The Last of Us 2 Remastered PC: No Return Character Tier List

In The Last Of Us Part 2 PC, No Return mode, you get into the shoes of various characters, whom we will evaluate to determine the best.

Choose the right character that suits your playstyle
Choose the right character that suits your playstyle (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

The No Return game mode gave the franchise a new lease of life while remaining true to its origins. You can select a character in this game mode and battle your way through several encounters. Let us take a look at which characters are a bang for the buck and who proves to be dead weight.

Since No Return is a roguelike game mode, all inventory or upgrades acquired throughout the run will be lost when the encounter is over or the player dies. The game mode is made even more immersive by the fact that you can play as characters other than the original playable trio of Ellie, Joel, and Abby.

Best Character To Use in the Last of Us Part 2, No Return Mode – Tier List

The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return mode - Tier List
The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return mode – Tier List (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)
TierWeapon Type
S-TierEllie, Manny
A-TierAbby, Lev
B-TierJoel, Jesse, Tommy
C-TierDina, Mel, Yara

S-Tier Characters in The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return Mode

Ellie

Ellie's character in no return
Ellie’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Ellie could be considered one of the most reliable characters to engage in an encounter. Not only does she begin her round with a deadly duo of a semi-auto pistol and a Molotov, but she is also the only character in the game who gets four upgrade bench paths to use and enhance her abilities and skills through the match.

Her Perseverance Upgrade bench also acts as a mixed package. It increases the area damage she does with Molotovs and, at the same time, upgrades her health packs. Talk about the best of both worlds. She also gets an extra life with the perk Endure and can escape death with a low health bar after a lethal move is performed on you.

Manny

Manny's character in no return
Manny’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Many is an absolute unit of a character in The Last of Us No Return mode. He can scour the lands for 50% more parts and start the round with 150% health. Manny holsters a deadly hunter pistol, capable of inflicting one-shot kills, as well as a good supportive semi-automatic rifle. With all these strengths, he doesn’t have the recipe to create health kits. But this is not a huge deal, considering you can either buy some or loot some.

He has the Munitions Upgrade Bench, which further enhances the abilities of his already destructive hunter pistol. He also receives incendiary shotgun shells, which can be used in a shotgun he finds on the map. This will later help you create more carnage as you watch the world burn at your hands.

A-Tier Characters in The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return Mode

Abby

Abby's character in no return
Abby’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Abby has very conveniently seated the players on a roller-coaster of emotions regarding whether we should hate or empathise with her. Personally, she is my favourite player in this mode, considering how effective her melee combat is. Abby is a machine when it comes to close-ranged combat, beginning the round with a military pistol and an unupgraded hammer. She is also rewarded for her close-ranged bravery with half a segment of her health restoring per kill.

She comes with a Brawler Upgrade bench, which further strengthens her close-ranged abilities. Now she gets her health restored for non-lethal strikes as well. She also receives an extra finishing move after a successful finisher is performed on an enemy. She is a beast when used sneakily and tactically, but her playstyle is restricted to people who prefer close-ranged over far-ranged battles.

Lev

Lev's character in no return
Lev’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Lev is the younger brother of Yara. Unlike Yara, however, Lev doesn’t need to have a babysitter throughout the match. Lev takes matters into his own hands and uses his bow to its full potential. The bow proves very helpful, as it is quiet when used, and you get to pick up the used arrows, saving on ammo. Lev is a sneaky character, depending on his silent approach.

His archery upgrade bench holds a path to make his bow an absolute banger of a weapon. It begins with being able to craft more arrows, then crafting explosive ammo, and then crafting even more explosive arrows. Talk about sneakily inflicting carnage.

B-Tier Characters in The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return Mode

Joel

Joel's character in no return
Joel’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Joel is one of the two most beloved characters in the series. A great father figure who goes out of the way to protect the people he cares for. Joel begins his run with a shiv and a custom revolver. Similar to the main campaign, his playstyle incorporates a lot of sneaking about and stealthy shiv kills. His revolver comes fully upgraded from the get-go, balancing out his close-ranged gameplay with some deadly shots.

Joel comes with the Shiv Upgrade Bench, which, as the name suggests, works on completely enhancing his gameplay with the shiv. Now, while that may seem to be a good combo, one major drawback Joel has is the inability to dodge upcoming attacks from a close range. This wouldn’t have been a big issue for most characters. However, considering Joel is a melee guy, not being able to dodge puts him in a very vulnerable position, especially when there are multiple enemies at the same spot.

Jesse

Jesse's character in no return
Jesse’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Jesse is another character who focuses on a stealthy playstyle. Jesse starts his round strong with 30% more currency than the other characters to use in the shop. He also gets unlimited re-rounds in the trading post. His weapons comprise a silencer and a pipe bomb, aiding his stealth game style to its fullest.

He has the Guerilla upgrade bench, which strives to upgrade his weapon and the throwable. You get more ammo to further engage sneakily, as well as stronger pipe bombs, capable of inflicting heavy damage. While these are good traits, you don’t get to play from afar or from near and are stuck in the middle zone where you have to stay hidden for most of your time.

Tommy

Tommy's character in no return
Tommy’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Tommy is Joel’s younger brother, and just like his brother, he decided to skip dodge day. Tommy makes no effort when it comes to dodging and would rather have the enemies pounce on him than consider a side step. But unlike Joel, Tommy doesn’t rely on close-ranged combat. In fact, he is far from it as he walks around sporting his shiny sniper.

Tommy has the Marksman Upgrade Bench locked and loaded for him, helping him further improve his rifle and pistol. He also gets incendiary ammo for shotguns, provided you manage to find one lying somewhere on the battlefield. While he does have a good balance of weapons and upgrades, not being able to dodge is a serious downplay. Clickers lurk in every corner when most are unaware.

C-Tier Characters in The Last Of Us Part 2, No Return Mode

Dina

Dina's character in no return
Dina’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Dina is the first character you will unlock in Ellie’s path. Dina’s character puts heavier prioritisation on crafting throwables over anything else. She begins her run with a revolver, one of each crafted resource and recipe to make stun bombs and trap mines.

Dina has the Double Craft Upgrade Bench, which further nudges her love for crafting items. She gets recipes to create smoke bombs as well as the ability to craft more stun bombs and trap mines. While she gets to hold a variety of throwables, she acts more like a supporting character than someone you would use to inflict colossal damage.

Mel

Mel's character in no return
Mel’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Mel is associated with Abby’s group and relies mainly on healing herself. She is a factory when it comes to crafting and hoarding health kits. She begins her round with a revolver and two health kits. Her ability involves a speed boost immediately after she heals herself for four seconds.

Her Healing Upgrade Bench further works on improving her abilities with the health kits by increasing the health she restores or increasing the duration of her boost. The abilities are honestly underwhelming, making her more of a scavenging character and a survivalist. If your goal is to hide, camp, and loot, then she could prove useful. Apart from that, there is not much she can do.

Yara

Yara's character in no return
Yara’s character in No Return (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Boomstick Gaming/YouTube)

Yara is the most dependent character of the pack. She is the older sister of Lev. Yara doesn’t have much going on for her except for her semi-auto pistol. She has no additional skills, throwables or buffs. The only thing on her is her loyal brother Lev, who attacks as well as defends. Yara is completely dependent on her brother, considering her playstyle is far off from being close-ranged, far-ranged or even mid-ranged. It’s a puzzle to figure just where the right spot would be to utilise her best.

She comes with the Ally upgrade bench. Even this bench is catered towards enhancing her brother’s abilities for him to do all the dirt work. The biggest flipside to the ally concept is the fact that your encounter ends the moment either you or your brother dies. So, not only do you have to keep an eye on your surroundings, but you also have to watch your brother’s back.


Looking For More?

Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!