Ultimate Guide to Marlene & Bill in No Return Mode (April 2025 Update) - The Last of Us Part II Remastered

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If you're diving back into The Last of Us Part II Remastered after the big April 2025 update, you're probably just as hyped as we are about the two new playable characters added to No Return mode — Marlene and Bill. These legends bring completely different vibes to your roguelike runs, and today we’re breaking it all down so you know exactly how to play them, unlock them, and dominate your encounters.

Let’s get into it.

🔓 How to Unlock Marlene and Bill in No Return

Before we dig into their playstyles, here’s how to get access to them:

  • Marlene: Complete 5 gambits during No Return mode. These are optional side objectives during encounters. They can be tricky, but worth it!

  • Bill: Complete 3 dead drops — basically scavenging high-value caches in encounters.

Once done, these two survivors become fully playable and come with their own unique skill trees, loadouts, and strategies.

🔥 MARLENE – The Risk Taker

Marlene is a total game-changer. She’s the first No Return character to rock an assault rifle, and her whole kit is built around high risk, high reward gameplay. If you like living on the edge and pushing objectives, she’s your gal.

🧨 Loadout:

  • Primary Weapon: Assault Rifle (automatic, strong but with a bit of kick)

  • Secondary Weapon: Standard pistol

💡 Key Traits:

  • One-Time Path Reroute – Didn’t like the path No Return gave you? Reroute it once per run! Super helpful if you’re avoiding tough factions or grinding for upgrades.

  • All or Nothing Gambits – You’ll only get your rewards if you fully complete your gambits. Fail them, and you get nothing. It’s intense, but the payouts are big.

  • Calculated Upgrade Branch – A perk path that stacks big when you’re doing well:

    • Gambit Reward ×3 – Triple the currency for completing gambits.

    • Endure – Survive otherwise fatal damage with 1HP.

    • Unlimited Item Rolls – At the Trading Post, roll as many times as you want (as long as you’ve got the cash).

Marlene & Bill, No Return, The Last of Us Part II Remastered
🧠 Pro Tips for Marlene:

  • Play Smart, Not Reckless – Gambits give big returns, but failing them makes runs way harder. Only take them on if you’ve got the ammo and health.

  • Use Reroute Strategically – Save your path reroute for when you’re low on supplies or you’re stuck with a rough faction combo.

  • Control That AR – The assault rifle kicks a lot. Fire in short bursts unless you’re up close and panicking (hey, no judgment).

🧵 Reddit discussions on Marlene’s playstyle:
How do y’all feel about Marlene and Bill? – r/thelastofus

💣 BILL – The Smuggler

Bill is your classic survivalist — grumpy, resourceful, and deadly with traps. He’s not flashy, but if you’re into crafting and controlling the battlefield, he might just become your new favorite.

🪖 Loadout:

  • Primary Weapon: Pistol

  • Melee: Machete (get close and it hurts)

  • Bonus: Starts with Trap Mine Recipe unlocked!

🔧 Key Traits:

  • Double Dead Drop Rewards – Hit those dead drops for even better loot than usual. Makes him a top-tier scavenger.

  • Custom Shotgun from Dead Drops – Just like Ellie’s pump shotgun. It slaps.

  • Sturdier Against Melee – Can take a few more hits than others when enemies get in close.

  • Can’t Dodge – Yeah... no dodging. Stay sharp and keep distance when possible.

  • Prepper Upgrade Branch:

    • Faster Crafting

    • Trap Mine Inventory: 3 → 4

    • +50% Blast Radius on Trap Mines – Your explosions hit harder and wider.

🧠 Pro Tips for Bill:

  • Own the Map with Traps – Drop mines in choke points, narrow hallways, or places where enemies tend to rush.

  • Watch Your Corners – Since you can’t dodge, don’t get greedy. Peek first, shoot later.

  • Dead Drop Every Chance You Get – Your shotgun can turn a rough round into a breeze.

🎮 Community Feedback – What Players Are Saying

Here’s the general vibe from the community:

  • Marlene is a beast if you’re aggressive and tactical. A few players say her risk-reward loop makes each round super exciting, but she's not forgiving if you mess up.

  • Bill is perfect for players who love control and prep. He’s slow but methodical. If you enjoy Ellie’s traps, you’ll love Bill’s extra mine capacity and blast damage.

▶️ Want to see both characters in action?
Check out this video breakdown of all new No Return content:
🎥 The Last of Us Part II Remastered – April 2025 Update (YouTube)

🏁 Final Thoughts

The addition of Marlene and Bill has added a whole new layer of strategy to No Return mode. Whether you're leaning into Marlene’s gamble-heavy, high-damage loadout, or taking a slower, more tactical route with Bill’s traps and tools — there’s a playstyle here for everyone.

Have a favorite between the two? Got trap placement tips or gambit strategies? Drop them in the comments below!

Related Articles:

If you’re playing The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC and want smoother performance while taking on No Return mode, don’t miss our Best Settings to Optimize The Last of Us Part II Remastered for Smooth FPS on Your PC. It covers everything from graphics tweaks to system-level tips.

And if you’re running into issues like lag or crashes, we’ve got you covered with our guide on How to Fix Stuttering, Crashing & Lag in The Last of Us 2 Remastered on PC. Quick fixes, tested solutions—everything you need to get back into the fight.

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