The Last of Us Part 1sees players fight tooth and nail for survival against the many deadly enemies that roam the wastes of the post-apocalyptic United States. Using the many tools at their disposal, players can make use of Joel’s stealth and combat abilities to overcome the threats posed by the world ofThe Last of Us Part 1.

One type of weapon in the player’s arsenal are the limited durability melee weapons, which players can use in close quarters to keep the ferocious fungal-infected and human enemies at bay. Capable of devastating levels of damage, the melee weapons are some of the most effective means of quickly taking outThe Last of Us Part 1’s dangerous enemies, like the Clicker.

The Last of Us™ Part I joel upgraded melee weapon tutorial pop up

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This guide will show playerswhere to find each of the various types of melee weapons and how to upgrade theminThe Last of Us Part 1for the “Build Em Up, Break Em Down” trophy.

Joel fighting enemies at Tommy’s Dam in The Last of Us

How to Upgrade Melee Weapons

Upgrading melee weapons inThe Last of Us Part 1adds to their durability and lethality, making them deadlier and more efficient killing tools. to upgrade melee weapons, the player mustfirst find an already upgraded one as floor lootduring theBill’s Town chapteror later. These weapons can be found in a variety of locations throughout the town, such as atop the first building Joel will climb after leaving the forest at the start of the chapter, or on the stairs leading up to Bill’s church safehouse.

After grabbing the upgraded weapon, the player will then unlock the ability to craft their own melee weapon upgrades viaThe Last of Us Part 1’s backpack crafting system. To upgrade a weapon, players need only haveone un-upgraded weapon, one stack of blades, and one stack of bindingin their inventory.

How to Find Melee Weapons

During theopening hours ofThe Last of Us, the melee weapons that players will mostcommonly come across are blunt weapons, including the 2x4, the baseball bat, and the pipe. These weapons tend to have high durability with low damage rates, making them capable of repeatedly stunning approaching enemies for a close-range kill. To find them, search side areas, as well as the bodies ofdefeated enemies in Pittsburgh.

Later inThe Last of Us Part 1, players will begin coming acrossbladed melee weapons like the hatchet and machete. These weapons have lower durability than their counterparts but are capable of instantly killing enemies within range. Finding them requires careful exploration in chapters fromTommy’s Dam, onwards.

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

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