The Last of Us 2 Remastered: All No Return Challenges and Rewards

   

Rewards from new boss encounters, hero skins, and game-changing mods are all available in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered when you complete different challenges in the roguelike No Return mode. The survival missions your chosen character can attempt in a run could unlock additional features. It may take time to meet every goal, but each challenge offers an exciting opportunity.

Ellie and Joel from The Last of Us 2 with gameplay of Ellie in the background

A run in No Return starts when you pick a character like Ellie or Abby, who both have unique skills that let them approach encounters with different strategies. The challenges within a run are divided into boss, core, gambit, mod, and hero objectives in TLOU 2 Remastered. Many of these demand multiple runs, whether you win or lose against the enemy waves fought during missions.

Every No Return Boss Challenge and Rewards

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered The Rat King boss fight in No Return mode at end of run

The end of every run in No Return is punctuated by a deadly boss, but you only have one unlocked at first. In this game mode, six bosses make up the possible encounters after you defeat them all at least once. Many of these foes are familiar enemies that you may have faced before as either Ellie or Abby during the main story.

Boss Challenge

Reward

Defeat the Arcade Bloater

Unlocks the Theater Infestation boss.

Defeat the Theater Infestation

Unlocks the Rattler Captain boss and Faction.

Defeat the Rattler Captain

Unlocks the Garage Bloater boss.

Defeat the Garage Bloater

Unlocks the Seraphite Elite boss.

Defeat the Seraphite Elite

Unlocks the Rat King boss.

Defeat the Rat King

Unlocks Randomized Bosses, which lets your run cycle between all the bosses listed instead of specific ones.

Every No Return Core Challenge and Rewards

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered fighting enemies during an encounter from No Return roguelike mode that takes place in a single run

Core challenges unlock new features for No Return, which allow you to adjust the settings of your run or attempt new mission types. The rewards for these goals are obtained simply by attempting any string of encounters. Whether you win or lose, the number of runs you try in TLOU 2 Remastered is tied to the prerequisites for core challenge rewards.

Core Challenge

Reward

Description

Play 1 Run

Unlocks Custom Run feature.

Custom Run lets you adjust the rules of your run, which includes changes to enemies, mods, and more.

Play 2 Runs

Unlock Gambits feature.

Your run now has a random chance for a Gambit to appear. These are smaller challenges that could lead to extra rewards if you complete them.

Play 3 Runs

Unlock Dead Drops feature.

A Dead Drop now has a chance to randomly appear during an encounter. Depositing a specific item in these places can cause a new weapon or recipe to become available when you return to the Hideout.

Play 5 Runs

Unlock Game Mode - Holdout.

Holdout encounters now become available during a run. During this mission type, you have to survive against waves of enemies with infinite reinforcements until a timer runs out.

Play 7 Runs

Unlock Game Mode - Capture.

Capture encounters now become available during a run. This mission type demands that you break into a safe full of valuable supplies that a group of enemies is guarding.

Play 9 Runs

Unlock Game Mode - Daily Run.

You may now attempt a single Daily Run in No Return, and try to make it through a randomly generated series of encounters to achieve the highest rank on an online leaderboard.

Every No Return Gambit Challenge and Rewards

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered No Return Hideout encounter type select for run, with a picture of Lev as the playable character you are using for that mission

Challenges tied to small Gambit goals change as you progress to higher Tiers, and they usually include a number of small activities to complete throughout a run. For example, one Gambit might be to get three kills from the prone position or stun two enemies with stun bombs. Completing these tasks could reward you with more currency, extra ammo, health recovery, or other smaller buffs.

The buffs provided by completing Gambits are stronger if you are at a higher Gambit Tier. Make sure to choose the playable characters in No Return that have the best chance at meeting these goals before starting a run.

Gambit Challenge

Available Gambits

Reward

Complete 1 Gambit

  • Headshot a grabbed enemy
  • Dodge three melee attacks
  • Grab and kill two enemies while in stealth
  • Get three kills in rapid succession
  • Kill a highlighted enemy before any others

Unlock Gambit Tier I

Complete 3 Gambits

  • Kill a highlighted Brute enemy with only melee attacks
  • Defeat an enemy without taking any damage
  • Take down an enemy while holding a hostage
  • Get three kills while prone
  • Feed a grappled enemy to a Clicker

Unlock Gambit Tier II

Complete 6 Gambits

  • Defeat enemies with three different weapons
  • Stun an enemy using a stun bomb
  • Hit two enemies with the same Molotov Cocktail
  • Put the required items into one or more Dead Drops
  • Dodge melee attacks five times

Unlock Gambit Tier III

Complete 9 Gambits

  • Stun two enemies using stun bombs
  • Defeat two enemies with only melee attacks
  • Kill three enemies with headshots
  • Stun three enemies by shooting them below their knees
  • Unchain two Clickers

Unlock Gambit Tier IV

Complete 12 Gambits

  • Defeat an enemy with an upgraded melee weapon
  • Get three kills with explosive arrows
  • Defeat the two highlighted enemies before anyone else
  • Get three kills using a silencer

Unlock Gambit Tier V

Success in No Return can be determined by which supplies you have at your disposal between encounter rounds. As a result, you should pursue these Gambits for the resources they offer in addition to the progress needed to achieve better rewards at a higher Tier.

Every No Return Mod Challenge and Rewards

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered No Return hitting an enemy and setting them on fire using a Mod unique to a specific run

Mod challenges are similar to Gambits, but each Tier you reach unlocks new mods for you to apply in a run rather than a new set of goals. Three-four mods are rewarded when you complete encounters with other mods active in TLOU 2 Remastered. To improve your Mod Tier, you'll want to find characters on your roster who pair well with the equipment you already have available.

Mod Challenge

Reward

Mods Unlocked

Complete 3 encounters with Mods

Unlock Mods Tier I.

  • Low Health Damage Bonus
  • Photo Mode Filters
  • Invisible Enemies
  • Stuns Restore Melee Durability

Complete 3 more encounters with Mods

Unlock Mods Tier II.

  • Increased Enemy Speed
  • Distractions Attract Enemies
  • Temporarily Unlock All Recipes

Complete 3 more encounters with Mods

Unlock Mods Tier III.

  • Time Limit
  • Molotov Rain
  • Stealth Kills Boost Movement Speed
  • Mirror Mode

Complete 3 more encounters with Mods

Unlock Mods Tier IV.

  • Time Slows on Headshots
  • Reloading Discards Ammo Left
  • Long Guns Locked
  • Crafting Gives Bonus Parts

Some mods unlocked through these challenges are designed to make runs easier or harder, but this depends on what you choose to turn on and off before starting a run.

Every No Return Hero Challenge and Rewards

The most specific challenges that show up in TLOU 2 Remastered are the ones tied to individual heroes like Ellie or Abby. Completing encounters with certain characters could unlock new people to your roster or give you skins for the one you're playing as. Out of the 10 playable characters in the game, each has two-five challenges tied to them.

Character

Challenges

Rewards

Ellie

  • Complete two encounters as Ellie
  • Upgrade all Perseverance skills
  • Collect every gun in one run
  • Kill four enemies with Molotovs in one encounter
  • Unlock the hero Dina
  • Unlock Plaid Skin for Ellie
  • Unlock Savage Starlight Skin for Ellie
  • Unlock Rain Jacket Skin for Ellie

Dina

  • Complete three encounters as Dina
  • Kill four enemies with trap mines
  • Craft 10 times in a single run
  • Make a Health Kit, Molotov, Trap Mine, and Stun Bomb during a run
  • Unlock the hero Jesse
  • Unlock Hangout Skin for Dina
  • Unlock Casual Skin for Dina
  • Unlock Patrol Skin for Dina

Jesse

  • Complete three encounters as Jesse
  • Buy 10 items from the Trading Post in a single run
  • Kill three enemies with Pipe Bombs in one encounter
  • Unlock the hero Tommy
  • Unlock Festival Skin for Jesse
  • Unlock Rain Jacket Skin for Jesse

Tommy

  • Complete four encounters as Tommy
  • Complete a run with only your initial gun(s)
  • Finish an encounter where every kill is a headshot
  • Kill five enemies while zoomed in with a scope
  • Finish an encounter without missing a single shot
  • Unlock the hero Joel
  • Unlock Patrol Skin for Tommy
  • Unlock Sweatshirt Skin for Tommy
  • Unlock Tommy as an Ally character
  • Unlock Winter Skin for Tommy

Joel

  • Complete an Infected encounter as Joel
  • Kill three enemies with Shivs in one encounter
  • Defeat the Bloater boss once as Joel
  • Hit five enemies with bottles or bricks during a single run
  • Kill six enemies using the same gun without reloading in an encounter
  • Unlock Joel as an Ally character
  • Unlock Salt Lake City Skin for Joel
  • Unlock Boston Skin for Joel
  • Unlock Winter Skin for Joel
  • Unlock Casual Skin for Joel

Abby

  • Complete two encounters as Abby
  • Upgrade three melee weapons in a single run
  • Complete all encounters with all melee kills
  • Gain 50 health from melee attacks and kills during one encounter
  • Unlock the hero Lev
  • Unlock Bomber Abby Skin for Abby
  • Unlock Badlands Skin Set
  • Unlock Vintage Naughty Dog Skin for Abby

Lev

  • Complete three encounters as Lev
  • Craft 20 arrows of any type in a single run
  • Finish an encounter with all bow kills
  • Get seven kills with explosive arrows in a single run
  • Unlock the hero Yara
  • Unlock White Shirt Skin for Lev
  • Unlock Abby Jacket Skin for Lev
  • Unlock Santa Barbara Skin for Lev

Yara

  • Complete three encounters as Yara
  • Defeat the Seraphite boss encounter
  • Kill three Seraphite Brute enemies
  • Unlock the hero Mel
  • Unlock Safehouse Skin for Mel
  • Unlock Aquarium Skin for Mel

Mel

  • Complete four encounters as Mel
  • Heal 80 health with one health kit
  • Craft eight health kits in a single run
  • Unlock the hero Manny
  • Unlock Seattle Skin for Mel
  • Unlock Aquarium Skin for Mel

Manny

  • Kill five enemies with incendiary shotgun shells in one run
  • Fully upgrade any gun
  • Unlock Firefly Skin for Manny
  • Unlock Winter Skin for Manny

Final Challenges and Rewards in The Last of Us 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Mel loading a flamethrower during a run of No Return mode

The last two rewards in TLOU 2 Remastered depend on whether you are playing as Ellie-aligned heroes or ones who are associated with Abby. You need to complete every challenge for either faction of characters to unlock unique weapon skins for everyone on your roster. Finishing every goal with Ellie's people gives you the Moth Skin, while doing the same for Abby's will give you the Wolf Skin.

Any objectives you tackle do not have to be repeated in order to reach a new Tier or higher caliber of cosmetic. All the challenges and rewards from No Return in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered are there to increase your enjoyment of this new roguelike survival mode.