The Last of Us Tools Locations and Weapon Upgrade Guide
Surviving the harsh post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us requires more than just sharp instincts and stealth tactics. Upgrading your firearms at workbenches is essential to surviving brutal encounters with infected and hostile human factions. To unlock higher tier upgrades for your arsenal, finding toolboxes hidden throughout the campaign is absolutely critical.
Understanding Tool Levels and Workbench Upgrades
Tool levels dictate which weapon enhancements you can purchase at workbenches using collected spare parts. There are five distinct tool levels hidden across key story chapters, each unlocking advanced modifications like increased holster capacity and reduced weapon recoil. Missing a tool level can severely restrict your combat efficiency later in the story.
Workbenches are fixed points in the environment where Joel can spend spare parts to modify his gear. Higher tool tiers unlock game-changing benefits like faster reload speeds and increased firearm damage capabilities. Strategic planning ensures you prioritize the most effective upgrades early in your playthrough.
Where to Find Every Tool Box in the Game
The first set of tools is located early in Bill's Town inside the basement of the church hideout. Search the metal shelves near the armory equipment to secure tool level one before moving forward. Acquiring this first set immediately allows basic handling and capacity improvements for your pistols and shotguns.
Tool level two can be discovered in Pittsburgh shortly after escaping the flooded garage area in the hotel. Look inside the metal shed near the exit of the garage area to find the red toolbox sitting on a workbench. The remaining tool sets appear in the Suburbs, the University, and the Bus Depot chapters, often placed near main objectives or locked shiv doors.
Prioritizing the Best Weapon Modifications
Not all weapon upgrades offer equal value during tense survival scenarios across various difficulty settings. Weapon holster upgrades should always take top priority because switching guns quickly during active combat saves vital seconds. Increasing magazine capacity for shotguns and rifles also ensures you are never caught reloading during overwhelming horde attacks.
Weapon stability and fire rate upgrades are ideal secondary investments for precision weapons like the hunting rifle and bow. Reducing sway allows for reliable headshots against distant armored enemies while conserving precious ammunition. Balancing your part expenditure between primary sidearms and long-range rifles creates a versatile arsenal ready for any encounter.
Tips for Resource Management and Scavenging
Scavenging every corner of the environment is necessary to gather enough spare parts for your weapon upgrades. Check drawers, open safes, and explore optional side rooms to maximize the parts you bring to each workbench. Conserving shivs to open locked doors frequently yields high-value part caches alongside essential crafting materials.
It is important to remember that tool levels and weapon progress carry over into New Game Plus modes for subsequent playthroughs. This feature allows players to complete fully upgraded weapon trees that were impossible to finish during a single run. Plan your choices carefully so you can master combat efficiency across every chapter.