The Raccoon City Police Department (Part 1) - Claire A
Welcome, rookie, to the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD) – or what's left of it. As Claire Redfield, your journey through this iconic, zombie-infested landmark will be a brutal test of survival, resource management, and puzzle-solving. This guide covers the initial segment of Claire's A-scenario, detailing every crucial step, item location, and enemy encounter to ensure you navigate the RPD's treacherous halls effectively.
While the RPD layout is largely consistent between Leon and Claire, Claire's specific weapon loadout, puzzle solutions, and enemy placements offer a distinct challenge. Pay close attention to the details provided here to maximize your chances of survival.
Initial Entry and West Side Exploration
After the harrowing escape from the gas station, you'll find yourself at the gates of the RPD. Proceed through the main entrance and into the Main Hall.
- Main Hall (1F):
- Immediately upon entering, head to the reception desk on your right. On the counter, you'll find the RPD Map (1F). This is essential for navigation.
- Take note of the large statue in the center of the hall – this is where you'll eventually place the three medallions.
- Do NOT attempt to open the shutter on the east side yet; it's locked.
- East Office (1F):
- From the Main Hall, enter the door to the East Office on the east side.
- On the desk directly in front of you, pick up the Officer's Notebook. This document provides lore and hints but isn't critical for progression.
- On the far side of the office, near the window, you'll find a box of Handgun Ammo.
- Exit the East Office and return to the Main Hall.
- West Office (1F):
- From the Main Hall, enter the door to the West Office on the west side.
- This room is a critical early-game hub. On the central desk, you'll find your first primary weapon: the JMB Hp3 Handgun. This is Claire's equivalent to Leon's Matilda, offering good accuracy and a decent rate of fire.
- Also on the central desk, pick up the Portable Safe. This requires a specific button sequence to open.
- Portable Safe Puzzle Solution: The solution is typically randomized for each playthrough, but the pattern involves pressing the buttons in a sequence that lights up all the green lights. A common solution is: Left 2, Right 10, Left 4, Right 6. (Note: If this doesn't work, experiment by pressing buttons until a light stays on, then find the next button that lights up another, and so on).
- Upon successfully opening the Portable Safe, you'll receive a Spare Key.
- Use the Spare Key on the small, locked cabinet near the door you entered. Inside, you'll find a crucial upgrade: a Hip Pouch. This immediately expands your inventory by 2 slots, which is invaluable.
- On the northern side of the office, near the boarded-up window, you'll find another box of Handgun Ammo.
- Beware: A zombie will often burst through the boarded window here on your way back through later. Be ready.
The Unicorn Medallion and Initial Security
Your immediate goal is to find the first of three medallions to open the secret passage in the Main Hall.
- Operations Room (1F):
- From the West Office, head through the door on the north side into the Operations Room.
- On the desk to your left, pick up the Handgun Ammo.
- On the central console, you'll find a First Aid Spray.
- Exit through the door on the east side of the Operations Room.
- Watchman's Room (1F):
- You are now in the Watchman's Room.
- On the desk directly in front of you, you'll find the Unicorn Medallion. This is your first key item for the Main Hall statue.
- Also on the desk, pick up the Handgun Ammo.
- Important: As you pick up the medallion, a zombie will likely burst through the door you just came from. Be prepared to deal with it or quickly run past.
- Exit the Watchman's Room and backtrack through the Operations Room.
- Return to Main Hall (1F):
- Head back through the West Office (watch out for the potential window zombie!) and into the Main Hall.
- Approach the large statue in the center. Interact with it to place the Unicorn Medallion. You'll hear a click, indicating one-third of the mechanism is complete.
Exploring the East Wing and Finding the Spade Key
With one medallion secured, your next objective is to gain access to more areas of the RPD, starting with the East Wing.
- Main Hall (1F):
- From the Main Hall, head to the door on the east side, just past the East Office entrance. This door is locked.
- Dark Room (1F):
- From the Main Hall, enter the door on the north-east side, leading to the Dark Room corridor.
- Immediately to your right is the door to the Dark Room. This is your first safe room and an excellent place to store items and save your game.
- Inside the Dark Room, on the counter, you'll find a box of Handgun Ammo and a Red Herb.
- Item Box: Utilize the Item Box to store any unnecessary items. Remember, inventory space is precious.
- Typewriter: Save your game here!
- Exit the Dark Room.
- Corridor to East Storage Room (1F):
- Continue down the corridor past the Dark Room.
- On a small table against the wall, pick up the Handgun Ammo.
- At the end of the corridor, enter the door to the East Storage Room.
- East Storage Room (1F):
- This room is dark and contains several zombies. Proceed with caution.
- On the shelf directly to your left as you enter, you'll find a Wooden Board. These are useful for boarding up windows to prevent zombies from entering.
- On a table in the center of the room, you'll find a Green Herb.
- Navigate to the far end of the room, past the shelves. On a small table, you'll find the crucial Spade Key.
- Enemy Alert: Expect at least two zombies to be active in this room. Consider using your JMB Hp3 to target their heads for critical hits, or simply try to maneuver around them if you're low on ammo.
- Exit the East Storage Room and return to the Dark Room corridor.
Unlocking New Paths and the Library
With the Spade Key in hand, you can now access several previously locked areas.
- Main Hall (1F):
- Backtrack through the Dark Room corridor to the Main Hall.
- Use the Spade Key on the door on the east side of the Main Hall (the one you couldn't open earlier). This key will break after use, freeing up an inventory slot.
- Proceed through the newly opened door.
- Waiting Room (2F):
- You are now in the Waiting Room on the 2nd floor.
- On the small table in the center, pick up the Handgun Ammo.
- On the sofa, you'll find the "R.P.D. Internal Memo" file, providing some backstory.
- Exit through the door on the north side of the Waiting Room.
- Corridor to Library (2F):
- You are now in a short corridor. On the wall to your left, you'll find a Wooden Board.
- Proceed through the door at the end of the corridor into the Library.
- Library (2F):
- The Library is a large, multi-level area. Immediately upon entering, you'll notice the collapsed bookshelf blocking the path to the 3rd floor.
- On the central table, pick up the "Unicorn Statue" file, which gives you the code for the Unicorn Medallion puzzle (though you've already solved it).
- On a small table near the entrance, you'll find a Green Herb.
- Proceed to the west side of the Library. On a small desk, you'll find a box of Handgun Ammo.
- Important: This area will become much more dangerous later. For now, focus on gathering items and understanding the layout.
- Locate the door on the west side of the Library, leading to the Main Hall (2F balcony).
Main Hall Balcony and West Side Access
You've now circled back to the Main Hall, but on the second floor, opening up new pathways.
- Main Hall (2F Balcony):
- You are now on the second-floor balcony overlooking the Main Hall.
- On the railing, you'll find a Red Herb.
- Head to the west side of the balcony. You'll see a door leading to the West Storage Room.
- West Storage Room (2F):
- Enter the West Storage Room.
- On the shelf directly in front of you, pick up the Handgun Ammo.
- On a table to your right, you'll find the "Lion Statue" file, which contains the code for the Lion Medallion.
- Beware: A zombie is typically present in this room. Deal with it or lure it away.
- Exit the West Storage Room and return to the Main Hall (2F Balcony).
This concludes the first part of your RPD exploration as Claire. You've secured your primary weapon, expanded your inventory, and found the first medallion. Your next steps will involve finding the remaining medallions and navigating the increasingly dangerous corridors of the RPD.
Claire's Early Game Loadout & Strategy Tips
At this point, your primary weapon is the JMB Hp3. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Headshots are Key: Always aim for the head. While not every shot will be a critical hit, repeated headshots will eventually stagger or down zombies, allowing for a knife follow-up or a quick escape.
- Conserve Ammo: Handgun ammo is relatively plentiful early on, but it's not infinite. Avoid shooting every zombie you see. If you can safely run past or lure them, do so.
- Knife for Downed Enemies: If a zombie falls to the ground, a few knife slashes can finish them off without expending precious bullets.
- Herbs for Healing: Combine Green Herbs with other herbs (Red for increased potency, Blue for poison cure) to maximize their healing potential. Save First Aid Sprays for emergencies.
- Board Up Windows: Use Wooden Boards on accessible windows (like in the West Office) to prevent zombies from breaking in later, making backtracking safer.
Key Items Acquired (Part 1 - Claire A)
| Item Name | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| RPD Map (1F) | Main Hall (1F) | Navigation |
| Officer's Notebook | East Office (1F) | Lore/Hints |
| JMB Hp3 Handgun | West Office (1F) | Primary Weapon |
| Portable Safe | West Office (1F) | Puzzle item, yields Spare Key |
| Spare Key | West Office (1F) (from Portable Safe) | Unlocks Hip Pouch cabinet |
| Hip Pouch | West Office (1F) (from cabinet) | Inventory expansion (+2 slots) |
| Unicorn Medallion | Watchman's Room (1F) | Statue puzzle piece |
| Spade Key | East Storage Room (1F) | Unlocks various doors (e.g., Waiting Room) |
| "R.P.D. Internal Memo" | Waiting Room (2F) | Lore/File |
| "Unicorn Statue" File | Library (2F) | Lore/Hints (Medallion code) |
| "Lion Statue" File | West Storage Room (2F) | Lore/Hints (Medallion code) |
Continue your journey through the RPD, and remember: stay alert, conserve resources, and every bullet counts!