Resident Evil Village, which came out on May 7, 2021, has a relatively sizable arsenal compared to most other survival horror games, mostly due to parts of the gameplay harkening back to the action of Resident Evil 4. Most of the weapons you procure are bought from a mysterious merchant called the Duke, which also reminds one of Resident Evil 4's Merchant.

Related: Facts About Resident Evil Lore To Know Before Playing Resident Evil Village

Whether you are going through the game for the first time or just want to reminisce about the firepower Ethan Winters has during the journey, this list of the best weapons in Resident Evil Village should help. It sticks mostly with weapons you can get on a first playthrough, though a couple are unlocked only after beating the game.

Updated May 16, 2023, by Ben Jessey: The recent Resident Evil 4 remake was a wonderful addition to the iconic horror series. Yet, if you played it on release, you've probably reached the end of it or are at least close. Or perhaps you didn't get the game, but all the talk of Resident Evil has increased your interest in the series. Either way, your attention might now be drawn toward Resident Evil Village.

And if you're starting a playthrough of that game, you want to be well-equipped. Therefore, we returned to our list of best Resident Evil Village weapons to make sure it's as accurate as possible.

13 LZ Answerer

Double-Blade mode activated from the LZ Answerer in Resident Evil: Village.
  • Unlocked by beating every Mercenaries stage with an SS rank before buying it from the Extra Content Shop and then the Duke.

There are a surprising amount of laser swords in gaming outside of Star Wars games. Yet, most titles that include them pay homage to the iconic sci-fi series. This is clearly the case with the LZ Answerer.

While it has another name, it is essentially a lightsaber. It isn't as effective as the ones you see in Star Wars, but it still does some damage. The main reason it deserves appreciation, though, is because of how fun it is to use.

12 LEMI

Resident Evil Village LEMI examine menu
  • Can be upgraded with high capacity mag and recoil compensator
  • Maximum firepower: 160, ammo capacity: 22.

This starter handgun serves Ethan Winters well for a long time on any of the difficulties below hardcore. Once you start going into the harder modes, then it is pretty dinky even from the first enemy.

Until it gets some upgrades even the regular lycan enemies take a large handful of bullets to take down. As with many weapon classes, once the next gun is available, you'll want to leave the LEMI behind and use the next available pistol.

11 W870 TAC

W870 Tac resident evil 8 model
  • Found in a small house after leaving House Beneviento
  • Maximum firepower: 1280, ammo capacity:12

This is the second shotgun available to Ethan and unlocks after doing the House Beneviento. It is in a small house nearby the area. It is stronger and more useful all around than the M1897.

Shotguns in general only feel appropriate considering the setting. Nothing feels cooler than blasting demonic creatures like werewolves and vampires with a shotgun. Everyone knows a game is only as good as its worst shotgun, and shotguns in Resident Evil Village feel glorious.

10 M1911

Resident Evil M1911 examine
  • Found by opening the save in a workshop in the village, behind a gate with a red "do not enter" sign
  • Maximum firepower: 195, ammo capacity: 23

The second pistol is only unlockable after doing the castle, a section that was heavily featured in the game's marketing. It is an automatic pistol.

Related: Best Mods In Resident Evil Village

Though the rate of fire is not extremely fast, it is definitely a great upgrade and will probably serve as your go-to sidearm for most of the game afterward. With the add-on to stabilize recoil, it becomes easier to land several consecutive headshots once enemies come in close.

9 V61 Custom

Resident Evil Village Screenshot Of V61 Custom
  • Purchasable from the Duke in Heisenberg's Factory
  • Can Be Upgraded With Gunstock, Long Barrel, And Drum Magazine
  • Maximum firepower: 275, ammo capacity: 57.

Fully auto machine pistols in games generally excel in fire rate but are lacking in power. What makes the V61 Custom so good is that it doesn't have the firepower drawback.

This gun fires fast and deals significant damage in the process, which is why it's one of the most effective handguns in the game, especially when you've found the parts to modify it. The only issue is that it's a little pricy for a handgun, but it's worth the cost.

8 SYG-12

SYG-12 shotgun re village
  • Purchasable from the Duke in Heisenberg's Factory
  • Modifiable with the red dot sight, long barrel, and drum magazine
  • Maximum firepower: 1770, ammo capacity: 40

This is the last shotgun you receive during the main game and is not available until well over the halfway point. You can buy it from the Duke as you reach Heisenberg's Factory.

This segment is large and combat-intensive, so you'll be thankful for the extra firepower you get from this shotgun. Once you beat the game, new attachments become available that increase both the firepower and ammo capacity.

7 M1851 Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane M1851 Magnum examine
  • Found in Moreau's lab, which is accessed using a crank after the fight with him in the reservoir
  • upgradable with the long barrel and increased capacity cylinder
  • Maximum firepower: 5800, ammo capacity: 7

This magnum will most certainly save your life several times throughout a first playthrough. It is found after the boss fight with Moreau. Anyone who has played Resident Evil before knows magnum ammo is like gold and knows to save it for only the toughest encounters.

Against certain bosses, using the M1851 Wolfsbane will make them a cakewalk. After beating the game you even earn the ability to craft magnum ammunition.

6 Dragoon

Dragoon Resident Evil village
  • Bought in the extra content shop for 30,000 CP
  • A version with infinite ammo is available for 50,000 CP

The Dragoon is only usable in a certain segment of a first playthrough. We won't spoil exactly what the segment is, just in case you have yet to beat Resident Evil Village. After beating the game, you can buy the gun as a bonus and use it during all parts of the main game.

It is definitely worth doing, as its power and automatic fire make it especially useful. With this gun in tow, playing hardcore becomes significantly easier than a first playthrough.

5 GM79

Resident evil village GM79
  • In a house in the village north of East Old Town, unlocked with the Iron Insignia Key
  • has either explosive rounds or flashbangs

Grenade launchers are familiar to anyone who has played prior Resident Evil games. They are typically reserved for boss battles. You will probably want to do the same in Resident Evil Village, but they come in handy when groups of enemies come up to you.

It comes with two types of ammunition, one of which is flashbang rounds. These are great at breaking up a group of regular enemies.

4 Pipe Bombs

Resident Evil Village Pipe bomb
  • Crafted with two gunpowder, one rusted scrap, and one chem fluid
  • Can also be found or bought from the Duke

Pipe Bombs are arguably overpowered since they are easy to craft and incredibly powerful. Shotguns are not quite as useful for clearing a crowd as they are at taking down one enemy at a time.

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If three or more enemies are coming in close, roll a Pipe Bomb toward them. In most cases, it will kill all the enemies or at least heavily damage them. So, while they might not be the most original explosive in gaming, they're effective.

3 WCX

Resident Evil Village Screenshot Of WCX Assault Rifle
  • Can be unlocked from the bonus content store after completing the game before getting it from the Duke.
  • Can be upgraded with foregrip and red dot sight.
  • Maximum firepower: 400, ammo capacity: 80

The WCX assault rifle is a weapon that you can get on your initial playthrough. It only becomes available after you've beaten the story once. It's worth the wait, though. After all, this gun is among the best weapons in Resident Evil Village.

Its initial stats are okay, but the gun becomes a fast-firing powerhouse once you've upgraded it and equipped the attachments. Also, it's a very well-rounded weapon, as it's useful at either long or short range.

2 S.T.A.K.E.

S.T.A.K.E. Resident evil village
  • Bought after beating the game - the first time you see the Duke again
  • Maximum firepower: 4500, ammo capacity: 28

The Wolfsbane Magnum gets a lot of deserved praise. However, once you beat the game and unlock the ability to buy the S.T.A.K.E. you will leave the first magnum behind.

At its most powerful, the S.T.A.K.E. is almost twice as powerful as the M1851. The only drawback is the high cost. Still, halfway through a quick second playthrough, you should probably have enough to purchase it.

1 F2

F2 resident evil village
  • Found in the attic of Castle Dimitrescu
  • Maximum firepower: 1500, ammo capacity: 20

It might not seem like it at first, but the F2 will become a good friend during an initial playthrough of Resident Evil Village. Found in the castle before heading out onto the rooftops, the gun is designed for long-range shooting. However, you'll probably find yourself resorting to some no-scope shots when running low on handgun and shotgun ammunition.

It is pretty powerful at its base stats and only gets better with subsequent upgrades. Unlike other weapons classes, this is the only rifle available in Resident Evil Village.

Next: Scariest Monster Designs In Resident Evil Village