There are tons of useful items to be found in The Last of Us 2, and the training manuals are worth the effort. Finding all eight manuals will unlock the Journeyman Trophy. There are two other manuals that are automatically obtained as part of the story, and cannot be missed.
Note that there are more possible spawning points, so you may find manuals in places not listed in this guide. They are always found in the same order.
Chapter 9: Downtown Seattle - Training Manual 1: Crafting
Go to the broken bridge between 6th and 7th avenue where there's a fire truck. Climb on the military vehicle next to the bridge, you should be able to climb on the fire truck from its roof. Once on the truck, pick up the fire hose and throw it below, in the section with an overturned truck. Use the fire hose as a rope to descend and search the overturned truck, you will find inside the first manual of the game.
Note: this manual can also be found near the court office safe, on a shelf. In this case, there is unfortunately no manual in the truck. There are probably other similar cases later.
Chapter 11: Capitol Hill - Training Manual 2: Stealth
After jumping from the top of the Motel or passing over the gate, you will see a bookstore opposite a gas station. The manual is located not far from the cash register.
Chapter 16: Hillcrest - Training Manual 3: Precision
You will have to go from building to building to find the manual. Push the trash on the road so you can climb into the building with a workbench. On leaving, you will see a store named "Goldstar Liquor" on the right. Enter and descend into the cellar. Follow the light to go out and find a nursery, with the manual on the ground.
Chapter 18: Finding Nora - Training Manual 4: Explosives
After passing under a bridge, just after a taxi, turn left to reach a long apartment building. In front of the main entrance is a truck on which you can climb to reach the roof of the building. Go through the window, and interact with the workbench. You will be attacked from behind by a deserter. Kill him and all of his friends, then explore the room they were in. The manual is on the bed.
Chapter 25: On Foot - Training Manual 5: Covert Ops
When passing through where you have to carry a ladder, you can use it as a bridge to reach the boat attached to the ceiling. The manual is inside.
Chapter 28: Hostile Territory - Training Manual 6: Close Quarters
Shortly after the chapter starts, you will climb over a fence and leave Manny. You should see a store called "Spicy Dumpling". Pass this building and go down the stairs, the next building, “Tang Fabrics & Imports”, is the one that interests you. Enter through the broken window on the left, the manual is on the corner of a kitchen unit.
Chapter 30: The Forest - Training Manual 7: Firearms
Arriving in the garage “La Rosa's Auto Shop” after the boss fight, search the desk on the right, the manual is on a piece of furniture near a water fountain.
Chapter 31: The Coast - Training Manual 8: Ordnance
The latest manual can be found in the ship's control cabin, inside the safe. The combination to unlock it is 90-77-01.
Chapter 38: The Island - Catching Up
There are a few additional spawn points for the manuals. If you missed one of the previous opportunities to get your hands on it, this will give you a chance to get them. One of the spawn location we know of is the following:
- After climbing the first ladder in the chapter, inspect the rear of the truck on the left, which is wide open. Inside is a token and one of the manuals, if you don't already have them all.
Original content by Robin "Raiden" Bouquet.
