The Last of Us Part 2 No Return characters list and how to unlock

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered‘s brand new roguelike survival mode, No Return, lets players jump into randomised combat encounters as one of ten characters from the story. Firing up the mode for the first time, you’ll only have access to two – Ellie and Abby. To get the rest, you’ll need to unlock them by completing challenges, or more specifically, ticking off a set number of encounters as other characters. 

Below, we’ll explain how to unlock all The Last of Us Part 2 No Return characters. For more help exploring the remastered version, check out the full trophies list and complete chapters list.

How to unlock all characters in The Last of Us Part 2 No Return

As above, to unlock characters you’ll need to complete encounters with characters you already have, starting with Abby and Ellie then progressing through characters as you unlock them. An encounter is distinct from a run in that it refers to the individual levels on the path to the final boss fight. And, by ‘complete’, the game means either finishing the encounter alive or getting killed. Either will do. 

In total, you’re looking at 24 encounters in total to get all eight unlockable characters in The Last of Us Part 2 No Return. Here are the unlock requirements for each of these characters:

• Dina – complete 2 encounters with Ellie.
• Jesse – complete 3 encounters as Dina.
• Tommy – complete 3 encounters as Jesse.
• Joel – complete 4 encounters as Tommy.
• Lev – complete 2 encounters as Abby.
• Yara – complete 3 encounters as Lev.
• Mel – complete 3 encounters as Yara.
• Manny – complete 4 encounters as Mel.

Note that you can check your progress to unlocking new characters under Challenges between each encounter.

All The Last of Us Part 2 No Return characters traits, weapons, and playstyle

Here are the individual traits of all ten The Last of Us Part 2 No Return characters:

Ellie

• Playstyle – Balanced
• Traits – 50% more supplements, Molotov Recipe, Two upgrade branches
• Weapons – Pistol, Molotov

Dina

• Playstyle – Crafting
• Traits – Trap mine recipe, Stun bomb recipe, Double-craft upgrade branch
• Weapons – Revolver, Crafting components

Jesse

• Playstyle – Resourceful
• Traits – 30% more currency, Unique items at trading post, Silencer recipe, Pipe bomb recipe, Guerilla upgrade branch
• Weapons – Silenced pistol, Pipe bomb

Tommy

• Playstyle – Sniper
• Traits – Custom sniper rifle, Sturdier against melee, Can’t dodge, Marksman upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol, Sniper

Joel

• Playstyle – Unstoppable
• Traits – Custom revolver, Sturdier against melee, Can’t dodge, Shiv recipe, Shiv upgrade branch
• Weapons – Revolver, Shiv, Gun holster, Melee weapon

Abby

• Playstyle – Close combat
• Traits – Heal on melee kill, Melee upgrade recipe, Brawler upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol, Hammer

Lev

• Playstyle – Stealth
• Traits – Bow draw speed upgrade, Improved listen mode, Archery upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol, Bow

Yara

• Playstyle – Teamwork
• Traits – Yara and Lev pair, Ally upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol

Mel

• Playstyle – Medic
• Traits – Speed boost from healing, Healing upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol, Med packs

Manny

• Playstyle – Armory
• Traits – 50% more parts, 150% max health, No health kit recipe, Semi-auto rifle ammo recipe, Munitions upgrade branch
• Weapons – Pistol, Semi-auto rifle

Given that encounters are over fairly quickly, it shouldn’t take too long for you to unlock all The Last of Us Part 2 No Return characters. We also have guides exploring whether the game is coming to PC and a full breakdown of the differences between the remastered edition and the original PS4 version.