Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Weapon Locations & Acquisition

Locate every weapon for Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Master acquisition details to gain survival advantages against Raccoon .

·Multi-source verified (104/104)

Weapon Locations & Acquisition (Resident Evil 3: Nemesis - Original PlayStation/Dreamcast/GameCube/PC Versions)

Raccoon City is a death trap, and surviving the relentless pursuit of Nemesis and the hordes of undead requires every advantage you can get. This definitive guide details the acquisition of every weapon available to Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira in the original Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, ensuring you're always prepared for the horrors ahead. Pay close attention to specific locations, required items, and acquisition methods, as some weapons have multiple spawn points or require specific actions or choices.

Jill Valentine's Starting Equipment

  • Combat Knife: Always in Jill's inventory from the very beginning. While not a primary combat weapon, it's invaluable for breaking open crates, barrels, and specific environmental objects to conserve precious ammunition. Against single, slow zombies, it can be used for a quick, risky kill if you're skilled at dodging, but direct combat with the knife is generally ill-advised against anything stronger.
  • M92F Custom: Jill's standard-issue handgun. You begin the game with this reliable sidearm, pre-loaded with 15 rounds of Handgun Ammo. It's a decent all-around weapon for dispatching standard zombies and can be significantly upgraded to improve its performance throughout the game.

Early Game Acquisitions (Uptown & Downtown)

Handgun Upgrades (M92F Custom)

Jill's starting M92F Custom can be upgraded twice by finding specific weapon parts. These upgrades significantly boost its firing rate, accuracy, and critical hit chance, making it a more viable weapon for longer into the game.

  • M92F Custom (Parts A & B):
    • Location (Part A): Downtown, Sales Office.
    • Acquisition (Part A): After the initial Nemesis encounter and chase sequence, you'll eventually reach the Sales Office. Part A is found on a desk within this office, typically near the back.
    • Location (Part B): Downtown, Press Office.
    • Acquisition (Part B): Inside the Press Office, Part B is located on a desk in one of the smaller, back rooms.
    • Strategy: Once you have both Part A and Part B, combine them with the M92F Custom in your inventory. The upgraded M92F Custom fires faster, is more accurate, and has an increased chance of critical headshots, making it much more efficient for conserving ammo against standard zombies.
Shotguns

Two primary shotguns are available, each with distinct characteristics and acquisition methods. The M37 is generally found earlier and is Jill's primary shotgun, while the Benelli M3S is exclusive to Carlos.

  • M37 Shotgun:
    • Location: Raccoon Police Department (RPD), S.T.A.R.S. Office.
    • Acquisition: To obtain the M37 Shotgun, you must first gain access to the RPD. Once inside, proceed to the second floor and locate the S.T.A.R.S. Office. The door to this office is locked and requires the S.T.A.R.S. Card (found in the Downtown area, typically in the restaurant's kitchen or the Sales Office). After using the S.T.A.R.S. Card to unlock the door, the M37 Shotgun will be prominently displayed on the wall rack inside the office.
    • Strategy: The Shotgun is excellent for crowd control and delivering significant damage at close range. Its wide spread makes it effective against multiple zombies or for knocking down tougher enemies like Hunters and Cerberus. Conserve its powerful shells for critical situations or when you're overwhelmed, as ammo can be scarce.
  • Benelli M3S Shotgun:
    • Location: Raccoon City Hospital, B3 (Sub-Level).
    • Acquisition: This weapon is exclusive to Carlos Oliveira during his segment in the Hospital. You will find this more powerful shotgun in the B3 Sub-Level, often in a storage room or laboratory area that requires specific keycards or puzzle solutions (e.g., the Vaccine Room). Jill will not acquire this weapon directly.
    • Strategy: The Benelli M3S is a more powerful and often faster-firing shotgun than the M37. Carlos will find it highly effective against the creatures in the hospital, particularly the Hunters and Drain Deimos. Utilize its stopping power to clear paths and protect Mikhail.
Grenade Launcher

A highly versatile weapon capable of firing different types of rounds, making it invaluable for various combat scenarios.

  • Grenade Launcher:
    • Location: Raccoon Police Department (RPD), S.T.A.R.S. Office.
    • Acquisition: Similar to the M37 Shotgun, the Grenade Launcher is found in the S.T.A.R.S. Office on the second floor of the RPD. After using the S.T.A.R.S. Card to gain entry, the Grenade Launcher will be on the desk, often alongside the Lockpick.
    • Strategy: The Grenade Launcher is incredibly versatile, capable of firing three different types of rounds (Grenade, Flame, Acid). Experiment with each type to find what works best against specific enemies:
      • Grenade Rounds: General purpose, good for groups of zombies and moderate damage against larger foes.
      • Flame Rounds: Excellent against Hunters, Drain Deimos, and other biological creatures, often causing them to flinch, burn, or be temporarily incapacitated. Highly effective against Nemesis's first form.
      • Acid Rounds: Highly effective against Nemesis, often causing him to recoil and drop items. Also good against tougher, armored enemies like the Grave Digger.
Magnum

One of the most powerful weapons in the game, capable of devastating damage but with extremely limited ammunition.

  • Magnum:
    • Location & Acquisition (Choice A - Early Game): If you choose to fight Nemesis during his first encounter in the Downtown area (e.g., outside the Sales Office or in the alleyways) and successfully defeat him (or damage him enough for him to drop an item), he will drop the Magnum. This is a challenging fight early on, requiring significant ammo and skill, but rewards you with this powerful weapon much earlier.
    • Location & Acquisition (Choice B - Mid Game): If you do not acquire the Magnum from Nemesis in the early game, it can be found later. As Carlos, during his segment in the Raccoon City Hospital, the Magnum is located in a specific room, typically the Doctor's Office on the 2nd floor. You'll need to solve a puzzle (e.g., using the computer to unlock the door) or find a key to access it.
    • Strategy: The Magnum is a game-changer, capable of taking down most standard enemies in one shot and severely damaging bosses. Ammunition is extremely scarce, so save it for critical situations, powerful enemies (like Hunters, Lickers), or boss fights, especially against Nemesis's later forms.

Mid-Game Acquisitions (Clock Tower & Hospital)

Assault Rifle (Automatic)

Carlos's signature weapon, offering a high rate of fire and sustained damage.

  • Assault Rifle (Automatic):
    • Location: Carlos's starting weapon.
    • Acquisition: This weapon is automatically equipped by Carlos when you take control of him for his segments of the game (e.g., in the Hospital and later). Jill does not acquire this weapon directly.
    • Strategy: The Assault Rifle offers a high rate of fire and good damage, making it effective against multiple enemies or for sustained damage against Nemesis. However, it chews through ammo quickly, so use controlled bursts. Carlos will find ample Assault Rifle Ammo during his sections, often in crates or on defeated Umbrella soldiers.
Mine Thrower

A unique weapon for setting traps and dealing area-of-effect damage.

  • Mine Thrower:
    • Location: St. Michael's Clock Tower.
    • Acquisition: After the Nemesis encounter at the Clock Tower (where you have a choice to fight or run), proceed through the area. The Mine Thrower is found on a table in a small room accessible after solving a minor puzzle involving the Clock Tower's machinery or gears. It's usually in the room just before the main clock mechanism, often requiring you to activate the clock's chime.
    • Strategy: The Mine Thrower fires proximity mines that stick to surfaces and detonate when an enemy gets close. This is excellent for setting traps, especially against slower, tougher enemies (like Hunters) or for preparing choke points for Nemesis encounters. Place mines strategically in narrow corridors or doorways where enemies are forced to pass.

Late Game Acquisitions & Unlockables

Rocket Launcher

The ultimate weapon for ending boss fights quickly.

  • Rocket Launcher:
    • Location: Dead Factory (Final Boss Arena).
    • Acquisition: This ultimate weapon is typically acquired very late in the game, just before the final boss fight with Nemesis's final form. It's usually found in a designated weapon cache or on the ground within the final arena. In some versions, it's automatically provided for the final confrontation as a plot device.
    • Strategy: The Rocket Launcher is a one-shot kill for almost any enemy and deals massive damage to bosses. Save its extremely limited ammunition (usually only a few shots) for the final confrontation with Nemesis. It's designed to end the fight quickly and decisively.
Western Custom (Handgun)

An alternative handgun with superior critical hit potential.

  • Western Custom (Handgun):
    • Location: Raccoon Police Department (RPD), S.T.A.R.S. Office.
    • Acquisition: This weapon is an alternative to the Grenade Launcher. After gaining access to the S.T.A.R.S. Office using the S.T.A.R.S. Card, if you examine the desk where the Grenade Launcher would be but choose NOT to take it, you might be presented with the option to take the Western Custom instead. This choice is often linked to specific decision points earlier in the game or if you already have a Grenade Launcher in your inventory from a previous Nemesis drop.
    • Strategy: The Western Custom has a higher critical hit rate and often better accuracy than the M92F Custom, making it a potentially more efficient handgun if you're skilled at headshots. It's a good choice for players who prefer precision over raw power and want to conserve other ammo types.
Gatling Gun

A powerful, high-fire-rate weapon available as an unlockable.

  • Gatling Gun:
    • Location: Unlockable.
    • Acquisition: This powerful weapon is unlocked by achieving a specific rank (typically an A rank or higher) upon completing the main game. Once unlocked, it becomes available for purchase in the "Mercenaries" mini-game or in subsequent playthroughs from the shop (if applicable to your version).
    • Strategy: The Gatling Gun boasts an incredibly high rate of fire and continuous damage output, making it devastating against any enemy. It comes with infinite ammunition once unlocked, making it ideal for speedrunning or simply enjoying the game without ammo concerns.
Infinite Ammo Weapons

Beyond the Gatling Gun, other weapons can also gain infinite ammunition, significantly altering subsequent playthroughs.

  • Acquisition: Infinite ammunition for various weapons (e.g., Handgun, Shotgun, Grenade Launcher, Magnum) is unlocked by completing the game under specific conditions, such as achieving certain ranks (e.g., S or A rank) or completing the game within a specific time limit. These unlocks are typically tied to the game's ranking system and are available for use in subsequent playthroughs. Consult your game's specific unlock requirements for details.
  • Strategy: Infinite ammo weapons remove the critical resource management aspect of Resident Evil 3, allowing players to focus purely on combat and exploration. They are perfect for speedrunning, achieving higher ranks, or simply enjoying the game's action without the stress of ammo scarcity.