Picking out the Resident Evil Village’s best weapons is no easy task, especially considering the number of guns in this game. The options at display here ensure that different players have different opinions about what they prefer to take into combat.
Key Takeaways
Resident Evil Village offers a total of 17 weapons to enhance your survival. Here are some of the top firearms you can find in the game:
M1911: This secondary firearm has a decent fire rate and damage output. It can be found in the Village Workshop area.
W870 TAC: A powerful shotgun for short-range combat that can be found near House Benevento and customized with a Foregrip and Improved Gunstock.
Karambit Knife: This melee weapon packs more punch than the basic knife and looks cool.
I’ve summarized all the best weapons in Resident Evil Village in this table:
Weapons
Type
Best For
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
M1911
Pistol
The Best Handgun For Early-Game
160.0
0.27
2.9
7.0
W870 TAC
Shotgun
The Best Fire Rate In Shotguns
760.0
1.6
2.7
4.0
Karambit Knife
Knife
The Highest Damaging Knife In The Game
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
F2 Rifle
Sniper Rifle
The Best Weapon For Sniper Builds
600.0
2.0
3.7
4.0
GM 79
Grenade Launcher
The Best Weapon For AoE Damage
1200.0
N/A
2.7
1.0
Dragoon
Assault Rifle
The Best Fire Rate In Assault Rifles
350.0
0.11
2.9
30.0
M1851 Wolfsbane
Magnum
The Best Magnum For New Game
400.0
1.5
2.5
5.0
SYG-12
Automatic Shotgun
The Best Shotgun In Resident Evil Village
1160.0
1.4
3.5
10.0
WCX
Assault Rifle
The Best Damage Dealing Assault Rifle
250.0
0.15
3.2
20.0
S.T.A.K.E.
Magnum
The Highest Damage In Magnums
2000.0
1.3
2.7
10.0
1. M1911
The Best Handgun For Early-Game.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
M1911
160
0.27
2.9
7
Why I Chose This: M1911 can be obtained quite early in the game and offers great support by providing better stats than the starting handgun.
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Custom Parts:
M1911 – Improved Grip.
M1911 – High-Capacity Mag.
The M1911 is the second pistol you obtain in the game, found alongside the Jack Handle key item in the Village Workshop area.
To unlock the chest containing these items, use the combination 070408.
The M1911 functions as a standard handgun, offering improved damage and rate of fire compared to the starting LEMI pistol, albeit with a smaller ammo capacity of 7 rounds.
I recommend you to upgrade this weapon early, as it will likely become your primary handgun, given the abundance of handgun ammo available.
Can be acquired earlier and is a better replacement.
Is fully automatic, great to use against bigger foes.
Requires solving a puzzle to acquire which can be overlooked.
Has lower magazine than the first Handgun, thus requires upgrades.
2. W870 TAC
The Best Fire Rate In Shotguns.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
W870 TAC
760
1.6
2.7
4
Why I Chose This: W870 TAC is superior in every way than the starting shotgun rather it be dmg or rate of fire, thus making it a great option for close combat.
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Custom Parts:
W870 TAC – Foregrip.
W870 TAC – Improved Gunstock.
The W870 TAC is the second shotgun you can acquire in the game. It can be found after leaving House Beneviento and exploring previously inaccessible houses due to vines.
Compared to the initial M1897 shotgun, the W870 TAC offers significantly more power, a better rate of fire, and a slightly faster reload speed, but it holds one less shell in its chamber.
The increased damage makes it a valuable choice, becoming your primary shotgun until the end game. The W870 TAC is most effective in extremely close-quarters combat, allowing you to eliminate enemies before they reach you. Consider investing money at The Duke to upgrade the weapon’s stats, particularly its ammo capacity for tougher encounters.
Provides better all-around stats than the first shotgun.
Has high fire rate, dmg and spread, viable for crowd-control.
The attachements are needed for maximum dmg output.
Has considerably low ammo capacity, needs upgrades.
3. Karambit Knife
The Highest Damaging Knife In The Game.
Why I Chose This: Karambit Knife is both stylish and deadly with a unique moveset and high dmg that can easily defeat smaller enemies to save ammo.
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My one and only melee weapon in the Resident Evil Village Best Weapons guide is the Karambit Knife. This weapon is only available during a particular section of the story, but after that, it can be bought at the Extra Content Shop for 10,000 Completion Points after beating the game.
In all regards, this weapon functions identically to the default Knife given to you. It’s slightly more stylized and looks really nice, but apart from that, don’t expect anything particularly too wild.
However, the Karambit Knife does feature a distinct set of attack animations and deals significantly more damage to regular mob enemies compared to the basic knife. It can take down lycans in approximately 2-3 hits each, making it a valuable weapon when you run out of ammo and must resort to melee combat.
Has relatively high dmg, allowing you to conserve ammo.
Only occupies two spaces to equip. Slottable in any build.
Can only be used in New Game Plus.
Has shorter range than the normal knife.
4. F2 Rifle
The Best Weapon For Sniper Builds.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
F2 Rifle
600
2
3.7
4
Why I Chose This: F2 Rifle is the only rifle in the game and does the job of a sniping tool perfectly with high dmg and accuracy.
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Custom Parts:
F2 Rifle – High Magnification Scope.
F2 Rifle – Cheek Rest.
F2 Rifle – High-Capacity Mag.
The F2 Rifle is the sole sniper rifle in Resident Evil Village. You can find the F2 Rifle in a room located directly after the Attic section at Castle Dimitrescu, where it’s placed on a chair next to a suit of armor, making it hard to miss.
While the F2 Rifle’s base stats may not appear particularly impressive compared to other weapons, its true strength lies in long-range combat. Eliminating enemies without alerting them to your presence is a significant advantage. You can carefully aim for headshots and dispatch foes before they have a chance to retaliate. This approach can help you conserve health, especially on higher difficulty levels.
Even when forced to use the F2 Rifle in close quarters, it is surprisingly effective, although it’s not its intended purpose. You can significantly enhance your performance in subsequent playthroughs by locating custom parts for this weapon and upgrading it at The Duke to boost damage and ammo capacity.
Is the only option for sniping enemies in the game.
Baosts high dmg and an innate scope for increased accuracy.
The accuracy is greatly reduced without using the scope.
Has comparatively low magazine without upgrades.
5. GM 79 Grenade Launcher
The Best Weapon For AoE Damage.
Name
Explosive Power
Flashbang Power
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
GM 79 Grenade Launcher
1200
0
2.7
1
Why I Chose This: GM 79 Grenade Launcher can effertlessly clear multiple enemies and can also use flashbangs to stagger enemies for additional dmg.
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The GM 79 Grenade Launcher is another unique addition to my Resident Evil Village Best Weapons guide. You can acquire this weapon by venturing to a small locked building with a waterwheel located in the northern part of the East Old Town area. The entrance is secured and can only be unlocked with the Iron Insignia Key.
The GM 79 Grenade Launcher is a versatile weapon utilizing both Explosive and Flashbang rounds.
Explosive rounds inflict massive damage over a wide area, allowing you to eliminate or severely wound multiple enemies with a single shot.
Flashbang rounds, however, can stun numerous enemies, facilitating a quick escape from challenging situations.
Notably, the player remains immune to the effects of both ammo types.
Unlike most other weapons in the game, the GM 79 Grenade Launcher cannot be upgraded in any way. It lacks custom parts, and The Duke cannot enhance its capabilities. This limitation is reasonable because the weapon is already exceptionally potent, and further upgrades would unbalance the game.
Deals high dmg in an AoE, useful for clearing mobs.
Also uses flashbangs that can stun opponents for bonus dmg.
Is a special weapon, thus cannot be upgraded.
Requires reloading after every shot and the ammo is pretty rare.
6. Dragoon
The Best Fire Rate In Assault Rifles.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
Dragoon
350
0.11
2.9
30
Why I Chose This: Dragoon takes the spot as the best Assault Rifle as it has better stats than the other Rifle along with a high fire rate that can melt even bosses.
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The Dragoon, my first Assault Rifle weapon type on the list, is an incredibly potent weapon, but I am sorry to say that it’s only accessible during a specific section of the main campaign. Once this section is completed, the Dragoon becomes unavailable. However, after finishing the story once and unlocking the Extra Content Shop, you can purchase it for 30,000 Completion Points, making it available for subsequent playthroughs.
On regular difficulty settings, the Dragoon is a formidable firearm that allows you to mow down enemies effortlessly and is highly effective in taking down bosses as well.
However, the Dragoon comes with its limitations. It has no custom parts, and The Duke cannot upgrade it. Therefore, while it excels on normal difficulties, players looking to tackle more challenging modes may find it less effective. In such cases, opting for an upgradeable weapon is advisable.
Has very high fire rate and dmg, best to use in boss fights.
Possesses an innate sight for more accurate shooting.
Can niether be customized nor upgraded so your stuck with the innitial stats.
If missed, requires to be bought for a high price otherwise.
7. M1851 Wolfsbane Magnum
The Best Magnum For New Game.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
M1851 Wolfsbane Magnum
3400
1.5
2.5
5
Why I Chose This: M1851 Wolfsbane can provide the maximum single shot dmg in the first playthrough which enables it to oneshot even larger foes.
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Custom Parts:
M1851 Wolfsbane – Long Barrel.
M1851 Wolfsbane – Increased Capacity Cylinder.
Hands down, the M1851 Wolfsbane is the single most powerful handgun in the entire game in terms of raw stopping power. To get it, you first have to defeat Salvatore Moreau and then leave the Reservoir to find some abandoned houses nearby. The gun is in the house with the locked doors. A hole at the back of the building can allow you to access it.
Upgrading the M1851 Wolfsbane at The Duke increases its power, rate of fire, and reload speed, but the ammo capacity stays the same throughout. The only way to increase this a bit is by finding and installing the Increased Capacity Cylinder.
Has exceptionally high dmg that can be further boosted.
Shoots with consistant fire rate and has high magazine.
Requires defeating a legacy boss to obtain.
Has high recoil and reload time, thus needs to be used carefully.
8. SYG-12
The Best Shotgun In Resident Evil Village.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
SYG-12
1160
1.4
3.5
10
Why I Chose This: SYG-12 is the best overall shotgun in every aspect be it dmg, rate of fire and even ammo capacity, which outclasses every other shotgun.
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Custom Parts:
SYG-12 – Red Dot Sight.
SYG-12 – Long Barrel.
SYG-12 – Drum Magazine.
As far as shotguns go, you cannot do better than the SYG-12. This end-game weapon can be bought from The Duke after you reach Heisenberg’s Factory.
Unlike the pump-action shotguns, this variation is automatic and deals tremendous damage even before being upgraded.
It also has a fantastic starting ammo capacity and rate of fire.
It costs significant money to upgrade the SYG-12, but I must say, it is absolutely worth it. Because starting from the point where it becomes available to you, the game throws a number of extremely combat-heavy encounters your way.
Relatively high magazine, fire rate and reload speed.
The upgrades increase the dmg output considerably.
Is essentially an end-game weapon.
Requires over a million money to fully upgrade.
9. WCX
The Best Damage Dealing Assault Rifle.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
WCX
250
0.15
3.2
20
Why I Chose This: WCX can provide more dmg than Dragoon as it can be upgraded, this quality makes it a better assault rifle in high-end builds.
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Custom Parts:
WCX – Foregrip.
WCX – Red Dot Sight.
The WCX is a reliable assault rifle that you can unlock for use in the campaign by purchasing it in the Extra Content Shop for 30,000 Completion Points after beating the story at least once. The WCX offers decent damage output and is a solid choice for those who prefer automatic firearms.
You can further enhance the WCX’s performance by customizing it with options like the Foregrip and Red Dot Sight. These upgrades can make the WCX a more effective and versatile weapon as you take on various threats.
Can be upgraded which makes it superior than Dragoon.
Has high dmg and doesn’t consume that much ammo.
Upgrades are necessary which are very expensive.
Can only be used in subsequent playthroughs.
10. S.T.A.K.E.
The Highest Damage In Magnums.
Name
Power
Rate of Fire
Reload Speed
Ammo Capacity
S.T.A.K.E.
2000
1.3
2.7
10
Why I Chose This: S.T.A.K.E stands out to be one of the best weapons for one shot builds due to its extreme power and stagger dmg along with a huge magazine.
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Custom Parts:
S.T.A.K.E. – Improved Grip.
S.T.A.K.E. – High-Capacity Mag.
My second magnum on the list is the S.T.A.K.E. You can only get this after beating the campaign and starting a New Game+, at which point The Duke will sell it when you meet him before entering Castle Dimitrescu.
Compared to the M1851 Wolfsbane, the S.T.A.K.E. does not do nearly as much damage. In fact, it takes around three upgrades before surpassing the other magnum’s base damage. At first glance, it seems fairly obvious which weapon is the superior among the two.
But unlike the M1851 Wolfsbane, which cannot hold more than 7 bullets at a time, the S.T.A.K.E. is able to hold a whopping 28 rounds when fully upgraded. At the max level, it also has an increased reload speed, Rate of fire, and the differences between the power values don’t seem so stark anymore.
Deals the highest single shot dmg in the game.
Has very large ammo capacity which is further increasable.
Has the most expensive upgrades out of all weapons.
Can only be utilize after beating the game once.
Alternative Weapons
Here are some other weapons in Resident Evil Village that I haven’t included in my list, yet you can use them to enhance your survival.
LEMI: A Semi-auto pistol. Good damage and accuracy but no automatic firing.
Samurai Edge: A powerful custom handgun but it is only obtainable as part of a DLC.
V61 Machine Pistol: A high-powered, fully automatic machine pistol with increased firepower.
My Personal Weapons Preferences During My Playthrough
The V61 Custom is definitely the strongest handgun in the first playthrough, and the USM-AI was my go-to for new gameplus. The USM-AI is extremely overpowered and helped me clear the Village of Shadows difficulty. I would recommend you get your hands on the sniper rifle and the grenade launcher as soon as you can because these will deal maximum damage to bosses.
As for the shotgun, I ran most of my mid-game with the W-870 Tac and switched to the SYG-12 for my end-game. The Wolfsbane is more than enough for a magnum in Resident Evil Village, and I personally found myself not using assault rifles much.
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Haris Umer is a Guides Writer on eXputer who can be seen torturing himself by playing FromSoftware’s offering of Souls games. He speaks about games with overwhelming passion, which readers can spot in his guides. Haris has been avidly playing video games for 15+ years now. You can learn more about his gaming experience through his PSNand Steamprofiles.
Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelors In Medicine And Surgery.
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