15 Essential RE9 Beginner Tips You Need to Know
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is a challenging survival horror experience that blends stealth, action, and puzzle-solving across two playable characters. Whether you are stepping into the shoes of Grace Ashcroft or Leon S. Kennedy for the first time, these RE9 beginner tips will help you survive every encounter, manage your resources wisely, and uncover all the secrets Requiem has to offer. Read on for the most important RE9 tips for beginners before you start your playthrough.
What Is Resident Evil 9: Requiem?
Resident Evil 9: Requiem, released on February 27, 2026, is the latest mainline entry in Capcom's legendary survival horror franchise. The game features a dual-protagonist structure: Grace Ashcroft plays in a first-person stealth-horror style, while Leon S. Kennedy returns with a third-person action-focused perspective. Understanding the differences between these two characters is one of the most critical RE9 beginner tips you can learn early.
The game offers four difficulty modes: Casual, Standard Modern, Standard Classic, and Insanity (unlocked in New Game+). Choosing the right difficulty is essential, so pick Standard Modern if you want a balanced introduction, or Standard Classic for a traditional survival horror experience with limited saves.
💡Choose Your Difficulty Wisely
Standard Modern is recommended for most players. Standard Classic removes auto-saves and limits your ink ribbons. Save Insanity mode for your second playthrough after you have mastered the core mechanics.
How to Survive Your First Playthrough
Tip 1: Explore Every Room Thoroughly
RE9 rewards thorough exploration. Every drawer, shelf, and cabinet can contain crafting materials, ammo, or key items. During the Wrenwood Hotel chapter, pay special attention to locked rooms and breakable objects. Many players miss valuable resources because they rush through areas.
Tip 2: Master the Parry System Early
The parry mechanic in RE9 is a game-changer. Timing a parry correctly staggers enemies and opens them up for critical follow-up attacks. This works for both Grace and Leon, although the timing windows differ. Check our full parry guide for detailed frame data and practice strategies.
Tip 3: Manage Your Inventory Like a Pro
Inventory space is limited, especially on harder difficulties. Prioritize healing items and ammo for your strongest weapon. Craft items only when needed rather than stockpiling, because crafting materials take up less space than finished products.
| Item | Slots | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Handgun Ammo | 1 | High |
| Shotgun Shells | 1 | High |
| First Aid Spray | 1 | Medium |
| Herb (Green) | 1 | High |
| Crafting Materials | 1 | Medium |
| Grenade | 2 | Low (save for bosses) |
Tip 4: Save Powerful Ammo for Boss Fights
One of the most common mistakes among beginners is burning through shotgun shells and magnum rounds on regular enemies. Standard zombies and molded can be dealt with using the handgun or, better yet, avoided entirely with stealth. Save your heavy firepower for the boss encounters where it truly matters.
Tip 5: Use Stealth as Grace
Grace Ashcroft's sections emphasize stealth over combat. Crouching reduces your detection range, and many enemies have predictable patrol patterns. Learn the routes and slip past enemies rather than engaging. This preserves ammo and health for encounters where combat is unavoidable.
Tip 6: Craft Healing Items Strategically
Combining a Green Herb with a Red Herb creates a powerful full-heal mixture. If you have the option, always combine herbs rather than using them individually. Keep at least one full-heal combination in reserve for unexpected encounters.
Tip 7: Check Your Map Frequently
The in-game map color-codes rooms: blue rooms are fully explored, red rooms have items remaining, and gray rooms are undiscovered. Use this system to ensure you never leave a room with uncollected resources. This is one of the most practical RE9 beginner tips that veteran players also rely on.
Why These RE9 Beginner Tips Matter
Tip 8: Collect Everything for Completionists
RE9 features an extensive collectibles system including 25 Mr. Raccoon figurines, 75 Files, and 21 Antique Coins. Tracking these from the start saves you from replaying entire chapters later. Visit our Mr. Raccoon locations guide for a complete interactive checklist.
Tip 9: Upgrade Weapons at Every Opportunity
Weapon upgrades carry over into New Game+. Prioritize upgrading your handgun's firepower and reload speed first, since the handgun is your most-used weapon throughout the entire game. Antique Coins can be traded for exclusive weapon upgrades at specific vendors.
Tip 10: Break Every Crate and Barrel
Destructible environmental objects often contain ammo, crafting resources, or currency. The knife is your best friend here, as it costs no ammo to swing. Make a habit of smashing every breakable object you encounter.
⚠️Watch Your Knife Durability
Unlike previous Resident Evil games, the knife in RE9 has a durability meter. Repair it at workbenches regularly or you may find yourself without this critical tool during a key moment.
Tip 11: Pay Attention to Environmental Audio
Sound design in RE9 is a survival tool. Enemies produce distinct audio cues before attacking, and certain environmental sounds signal hidden items or approaching danger. Play with headphones for the best awareness and the full horror experience.
Tip 12: Unlock Shortcuts and Doors
Many areas in RE9 contain locked doors that serve as shortcuts once opened from the other side. Always prioritize finding and unlocking these routes. They dramatically cut down backtracking time and provide escape routes during intense encounters.
Tip 13: Read All Files and Notes
Files are not just collectibles. Many files contain puzzle hints, safe codes, and story context that make the game significantly easier. If you are stuck on a puzzle, chances are the solution is hidden in a file you picked up nearby.
Tip 14: Use the Best Weapons for Each Character
Grace and Leon have different weapon pools. Grace excels with lighter, faster weapons while Leon can wield heavier ordnance. Match your weapon choice to each character's strengths. Our best weapons guide breaks down optimal loadouts for every chapter.
Tip 15: Do Not Skip the Tutorial Sections
Even experienced Resident Evil players should pay attention to the tutorial prompts. RE9 introduces several new mechanics including the dual-character system, enhanced parrying, and a reworked crafting system. Skipping these tutorials means missing critical information about mechanics unique to Requiem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best difficulty for RE9 beginners?
Standard Modern is the best starting difficulty for most players. It offers auto-saves, a fair combat challenge, and enough resources to learn the game mechanics without constant frustration. RE9 beginner tips generally assume you are playing on Standard Modern or Standard Classic.
Can I switch characters freely in RE9?
No, character switches happen at predetermined story points. You cannot freely swap between Grace and Leon during gameplay. Each character has their own inventory and progression that carries forward independently.
How long does RE9 take to complete?
A first playthrough of Resident Evil 9: Requiem takes approximately 12 to 16 hours depending on your pace and exploration habits. Completionists aiming for all collectibles and achievements should expect 25 to 30 hours across multiple playthroughs.
Are these RE9 beginner tips spoiler-free?
Yes, all of the RE9 beginner tips in this guide are designed to help you without revealing major story beats, boss identities, or puzzle solutions. We focus on mechanics and strategies that enhance your experience from the very first chapter.
Armed with these 15 RE9 beginner tips, you are well-prepared to take on Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Start with the Wrenwood Hotel walkthrough for a step-by-step guide through the first chapter, or browse our boss guides to prepare for the toughest encounters in the game.