In “The Last of Us,” mastering stealth is crucial for survival and can dramatically affect your gameplay experience. To utilize stealth effectively, follow these comprehensive strategies to navigate through hostile environments and take down enemies without raising alarms.

Basic Stealth Techniques

1. Crouch and Move Slowly:
– Always crouch (press L3 on PlayStation) and walk slowly instead of sprinting, which creates significant noise and can alert enemies to your location.

2. Utilize Listen Mode:
– Engage Listen Mode by holding R1 to detect the positions of nearby enemies. This ability allows you to see enemy outlines through walls, helping you strategize your approach and avoid detection.

3. Environmental Cover:
– Make use of the environment to break line of sight with enemies. Tall grass, furniture, walls, and shadows provide excellent cover. Approach enemies using these elements, which will allow you to get close enough for a stealth kill.

Stealth Takedowns

1. Approaching Enemies:
– Always approach from behind or use obstacles to stay out of their line of sight. Once close enough, press the prompted button (e.g., Triangle on PlayStation) to grab the enemy and then pull them out of view to perform a stealth kill by choking (Square).

2. Managing Noise Levels:
– Be aware of different weapons and actions that produce noise. For instance, using a bow or a silenced pistol keeps your profile low, while using unsilenced firearms or breaking glass can alert nearby enemies.

3. Distraction Techniques:
– When dealing with groups of enemies, toss throwable objects like bricks or bottles to create distractions. This will draw their attention away, allowing you to slip by or position yourself for an attack.

Handling Unexpected Detection

1. Regain Control After Being Spotted:
– If an enemy sees you, quickly grab them if you can, maintaining the element of surprise. Dragging the enemy out of sight allows you to finish them silently without drawing attention from others nearby.

2. Hiding:
– If you get spotted, immediately break line of sight by moving behind barriers or into tall grass. This gives you a chance to regroup and plan your next move without being overwhelmed.

Special Considerations for Tough Enemies

1. Caution with Clickers:
– Be particularly careful when approaching Clickers since they have heightened hearing. Move very slowly, even when crouching, and utilize distractions effectively to navigate past them or take them out quietly.

Blending Stealth and Combat

1. Fluid Transition:
– Mix stealth with combat when necessary. Efficiently managing noise and enemy positioning allows for a more seamless transition from stealth to direct confrontation, conserving ammunition and maintaining survival.

2. Environmental Sounds:
– Leverage ambient noises—like rain or machinery—to cover your movements. Timing your actions with these sounds can help mask any noise you generate, allowing you to move around stealthily.

By applying these strategies, you can enhance your stealth gameplay in “The Last of Us,” allowing for safer exploration and more strategic encounters, ultimately improving your survival chances in the game’s harsh world.