The Last of Us Part II Stealth Guide: Prone, Listen Mode & Silent Movement

Open controller inputs →

The Last of Us Part II Stealth Guide: Prone, Listen Mode & Silent Movement

The Last of Us Part II uses a dynamic analog stealth system rather than simple hidden-or-detected states. Naughty Dog designed enemies to communicate, search intelligently and use the environment against you, while Ellie has improved movement options including prone crawling and expanded stealth abilities.

Stay Mobile

Do not treat one patch of cover as a permanent hiding place.

If enemies become suspicious:

• Move.
• Break line of sight.
• Change elevation.
• Crawl through grass or low spaces.

Prone Movement

Ellie can go prone and crawl.

Naughty Dog’s official gameplay material highlights prone movement as useful for:

• Breaking sightlines.
• Moving through low passages.
• Remaining lower in tall grass.

Tall Grass

Tall grass provides concealment, but it is not absolute invisibility.

Enemies can still become aware of you if you move carelessly or remain too exposed.

Listen Mode

Use Listen Mode to understand nearby enemy positions.

It becomes particularly useful when visibility is blocked by:

• Walls.
• Grass.
• Interior spaces.

Enemies Communicate

Human enemies call out information and respond when allies disappear or combat begins.

Removing one person can change the entire search pattern.

After every takedown, reassess rather than immediately moving toward the next enemy.

Silent Takedowns

Use stealth kills against isolated enemies when the approach is safe.

Before committing, check:

• Nearby patrols.
• Enemy sightlines.
• Dogs.
• Where you will move afterward.

Pistol Silencers

Naughty Dog’s official gameplay preview confirms that Ellie can craft suppressors for her semi-automatic pistol through the relevant stealth progression.

Use silent shots when a close takedown would be unsafe.

Suppressors Are Limited Resources

Do not fire suppressed ammunition at enemies who could have been bypassed easily.

Save silent shots for targets whose position creates a real problem.

Guard Dogs

Dogs can track your scent.

Naughty Dog specifically notes that Listen Mode can reveal the scent trail being followed.

If dogs are present:

• Keep moving.
• Change routes.
• Do not rely on one hiding place indefinitely.

You Do Not Need to Eliminate Every Enemy

Sometimes the safest stealth solution is leaving.

If the objective allows you to bypass a dangerous group, conserving ammunition and health may be more valuable than clearing the area completely.

Break Line of Sight

When discovered, do not automatically commit to a full firefight.

Use buildings, vegetation and elevation to disappear again where possible.

Crafting

Resources are limited.

Craft according to what the encounter needs rather than using every ingredient immediately.

Stealth Skill Path

Naughty Dog’s official preview confirms that stealth progression can improve systems such as prone movement and stealth kills and can unlock suppressor crafting.

If stealth is your preferred approach, invest accordingly.

Enemy Dogs and Handlers

Removing a handler does not automatically solve the dog threat.

Dogs can continue searching independently, so account for both parts of the patrol.

Stealth Routine

1. Use Listen Mode.
2. Identify dogs and isolated enemies.
3. Move through cover or tall grass.
4. Use prone when it creates a safer route.
5. Remove only targets that block progress.
6. Relocate after suspicious activity.
7. Break line of sight if detection escalates.

Common Stealth Mistakes

• Staying in one hiding place too long.
• Assuming tall grass makes you invisible.
• Ignoring guard dogs.
• Using suppressors on low-value targets.
• Trying to kill everyone.
• Failing to relocate after an enemy discovers a body.

Bottom Line

The Last of Us Part II stealth rewards movement and improvisation. Use Listen Mode, crawl through low cover, respect dogs and enemy communication, conserve suppressors and other resources, and remember that disappearing or bypassing enemies can be more valuable than eliminating the entire group.