As a survival horror series, The Last of Us games are filled with terrifying imagery and threats. It’s a series that easily stresses you out when navigating enemies of all types, whether your strategy is stealth or facing them head-on.
The largest group of enemies consists of those infected with Cordyceps, but Ellie, Joel, and Abby still face villainous factions that aren’t infected. Sure, these groups are trying to survive, but their methods are absolutely horrific. Some of these enemies are scarier than others, so if you want to be prepared before diving into your playthrough, here are some of the scariest enemies in The Last of Us games.
10 Runners
This group of infected represents the first stage of Cordyceps. Runners are enemies who have recently become infected. They’re incredibly fast and though they’re in the earliest phase of infection, they can easily overwhelm you, especially when attacking in groups.
Seeing Cordyceps in its first stage is an awful experience, especially if it's someone you know. Witnessing a character completely change in real time is disturbing. They aren’t the strongest of the series’ enemies, but they’re definitely one you want to avoid.
9 Stalkers
Creepy and scary all in one. Stalkers are in the second phase of infection. Instead of running right at you or waiting around for noise, the stalkers use stealth to take their victims down. Their strategies include sticking to walls of fungus, attacking when you least expect it, and stalking you in the dark for a stealthy attack.
In The Last Of Us Part 2, you’ll be stuck in dark areas with stalkers time and time again. Having enemies that are just as stealthy, if not more so than you, always makes for stressful gameplay.
8 Clickers
People in the third stage of Cordyceps are referred to as Clickers. Unlike Runners and Stalkers, Clickers are blind due to an overgrowth of fungus. The fungus overgrowth gives you an advantage for stealth, but it also makes Clickers stronger and harder to take down.
Clickers rely on sound to attack - so running, gunshots, bottles, bricks, and anything else that makes noise will immediately grab their attention. Clickers can be difficult to kill without the right strategy, so having even one Clicker charge at you is intimidating, let alone a group of them closing in.
7 Hunters
Though the infected are arguably the scariest threats you’ll face in the game, some enemy groups are close competition. You’ll run into nice people in both of the games, but you’ll encounter more bad than good.
The Hunters in The Last of Us are daunting in their tactics and behaviors. They do terrible and inexcusable things in order to survive, and they truly highlight the potential evils in human nature. Documents detailing their heinous actions gives you further insight into what terrible things this group is capable of.
6 Cannibals: David And Friends
David is definitely among the most hated of The Last of Us’ villains. He’s creepy from the start and Ellie picks up on it immediately. You don’t trust him, and for good reason, because he and his entire faction are cannibals. Though it may be difficult for the group to find food, it’s certainly no reason to eat people.
And if the concept of a group resorting to cannibalism isn’t enough to scare you, David’s boss battle is one of the most chilling in the series.
5 Rattlers
The Rattlers are introduced in The Last of Us Part 2. They may not look scary, but they’re capable of some of the most gruesome acts in the games. The group controls Santa Barbara, where they kidnap, starve, torture, and enslave people. They even torture the infected.
It’s clear that this group is not doing these things to simply survive, they’re doing it for the sake of being sadistic and cruel. The faction is entirely devoid of morality, and seeing the effects of their actions is alarming.
4 Seraphites
Cults are almost always creepy and fanatic, and the Seraphites are no exception to this rule. They’re transphobic and misogynistic, and they have no issue with torturing and killing people.
Their rules and culture are regressive, and they pose a threat to you, no matter which character you’re playing. Your first introduction to them is in the TV station, and the suspense between finding their victims and actually meeting the group is palpable. They also use whistling to communicate and to alert other members of your presence. Hearing that sharp whistle is frightening within itself.
3 Bloaters
Bloaters are one of the less common enemies you’ll face. They’ve been infected for several years which results in their large, bulbous structure and strong fungal plating. Fire is the best way through a bloater, but if you’re out of Molotov cocktails, you’re in for a long, anxiety-ridden battle.
If their design wasn’t enough to freak you out, their brutal attacks will. Being killed by a Bloater is worse than a fate by lesser enemies, as they can and will literally tear you in half.
2 Shamblers
Like Bloaters, Shamblers are in a late stage of infection. They’re large, covered in fungus, and maintain a unique ability. Shamblers exude spores in the form of acid, and they can still remain a threat to you directly after killing them as they emit explosive spores.
They may not be as powerful as bloaters, but they are uglier, and getting close to them does major damage to your health. Your introduction to Shamblers is one of the eeriest first encounters you’ll have in the series.
1 Rat King
When you’re considering the absolute scariest enemy you can find, it’s tough to say that anything beats the Rat King. The hospital where you find the Rat King was a ground zero for Cordyceps, and the basement hosts what’s likely to be some of the first of the infected people.
The Rat King state of being vastly differs from its Cordyceps predecessors as its body consists of multiple infected people being conjoined together. It’s the largest enemy you’ll encounter, and it’s by far, the scariest boss battle and enemy in the series.