How Clickers Sense You: A Deep Dive into Their Echolocation

Clickers, the horrifying, fungus-encrusted monstrosities from “The Last of Us,” are blind, but they are far from helpless. They primarily sense their prey, including you, through echolocation, a biological sonar system. By emitting a series of distinctive clicks and croaks, they analyze the returning echoes to create a “sound map” of their surroundings, effectively “seeing” with sound. If you are within their auditory range and line of sight, they will inevitably detect you, whether you are moving or not.

Understanding Clicker Echolocation

Echolocation works by emitting sound waves that bounce off objects in the environment. Clickers generate these sounds through rapid clicking and croaking, sounds amplified and shaped by the fungal plates that have grotesquely overtaken their heads. These plates aren’t just for show; they are integral to the echolocation process, focusing and directing the sound waves for maximum efficiency and protection.

The returning echoes provide the clicker with information about the distance, size, shape, and texture of objects in their vicinity. The time it takes for the sound to return indicates distance, while changes in the sound’s frequency and intensity reveal details about the object’s physical properties. This allows them to navigate complex environments, identify potential threats, and, most importantly, locate their prey.

It’s crucial to understand that motion isn’t the only factor in their detection. While movement certainly makes you a more prominent target, simply standing still won’t guarantee invisibility. The clicker’s echolocation continuously scans its surroundings, so even a stationary object will eventually be detected if it reflects enough sound.

Factors Influencing Clicker Detection

Several factors influence a clicker’s ability to detect you:

• Distance: The closer you are, the easier it is for the clicker to detect you. The strength of the returning echoes diminishes with distance, making it harder for the clicker to pinpoint your location.
• Obstacles: Walls, furniture, and other objects can block or distort the sound waves, creating “blind spots” in the clicker’s echolocation. Clever use of cover can temporarily conceal you from their detection.
• Noise: Loud noises can interfere with the clicker’s echolocation, making it more difficult for them to process the returning echoes. However, excessive noise might also draw them to your location.
• Clicker’s “Attention”: Even with echolocation, it seems clickers aren’t always constantly scanning, just like any creature, they have limited attention, and are more likely to notice you if they are actively looking for you.

Stealth and Clickers

Stealth plays a significant role in avoiding clickers, but it requires a nuanced approach. While moving slowly and quietly can minimize your sound profile, it won’t completely eliminate it. Crouching and utilizing cover are essential to break line of sight and reduce your detectability.

However, performing a stealth kill on a runner or other infected within a clicker’s range is extremely risky. The sound of the struggle, even if muffled, can alert the clicker to your presence. Furthermore, if the clicker sees you performing the kill, you are immediately exposed, regardless of how quietly you move afterward.

Countermeasures and Strategies

Understanding how clickers sense you is crucial for developing effective countermeasures. Here are some strategies to employ:

• Utilize distractions: Throwing bricks or bottles can create noise distractions, drawing the clicker’s attention away from your position.
• Exploit their weaknesses: Clickers are highly susceptible to fire. Molotov cocktails can quickly dispatch them or create a burning area they are likely to stumble into.
• Move unpredictably: Avoid moving in straight lines or predictable patterns. This makes it harder for the clicker to track your movements.
• Use shivs for close encounters: If grappled by a clicker, a shiv can be used to escape and potentially kill it, provided you have the necessary skill.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Constantly scan your environment for potential clicker locations and plan your movements accordingly. Remember, knowledge is power.
• Practice makes perfect: Playing the game and experimenting with different tactics is the best way to learn how to effectively evade and combat clickers.

Clickers present a unique and terrifying challenge in “The Last of Us.” Their reliance on echolocation necessitates a different approach to stealth and combat. By understanding how they perceive their environment, players can develop strategies to survive these encounters and navigate the fungal-infested world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Clicker Detection

Here are some frequently asked questions about how clickers sense you:

H3 FAQ 1: How far can a clicker detect me?

The exact range is not explicitly stated in the game, but clickers can detect you from a moderate distance, roughly equivalent to the length of a large room or open area. The clarity and range of their echolocation depends on the surrounding environment.

H3 FAQ 2: Can clickers see in the dark?

No, clickers are completely blind. They rely solely on echolocation to navigate and detect their surroundings.

H3 FAQ 3: Does crouching make me invisible to clickers?

Crouching reduces your sound profile and can help you avoid detection, but it doesn’t make you completely invisible. If you’re within a certain distance, the clicker will still detect you with its echolocation. It’s best to combine crouching with staying out of line of sight.

H3 FAQ 4: What happens if a clicker gets too close?

If a clicker gets too close, it will attempt to grapple you. If you don’t have a shiv or the required skill, the clicker will bite you, resulting in a game over.

H3 FAQ 5: Are clickers more dangerous than runners?

Yes, clickers are generally considered more dangerous than runners. While runners are faster and can overwhelm you with numbers, clickers are stronger, more resilient, and their echolocation makes them difficult to avoid.

H3 FAQ 6: Can I use sound to my advantage against clickers?

Yes, you can use sound to your advantage by creating distractions. Throwing a brick or bottle in a specific direction will draw the clicker’s attention to that location, giving you an opportunity to sneak past or attack from another direction.

H3 FAQ 7: Do all clickers have the same echolocation range?

The game doesn’t differentiate between clickers in terms of echolocation range. All clickers are assumed to have a similar, moderately effective range.

H3 FAQ 8: Can clickers detect me through walls?

Clickers cannot “see” directly through solid walls with their echolocation. The walls will block or muffle the sound. However, if the wall is thin or has openings, they may be able to detect you if you are close enough.

H3 FAQ 9: How does the fungus affect a clicker’s hearing?

The fungus actually impairs or entirely blocks their vision. The fungus enhances their echolocation by shaping the sound they emit.

H3 FAQ 10: Do clickers ever sleep or rest?

The game doesn’t explicitly state whether clickers sleep or rest. They are always depicted as being active and searching for prey.

H3 FAQ 11: How long does it take for someone to turn into a clicker?

It takes roughly a year to reach the clicker stage of infection after exposure to the Cordyceps brain infection.

H3 FAQ 12: Are clickers attracted to light?

No, clickers are not attracted to light, as they are blind and rely on echolocation. Light sources are irrelevant to them.

H3 FAQ 13: Do clickers communicate with each other?

While clickers don’t exhibit complex communication, they will alert other infected, including other clickers, to your presence. This can create a dangerous chain reaction.

H3 FAQ 14: Why is the clicker sound so distinct?

The distinctive clicking sound is a byproduct of their echolocation process, and is shaped by the fungal growths on their head. The sound is also designed to be terrifying, adding to the overall horror of the game. The Games Learning Society promotes understanding game design and its impact on players.

H3 FAQ 15: Are there different variations of clickers?

While there are no distinct subspecies of clickers, their appearance can vary depending on the stage of fungal growth. Some may have more extensive fungal plates than others. Also, remember to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for insightful information on game mechanics.