Best Weapons in RE9: Tier List & Upgrade Priority
Choosing the right weapons and knowing which ones to upgrade first can make or break your Resident Evil 9: Requiem experience. This RE9 best weapons tier list ranks every firearm and melee weapon for both Leon and Grace, with detailed upgrade priorities to help you spend your resources wisely. Whether you are on your first playthrough or optimizing for Insanity difficulty, this guide has you covered.
RE9 Weapon Tier List Overview
Weapons in RE9 are split between the two playable characters. Leon has access to a wider arsenal of firearms suited to his action-oriented gameplay, while Grace relies on a smaller but more versatile set of weapons complemented by her extensive crafting system. Below is the complete tier ranking.
| Tier | Weapon | Character | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Requiem Revolver | Leon | Magnum | Highest single-shot damage in the game |
| S | W870 Police Shotgun | Leon | Shotgun | Best crowd control, wide spread |
| S | Requiem Magnum | Grace | Magnum | Grace's strongest weapon, late-game |
| A | S&S M232 | Grace | Handgun | Fast fire rate, great accuracy |
| A | PVD Barrel | Leon | Attachment | Precision attachment, boosts crit rate |
| A | Hatchet | Leon | Melee | Parry tool + stealth kills, upgrade first |
| B | Standard Handgun | Both | Handgun | Reliable, ammo is abundant |
| B | Sniper Rifle | Leon | Rifle | Situational but powerful at range |
| C | Survival Knife | Grace | Melee | Limited durability, craft replacements |
Leon's Best Weapons
Requiem Revolver (S-Tier)
The Requiem Revolver is Leon's signature weapon and the single most powerful gun in the game. It deals massive damage per shot, capable of staggering even armored enemies in one or two hits. The trade-off is limited ammo capacity and slow reload speed, both of which can be mitigated through upgrades.
Where to find: Automatically acquired during the Cathedral chapter after the Commander encounter.
💡Upgrade Priority: Reload Speed First
The Requiem Revolver's biggest weakness is its reload time. Investing your first two upgrade nodes into reload speed transforms it from a situational powerhouse into a consistent damage dealer. Firepower upgrades come second since the base damage is already excellent.
W870 Police Shotgun (S-Tier)
The W870 is Leon's best general-purpose weapon. Its wide spread makes it ideal for hallway encounters where multiple enemies approach simultaneously. Fully upgraded, the W870 can one-shot standard enemies at close range and deals devastating damage to bosses during stagger windows.
Where to find: Located in the Police Station armory during the Wrenwood Hotel chapter.
Hatchet (A-Tier, Upgrade Priority #1)
The Hatchet deserves special attention because it serves double duty as both a melee weapon and your primary parry tool. Upgrading the Hatchet increases its durability, parry window, and melee damage. Because parrying is central to Leon's combat on higher difficulties, the Hatchet should be your very first upgrade priority even before firearms.
⚠️Hatchet Durability Warning
The Hatchet loses durability with every parry and melee attack. On Insanity difficulty, you can burn through an unupgraded Hatchet in a single boss fight. Upgrade durability to at least level 3 before attempting major encounters.
PVD Barrel (A-Tier)
The PVD Barrel is an attachment rather than a standalone weapon. It can be equipped on Leon's handgun or revolver to dramatically increase precision and critical hit rate. With the PVD Barrel attached to the Requiem Revolver, you get a weapon that combines extreme damage with pinpoint accuracy.
Grace's Best Weapons
Requiem Magnum (S-Tier)
Grace's equivalent of the Requiem Revolver, the Requiem Magnum is acquired late in the game and hits almost as hard. It features a slightly faster fire rate than Leon's revolver but lower per-shot damage. Grace's crafting abilities mean you can manufacture magnum ammo more readily than Leon can find it.
Where to find: Acquired during the Laboratory chapter, inside the Spencer Archive vault.
S&S M232 Handgun (A-Tier)
The M232 is Grace's primary firearm for the majority of the game. It fires faster than the standard handgun and has excellent accuracy, making it ideal for headshots during stealth encounters that go wrong. Upgrade the M232's capacity and fire rate first.
Survival Knife (C-Tier but Essential)
Grace's knife has limited durability and low damage, but it is essential for stealth kills and breaking environmental objects. Unlike Leon's Hatchet, Grace's knife cannot parry. However, Grace can craft replacement knives at workbenches, so durability is less of a long-term concern.
Upgrade Priority Order
Here is the recommended upgrade order across both characters for a first playthrough:
- Hatchet (Leon) - Durability and parry window
- S&S M232 (Grace) - Capacity and fire rate
- W870 Shotgun (Leon) - Firepower and spread
- Requiem Revolver (Leon) - Reload speed and firepower
- Requiem Magnum (Grace) - Firepower and reload speed
- Standard Handgun (Both) - Only if excess resources
Best Loadout by Difficulty
For Standard difficulty, focus on the handgun and shotgun. These weapons have abundant ammo throughout the game and handle every encounter comfortably.
For Insanity difficulty, you need the Requiem Revolver and W870 fully upgraded. Consider unlocking infinite ammo for the handgun before attempting Insanity to conserve your premium ammo for bosses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weapon in RE9?
The Requiem Revolver is Leon's best weapon and the highest single-shot damage dealer in the game. For Grace, the Requiem Magnum fills the same role. Both are S-tier weapons acquired in the later chapters.
Should I upgrade the Hatchet first in RE9?
Yes. The Hatchet is upgrade priority number one because it doubles as your parry tool. Investing in Hatchet durability and parry window early pays dividends throughout the entire game, especially on harder difficulty modes.
What is the PVD Barrel in RE9?
The PVD Barrel is a precision attachment that can be equipped on Leon's handgun or revolver. It increases accuracy and critical hit rate, making it one of the best attachments in the game for players who prefer aimed shots over rapid fire.
Can Grace use Leon's weapons in RE9?
No. Each character has their own weapon pool and inventory. Weapons cannot be traded between Grace and Leon. This means you need to plan upgrade paths separately for each character.
Pair this weapon knowledge with our parry guide to maximize Leon's combat effectiveness, or check the infinite ammo guide to unlock unlimited firepower for your favorite weapons on subsequent playthroughs.