Discover essential health, resource, crafting, and time management tips for Resident Evil 2 (Remake). Optimize your playthrough and survival strategies.
This section provides general tips for surviving and optimizing your playthrough of Resident Evil 2 (Remake), covering health management, resource allocation, crafting, and time management.
Health Management
Your health is color-coded: Green (above 67%), Amber (30%-67%), and Red (30% or below). In Red, you are one hit from death. A single Green Herb restores 33% health. Combining herbs is more efficient: G+R fully restores health, while G+R+B fully restores health and grants temporary damage resistance. Blue Herbs cure poison but don't restore health; use them in combinations. For the Frugalist trophy, R+B Herbs provide damage protection without invalidating it. Always aim to carry a full health restore.
Resource Management
Ammo is precious. Reserve MAG Ammo and SMG Ammo for bosses. Claire's Flame Rounds are best used against tough non-boss enemies like Lickers and G-Adults. Leon's shotgun is less effective against these enemies and better for conserving handgun ammo against zombies. Flamethrower fuel is effective against enemies the shotgun struggles with. In B scenarios, conserve Large-Caliber Ammo by using the Combat Knife and crafting 9mm ammo.
Crafting
Crafting ammunition is crucial for making up for found shortages. The crafting matrix varies for Leon and Claire:
Leon's Crafting Matrix:
| Type | Gunpowder | Large Gunpowder | High Grade Gunpowder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunpowder | Handgun Ammo x13 | Handgun Ammo x 25 | Shotgun Shells x 3 |
| Large Gunpowder | Handgun Ammo x 25 | Handgun Ammo x 50 | Shotgun Shells x 5 or 6 |
| High Grade Gunpowder | Shotgun Shells x 3 | Shotgun Shells x 5 or 6 | MAG Ammo x 5 or 6 |
Leon should prioritize Handgun Ammo from Gunpowder and MAG Ammo from High Grade Gunpowder. Large Gunpowder can be used for Shotgun Shells.
Claire's Crafting Matrix:
| Type | Gunpowder | Large Gunpowder | High Grade Gunpowder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunpowder | Handgun Ammo x 13 | Handgun Ammo x 25 | Acid Rounds x 3 |
| Large Gunpowder | Handgun Ammo x 25 | Handgun Ammo x 50 | Acid Rounds x 5 or 6 |
| High Grade Gunpowder | Acid Rounds x 3 | Acid Rounds x 5 or 6 | Submachine Gun Ammo x ~85 |
Claire should use High Grade Gunpowder for Acid Rounds early in her A scenario against the first boss, and for SMG Ammo in other situations, especially her B scenario.
Time Management
To achieve faster completion times and bonuses, run everywhere and avoid unnecessary detours. If you die, quit to the title screen to reset the timer. S-ranking all scenarios on Standard difficulty is achievable by running and knowing your path. For Hardcore S-ranks, consider skipping optional items and areas such as Spare Parts for the Safety Deposit Room, the police cruiser contents, developing the "Hiding Place" film, and potentially the Shotgun/Grenade Launcher if found later. In B scenarios, an optimized path through the early game involves visiting the S.T.A.R.S. Office earlier, but be prepared for Mr. X and potential ambushes.
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