You're sweating. In the game, I mean. Or maybe in real life too, because those Clickers in the distance are making that rhythmic, wet snapping sound that basically screams "I'm going to rip your throat out if you make a sound." You’ve just started Abby’s Seattle Day 1, and you’re staring at a big, rusted hunk of metal. A safe. You know there’s a semi-auto pistol upgrade or maybe some supplements in there, and honestly, you need them. But the last of us 2 abby safe code day 1 isn't just handed to you on a silver platter. Naughty Dog loves making you work for it.
The thing about Abby’s first day in Seattle is that it’s heavy. It’s long. It’s emotionally exhausting because you’re still reeling from, well, that scene with the golf club. But if you want to survive the "On Foot" chapter, you have to pay attention to the environment. This isn't a game where you just "press X to win." You have to read the room. Literally.
The Big Win in the "On Foot" Section
Most players get stuck at the first safe. It’s located in the "On Foot" chapter, right after you leave the hardware store. You’ll find yourself in a large area with a boat hanging from the ceiling. It’s a bit of a maze. You, Mel, and Manny are trying to navigate through this warehouse-heavy industrial hellscape.
Once you get out of that hardware store, look for a small portable building—sort of like a construction trailer. It’s got a window you can smash. Inside, there’s a note. This is where the detective work starts. The note mentions a "big win." It talks about the "big win" being the combination. Now, if you look around the room, you’ll see a lottery ticket circled on a corkboard. The numbers are 17-38-07.
That’s it. That’s your code.
Go back outside, find the crack in the wall of the MS Corporation building nearby (it’s right across from the trailer), and crawl through. The safe is sitting there waiting for you. Inside, you’re going to find the Hunting Pistol. This gun is a beast. It’s basically a handheld sniper rifle that uses high-caliber rounds. If you’re playing on Grounded difficulty, this isn't just a "nice to have" item; it is your lifeline. Without it, taking down Scars later in the day is going to be a nightmare.
Why the "Hostile Territory" Safe is Tricky
Moving on. You’re not done. Seattle Day 1 for Abby is a marathon, not a sprint. Later, you’ll hit the "Hostile Territory" chapter. This is where the game starts to feel really claustrophobic. You’re in Chinatown—or what’s left of it. There’s a narrow street lined with shops: a pharmacy, a fabric store, and the Jasmine Bakery.
The safe is in the Jasmine Bakery.
But the code? It’s not in the bakery. That would be too easy. You have to go to the building across the street, the Red Dragon restaurant. Head upstairs, kill the Clickers (use a brick, save your ammo), and jump across to the balcony of the building on the other side. You’ll find a note in a room upstairs that mentions a safe code. The note is from someone named Bo, talking about his stash.
The code is 68-96-89.
When you get back to the bakery and crack that safe, you’ll get some supplements and ammo. But the real prize in this area isn't even in the safe—it’s the Training Manual for "Out On a Limb" found in the same vicinity, which lets you upgrade your crafting skills. Seriously, don't skip the exploration here. The level design is dense. It’s easy to walk right past a door and miss a chunk of character progression that makes the rest of the game 50% easier.
The Boat Safe: A Lesson in Perspective
Later in the day, when you’re on the "Coast" chapter, you’ll find yourself on a massive, derelict ferry called the Wisconsin. This place is haunting. It’s filled with "Stalkers"—those creepy infected that hide behind corners and don't show up on your Listen Mode.
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You’ll find a note near a corpse that mentions the safe code is at the "end of the hall" or near the bridge. Actually, the note specifically says the code is for the "big stash." If you make it up to the infirmary/bridge area, you’ll find the safe.
The code is 90-77-01.
Inside, you get more supplements and a few parts for weapon upgrades. By this point in Day 1, you should be focusing your parts on the Hunting Pistol’s stability or the Semi-Auto Rifle’s fire rate. Abby’s playstyle is much more "tank-like" than Ellie’s. You aren't darting in and out of shadows as much; you’re hitting hard and moving fast. These safes provide the raw materials to turn Abby into a literal war machine.
How to Crack Safes Without the Code
Here is a pro-tip for the "purists" or people who just hate hunting for notes. You can actually crack any safe in The Last of Us Part II by sound. No, seriously.
When you turn the dial on a safe, listen closely. Every number makes a "click" sound. However, when you hit the correct number, the click is slightly higher-pitched and has a metallic "ting" to it. It’s subtle. You might need headphones to hear it clearly, but it’s a legitimate mechanic. Speedrunners use this all the time to bypass the note-hunting entirely.
Try it on the last of us 2 abby safe code day 1 at the MS Corporation building. Spin it slowly. Click. Click. Ting. That "ting" is 17. Keep going. Click. Ting. 38. It’s a cool detail that shows just how much effort Naughty Dog put into the foley and sound design of this game.
Survival Strategy for Abby’s First Day
Abby starts her journey with significantly more physical power than Ellie, but her initial weapon loadout is a bit lackluster. That’s why these safes matter.
If you’re playing on a higher difficulty, you need to prioritize. Use your supplements on the "Covert Ops" branch first. Why? Because it lets you craft shivs. Unlike Ellie, Abby can’t just use a switchblade infinitely. If a Clicker grabs you and you don't have a shiv, it’s game over. You’re dead.
Also, keep an eye on your "Parts." When you open these safes, you’ll get a handful of them. Don't spend them on everything. Focus on the Hunting Pistol’s damage and the Shotgun’s capacity. Day 1 ends with some pretty intense combat encounters where you won't have time to reload every two seconds.
The Reality of the "Big Win" Note
There’s a bit of environmental storytelling people often miss regarding that first safe code (17-38-07). If you read the letters scattered around the trailer and the nearby buildings, you realize the person who owned that lottery ticket was incredibly excited about their "win" just as the world was ending. It’s a grim reminder of the game's theme: nothing lasts. Your "big win" today is just a scrap of paper in a ruined world tomorrow.
But for you, the player, the "big win" is that Hunting Pistol.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your inventory: Ensure you have at least two shivs before entering the "Hostile Territory" shops.
- Use the Sound Method: Try cracking the next safe you find by sound alone to save time.
- Prioritize the Hunting Pistol: Use the parts found in the Day 1 safes to upgrade its stability immediately.
- Explore the Rooftops: In Chinatown, don't just stay on the street level; the best loot is hidden behind jumps and broken windows on the second floors.
- Save your ammo: Use Abby's melee abilities—she’s a powerhouse. Save the Hunting Pistol rounds for Shamblers and Scars.
By grabbing these safes, you're not just "completing" the game; you're ensuring that the back half of Abby’s story—which gets significantly harder—is actually playable. Good luck. You’re going to need it once you hit the hospital.