The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game series that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a fungal infection that has wiped out much of humanity. The infected in this series are a central part of the game’s story and gameplay and come in several forms that players must contend with. But the real question is how they evolve, turning into mindless creatures infected by the Cordyceps fungus.

The 4 stages of Cordyceps fungus

According to the lore of the game, there are basically 4 stages in the life cycle of the Cordyceps fungus, which are discussed below.

Stage 1: The first step of evolution is when the players lose control over their own brains and start showing symptoms of aggression. They also lose the ability to perform any tasks with logical reasoning and gradually turn into mind-controlled beings within two days of infection.

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Stage 2: The second stage comes around in around two weeks when the fungus changes the vision of the victims slowly blinding them and taking control over the mind and the body.

Stage 3: This stage comes within a year or so, where the fungus gradually grows over the head of the infected, stopping them from completely receiving any light in their eyes, thus turning them blind. However, the fungus also manages to give the infected person powers like “Echolocation” and other similar features. But after this stage, the victim might die, leaving behind a fossil of Cordyceps fungus.

Stage 4: The final stage of the fungus that comes after almost a decade, if the victim somehow survives. This stage adds an extra layer of spores and toxic puss that makes the zombies even more dangerous to deal with.

However, with the 4th stage of evolution, The Last of Us series features seven different forms of infection, each with its own distinct traits and characteristics. Here is a detailed explanation of each form:

Runners

Runners are the first form of infection and are the most common form of infection in the game. They are characterized by their fast movement, frenzied behavior, and heightened aggression. They are often used as an early warning sign of an infected presence, as their loud and erratic movements can be heard from a distance.

Runners are relatively weak and can be dispatched relatively easily, but their speed and unpredictability can make them a danger to the player if they are not dealt with quickly.

Stalkers

Stalkers are the second form of infection and are characterized by their stealthy behavior. They are much more powerful than runners and are capable of attacking like a clicker. Stalkers are also capable of sneaking up on the player and taking advantage of dark and gloomy places, making them a significant threat.

Clickers

Clickers are the third and final form of infection and are characterized by their lack of eyesight and reliance on echolocation. They have, however, enhanced strength that is granted by the fungus, making them extremely dangerous, as they will kill anyone who comes too close.

Bloaters

Bloaters evolved after extreme exposure to spores and fungus, making them one of the rarest forms the fungus could achieve. They are heavily mutated and covered in fungal growths, making them nearly invulnerable to conventional weapons.

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Bloaters are capable of releasing clouds of toxic fragments that glow in the dark that can kill anyone who comes into contact with them. Bloaters are often used as boss enemies in the game and are a significant challenge for players to overcome.

Shamblers

Shamblers are considered to be an alternate form of the Bloaters, who got weak and slow after being exposed to large volumes of water around them. They are slow-moving and have a more relaxed demeanor, but they are still dangerous due to their toxic fragments and sometimes even charging directly at the player.

Shamblers are also dangerous because when killed, the spores inside a Shambler explode, releasing a final burst of Cordyceps into the air.

Rat King

The Rat King is a special type of infected that appears in ‘The Last of Us Part II.’ This form of infected is a combination of all kinds of multiple infected individuals that have joined together to form a single entity, thus making it the most dangerous and fearsome fungal abomination of them all.

Mycelium Network

The final stage of the fungus is the entire fungal network that works as a single group to help other infected beings to communicate to catch their prey. It can also be seen as a hub for spores and can be hidden in plain sight, running across the walls of buildings, helping the infected in echo locating their next target. If someone steps on it or comes in contact with it, it will alert a group of infected nearby, hence hoarding to that spot.

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