly between their legs. Bottom line here is this: Abby's hunting pistol is the definitive monster on the battlefield, and one that you should definitely consider utilizing whenever ammunition comes knocking.

3. Pump Shotgun (Ellie)

It's fair to say that Ellie is well and truly at the peak of her element when bundled with a stealth-focused arsenal, such as the shiv and the bow, for example. This isn't to say she's incapable of adapting to a barreled weapon with plenty of explosive ammunition, though. In fact, weapons like the pump shotgun can actually be slightly more efficient in certain situations, such as boss fights and cramped areas with close-knit communities of infected enemies.

Of all the close to mid-range firearms to choose from in The Last of Us Part II, Ellie's pump shotgun definitely brings the most noise and raw power. Like bringing a grenade to a knife fight, the deadly sidekick bears the ability to blow enemies limb from limb and send Clickers fleeing for the faraway hills. Double up its upgrades, of course, and you'll have one of the most beastly weapons strapped to your inventory for keeps. And if you know what's good for you, then you'll definitely want to keep something as handy as a pump shotgun bolted to your holster for the long haul.

2. Bow (Ellie)

When all's said and done, there isn't a weapon in The Last of Us saga that can bring the same level of power and efficiency as a good old-fashioned bow. For starters, it's silenced, which means you can strategically eliminate enemies in small bursts while also maintaining a stealthy approach from the distant shadows. Secondly, Ellie can craft a variety of arrows without having to secure a ridiculous amount of resources and rarities along the way, which again makes it one of the most efficient weapons on the wheel, period.

If you're familiar with the first chapter, then you'll know that the bow is a definite player favorite, and perhaps even the most popular primary weapon, in general. And the best part is, Ellie can unlock the bow by simply playing through the main campaign, during which point she'll stumble upon an infected laying dormant in the Hillcrest region. The fact that it's impossible to miss is reason enough to employ it into your go-to loadout, for sure.

1. Crossbow (Abby)

There's no denying the fact that the crossbow, when fully upgraded to include a faster draw speed and far better stability, can be an absolute monster out on the field. To put it short, Abby's crossbow is a highly versatile primary weapon that boasts a sturdy ammunition pouch, and a silent but surprisingly deadly shot that can effectively punch through even the toughest of enemies from both close and long range. In fact, its shot is so effective, that it can deliver the same amount of damage as a hunting rifle, which alone makes it a quality alternative in stealth sections.

Fortunately, Abby can obtain the crossbow relatively early on in the campaign. Specifically, in the abandoned ship in “The Coast” chapter, in which Abby must recover the weapon in order to progress further into the ship's quarters. So, if you're searching for a lifelong ranged weapon that can execute precision shots like darts against butter, then it's a real no-brainer.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any weapons you'd recommend for The Last of Us Part II newcomers? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.