ATTACK STRATEGY

Learn how to master melee combat in Resident Evil games! Discover strategies for Outbreak, RE4, RE5, and more to conserve ammo and gain tactical advantages.

Alright, let's talk about getting up close and personal with the baddies in Resident Evil. We're diving into the 'Melee Combat' section, which is all about those close-quarters encounters, often without firing a single shot. Think of it as your secret weapon for saving precious ammo and sometimes even getting the upper hand. ### Melee Combat Explained Melee combat first popped up in _Resident Evil Outbreak_. Back then, it wasn't exactly your go-to for taking down enemies – pretty weak, honestly. But, it could buy you a few crucial seconds, letting other players do their thing or giving you a chance to bash down a locked door. For the really skilled players, it was even a way to snag a 'no weapon' bonus achievement! Later on, especially starting around _Resident Evil 4_, melee got a serious upgrade. Now, you'll usually shoot an enemy to stun them (aim for the limbs or head!), and then a button prompt will pop up on screen. Hit it, and you'll unleash a powerful attack. These moves often deal damage that rivals your best firearms and, super importantly, they give you temporary invincibility frames. This means melee isn't just for saving bullets; it's a real tactical option! ### Finishing Blows Remember those downed enemies? You can often finish them off with a stomp. Line up your character facing their head, and if they haven't mutated further, you might just end them. Even if not, stomping downed enemies in games after _Outbreak_ still deals a good chunk of damage. ### Early Games vs. Later Games Before _Outbreak_, your main melee tool was usually the trusty knife. While generally not recommended for direct combat due to low damage, a patient player could use it to clear paths and save ammo. Some players even used to knock zombies down and let them grab them just to perform a stomp finisher – saving ammo but costing some health. Thankfully, with the improvements in later games, this kind of risky tactic isn't usually necessary anymore. ### Which Games Have Melee? Melee combat, in some form, appears in a bunch of Resident Evil titles: * _[Resident Evil Outbreak File 2](https://residentevil.fandom.com/wiki/Resident_Evil_Outbreak_File_2