Weapon Holsters & Inventory Management — The Last of Us Part II Guide

Survive The Last of Us Part II with swift weapon holsters and smart inventory management, allowing rapid firearm switches for combat readiness.

In the brutal world of The Last of Us Part II, effective inventory management and quick weapon access are paramount for survival. Unlike the first game, weapon holsters play a crucial role in your combat readiness, allowing you to rapidly switch between your most-used firearms without fumbling through your backpack. Mastering this system can be the difference between life and a swift, gruesome death.

Understanding Weapon Holsters

Weapon holsters are essential upgrades that allow you to equip additional weapons for quick access via the D-Pad. Initially, you'll only have one primary weapon slot and one sidearm slot. Finding and upgrading holsters significantly expands your combat options, enabling seamless transitions during intense encounters.

Types of Holsters and Their Benefits:

• Long Gun Holster: This allows you to quickly swap between two primary weapons (e.g., your Hunting Pistol and Pump Shotgun). This is invaluable for adapting to different combat ranges or enemy types.
• Sidearm Holster: Similar to the long gun holster, this lets you carry an additional sidearm for rapid switching. Having a silenced pistol for stealth and a revolver for heavy damage readily available is a game-changer.

Acquiring Weapon Holsters

Weapon holsters are not automatically granted; they must be found as specific upgrade items throughout your journey. Keep a keen eye out for these crucial pickups, as they are often tucked away in optional areas or behind environmental puzzles.

Key Holster Locations (Ellie's Story):

• Long Gun Holster (Ellie):
  • Chapter: Seattle Day 1 - Downtown
  • Location: Inside the Westlake Bank vault. To access the vault, you'll need to find the combination. The combination is written on a note titled "Bank Robber Letter" found in a nearby drawer: 60-23-06. Once inside, the holster is on a table near the back.
• Sidearm Holster (Ellie):
  • Chapter: Seattle Day 2 - Hillcrest
  • Location: After a significant encounter in the main street of Hillcrest, you'll enter a series of backyards. Look for a house with a garage that has a workbench inside. The holster is found on the workbench itself. You may need to break a window or find an alternate entry to the garage.

Key Holster Locations (Abby's Story):

• Long Gun Holster (Abby):
  • Chapter: Seattle Day 1 - The Stadium
  • Location: This holster is acquired very early in Abby's section. After the initial WLF training sequence, you'll find it on a table in the armory area of the stadium, near where you pick up your first set of weapons. It's hard to miss.
• Sidearm Holster (Abby):
  • Chapter: Seattle Day 1 - On Foot
  • Location: After navigating through the flooded areas and reaching the boat workshop, you'll find this holster on a workbench inside the main building of the workshop. It's often near crafting materials, so keep an eye out while scavenging.

Inventory Management Strategies

Beyond holsters, smart inventory management is crucial. The game's limited backpack space for crafting components and throwable items forces difficult choices.

Crafting Component Prioritization:

• Explosives vs. Healing: Early in the game, prioritize crafting Medkits and Molotovs. As you progress and face more armored enemies, Pipe Bombs and Trap Mines become increasingly valuable.
• Shivs: Always try to have at least one Shiv on hand for opening locked doors and stealthily taking down Clickers. Don't waste them on human enemies unless absolutely necessary.
• Arrows: If you have the Bow, always prioritize crafting arrows. They are silent, recoverable, and incredibly efficient.

Weapon Loadout Optimization:

• Stealth Encounters: Equip your Silenced Pistol and Bow. These allow for silent takedowns and long-range stealth kills.
• Open Combat: Switch to your Pump Shotgun or Hunting Pistol for close-quarters damage, and a high-capacity rifle like the Assault Rifle for mid-range engagements.
• Infected Hordes: Molotovs and Shotguns are your best friends. Consider having a Revolver or Hunting Pistol as a backup for high-damage single shots.

Quick-Slot Management:

Use the quick-slot menu (hold R1) to assign your most frequently used throwable items (Molotovs, Smoke Bombs, Pipe Bombs, Health Kits). This allows for rapid deployment without pausing the action, which is vital in high-pressure situations.

• Assign Medkits: Always have a Medkit assigned for immediate healing.
• Offensive Throwables: Keep your preferred offensive throwable (Molotov, Pipe Bomb) ready for crowd control or breaking enemy formations.
• Situational Items: Consider assigning Smoke Bombs for escapes or Trap Mines for setting ambushes if you anticipate such scenarios.

By effectively using weapon holsters and strategically managing your inventory, you'll be far better equipped to face the relentless challenges of The Last of Us Part II.