The Last of Us 2 Remastered: What are Dead Drops in No Return?

With the release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, players can once again journey with Ellie into more dangerous situations and more dramatic showdowns, this time with upgraded graphics. However, that’s not all the remaster is packing, with a new roguelike mode in No Return being a standout addition.

Designed to focus on players’ stealth and combat skills, each run in No Return will push players to their limits when it comes to overcoming the different factions of the post-apocalyptic world. While you will almost always be on your end, there are certain ways to get some help during encounters, with Dead Drops being a key part of the strategy in No Return.

What are Dead Drops in No Return?

Jumping into No Return in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is undoubtedly daunting when danger lurks around every corner. With supplies being hard to find, Dead Drops keeps you fighting fit by delivering an extra weapon or recipe at the hideout after a successful encounter.

This could set players up nicely for future encounters with better weapons or survival tools that can come in handy in almost every situation. However, Dead Drops requires a sacrifice from the player first in the form of specific items, so be prepared to go the extra mile if you want to benefit.

Dead Drops will be unlocked once players attempt three runs in No Return. Successful and failed runs all count towards this total.

Using Dead Drops in No Return

With the feature unlocked, there is a randomized chance that an encounter will spawn a Dead Drop location. Use Listen Mode to locate the mailbox, and once you are near, it will display the item or items required to complete the Dead Drop. This can be throwables like Molotovs and stun bombs or even upgraded melee weapons and the like.

The risk is that there is no way of knowing what the rewards are for completing a Dead Drop, but it is an endeavor worth pursuing as the recipes or extra weapon provide players with more options to deal with the troubles ahead. After depositing the required items, make sure to survive the encounter and return to the hideout.

Here, players will be able to find their rewards, usually on a surface beside the rewards chest. Hopefully, that means a more powerful weapon is available to make fights easier or a recipe for more potent craftable items that will come in handy.