Capcom's Resident Evil 4 remake has not only given players a way to relive one of the best games ever made in the survival horror genre, but also one of the best modern games in the genre itself. Much of it has to do with Leon's revamped journey in rural Spain and the fight against the infected, which makes for an exciting time during every encounter.
It definitely also helps that the hero has access to a variety of weapons that just feels great to use to blast the Las Plagas parasites to smithereens. For players seeking to find out which are the best firearms to bring on the next leg of their adventure, this Weapons Tier List for Resident Evil 4 will come in handy.
Best Weapons in Resident Evil 4 Remake in Tiers
In the game, players will gain access to a variety of weapons, and they can largely be broken down into seven different weapon types. This includes handguns, magnums, rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, knives, and other weapons.
The Weapon Tier List will break down each category from best to worst in each category as well as overall, so players can have an easier time picking their preferred loadout to help Leon save Ashley. DLC weapons are not considered in the list.
Handguns
- Red9 with Stock - S-Tier
- Blacktail - S-Tier
- SG-09 R - A-Tier
- Matilda with Stock - B-Tier
- Punisher - C-Tier
By upgrading the Red9 and adding the stock to it, players have an excellent handgun with stopping power that is both accurate and shoot relatively fast. Use it for precise headshots and to blow kneecaps out, allowing for easy melee attacks to finish the job.
Shotguns
- Striker - S-Tier
- Riot Gun - B-Tier
- W-870 - C-Tier
The Striker brings a powerful shotgun with a wide spread, ideal for dealing with crowds of enemies that are getting too close for comfort.
Rifles
- Stingray - S-Tier
- CQBR - B-Tier
- SR M1903 - C-Tier
With its semi-automatic design, the Stingray combines firepower, firing rate, and accuracy in an excellent package. Although the SR M1903 packs more punch, its slowness counts against it.
Submachine Guns
- LE 5 - A-Tier
- Chicago Sweeper (fully upgraded with unlimited ammo) - A-Tier
- TMP with Stock - B-Tier
A submachine gun is good in a pinch, but otherwise not as useful as other weapons in Leon's arsenal. The LE 5 does a great job as a backup to the handgun, and so does the Chicago Sweeper if it's fully upgraded.
Magnums
- Killer7 - A-Tier
- Handcannon (fully upgraded with unlimited ammo) - B-Tier
- Broken Butterfly - C-Tier
Similarly, for the Magnums, it can be hard to justify both the firing rate as well as accuracy over the other weapons. It might do for slower enemies, and the unlimited ammo sounds great on paper, but the hefty investment makes this weapon class more of a luxury.
Knives
- Primal Knife (fully upgraded to be indestructible) - S-Tier
- Fighting Knife - A-Tier
- Combat Knife - B-Tier
By destroying all the Clockwork Castellans, players will gain access to the Primal Knife, which comes with the excellent bonus of being indestructible if upgraded fully. This is extremely helpful in future runs, so there is always an escape from grabs and no need to spend extra cash to repair the knife.
Others
- Infinite Rocket Launcher - S-Tier
- Bolt Thrower - A-Tier
- Rocket Launcher - B-Tier
If only it was simple to reduce every enemy in the game to a pulp with just one shot. Actually, that is exactly the case with the Infinite Rocket Launcher. It costs plenty and can only be obtained in New Game+. For a more reasonable option, the Bolt Thrower allows for stealth and can be enhanced with explosives. The normal Rocket Launcher is rare and costly, but it works wonders when dealing with certain bosses.
Resident Evil 4 (2023) is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.