Summary
- The top fighters in The Last of Us exhibit agility, strength, and adaptability, using stealth and tactics to survive the harsh reality.
- Characters like Dina, Marlene, and Tess demonstrate intelligence, combat skills, and strategic decision-making, making them formidable foes.
- Ellie, Abby, and Joel stand out as some of the most skilled and relentless fighters, each with unique strengths and combat styles.
The Last of Us portrays a world ravaged by the Cordyceps virus, bringing civilization to its knees. As resources are reduced, the story follows two protagonists struggling to survive in a ruthless world. Facing threats from both the infected and other survivors, they must evolve into skilled survivors to endure this harsh reality.
Throughout both the series and the games, the most formidable fighters in The Last of Us demonstrate agility, strength, and adaptability. They also use stealth for surprise attacks and can adapt to varied scenarios, since everything in this reality is unstable. Beyond brute strength, survival demands tactical intelligence and the ability to make hard choices in a collapsing world.
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10 Dina
The Character Forms One Of The Greatest Duos In The Last Of Us With Ellie
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 6: "Kin"
Dina stands out as one of the top combatants in The Last of Us, driven by sharp survival instincts and quick adaptability during combat. Fighting alongside Ellie, she finds purpose beyond self-preservation, her drive to protect fuels her bravery, even while facing the challenges of pregnancy.
Raised in a post-apocalyptic world, she naturally adapts to harsh conditions with ease. Without Dina by her side, Ellie’s journey would have been far more perilous, especially against infected and hostile survivors. Balancing empathy with instinct, Dina secures her place as one of the most capable fighters in The Last of Us.
9 David
Manipulative, The Character Is One Of The Biggest Villains In The Last Of Us
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 8: "When We Are in Need"
As the ruthless leader of a cannibalistic group, David emerges as one of the deadliest fighters in The Last of Us. Capable of chillingly calculated decisions, he proves himself against both infected and humans with strategic precision. His intense battle with Ellie highlights his combat prowess. He learns quickly, adapts mid-fight, and keeps her off guard with unpredictable moves.
Their clash ranks among the most intense in the series and games, with David proving to be a formidable villain, especially with Joel absent. Driven by malice, David stands out as one of the franchise’s most chilling villains, combining brutal stealth tactics with manipulative charm.
8 Marlene
Leader Of The Fireflies In The Last Of Us, She Is One Of The Best Combatants
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
Despite limited screen time in combat, Marlene proves herself as one of the most capable survivors in The Last of Us. Feared by both soldiers and civilians, her reputation alone establishes her as a powerful and strategic adversary. Beyond physical strength, her ability to make ruthless decisions and craft smart strategies cements her as a major threat in this world.
Leader of one of the most organized groups and driven by a strong ideological purpose, she proves to be fully equipped for the role, whether through intelligence or physical combat. When needed, she demonstrates combat training by protecting Ellie and shows remarkable endurance, staying focused on the mission even when her own life is at stake.
7 Tess
Tough And Determined, She Stands Out As One Of The Best Female Characters In The Last Of Us
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
Working alongside Joel, Tess showcases all her best skills as a brawler in The Last of Us. Dealing with black market operations in Boston, she demonstrates a cold and strategic mindset in smuggling missions and during extremely tense situations, handling her problems with composure. Fierce and fearless, she doesn’t back down even when facing large groups of enemies beside Joel.
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With an air of respect, even the most dangerous people hesitate to confront her directly, thanks to the reputation she earned through blood and victories in life-threatening moments. Tess is versatile with weapons and uses stealth efficiently, proving her skill when dealing with clickers. She's essential not only to the HBO series but also to the games, becoming one of the best fighters in this universe.
6 Lev
Despite His Young Age, The Character Stands Out As One Of The Best Fighters In The Last Of Us
- First appearance in TV Show: N/A
In order to survive, Lev confronts any threat head-on to protect himself and those he loves. In one of the most emotional moments of the game, Lev proves his archery skills by saving Abby and his sister Yara from the Seraphites. Agile and stealthy, he perfectly fits the combat style of the game, something that could be explored in the HBO adaptation given the intense battles he takes part in.
Trained to survive the harshest environments by the Seraphites, he was expected to master silence, climbing, and traversing complex terrain from an early age. This forces him to act calmly in tense situations. Alongside Abby, they form an unstoppable duo, complementing each other in combat. His skills are among the very best in The Last of Us.
5 Bill
As A Lone Wolf, He Uses A Practical And Brutal Fighting Style Against His Enemies
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 3: "Long, Long Time"
On his own, Bill is not only one of the best survivors but also one of the most skilled warriors in The Last of Us. With his intelligence, he builds a fortress filled with improvised systems to protect himself. He also takes on those who try to invade his territory, using a brutal and calculated approach in combat, knowing exactly where to strike and how to take enemies down quickly.
Bill earns the respect of Joel, the main protagonist, which highlights his capability as both a fighter and a survivor. Living alone for years, he follows a strict routine of preparation and strategy, becoming increasingly paranoid due to his heightened survival instincts. This turns him into one of the most memorable and resourceful characters in the franchise.
4 Tommy Miller
With His Military Past, He Is One Of The Characters With The Best Combative Skills
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
As an ex-military man in the HBO series, Tommy Miller is one of the most dangerous characters in The Last of Us. Joel's younger brother, he was by his side during the Cordyceps outbreak, where he allied with the Fireflies to fight against the military. Focusing on his survival, Tommy used his combative skills to stay alive in a brutal reality.
A master of long-range rifles, he becomes one of Abby's greatest adversaries during the games, killing some of her allies before engaging her directly in combat. Tommy also joins Ellie in her revenge, becoming one of her greatest allies; before that, he helped keep Jackson safe, proving himself an excellent leader.
3 Ellie Williams
One Of The Greatest Adversaries In The Last of Us Games And TV Series
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
Regarded as one of the most skilled survivors in The Last of Us, Ellie stars in some of the most intense action scenes across the franchise. Raised in a post-apocalyptic world, she was forced to adapt quickly, gaining combat experience and survival skills throughout her journey. Clever and stealthy, she knows exactly when and where to strike.
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Versatile in combat, she can handle both melee and ranged weapons, while also excelling in the use of traps and improvised gear—making Ellie a complete hunter. Her immunity is one of her greatest assets, boosting her confidence and catching enemies off guard. On a quest for revenge, she becomes a relentless opponent, even when wounded or emotionally unstable.
2 Abby Anderson
With Military Training, She Stands As The Strongest Female Fighter
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 2, Episode 1: "Future Days"
As one of the most prominent members of the WLF, Abby is a highly trained soldier who underwent rigorous military preparation. Unlike Ellie, she was raised with structured combat training that shaped her into a brutal and efficient warrior, securing her place among the top fighters in The Last of Us.
Her physical strength is a key trait in the game, allowing for powerful melee attacks. In the series, her physique appears leaner, but she still displays tactical prowess during high-risk missions. Abby isn’t afraid to face powerful opponents like Ellie and Tommy head-on, showcasing her combat experience and unshakable determination.
1 Joel Miller
As The Series And Game Protagonist, He Is The Most Formidable Fighter
- First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
Joel’s reputation as the most capable fighter in The Last of Us doesn't stem from brute strength or speed. Instead, it's his pre and post-apocalypse experience, tactical intelligence, and unyielding resolve that make him one of the most relentless survivors in both the games and the HBO adaptation.
After the loss of Sarah, he became emotionally distant, making decisions with cold rationality in the face of danger. His instinct to protect those he cares about leads him to commit extreme acts to ensure Ellie’s safety. A master of stealth, Joel can take down enemies no matter the situation, proving his dominance in combat.
- Release Date
- January 15, 2023
- Network
- HBO
- Showrunner
- Craig Mazin
Cast
-
Pedro PascalJoel Miller -
Bella RamseyEllie Williams
