RE9 Inventory Tips: Grace vs Leon Storage Guide
RE9 inventory management is one of the most critical survival skills in Resident Evil 9: Requiem. The game features two completely different inventory systems depending on which character you are playing. Grace Ashcroft uses a classic slot-based system reminiscent of earlier Resident Evil titles, while Leon S. Kennedy returns with the grid-based attaché case from RE4. Understanding both systems and how to optimize your carrying capacity will save you from countless frustrating backtracking trips and ensure you always have the right items when they matter most.
Grace's Inventory System: Classic 8-Slot
Grace starts with 8 inventory slots, a deliberate callback to the classic Resident Evil formula. Each item occupies exactly one slot regardless of size, making item management straightforward but restrictive. Slots can be expanded through inventory packs found during exploration.
Slot Expansion Locations
Grace can expand her inventory to a maximum of 14 slots by finding Inventory Expansion Packs hidden throughout the game. Each pack adds 2 additional slots.
| Expansion Pack | Location | Chapter | New Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack #1 | Grace Orphanage, locked cabinet in the attic | Chapter 1 | 10 slots |
| Pack #2 | Wrenwood Hotel, Room 108 behind breakable wall | Chapter 2 | 12 slots |
| Pack #3 | Care Center, Director's Office desk drawer | Chapter 3 | 14 slots |
⚠️Do Not Miss Pack #1
The first Inventory Expansion Pack in the Orphanage attic is easy to miss because the attic is an optional area. Make sure to explore it before leaving Chapter 1, as the extra 2 slots make a significant difference during the Wrenwood Hotel chapter.
Grace's Optimal Loadout
With limited slots, Grace needs to be selective about what she carries. Here is the recommended loadout for each phase of the game.
| Slot | Early Game (8 slots) | Mid Game (12 slots) | Late Game (14 slots) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Handgun | Handgun | Handgun |
| 2 | Handgun Ammo | Shotgun | Shotgun |
| 3 | Knife | Handgun Ammo | Magnum |
| 4 | Green Herb | Shotgun Shells | Handgun Ammo |
| 5 | First Aid Spray | Knife | Shotgun Shells |
| 6 | Key Item | Green+Red Herb Mix | Magnum Ammo |
| 7 | Crafting Materials | First Aid Spray | Knife |
| 8 | Hemolytic Injector | Key Item | Green+Red Herb Mix |
| 9 | — | Crafting Materials | First Aid Spray |
| 10 | — | Hemolytic Injector | Grenade |
| 11 | — | Grenade | Key Item |
| 12 | — | Key Item (spare) | Crafting Materials |
| 13 | — | — | Hemolytic Injector |
| 14 | — | — | Key Item (spare) |
Leon's Inventory System: Attaché Case Grid
Leon's inventory uses a 7x10 grid-based attaché case inspired by Resident Evil 4. Items occupy different amounts of grid space based on their physical size, and items can be rotated to fit more efficiently. This system offers more total capacity than Grace's slots but requires active spatial management.
Key Differences from Grace
- Items have variable sizes: A handgun takes 2x3 cells, a shotgun takes 2x8 cells, and herbs take 1x1
- Items can be rotated 90 degrees to optimize space
- No expansion packs: Leon's case size is fixed at 7x10 (70 cells)
- Auto-sort button: Press the designated button to automatically arrange all items optimally
💡Use Auto-Sort Frequently
Leon's auto-sort function is incredibly efficient and can free up space you did not realize you had. Press it every time you pick up a new item or after crafting. Many players waste time manually arranging items when auto-sort would have solved the problem instantly.
Item Sizes Reference
| Item | Grid Size | Total Cells | Carry Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handgun | 2x3 | 6 | Always carry |
| Shotgun | 2x8 | 16 | Always carry |
| Rifle | 1x9 | 9 | Situational |
| Magnum | 2x4 | 8 | Boss fights only |
| Ammo (any type) | 1x1 | 1 | High |
| Green Herb | 1x1 | 1 | High |
| Red Herb | 1x1 | 1 | High (combine immediately) |
| First Aid Spray | 1x2 | 2 | Medium |
| Grenade | 1x2 | 2 | Medium |
| Knife | 1x3 | 3 | High |
| Key Item | 1x1 to 2x2 | Varies | Use ASAP and discard |
Universal Inventory Tips
These strategies apply to both Grace and Leon and will help you maximize your carrying efficiency throughout the entire game.
Craft Before You Carry
Raw crafting materials take up less space than finished products in Grace's system, and individual herb components are smaller than combined mixtures in Leon's case. However, you should craft immediately when you have a useful combination ready, because the resulting item is more useful per slot than the raw ingredients sitting separately.
Use Storage Boxes Strategically
Storage boxes are shared between Grace and Leon, and they appear at every safe room. Deposit items you do not need immediately, especially key items for puzzles you have not yet reached. A common mistake is carrying three key items through combat sections when you only need one.
Prioritize Weapon Ammo by Character
Grace should prioritize handgun and shotgun ammo since her stealth-focused gameplay means fewer overall encounters. Leon should carry a wider ammo variety because his action-oriented sections have more diverse enemy types requiring different weapon approaches. For detailed weapon recommendations, see our best weapons guide.
Sell Treasures to Merchants (Leon Only)
Leon encounters merchants during his campaign chapters. Treasure items like gemstones and antiques have no use other than selling for currency. Never store these in the storage box thinking they will be useful later. Sell them immediately to free inventory space and earn money for weapon upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Grace and Leon share items through storage boxes?
Yes, the storage box is shared between both characters. Items deposited by Grace can be retrieved by Leon and vice versa. This is useful for transferring ammo or crafting materials between campaigns. The storage box appears in every safe room marked on your map.
What happens if my inventory is full and I find a key item?
If your inventory is full when you find a mandatory key item, the game will prompt you to swap it with an existing item or access the nearest storage box. On Standard Modern difficulty, a temporary overflow slot activates. On Standard Classic and Insanity, you must make room manually.
Should I keep the knife or drop it for more ammo?
Always keep the knife. It is essential for breaking crates, performing ground finishes to prevent Blisterhead mutations, and serves as a last-resort weapon. The knife saves more ammo than the slot it occupies would hold in ammunition.
Does the Hemolytic Injector take an inventory slot?
Yes, Grace's Hemolytic Injector occupies one inventory slot. However, it is essentially mandatory for preventing Blisterhead mutations in later chapters, so treat it as a permanent fixture in your loadout.
Efficient RE9 inventory management is the difference between a smooth playthrough and constant frustration. Master both Grace's slot system and Leon's attaché case grid, and you will always have the right tools for every encounter. For more fundamental survival strategies, read our beginner tips guide, or check the crafting guide for optimal recipe combinations.