Meet the Stalker: The Most Terrifying Infected in The Last of Us Season 2!

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In the first episode of The Last of Us Season 2, Ellie encountered a chilling, game-inspired type of infected being known as a Stalker – a creature resembling a zombie.

25 years ago, a catastrophic Cordyceps outbreak occurred worldwide, transforming people into monstrous forms and leaving America as a crumbling, fear-inducing wasteland at the beginning of Season 2.

In the initial season of The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie came across three distinct categories of the infected: Runners, which are the regular type; Clickers, who are blind but extremely aggressive; and Bloaters, who tower above others and possess enormous strength.

In the first episode, we catch a fleeting glimpse of another type of creature, but it quickly becomes evident just how distinct (and unsettling) they really are – these beings are known as Stalkers.

Stalkers in The Last of Us explained

In the universe of “The Last of Us,” Stalkers are a type of advanced infected creatures that come after Runners. They’re called Stalkers because they possess a keen ability to track and ambush their victims, much like real-life stalkers. Despite this intellectual edge, they share the same brutal ferocity as Clickers.

A Stalker might contract the infection over a period ranging from two weeks to an entire year. They share some similarities with Runners, but have early signs of fungal growths on their head and face. Uniquely, they make a croaking sound that can resemble a faint lament – similar to what Ellie heard in Greenplace Market.

Clickers are quick to attack upon any sound, whereas Stalkers approach with stealth and precision, timing their attacks carefully. They aren’t inherently stronger than humans, but following Omni-Man’s advice to Mark in Invincible, they always aim to kill – if you aren’t equally determined to survive, they will prevail.

In The Last of Us Part 2, the behavior of these creatures has developed. They don’t automatically attack but will react aggressively if threatened or approached. This could be triggered by a stray gunshot that wasn’t intended for them. Interestingly, they can adhere to walls due to the growth of Cordyceps fungus, which thickens around them and effectively traps them in place.

In most cases, they die – but if someone walks past, they could break free and attack.

Here’s another type of Stalker, but revealing this might be considered major spoilers, so I’ll leave it for you to discover later on.

Have Stalkers appeared in the show before?

Absolutely! The character of the Stalker made its debut in Season 1, more precisely in Episode 2. This was when Tess encountered a fateful kiss that ultimately led to her self-sacrifice.

Following a bite from a Clicker, Tess instructed Joel to escort Ellie to the Fireflies. She remained in the Capitol building, surrounded by hordes of infected, yet oddly, they did not attack her. An unusual infected being approached her and stuffed fungi into her mouth – this creature was a Stalker.

Tess got the last laugh, though, because she blew them to smithereens.

What other types of infected are left?

In “The Last of Us” TV series, there are still two kinds of infected creatures yet to appear: the shambler and the Rat King.

No spoilers about the Rat King, sadly (if you haven’t, you should play Part 2 to find out).

In most instances, a Shambler is the advanced stage of an infected individual. Essentially, it’s a type of Bloater that underwent mutation due to excessive rainfall and humidity. Primarily residing in Seattle, these creatures can also be encountered in other game locations.

These are massive, plump beings that emit acid when provoked. Generally, they move at a leisurely pace, but can accelerate swiftly for brief moments. They don’t bite their victims, yet they possess immense strength, making them formidable adversaries. The danger of their corrosive gas and spores oozing pus is enough to keep one at a safe distance from them.

Ensure you’re aware of when the upcoming season 2 of The Last of Us will be released, delve into Dina’s ending in the video games, and discover the significance of Eugene in season 2.

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2025-04-14 15:21