RE9 Crafting Guide: All Recipes & Materials
Crafting is a core survival mechanic in Resident Evil 9: Requiem, and the system differs significantly between the two playable characters. This RE9 crafting guide covers every recipe available to both Grace and Leon, explains where to find key materials, and provides strategies for resource management across all difficulty modes. Mastering the crafting system is essential for surviving Insanity difficulty and optimizing your inventory.
How Crafting Works in RE9
Both Grace and Leon can craft items at workbenches scattered throughout the game, but their crafting menus are fundamentally different. Grace has a significantly more extensive crafting system that includes knives, medical injectors, and weapon upgrade nodes. Leon's crafting is more traditional, focusing on ammunition and combat items like grenades.
Crafting materials are found throughout every area by searching drawers, cabinets, crates, and environmental objects. Materials take up less inventory space than finished products, so carry raw materials and craft on demand rather than stockpiling finished items.
💡Craft at Workbenches, Not in the Field
Unlike some crafting systems, RE9 only allows crafting at workbenches. You cannot craft items from your inventory during gameplay. Plan your workbench visits carefully and craft what you need before entering dangerous areas.
Grace's Crafting Recipes
Grace has the more versatile crafting system, reflecting her resourceful survival-horror playstyle. She can craft items that Leon cannot access at all.
| Item | Materials Required | Craft Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handgun Ammo (x15) | Gunpowder + Casing | High | Primary ammo source |
| Shotgun Shells (x5) | Gunpowder + Strong Casing | Medium | Save for tough encounters |
| Medical Injector | Chem Fluid + Green Herb | High | Full heal, Grace exclusive |
| Stimulant Injector | Chem Fluid + Red Herb | Medium | Temporary damage boost |
| Replacement Knife | Scrap Metal x2 | High | Grace exclusive, essential |
| Upgrade Node | Scrap Metal + Refined Parts | High | Weapon upgrades, Grace only |
| Smoke Bomb | Chem Fluid + Gunpowder | Low | Stealth escape tool |
| Explosive Trap | Gunpowder x2 + Scrap Metal | Low | Area denial |
Grace's Unique Crafting Items
Medical Injector: Grace's signature healing item. It provides a full heal and is more inventory-efficient than carrying multiple herbs. Always craft these when you have surplus Chem Fluid and Green Herbs.
Replacement Knife: Grace's survival knife has limited durability, and crafting replacements is essential. Keep at least one spare knife in your inventory at all times. Without a knife, you lose access to stealth kills and object interaction.
Upgrade Nodes: Grace can craft weapon upgrade nodes from Scrap Metal and Refined Parts. This is a significant advantage over Leon, who can only find upgrade nodes as fixed pickups. Prioritize crafting upgrade nodes for Grace's best weapons whenever you have excess materials.
⚠️Do Not Waste Refined Parts
Refined Parts are the rarest crafting material in the game. They are only used for crafting Upgrade Nodes, which permanently increase weapon stats. Never use Refined Parts for other recipes and always save them for upgrade nodes.
Leon's Crafting Recipes
Leon's crafting is more straightforward and combat-focused. He has fewer recipes but they are all immediately useful in firefights.
| Item | Materials Required | Craft Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handgun Ammo (x20) | Gunpowder + Casing | High | More per craft than Grace |
| Shotgun Shells (x7) | Gunpowder + Strong Casing | High | Leon's primary weapon ammo |
| Hand Grenade | Gunpowder x2 + Casing | Medium | Crowd control |
| Flash Grenade | Chem Fluid + Casing | Medium | Stuns all enemies briefly |
| First Aid Spray | Chem Fluid + Green Herb x2 | High | Full heal |
| Enhanced Ammo (x5) | Gunpowder x2 + Strong Casing | Low | High-damage rounds |
Leon's Crafting Strategy
Leon's crafting prioritizes ammunition. On Standard difficulty, craft handgun ammo liberally and save Strong Casings for shotgun shells before boss encounters. On Insanity difficulty, grenades become more valuable because they create breathing room when overwhelmed.
Material Locations and Farming
Crafting materials respawn in fixed locations and are also found in breakable objects. Here are the best areas to farm each material type:
- Gunpowder: Abundant in military-themed areas. The Care Center basement has the highest concentration
- Chem Fluid: Found in medical areas and laboratories. Grace's sections tend to have more
- Scrap Metal: Breakable crates and barrels throughout all areas
- Strong Casings: Rarer, found primarily in weapon storage rooms and police areas
- Refined Parts: Extremely rare. Fixed spawn locations only, roughly 12 total per playthrough
Crafting Strategies by Difficulty
Casual and Standard Modern
Craft freely. Materials are abundant and you will rarely run out. Focus on keeping your ammo topped off and craft healing items as needed.
Standard Classic
Resources are tighter. Follow the 60/40 rule: spend 60% of materials on ammunition and 40% on healing. Craft grenades only before boss fights. Save all Refined Parts for upgrade nodes.
Insanity Difficulty
Every material counts. On Insanity, enemy spawns change and some item locations shift. The crafting economy is designed to keep you perpetually on the edge of running out. Key strategies:
- Never craft ammo for weapons you are not actively using
- Save all grenades for boss fights and ambush encounters
- Grace should prioritize Medical Injectors over Smoke Bombs
- Leon should prioritize Shotgun Shells over Hand Grenades
For more Insanity-specific advice, read our difficulty guide.
Inventory Management for Crafting
Effective crafting requires smart inventory management. Here are the golden rules:
- Carry materials, not products: Raw materials stack better than finished items
- Craft at every workbench: Do not walk past a workbench without at least checking your material supply
- Combine herbs immediately: Green + Red Herb combinations provide the best healing value per inventory slot
- Discard situational items: If you are carrying Smoke Bombs but have not used one in three areas, drop them and craft something useful
Check our beginner tips for more inventory management advice that complements these crafting strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you craft anywhere in RE9?
No. Crafting is only available at workbenches. You cannot craft items from your inventory in the field. Plan your crafting before entering dangerous areas and always top off supplies at every workbench you encounter.
Does Grace craft differently than Leon in RE9?
Yes. Grace has a significantly more extensive crafting system that includes knives, medical injectors, stimulant injectors, and weapon upgrade nodes. Leon's crafting is limited to ammunition, grenades, and healing items. This reflects their different gameplay styles.
What is the rarest crafting material in RE9?
Refined Parts are the rarest material. There are approximately 12 per playthrough in fixed locations. They should only be used for crafting Upgrade Nodes (or Magnum Ammo in New Game Plus). Never waste Refined Parts on other recipes.
Should I craft ammo or healing items first in RE9?
On Standard difficulty, prioritize ammo since healing items are plentiful as pickups. On Insanity difficulty, prioritize healing because enemy damage is extreme and you need to survive long enough to use your weapons effectively.
With these crafting strategies mastered, complement your survival knowledge with the best weapons tier list to ensure you are upgrading the right weapons, or visit our beginner tips for a full overview of all core mechanics.