If you found this journal, that means you’re a survivor too. I’ve been running ‘round the country for almost 15 years post-outbreak, and I’ve learned a lot about how to survive out here. Figure it’s my duty to pass on the info, if “duty” even exists anymore.
I’m assuming you know what the infected are. I’d be amazed if you made it this far without knowing – even Quarantine Zone babies grow up learning about ‘em in school. But just in case: the infected are what’s left of the people taken over by Cordyceps. You can become infected in any number of equally horrific ways, from breathing in spores to getting bitten by one of the suckers – that’s if you don’t get ripped apart first. But you already knew all that, or you wouldn’t be sittin’ here reading this note right now.
Runner
All right, the first stage of infection is the one you’re most likely to find: runners. These guys are everywhere, especially near QZs, and they’re dangerous. Well, I don’t think there’s a single thing on this list that isn’t dangerous, but you get my point.
The fungus can “turn” you within minutes of being infected, depending on where you got bit. But by the end of day two, there’s no fighting it – you’re a runner. Runners are fast and agile (hence the name), but weaker than other types of infected. Actually, this is the weakest stage, so take advantage of that while you still can. But because the fungus hasn’t had long to take over, runners can still see – that means stay outta sight.
Being the 1st stage, runners can sometimes be mistaken for humans from far away. But don’t get too close without knowing the difference. Things to watch out for are ripped up clothes, hunching over, and weird groans. Sympathetic types wonder if the groans mean the people are still alive under there, watching the fungus slowly take over. I don’t know what I believe. All I know is, even if it might be a hurt person, I’m not taking that risk.
You’ll probably find a runner or two at a time in an abandoned area, but don’t let your guard down – they like to travel in packs. The second you attack, the runner’ll screech and alert other nearby infected. To take out a runner, you gotta stay stealthy. Sneak up behind ‘em, but don’t waste bullets or a single-use weapon like a shiv on them. If you’re strong enough, they’re easily taken out in a chokehold.
Stalker
The second stage is less common: stalkers. This stage sets in anywhere from a week to a month after being infected, and it lasts up to a year. Stalkers are as fast as runners and they’re as strong as a human. They have advanced hearing, so stealth is almost impossible. Worst of all, they’re smart.
Stalkers show the start of the fungus growing outside the body. By this point, it’s started to grow out of the skull, but it hasn’t completely covered the eyes yet. They can see you, but once they do, they won’t attack immediately. Like I said, these guys are smart. They’ll hide and ambush you from the shadows, so always be aware of your surroundings in the dark.
They like to cluster in dark places, especially if there’s water nearby. I’ve found them in basements and sewers, but if you’re really unlucky, you can find ‘em pretty much anywhere. If you encounter a stalker, you will not outsmart it. Don’t let yourself get surrounded, and shoot on sight. I’ve seen entire military groups go down ‘cause of a few stalkers. Don’t be stupid.
Clicker
The third stage of infection is one you’ve probably seen in FEDRA booklets: clickers. Infected reach this stage after about a year. At this point, the fungus has grown and split the skull open, covering the eyes but protecting the brain like a kind of armor. These guys are fully blind, and they use a series of clicks (again, hence the name), or echolocation if you’re feelin’ fancy, to get around. If you see one gearing up to screech, get out of the way. Clickers are strong, but they’re slower than runners or stalkers. You can probably outrun them, but you cannot overpower them. Like stalkers, clickers use strategy. If they detect you, they’ll search longer than the previous stages, and they will not give up.
Your best bet against a clicker is again, stealth. If you have a small weapon like a knife or a shiv, take ‘em out one by one. If not, you’ll probably have to shoot multiple times to take down even one. They can track you surprisingly well, so once they latch onto you, they will not stop. But take advantage of their blindness – they don’t know exactly what they’re chasing. If you grab hold of a runner or (and I’m not saying I’ve done this), a human enemy, shove them towards the clicker and it’ll attack them instead.
But by far the best way to take clickers down: a Molotov cocktail. Throw it at one, the others’ll be drawn in by the sound, and watch the suckers burn.
Bloater
The last known stage of infection is the most deadly: bloaters. This is a type of infected that’s been left to fester for years. Bloaters are massive, crazy strong, and have a thick fungal armor that protects them. They have multiple toxin sacs that they’ll rip off and throw at you like some kind of spore bomb. It hurts like hell, so avoid their trajectory if you can. They’re extremely aggressive, but they’re slow and their clicking is less reliable. Basically, bloaters are strong and stupid.
My number one advice: don’t get grabbed. If you’re grabbed, you’re dead. So keep your distance, and stick to long-range attacks. When shootin’, aim for the toxin sacs. They’re biolumen bioloo biolumini They glow. If you shoot them, they won’t grow back and the bloater can’t chuck ‘em at you. Again, fire is your best friend. A Molotov’ll make them even more aggressive, but it’ll make their armor brittle enough to shoot through. They can still grab you while they’re on fire, though, so stay away.
And if you’re really strong (or insane), you can try to hack at it with a machete or somethin’. But that’s getting too close for comfort, at least for me. You can try your luck if you’re stupid enough.
Shambler
A sub-type of the 4th stage is one I’ve only found once: shamblers. These guys fester for several years like the bloaters, but shamblers develop specifically in humid, wet areas. Their toxins mutate into acid instead, which makes them even more dangerous.
Shamblers are just as big and just as slow as bloaters, but they’re a little weaker, and they don’t have that thick protective shell. The mutation that gives ‘em their pus spores avoids the eyes for some reason and goes for the jaw instead. That means they can’t bite you, but they can see you.
I’ve heard shamblers sometimes mutate in groups, so if there’s one, watch out, cause there could be another nearby. Stick to far-range attacks, like Molotovs and bombs. Since they don’t have the thick armor, guns are a more direct option. If you think you’re getting close to killin’ the thing, back up. Once killed, shamblers explode in a cloud of toxic spores that will hurt you. I still have a burn scar on my left arm from that last explosion.
My Final Advice
I’ve heard rumors of worse infected out there, but I’ve never ventured far enough to find ‘em. My advice? If you hear clicks, turn around. Anything beyond a stalker isn’t worth the trip – or your life. An infected is relentless. It will not stop until you kill it, or it kills you. And I don’t know ‘bout you, but I’d like to live long enough to see an end to all this.
Anyway, I figured this would be a good spot to leave this journal. “The University of Utah.” I think I would’ve liked to go here. Y’know, if the outbreak never happened. I’ve heard rumors that the Fireflies are around this area, so you’re not likely to find hunters ’round here. If you need to find me, I’ll be looking for them. Safe travels. And remember, when you’re lost in the darkness, look for the light.
For more tips on surviving the infected, check out The Last of Us Wiki here.
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