Special Items & Weapons

Special Items & Weapons

Resident Evil Outbreak, true to its survival horror roots, often forces players to make do with limited resources. However, scattered throughout Raccoon City and its surrounding areas are powerful special items and weapons that can drastically alter the course of a scenario. Acquiring these often requires keen observation, puzzle-solving, or meeting specific conditions. This section details some of the most impactful special items and weapons, their locations, unlock methods, and optimal uses to help you survive the outbreak.

Uncommon & Powerful Firearms

While standard handguns and shotguns are your bread and butter, these rare finds offer superior firepower and tactical advantages.

Grenade Launcher

• Description: A versatile weapon capable of firing various grenade rounds, making it effective against multiple enemies or strong single targets.
• Ammunition Types:
  • Flame Rounds: Excellent for crowd control and dealing damage over time. Particularly effective against plant-based enemies and certain mutated creatures.
  • Acid Rounds: Good all-rounder, dealing significant damage and capable of melting away weaker enemies. Effective against most biological threats.
  • Explosive Rounds: High-impact damage, ideal for taking down large, slow-moving targets or clearing groups in a single shot.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Outbreak
    • Location: Raccoon Police Department, 2F East Office.
    • Conditions: Requires the "East Office Key" found in the 1F Main Hall (behind the counter). The Grenade Launcher is inside the locker.
    • Usage Tip: Very useful for clearing the zombie horde in the Main Hall or dealing with the Licker in the West Office.
  • Scenario: The Hive
    • Location: B4F Research Lab, in a locker.
    • Conditions: Requires the "Research Lab Key" found on B5F.
    • Usage Tip: Invaluable for fighting the Giant Leech or the Hunters later in the scenario.
  • Scenario: Decisions, Decisions
    • Location: B4F Lab, in a locked cabinet.
    • Conditions: Requires the "B4F Key Card" found on B5F.
    • Usage Tip: Crucial for the final boss fight against Thanatos.

Magnum Revolver

• Description: A powerful handgun that deals immense damage with each shot, capable of staggering or outright killing most standard enemies in one hit. Ammunition is extremely scarce.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Below Freezing Point
    • Location: B4F Laboratory, in a locked safe.
    • Conditions: The safe combination is found on a memo in the B3F Control Room (often "4021").
    • Usage Tip: Save its limited ammo for the Frostbite boss or the Hunters.
  • Scenario: Decisions, Decisions
    • Location: B5F Laboratory, in a display case.
    • Conditions: Requires the "B5F Key Card" to access the area.
    • Usage Tip: Excellent for dealing with the stronger mutated creatures or as a backup for Thanatos.

Rocket Launcher

• Description: The ultimate weapon, capable of one-shotting almost any enemy or boss. Typically comes with a single rocket.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Decisions, Decisions
    • Location: B6F Research Lab, near the final boss arena.
    • Conditions: This is the most common and reliable acquisition. It appears on a table during the final phase of the Thanatos fight, specifically after he mutates for the second time.
    • Usage Tip: Absolutely essential for quickly finishing off the final form of Thanatos. Aim carefully!
  • Scenario: End of the Road (Very specific and rare)
    • Location: Varies slightly, but often found in the final area.
    • Conditions: This is a highly conditional unlock, often tied to achieving specific ranks (e.g., A or S rank) on higher difficulties, or completing the scenario under very strict time limits. It's not a guaranteed spawn and is more of a reward for expert play.
    • Usage Tip: If you manage to get it here, it's for the final boss or the Tyrant.

Unique Melee Weapons & Utility Items

Sometimes, a well-placed swing or a crucial utility item can be more effective than a bullet.

Battle Axe

• Description: A heavy, two-handed melee weapon that deals significant damage. It has limited durability but can clear out groups of weaker enemies or stun stronger ones.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: The Hive
    • Location: B3F Morgue, leaning against a wall.
    • Conditions: Simply pick it up.
    • Usage Tip: Excellent for dealing with the zombies in the morgue or the leeches in the early sections. Conserve its durability for when you're low on ammo.

Iron Pipe

• Description: A durable, one-handed melee weapon. Not as powerful as the Battle Axe, but more common and useful for conserving ammo against single zombies.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Outbreak
    • Location: Raccoon Police Department, 1F Main Hall, near the reception desk.
    • Conditions: Simply pick it up.
    • Usage Tip: Good for taking out individual zombies without wasting precious bullets.
  • Scenario: Hellfire
    • Location: Raccoon University, 2F East Hallway.
    • Conditions: Found lying on the ground.
    • Usage Tip: Useful for clearing the initial zombie encounters.

Spray Can (with Solvent)

• Description: Not a weapon, but a crucial puzzle item that can unlock powerful weapons or pathways.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Hellfire
    • Location: Raccoon University, 2F West Hallway, in a locker.
    • Conditions: Requires the "Locker Key" found in the 1F Lecture Room.
    • Usage Tip: Combine this with the "Empty Spray Can" (found in the 1F Main Hall) and the "Red Pigment" (found in the 2F Art Room) to create the "Red Spray Can." This is then used to solve the "Painting Puzzle" in the 2F Art Room, which grants access to the Shotgun and other valuable items.

Serum (Antidote)

• Description: A life-saving item that cures the T-Virus infection, resetting the infection gauge. Extremely rare.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: The Hive
    • Location: B5F Research Lab, in a medical cabinet.
    • Conditions: Requires the "Research Lab Key" to access the area.
    • Usage Tip: Save this for critical moments, especially if a character is close to turning. It's often better to use Blue Herbs if available, but Serum is a full reset.
  • Scenario: Decisions, Decisions
    • Location: B4F Lab, in a medical storage unit.
    • Conditions: Requires the "B4F Key Card."
    • Usage Tip: Given the high infection rate in this scenario, having a Serum can be a game-changer, especially for the final boss fight.

Scenario-Specific Key Items & Rewards

Some scenarios feature unique items that are critical for progression or offer significant advantages.

Detonator

• Description: A device used to activate explosives.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: Underbelly
    • Location: Train Car 2, in a locker.
    • Conditions: Requires the "Locker Key" found in Train Car 1.
    • Usage Tip: Essential for progressing the scenario by blowing open the blocked path in the subway tunnels.

Medical Set

• Description: A collection of medical supplies that can fully heal a character and cure minor ailments.
• Locations & Acquisition:
  • Scenario: The Hive
    • Location: B4F Research Lab, in a medical cabinet.
    • Conditions: Requires the "Research Lab Key."
    • Usage Tip: A full heal is invaluable, especially before major boss encounters.

General Tips for Special Items & Weapons

• Explore Thoroughly: Many powerful items are hidden in obscure corners or behind locked doors. Always check every room and interact with suspicious objects.
• Conserve Ammo: Special weapon ammunition is extremely limited. Only use powerful weapons against strong enemies or bosses. Don't waste Grenade Launcher rounds on single zombies.
• Character Abilities: Some characters have unique abilities that can help with item acquisition. For example, Kevin can use his .45 Auto, which is more powerful than standard handguns, and Mark can use his axe effectively. Cindy can carry more healing items.
• Cooperation is Key: In multiplayer, coordinate who carries which special weapon and its limited ammo. Designate a "heavy hitter" for boss fights.
• Know Your Scenarios: Each scenario has its own unique challenges and item placements. Familiarize yourself with them to optimize your loadout.