The Last of Us Part 1 features many iconic characters and creatures. From Joel and Ellie, the very faces of the series, to the enormous and deadly Bloater. Perhaps no character is quite as memorable as the Clicker, however; the frightening blind beast with a deformed head, cleft in twain by an all-consuming fungal growth.

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One of the most frequently encountered infected enemies, players going up against Clickers in The Last of Us Part 1 requires skill and discretion in equal amounts. This guide will shepherd players through encounters with Clickers in both combat and stealth.

How To Deal With Clickers In Combat

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In open combat with Clickers, the most important thing to keep in mind is distance. As Clickers are capable of killing Joel as soon as they’re close enough, staying far enough away from them is crucial for staying alive. Should players be caught by a Clicker, provided they have the right supplement upgrades, they can expend one shiv to break free from them, though this isn’t a foolproof strategy, as shivs are in limited supply.

With the right amount of distance, players should make use of their more powerful weapons to deal with Clickers. In close quarters, rely on the Shotgun, Shorty, Flamethrower, and melee weapons to keep them at bay; bear in mind that, unless players have bricks and bottles on hand to stun the Clicker, hand-to-hand combat with them is ineffective in the remake of The Last of Us. At mid-to-long range, use the Revolver, El Diablo, and the Hunting Rifle to quickly kill the attackers. If players are confident at landing two headshots in quick succession, they might consider using the 9mm pistol at mid-range, too.

How To Deal With Clickers In Stealth

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Sneaking up on the breathtakingly brutal Clickers requires precise timing and movement, as on their patrol paths they will routinely stop to scout out the area via echolocation. Players will know when this happens as the Clicker will lean forwards as they do so. If players move too fast, even while crouched, or if they enter their path while they scan, they will be immediately detected, so move slowly and keep out of their way.

When sneaking up on Clickers, players should generally rely on hitting headshots with Bow, as it’s recommended that players save shivs for shiv doors to obtain lots more loot. Don’t be afraid to use shivs when necessary, however.

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Like with Runners, some Clickers players come across will be dormant, giving players the perfect opportunity to sneak around them or quickly take them down without fear of being spotted. Nevertheless, sound will still play a factor in these hibernating creatures spotting players, so be sure to stay quiet.

The Last of Us Part 1 is currently available for PS5, and is in development for PC.

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