Resident Evil Village: 10 Weapons You Should Upgrade As Soon As Possible, Ranked (2024)

The down-to-earth tone of Resident Evil 7’s grounded game design meant that weapon upgrading didn’t exactly have a place in its playthrough, making Resident Evil Village a welcome sight for players who want a more tactical approach to the kind of weapons they use against the game's threats. As such, Resident Evil Village is the other side of the Lei, embracing every little oddity that has made Resident Evil the franchise it is today.

Resident Evil Village is as much a love letter to the series as it is a breathtaking sequel to Resident Evil 7. Weapon upgrading returns in Village, giving Ethan a wider armory of weapons to choose from than in Resident Evil 7. Since there are so many guns in Resident Evil Village, however, it helps if players know which weapons to upgrade right away.

Updated on August 7, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With 2023’s Resident Evil 4 being the most recent remake in the franchise, it’s reasonable for fans to speculate that Resident Evil 5 might be the next refresh in Capcom’s line of upcoming game releases. While fans are left to guess just what the next Resident Evil game in the works could be, Resident Evil aficionados might be interested in going back to Resident Evil Village for a rerun of newcomer protagonist Ethan’s journey in retrieving his daughter from the clutches of a mysterious village. While Resident Evil Village’s gameplay continues the “return to form” of the franchise towards a slower, more sinister survival horror premise, the game does slowly equip Ethan with everything he needs to pulverize zombies in his way. However, among all the weapons he can retrieve in the game, just how should he proceed with upgrading each of them?

10 LEMI Handgun

The First Gun Ethan Finds And Should Be Ditched For The M1911 Once Found

The first firearm Ethan finds in the story is the LEMI Handgun, which, in the context of firepower, isn’t worth holding onto for the whole game. However, it will be the players' main weapon in Castle Dimitrescu during the first playthrough, so it’s worth upgrading.

Lei isn’t abundant during the early game, but money isn’t particularly hard to come by after the Castle. Players should make sure to prioritize the LEMI’s Power and Rate of Fire for upgrades. The LEMI’s default Reload Speed isn’t too hot, but it’s serviceable for the Castle. The best way to use the LEMI is to damage enemies and swap to a stronger gun for the kill.

Gameplay Tips For LEMI Handgun

Unfortunately for the LEMI Handgun, even its fully upgraded form is outclassed by the M1911 upon its acquisition, making this weapon rather unremarkable for overall gameplay. Patience is the key here due to the gun's limited firepower, as it can simulate the feeling of increased difficulty with its overall weaker numbers. However, once players master pinpoint shooting with the LEMI, handling other opponents shouldn't be too difficult with the other weapons.

In worst-case scenarios, players can at least ensure they secure an upgrade to this weapon’s firepower via the Duke to pick off some of the easier foes before dishing out the big guns. Training with this handgun is a viable option, considering this is one of the few available guns in the Castle 2, Factory 2, Mad Village 2, and Village 2 stages of The Mercenaries game mode.

LEMI Handgun: What To Upgrade First

Due to its nature as the game’s first weapon, it would benefit Ethan to use the first batch of his Lei earnings to unlock T2 Basic Damage (110 for 6K Lei) and then T2 Firing Rate (0.42 for 3K Lei). Until players acquire the M1911, they should keep upgrading the LEMI’s DPS to T3 Basic Damage (150 for 9K Lei), T3 Firing Rate (0.39 for 5K Lei), and T2 Reload Speed (2.5 for 2.5K Lei).

9 M1897 Shotgun

The Weakest Shotgun In The Game, But It Works Well In Close Quarters

The M1897 Shotgun will be found in East Old Town right before Ethan is attacked by the swarm of Lycans. The M1897 is the weakest Shotgun in the game and should be replaced as soon as possible, but it has the potential to be lethal during the early game.

Upgrading the M1987’s Power and Ammo Capacity will eat up a fair bit of cash in the Castle, but enemies will drop dead fast. After leaving the castle and finding the W870 shotgun following the House Beneviento segment, Ethan has to sell the M1897 and invest in upgrades to the new weapon.

Gameplay Tips For M1897 Shotgun

Being the game’s beginner shotgun, the M1897 is extremely useful as a burst weapon in the starting stages of the playthrough. The M1897 suits run-and-gun plays, especially for players who love busting into areas and eliminating enemies just as soon as they find them. Despite its status as the weakest among shotguns, it won't be felt as much when firing at zombies at extremely close proximities.

While the W870 TAC Shotgun is more powerful in the long term, acquiring upgrades for the M1897 can make it a useful backup weapon for players who prefer extremely short-ranged encounters.

M1897 Shotgun: What To Upgrade First

Until players find the W870 TAC Shotgun, the M1897 has to be transformed into a heavy-hitter. Pumping up to T2 Basic Damage (640 for 8K Lei) and T2 Reload Speed (2.6 for 4K Lei) might seem like a hefty investment, but this should let the beginner Shotgun make quick work of enemies much faster.

8 F2 Sniper Rifle

An Early-Game Sniper That Packs Quite A Massive Long-Distance Punch

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The F2 Sniper Rifle will be found inside the attic of Castle Dimitrescu in the room before stepping onto the roof. Despite being obtained so early in the game, the F2 Sniper Rifle is one of the absolute best guns in Resident Evil Village. Fully maxed out, the Sniper Rifle is about as strong as a base Magnum, which is already beastly.

Players should fully upgrade the F2 Sniper Rifle by the end of the first playthrough (especially to unlock Infinite Ammo in the Bonus Shop) but prioritize Power and Rate of Fire first. It also helps to purchase the Cheek Rest attachment from the Duke to reduce the Sniper Rifle’s sway when aiming down the scope. It comes in handy during the final boss fight, making quicker work of her if the F2's power is fully upgraded.

Gameplay Tips For F2 Sniper Rifle

While the Wolfsbane Magnum is also an efficient boss-killer in the game, the F2 Sniper Rifle shines in its capacity to kill bosses rather quickly with the right timing. Moreover, its easy-to-craft ammo can make the F2 a reliable weapon for Ethan to use to remain safe at the comfort of large distances.

Consistently upgrading the F2 Sniper Rifle’s damage can make it a useful long-ranged weapon in the later stages of the game, especially since useful vantage points still exist against tougher bosses. In this regard, players need to think on their feet to secure cover while also packing a quick-firing sidearm to deal with short-to-mid-range threats.

F2 Sniper Rifle: What To Upgrade First

The F2 Sniper Rifle becomes an immensely powerful beast by the time players unlock Infinite Ammo, but this requires finishing the game and unlocking all upgrades. While players may need to invest quite a bit of time and Lei to fully kit the F2, their priority should be damage and overall firing rate for much quicker long-range kills. Even starting with T2 Basic Damage (700 for 9K Lei) and T2 Firing Rate (1.8 for 4K Lei) can transform the F2 into a heavy-hitter. By the time they secure T3 Firing Rate (1.7 for 4+8K Lei), players should ideally start saving for the higher-tier Damage as much as possible for maximum output.

7 M1911 Handgun

The Most Reliable Sidearm For Most Playthroughs

The M1911 Handgun can be found in the Village Workshop after completing Castle Dimitrescu. It’ll be hidden in a locked cabinet in the northwest house. Type in the lock’s code (070408), and the Handgun should be inside.

The M1911 is a considerably better weapon than the LEMI, lacking only when it comes to Ammo Capacity. The M1911 will be Ethan’s main Handgun up to the final area, but players should make sure that the Rate of Fire and Power are kept up to date with upgrades. Once Ethan reaches Heisenberg's factory, essentially the last act, he earns the ability to buy the V61 Custom Handgun from the Duke, which is the superior gun.

Gameplay Tips For M1911 Handgun

Players may appreciate the M1911 Handgun for its usefulness past Castle Dimitrescu due to its more consistent damage and manageable recoil, especially compared to the middling LEMI’s stats. Even in the later stages of the game, the M1911 can become a reliable sidearm with its faster firing rate that allows players to deal with threats much faster, be it from stealth, ambushes, or regular room clears.

However, the M1911 becomes an even more practical handgun choice once players upgrade its ammo via the High-Capacity Mag. With this upgrade, the M1911 can perform more efficiently, especially with precision kills.

M1911 Handgun: What To Upgrade First

As the M1911 will replace the LEMI as Ethan’s go-to handgun, it has to be reliable whenever he’s in danger. In that regard, damage and firing rate are priorities to dispatch threats in close quarters or in critical situations. Starting with T2 Basic Damage (170 for 10K Lei) and T2 Firing Rate (0.26 for 5K Lei) might seem small at first, but the higher-tier upgrades will make a lot of difference once Ethan procures the High-Capacity Mag and starts getting bullets to play with.

6 W870 TAC Shotgun

A High-Powered Shotgun For The Mid-Game

The W870 TAC Shotgun can be found in the Garden on the way to House Beneviento (though Ethan will only be able to explore this area properly after defeating Donna Beneviento). The W870 TAC Shotgun is in a shack Ethan passes after completing House Beneviento.

Players should make sure to sell the M1897 immediately and start getting accustomed to the W870. The Shotgun’s weight will take some getting used to, but it’s far stronger. Like with the M1911, players should aim to upgrade everything and use the resale value later.

Gameplay Tips For W870 TAC Shotgun

Thanks to its accessible nature, the W870 TAC Shotgun is a reliable burst weapon of choice that can outperform even the SYG-12 with its ease of use. Its weight adds a heavier "oomph" when shooting at enemies, which players can use as a means to guide their tempo and rhythm when in combat engagements. Although sluggish and on the slower side as expected from shotguns, the W870 can shine with its reliable firepower that can handle nasty skirmishes up close.

While by far not the best shotgun in the game, its decent handling and manageable recoil can make it a reliable short-ranged weapon, especially against tougher creatures should players prefer getting up close and personal.

W870 TAC Shotgun: What To Upgrade First

The weight of the W870 takes getting used to, but this handling and firing rate can’t be upgraded further. This means that the best way of making the W870 a more reliable heavy-hitter would be by dishing out as much damage as possible. Its base 760 Damage already outshines T3 of the M1897 (720 Damage), so even getting T2 Basic Damage (840 for 16K Lei) becomes a considerable leap in performance. As players get used to the W870’s firing style, securing even T3 Reload Speed (2.3 for 15K Lei) should help Ethan deal more consistent damage.

5 V61 Custom Handgun

A Handgun That Becomes An SMG Due To Firepower

The V61 Custom Handgun becomes available to purchase after entering Heisenberg’s Factory and is the strongest Handgun Ethan can obtain in the main game. The V61 Custom can be bought from the Duke for 120,000 Lei, which is quite a lot at any point during a first playthrough. It doesn't help that its other upgrades also tend to be costly compared to other weapons, but eventually maxing the V61 can be worth the investment.

Fortunately, an upgraded M1911 fetches a nice profit. Players should aim to upgrade Ammo Capacity and Reload Speed first, as that’s where the V61 is most lacking. From there, invest in Power, but keep in mind that New Game Plus has other Handguns to try out.

Gameplay Tips For V61 Custom Handgun

Although already a more potent handgun compared to the M1911 and the LEMI, the V61 Custom Handgun becomes a more optimal short-ranged weapon when fully kitted. Its Gunstock, Long Barrel, and Drum Magazine attachments can transform the V61 into an SMG, boasting not just an immense rate of fire but an ammo count to match.

This weapon is best used in close quarters with multiple enemies, as Ethan can rain bullets on foes. Even in situations where Ethan needs to use discretion, the V61 can eliminate enemies much faster from stealth or even one at a time should the situation arise. If players want to pack a more powerful rifle as a primary, the V61 as a secondary can easily make a lot of difference in close-to-mid-range incursions.

V61 Custom Handgun: What To Upgrade First

When players acquire the V61 Custom Handgun, they shouldn’t feel overwhelmed with its hefty upgrade costs. Instead, they should cover the V61’s weak spots via upgrading even until T3 Basic Mag Capacity (18 for 30+42K Lei) and T4 Reload Speed (2.2 for 17+26+38K Lei). This should make the V61 perform similarly to the M1911 while rocking higher base damage. It’s only when players get the extra juice that they should begin power creeping the V61 via boosting its damage output.

4 SYG-12 Shotgun

Packs A Huge Punch And Offers Flexible Gameplay Options

Like the V61 Custom Handgun, the SYG-12 Shotgun is available to purchase after entering Heisenberg’s Factory. The SYG-12 costs a whopping 180,000 Lei. Reselling the W870 will help cover that. The SYG-12 is worth investing in, though. It’s the strongest Shotgun in the game and is as unreasonably strong as it is fast.

A fully upgraded SYG-12 is a multiple-playthrough endeavor in the making, but it's worth it. Being semi-automatic, players will not have to worry about upgrading the Rate of Fire. Investing in Ammo Capacity will help increase the amount of time Ethan can fire before reloading. Additionally, the Drum Magazine can extend a clip size up to forcrty, which is more than enough to clean most rooms without having to reload.

Gameplay Tips For SYG-12 Shotgun

While the W870 TAC is the more frugal choice when it comes to fully kitting a shotgun, the SYG-12 Shotgun is by far one of the most heavy-hitting shotguns in the game. Unfortunately, its rate of fire is rather abysmal, as Ethan needs to attach a new payload within two seconds after every shot. This is something that players can’t upgrade, meaning they can only compensate by further improving this weapon’s firepower with its Long Barrel and Red Dot Sights upgrades.

The existing caveats for the SYG-12's strength mean that Ethan needs to know how to rotate around foes while the SYG-12 cycles through its shots, with the lack of quick thinking past obstacles becoming a fatal flaw. Should players become more familiar with the SYG-12's rhythm, eliminating opponents can become much easier regardless of the location.

SYG-12 Shotgun: What To Upgrade First

As the strongest Shotgun in the game, the SYG-12 is worth upgrading to secure its performance consistency. Since it’s already a semi-auto Shotgun, players should get more bullets for higher damage output - making Mag Capacity a priority. At base, even pushing as high as T3 Basic Mag Capacity (14 for 37+49K Lei) should give the SYG-12 more bullets than the other game’s Shotguns. Once they get the Drum Mag, pushing this attachment to T3 Drum Mag Capacity (34 for 37+49K Lei) will make breaking zombies much easier.

3 M851 Wolfsbane Magnum

An Expensive Boss Killer

The M851 Wolfsbane Magnum can only be obtained after defeating Moreau. Use the newly acquired Crank to access Moreau’s Lab and home. The Magnum will be labeled as Moreau’s Hidden Treasure on the overworld map. It’s in a treasure chest inside a locked house that Ethan can enter through the back.

Kill the Lycan inside and grab the Magnum. The Wolfsbane is extremely expensive to upgrade, but it’s the strongest gun players find before New Game Plus. Like in most Resident Evil games, players should save magnum ammo for bosses. This is why Power is the most important stat.

Gameplay Tips For M1851 Wolfsbane Magnum

The ridiculous firepower of the Wolfsbane Magnum can be made even more over-the-top with its Long Barrel upgrade, whereas boosting the Increased Capacity Cylinder can slowly unlock its infinite weapon variant in New Game Plus. Due to the expensive nature of these upgrades plus the limited ammo in the base game, the Wolfsbane is a recommended weapon only for bosses.

However, its sheer firepower can make the Wolfsbane a worthwhile ace in the hole against the game's tougher foes. Saving up ammo while building towards the Wolfsbane's upgrades can also give an incentive for players to practice cover-and-peek strategies in open areas, as well as secure more precision kills via stealth to conserve resources.

M851 Wolfsbane Magnum: What To Upgrade First

Given its status as an anti-boss weapon, a player’s first playthrough with the M851 should prioritize upgrading its damage output. Even securing T2 Basic Damage (1900 for 48K Lei) can make quick work of foes, with the T2 Long Barrel Basic Damage (2100 for 48K Lei) giving it a considerable damage boost. Other stats are negligible in terms of upgrades, as players only need to pack enough juice to eliminate bosses.

2 WCX Assault Rifle

A New Game Plus Assault Rifle Fit For Repeat Playthroughs

While the WCX Assault Rifle is a New Game Plus weapon, its base stats easily make it the game's best assault rifle. The WCX Assault Rifle costs 30,000 CP and can then be bought at the Duke for 200 Lei. The WCX has two attachments that players should purchase ASAP, but one should be ready to spend a lot of LEI. The Red Dot Sight increases the WCX’s Power and costs 140,000 Lei, whereas the Foregrip reduces recoils by a fair bit and costs 80,000 Lei.

With high Power and Ammo Capacity, most battles should be over before it is time to put in a new magazine. While donning the WCX Assault Rifle can become a breeze, the climb to its fully-kitted version can still make certain fights quite challenging if Ethan only depends on the AR without backing it up with other reliable guns like the V61 or even the M1911.

Gameplay Tips For WCX Assault Rifle

Considered the game’s best assault rifle, the post-game potential of the WCX Assault Rifle makes it an ideal mid-to-long-ranged companion. Upgrading it with its Red Dot Sight and Foregrip greatly enhances its recoil and firing rate, giving Ethan more room to be tactical in using the surroundings while dishing out precision shots.

Before its fully-kitted version, the WCX Assault Rifle can help Ethan take care of hordes when overwhelmed before resorting to a secondary for finishing foes that try to get up close and personal. Pairing the WCX Assault Rifle with an accessible shotgun could make clearing rooms much more efficient for Ethan.

WCX Assault Rifle: What To Upgrade First

Given its hefty upgrade costs, the WCX Assault Rifle is best upgraded from the perspective of making it capable to deal as much damage as possible. In this regard, boosting its damage output should be the priority. Players should save up for the Red Dot Sight (140K Lei) for the damage boost and the Foregrip (80K Lei) for the reduced recoil. This might cost a lot, but the power creep will be worth the while, especially when even T4 Red Dot Sight Damage (340 for 43+48+72K Lei) will outperform a fully-kitted V61 Custom.

1 STAKE Magnum

A New Game Plus Magnum That Can Obliterate Foes

The STAKE Magnum is the strongest weapon in Resident Evil Village but is only available for purchase in New Game Plus. The Duke will sell the STAKE for 300,000 Lei on any cleared files. The STAKE has two expensive attachments worth buying as well: the Extended Mag for 180,000 Lei and the Improved Grip for 120,000 Lei.

The STAKE is a weapon that will take a few playthroughs to buy, let alone upgrade, but it’s the perfect weapon to take on the higher difficulties. Like the prior magnum, players should make it as powerful as possible first to make short work of bosses. With it fully upgraded, even bosses on Nightmare Difficulty will be easy.

Gameplay Tips For STAKE Magnum

Given the nature of this weapon as a post-game unlock, the STAKE Magnum is built specifically for tougher challenges in New Game Plus. Since the STAKE already has a better firing rate with a larger magazine, it is the more optimal short-ranged burst weapon compared to the Magnum, especially when upgraded to its infinite weapon variant.

However, its playstyle is better when facing larger and tougher bosses in smaller spaces to give its burst shots room to hit foes. Given its expensive upgrades and the scarcity of ammo, the STAKE Magnum should be reserved solely for boss encounters while players get a more accessible gun like the V61 for rushdown strategies. When using the STAKE Magnum against bosses, it's more efficient to lure bosses to a corner or towards Ethan to guarantee shots.

STAKE Magnum: What To Upgrade First

Being both a New Game Plus weapon and a boss killer, upgrades for the STAKE Magnum should prioritize ease of handling and overall firepower. Its Extended Mag (18 for 180K Lei) and Improved Grip (120K Lei) can make this weapon a more consistent companion in higher difficulties. Before proceeding to Nightmare, it’s ideal for players to at least secure its T5 Basic Damage (4000 for 83+96+119+140K Lei) and T5 Reload Speed (1.9 for 33+42+56+70K Lei) for faster boss sweeps.

Resident Evil Village

Survival (dupe)

Horror

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:92%

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , PC

Released

May 7, 2021

Developer(s)

Capcom