Are The Last of Us Zombies Blind?
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The Last of Us zombies, also known as the Infected, are not all blind, as their blindsight varies depending on the stage of infection, with Clickers being blind and relying on echolocation to navigate, while Runners and Stalkers retain their eyesight. The blindness of the Infected is a key aspect of the game’s stealth mechanics, as players must use stealth and strategy to evade the blind but echo-locating Clickers, while also avoiding the sighted Runners and Stalkers.
Understanding the Infection Stages
The Different Types of Infected
The Last of Us features several types of Infected, each with unique characteristics and abilities, including the Runner, Stalker, Clicker, Bloater, and Rat King.
Infection Stages and Blindness
The infection stages of the Cordyceps fungus determine the level of blindsight in the Infected, with the Clicker stage being characterized by complete blindness and the development of echolocation abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Are all Last of Us zombies blind?: No, not all Infected are blind, as their blindsight varies depending on the stage of infection.
- What is the Cordyceps fungus?: The Cordyceps fungus is a real-life fungus that infects insects, but in the Last of Us universe, it has evolved to infect humans, taking control of their bodies and eventually killing them.
- Can the Infected see?: The ability of the Infected to see depends on the stage of infection, with Runners and Stalkers retaining their eyesight, while Clickers are blind.
Clickers and Echolocation
- Why do Clickers click?: Clickers develop a form of crude echolocation by producing rapid clicking and croaking sounds, which allows them to navigate their environment despite their blindness.
- Are Clickers blind?: Yes, Clickers are blind, but they have developed echolocation abilities to compensate for their lack of eyesight.
Runners and Stalkers
- Are Runners blind?: No, Runners are not blind and retain their eyesight, making them a more formidable opponent than Clickers.
- Can Runners see the player?: Yes, Runners can see the player from a distance and will aggressively pursue them if they are spotted.
Bloaters and Rat Kings
- Are Bloaters blind?: Like Clickers, Bloaters are blind and rely on echolocation to locate their prey, but they are much harder to take down due to their thick fungal overgrowth.
- What is a Rat King?: A Rat King is a rare and extremely powerful Infected that is formed when multiple stalkers and Clickers are connected by fungal tendrils, creating a single, massive entity.
Immunity and Infection
- Is Ellie immune to the Cordyceps fungus?: Yes, Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps fungus, making her a potential key to creating a cure for the infection.
- Can Ellie infect others?: No, Ellie cannot infect others, as her immunity to the Cordyceps fungus makes her unable to transmit the infection.
Game Mechanics and Lore
- How do you become a Bloater?: In the game, an Infected human had to remain intact for more than a decade to become a Bloater, but the exact process is not fully understood.
- Can Joel not get infected?: Joel likely avoided becoming infected due to his food choices, but the exact reason is not explicitly stated in the game or show.
- Is there a cure for the Cordyceps fungus?: The existence of a cure for the Cordyceps fungus is uncertain, as the game and show never provide a clear answer to this question.
- Can Ellie’s blood heal bites?: No, Ellie’s blood cannot heal bites, as she herself tried to save Sam by cutting her hand and spreading her blood over his wound, but it did not work.