September 26, 2025: We updated this guide as The Last of Us Part 2 has now been added to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
The Last of Us 2 training manuals are more than just collectibles, as finding them will help to boost your abilities. There are a total of eight to track down across the game, and locating these books and magazines is the route to unlocking new Upgrade Branches in The Last of Us 2. These are basically your skill trees, opening up fresh abilities for the key playable characters to use. Of course, upgrades don't come for free – so you'll need to watch out for Supplements as you explore.
In this key The Last of Us 2 guide I'm going to help you find all of the hidden Training Manuals. Like I said in our The Last of Us 2 tips page though, you may want to hold off investing in any upgrades until you get a real feel for the characters and combat. It's also worth noting that if you miss one of The Last of Us: Part 2 Training Manuals you won't be able to go back and get them – so either do it on your first pass, or you'll need to wait until a Last of Us 2 new game plus run to course correct.
With that all out of the way, keep reading to find every Last of Us 2 training manual location and discover what upgrade branches they unlock.
Where to find all Training Manuals for Ellie in The Last of Us 2
There are four Ellie Training Manuals in The Last of Us 2. These focus on four core proficiencies for the character: crafting, stealth, precision, and explosives. It's well worth collecting all four of these, but it's probably best to invest your Supplements into the crafting and precision unlock branches if you want an easier path through to The Last of Us 2 ending. With that in mind, keep reading to find all of the Ellie upgrades in The Last of Us 2.
Crafting Training Manual location
Training Manual: Crafting Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 1, Downtown
Character: Ellie
There are technically two locations where you can find the Crafting Training Manual on The Last of Us 2 Seattle Day 1 Downtown map. While it can sometimes be found at the overpass location, the best place to pick it up is at the Courthouse – found at the intersection of 6th Ave. and Madison St.
Once you're inside the building, where Ellie will be charged with scavenging for gasoline, you can take some time to head into the basement office next to the lifts. This is where you'll find 'PREP: A Survival Guide for the Silent Majority by Todd Garrett' on a bookshelf. This is the Crafting Training Manual you were looking for, but don't leave the Courthouse until you use one of the The Last of Us 2 safe codes to unlock some much-needed Supplements.
Stealth Training Manual location
Training Manual: Stealth Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 1, Capitol Hill
Character: Ellie
Once you escape the nightmares of the elementary school, you'll find yourself wandering through the Capitol Hill area of Seattle. Eventually you'll come across a gas station with one of The Last of Us 2 workbench locations inside. Take advantage of this to upgrade your favorite weapons in The Last of Us 2, and then head across the street.
What you're looking for here is a bookstore with a coffee store next to it. Once you get into the shop you'll find 'Last Round: The Survivalist Magazine' next to a typewriter. This is the Stealth Training Manual, and it's perfect for helping to avoid the Clickers that are now waiting outside the store...
Precision Training Manual location
Training Manual: Precision Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 2, Hillcrest
Character: Ellie
You'll eventually find yourself in the Hillcrest area of Seattle. It's a bit of a wasteland, so be high alert for The Last of Us 2 trading cards in this general vicinity. Still, collectibles aside, you'll want to head through a bike shop and then out to a Liquor Store over the road. There's shamblers in here so move carefully as you head down to the basement.
Once you've cleared the basement and grabbed all of the supplies, you'll want to head up a staircase into a children's bookstore. It's up here where you'll find an 'Outdoor Sportsman magazine' by the counter. This is the Precision Training Manual, and it's perfect for making Ellie aim a little steadier with her weapons.
Explosives Training Manual location
Training Manual: Explosives Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 2, The Seraphites
Character: Ellie
This one comes a little later in the game for Ellie, but you'll locate the Explosives Training Manuel in the Last of Us 2 as you work through The Seraphites of Seattle Day 2. Once you find yourself moving through an apartment complex (see the image above) you'll need to head up to the first floor.
Once you're here, take a right and enter an apartment. There's a workbench in here which will trigger some enemies rushing into the room. Go back towards the entrance once you've dealt with them and you'll find an unlocked door with a 'Organic Chemistry: Concepts & Practice' book inside. This is the Explosive Training Manual, and it's about to make some of the combat you're about to encounter a little easier to survive.
Late-game spoilers ahead...
From this point on it becomes very difficult to address events in The Last of Us 2 without spoilers to the plot – for that reason, players who haven't reached the levels beyond The Seraphites should stop reading until they do! However, for those who have reached that point and understand why we put the spoiler warning up, read on.
Where to find all Training Manuals for Abby in The Last of Us 2
Once you switch characters, there's a new series of weapons, unlocks, and Training Manuals for Abby in The Last of Us 2 to unlock. You'll effectively be starting more underpowered than Ellie was at the point of the switch, so keep that in mind as you approach combat encounters. So keep reading to find every Last of Us 2 Abby Training Manual location.
Covert Ops Training Manual location
Training Manual: Covert Ops Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 1, On Foot
Character: Abby
Once you take control of Abby in Seattle Day 1, you'll eventually make you way to a warehouse. There isn't much inside, although it's hard to ignore the the large boat. Head to the second floor and into the room with a ladder – use this to find one of the first The Last of Us 2 coin locations, a new collectible for Abby to hunt.
With that out of the way, take the ladder and place it near the boat to create a bridge. Head inside the boat to find the 'David Vesus Goliath' book, which is the Covert Ops Training Manual location. This is essentially Abby's version of the crafting manual for Ellie, and will let the character craft shivs and other useful items.
Close Quarters Training Manual location
Training Manual: Close Quarters Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 1, Behind Enemy Lines
Character: Abby
There are two Close Quarters Training Manual locations in the Seattle Day 1, Behind Enemy Lines area. The first is to look for a building with a 'Tang Fabrics' sign on the wall; once inside, you can climb into an adjacent building and find the 'Urban Warrior: Close-Quarters Combat Training for Civilians' book on the counter.
Alternatively, and this is our preferred location, you can find what you're looking for as you head further towards the aquarium. When you reach the street in the image shown (shortly after Abby spots the WLF trucks through the window), break into Jasmine Bakery on your immediate left and look for a safe at the back of the store. Use the combo 68-96-89 to open it and grab the Close Quarters Training Manual.
Firearms Training Manual location
Training Manual: Firearms Training Manual location
Location: Seattle Day 1, The Forest
Character: Abby
The Forest is a dangerous location in the Seattle Day 1 zone, so you'll want to make sure to grab all the help you can get. Once you fight the large Seraphite woman with the huge hammer who stole your backpack, head into the Auto Shop. There's a workbench in here which you'll want to use of.
When you're ready, go into the kitchen and hang an immediate right. You'll find a book titled 'Bring Your Own Bullets: How to Make Your Own Improvised Munitions with Everyday Household Items' on the cabinet at the book of the room. This is Firearms Training Manual which will let Abby craft new types of ammunition.
Ordinance Training Manual location
Training Manual: Ordinance Training Manual
Location: Seattle Day 1, The Coast
Character: Abby
This is the final Training Manual location in The Last of Us 2 – congratulations! After falling from the highway and into the water, you'll need to work your way over to the ferry in the final section of Seattle Day 1. Take some time to look around to find the Crossbow and then head to the second floor to find Mutiny Note artifact.
This note contains the code combination for the safe on the top floor of the ferry. Use the code 90-77-01 to open up the safe and get yourself the Ordinance Training Manual, which is going to help Abby get even better at all the basics as you start down a difficult path – super helpful if you're trying to manage how long it takes to beat The Last of Us 2.
With all of The Last of Us 2 training manuals in hand you're getting a little closer to the end. When you're done, don't forget to check out our The Last of Us 2 No Return tips to help you succeed in the unlockable roguelike mode.
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