RPD 1F Exploration

Welcome to the Raccoon Police Department! This initial exploration of the first floor is crucial for gathering vital resources and understanding the layout. Be prepared for immediate zombie encounters, and remember that resource management is key to survival in Resident Evil 2.

Main Hall (1F)

You begin in the RPD's grand Main Hall. Take a moment to observe your surroundings. This area serves as a central hub, and you'll be returning here frequently. It's also home to the iconic Goddess Statue puzzle, which requires three medals to unlock a crucial path forward.

Item: Directly ahead, on the reception desk, you'll find the RPD Map (1F). Grab this immediately; it's indispensable for navigation and will highlight unexplored areas.
Item: Near the map, there's also some Handgun Ammo. Every bullet counts!
Strategy: Note the two large double doors to the north (leading to the East Office) and the single door to the west (leading to the West Office). The main staircase to the second floor is also here. The Goddess Statue is centrally located, and you'll interact with it once you've collected the required medals.
Claire's A/1st Run Specific: For Claire, the Unicorn Medal is found by solving the Unicorn Statue puzzle located in this very hall. Interact with the Unicorn Statue and input the correct combination (Fish, Scorpion, Aquarius) to retrieve it. This is a critical distinction from Leon's scenario.

East Office (1F)

Head through the double doors on the north side of the Main Hall to enter the East Office. This room is often teeming with undead, making it a dangerous but resource-rich location.

Enemy Encounter: Expect at least two, possibly three, zombies in this area. Prioritize headshots to conserve ammo. If you're low on health or ammo, consider luring them into a tight space and running past if possible, but clearing this room makes future backtracking significantly safer. Be wary of the zombie playing dead near the entrance.
Item: On a desk near the entrance, you'll find a Green Herb. Combine it with another herb for a stronger healing effect (Green + Green = 60% health), or save it for later.
Item (Leon's A/1st Run ONLY): In Leon's scenario, search the back corner of the office on a small desk. Here, you'll discover the Unicorn Medal. This is a key item for unlocking the secret passage in the Main Hall.
Item: Check the filing cabinets and other desks for additional Handgun Ammo. Resourcefulness is rewarded.
Document: On one of the desks, you'll find a Raccoon Monthly, Sept. document. Read it for some flavor text and lore, often hinting at the unfolding disaster.

West Office (1F)

From the Main Hall, take the single door to the west to enter the West Office. This area can be just as dangerous as the East Office, often featuring more aggressive zombie placements.

Enemy Encounter: Brace yourself for more zombies. Typically, there are two or three lurking here, including one that may burst through a window if you linger or trigger it. Use the same tactics as in the East Office: aim for headshots or cripple legs to conserve precious ammunition.
Item: On a desk near the far end of the room, you'll locate a box of Handgun Ammo.
Item: Look for a small, locked desk drawer. You won't be able to open this yet, but remember its location for later. This drawer requires a Small Key, which can be found in the Art Room (2F) or the Watchman's Room (1F) depending on your scenario and character.
Item: On the main desk in the center, you'll find the Portable Safe. This is a mini-puzzle that, once solved, yields a Spare Key for the Safety Deposit Room. The combination is randomized but involves pressing buttons in a sequence until they all light up.
Document: On a whiteboard or bulletin board, you'll find a Memo to the Staff. This document provides a hint about a certain lock combination for the Safety Deposit Room.

Connecting Corridor (1F)

After clearing the West Office, proceed through the door at its western end. This leads to a short, L-shaped corridor that connects to the Operations Room and the Safety Deposit Room.

Enemy Encounter: A single zombie often patrols this short hallway. Deal with it swiftly to prevent it from becoming a nuisance during future backtracking.
Item: On a small table or shelf in this corridor, you'll find a Red Herb. This is excellent for combining with a Green Herb for enhanced healing (Green + Red = 100% health), or with two Green Herbs for maximum recovery (Green + Green + Red = 100% health + defense boost).

Operations Room (1F)

At the end of the connecting corridor, you'll find the Operations Room. This room is usually safe from immediate threats but contains important items for progressing through the RPD.

Item: On a desk in the center of the room, you'll find the Maiden Medal. This is the second of the three medals needed for the Main Hall Goddess Statue puzzle.
Item: Check the lockers for more Handgun Ammo. Always be on the lookout for hidden stashes.
Document: On another desk, you'll find the Internal Memo. Read it for more background information and potential clues.

Safety Deposit Room (1F)

Adjacent to the Operations Room, accessible from the Connecting Corridor, is the Safety Deposit Room. This room is locked initially but holds valuable items.

Access: To open this room, you'll need the Spare Key obtained from the Portable Safe in the West Office.
Puzzle: Inside, you'll find a series of safety deposit boxes. Some are locked, requiring specific keypads (102, 103, 203) to open. The "Memo to the Staff" from the West Office provides hints for these combinations.
Item: Solving the keypad puzzles will grant you access to various items, including additional Handgun Ammo, a Shotgun Shells (Leon) or Grenade Launcher Rounds (Claire) pouch, and a Hip Pouch to expand your inventory. The Hip Pouch is a top priority!

With the Unicorn (location varies by character) and Maiden Medals in hand, and potentially a Hip Pouch, return to the Main Hall. You're now ready to progress further into the RPD by solving the Goddess Statue puzzle!