Summary
In theResident Evil 4remake, Exclusive Upgrades represent the ultimate enhancements for weapons, granting them unique abilities. These abilities come in six types: increased firepower, additional ammo capacity, boosted critical hit rate, enhanced penetration, faster rate of fire or attack speed, and unlimited ammo or indestructibility.
Two key factors make it difficult for players to decide which Exclusive Upgrades to invest in:
Before diving into the best Exclusive Upgrades in theResident Evil 4 remake, here’s a table summarizing all the available enhancements:
5x Penetration
1.5x Firepower
2x Firepower
2X Rate of Fire
Primal knife
2x Power
7LE5
Exclusive Upgrade: Penetrate Through Five Targets
SMGs have historically struggled againstResident Evil 4’s enemiesdue to their subpar firepower. However, the LE5 stands out from its counterparts primarily because of its effectiveness against Regeneradors. With its Exclusive Upgrade, which boosts its penetration power by five times, the LE5 becomes a formidable weapon that no group of Regeneradors can withstand.
Players shouldequip the LE5 with the Biosensor Scopeto optimize it for Regenerador hunting. But even without this attachment, a fully upgraded LE5 with enhanced penetration is invaluable. Its bullets can pierce shields and hit enemies lined up, offering crowd-control capabilities on par with a powerful shotgun.
6SG-09 R
Exclusive Upgrade: Increase Critical Hit Rate by 5x
A fivefold increase in critical hit rate might not seem like an enticing upgrade for a handgun like the SG-09 R at first. However, this subtle enhancement elevates the gunplay significantly, making it well worth the investment. Firing the Silver Ghost with itsExclusive Upgradedelivers a deeply satisfying experience, especially with the frequent headshot bursts players can land.
While the SG-09 R isn’tthe most powerful handgun in theResident Evil 4remake, some may question its long-term value. But when used for high-accuracy shooting, with a focus on landing headshots rather than sheer damage, the SG-09 R can surpass even the Red9 in effectiveness.
5Riot Gun
Exclusive Upgrade: Increase Firepower by 1.5x
The Riot Gun has earned its reputation asthe best shotgun in theResident Evil 4remake for two key reasons: its high knockback power and above-average firepower. When fully upgraded to level five, it boasts 12.8 firepower, making it the second-strongest shotgun. However, its Exclusive Upgrade boosts this to 19.2, making it the most powerful shotgun in the game, with the Striker trailing at 16.2 firepower.
Investing inthe Riot Gun is well worth it, not only because of its strength but also due to the sheer enjoyment it offers. The sound, the knockback, and the way it dismantles enemies provide a pure rush of adrenaline.
4SR M1903
Exclusive Upgrade: Increase Firepower by 2x
Veteran players instinctively recognize the SR M1903’s potential to become themost powerful rifle in theResident Evil 4remake. Its primary drawback is its bolt-action mechanism, requiring the player to manually chamber each round after firing. However, this limitation is offset by its immense firepower, making the SR M1903 the deadliest rifle in the game. With its Exclusive Upgrade, the SR M1903 reaches a staggering 10.6 power, the highest among all rifles.
In comparison, the fully upgraded SR M1903 far surpasses the game’s two prominent assault rifles: the Stingray maxes out at 4.9 per shot, while the CQBR reaches 5.1. This substantial power difference makes the SR M1903 the ideal choice for players who seek the satisfaction of one-shot sniper kills.
3Red9
The Red9 was nerfed in theResident Evil 4remake, with its maximum firepower reduced to 4.05 from the original 5.00—far below the 6.5 it reached in some earlier versions. Despite this reduction, the Red9 remains the most powerful handgun in the game, even without its Exclusive Upgrade. At level five, its firepower sits at 2.7, a level unmatched by any other handgun. However, the Exclusive Upgrade’s 1.5x power boost transforms it into a true skull crusher.
Aside from its power, the Red9 is a stylish handgun that can be paired with a wooden stock, giving Leon a distinctive shooting stance. Even better,players can acquire this unique weapon for free in Chapter Fourafter defeating the lake monster, Del Lago.
2Handcannon
Exclusive Upgrade: Give This Gun Unlimited Ammo
TheHandcannon is a bonus weaponthat many players might not access during their first playthrough, but once unlocked, it opens the door to a whole new gameplay experience: speedrunning theResident Evil 4remake. Its Exclusive Upgrade—granting infinite ammo—allows players to decimate any enemy type with just one or two shots, making it possible to complete the campaign in mere hours.
What makes the Handcannon truly worthy of using Exclusive Upgrade tickets is its overwhelming firepower. With a staggering 36.00 firepower, it’s essentially a pocket-sized rocket launcher capable of downing the toughest bosses in seconds. Now, imagine combining this devastating magnum with infinite ammo—it’s a weapon that strikes terror into the hearts of the Ganados.
1Primal Knife
Exclusive Upgrade: Make This Knife Indestructible
In theResident Evil 4remake, the best Exclusive Upgrade is the Primal Knife’s indestructibility. This enhancement ensures the knife never breaks, giving players unlimited parries and stealth attacks.
The repair mechanic is a new feature in the remake, adding a lifespan to melee weapons (and the bulletproof vest). Each time a blade breaks or the vest becomes unusable, players must pay the Merchant a repair fee. However, with the Primal Knife’s Exclusive Upgrade, players gain an unbreakable weapon, eliminating the need for maintenance and providing immunity against all incoming melee attacks. (No more dying to the Chainsaw Man.)
Players can unlock the Primal Knife by completing the Revolution Wind-Up Challenge. It involvesbreaking 16 clockwork castellans scattered across theRE4 remake’s map.
