What are the different types of zombies in The Last of Us? Here's the entire list

The Last of Us presents a post-apocalyptic wasteland through which the leading characters, Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, and Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, undertake their journey. The Last of Us has been faithfully adapted from the Naughty Dog video game franchise of the same name. In this post-apocalyptic world, a strange fungus outbreak leads to the rise of the Cordyceps and a subsequent mass extinction of humans across the US as the Cordyceps take claim over their victims.

As a result of the infection, people metamorphose into a zombie-like state that is characterized by several stages. Here, we take a look at all of the zombie variations presented on The Last of Us, including the two variations that haven't yet been explored on the show but are a prominent part of the video game.

The Last of Us: Different zombies explained

It is interesting to note that The Last of Us never refers to the creatures listed below as zombies. Keep reading to learn more!

1) Runners

Presented early on the HBO show, Runners are in the first stage of the infection, i.e., forty-eight hours after being infected. The victims still retain certain human characteristics while the fungus is noticeably taking over. There are visible scars across their bodies, and they begin to lose hair rapidly. Runners made their first appearance in the premiere episode, and it was indeed horrific to watch them lose their eyesight as a result of the infection.

2) Stalkers

In this second stage of infection, which arrives about two weeks after being infected, the victims completely lose their eyesight and their faces are taken over by fungus skulls. They also lose the ability to speak and croak in a hoarse voice. Additionally, they move slowly and without making a sound in order to hunt their victims.

3) Clickers

This third stage arguably gives rise to one of the most frightening zombies on The Last of Us. Clickers are unrecognizable as the former humans have a thick sheathing of fungus all over their body. This armor-like sheath gives them incredible power and resistance. This stage is reached almost a year after being infected.

4) Bloaters

Bloaters are the culmination of the fungal infection and the most chilling of all the zombies. An infected victim becomes a bloater many years following infection and therefore, has no resemblance to humans. They are towering and move slowly and do not have any the senses of sight or sound. However, they possess immense force and can easily crush humans.

5) Shamblers

A variation of the Bloaters, differing only in the aspect of being a zombie that has dwelled in water for a long time. A Shambler cannot open its mouth to bite. On the other hand, they shoot poison from the pustules on their skin. Shamblers do not appear on the show as of now.

6) The Rat King

This is the second variation from the video game that didn't feature on the show's debut season. The Rat King is the result of more than one infected victim fusing into each other to create this monstrosity.

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Edited by IRMA