Resident Evil 2 is Capcom's 2019 rebuild of the 1998 survival horror classic, released on 24 January 2019 and constructed from scratch on the RE Engine rather than remastered. Rookie police officer Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield arrive in Raccoon City on the worst possible night and end up barricaded inside the police station while an outbreak works through the population outside. The over the shoulder camera and modern controls replace the fixed angles and tank controls of the original, but the resource discipline is intact: ammunition is scarce, healing herbs need combining, and every corridor you clear can be repopulated. Each character has a separate playable campaign with a second run variant, and the difficulty tiers change the rules rather than just the numbers, with Hardcore removing autosave entirely. Treat it as a game about route planning and inventory management that happens to be terrifying.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon 1st Run | A | Balanced | Matilda | Yes |
| Claire 1st Run | A | Balanced | W-870 | Yes |
| Leon 2nd Run | A | Balanced | Lightning Hawk | Yes |
| Claire 2nd Run | A | Balanced | GM 79 | Yes |
| Hardcore difficulty | A | Balanced | Spark Shot | Yes |
New player? Start with Claire 1st Run. See our beginner's guide for why.
Leon 1st Run
Leon 1st Run is a strong option in Resident Evil 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Matilda |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Four scenarios across two characters |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Matilda
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Raccoon City streets to learn Leon 1st Run-specific mechanics
- Focus on Four scenarios across two characters. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Matilda as your first major upgrade
- See our full Leon 1st Run build guide for the optimal gear progression
Claire 1st Run
Claire 1st Run is a strong option in Resident Evil 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | W-870 |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Ink Ribbons and Hardcore saving |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with W-870
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Raccoon City streets to learn Claire 1st Run-specific mechanics
- Focus on Ink Ribbons and Hardcore saving. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize W-870 as your first major upgrade
- See our full Claire 1st Run build guide for the optimal gear progression
Leon 2nd Run
Leon 2nd Run is a strong option in Resident Evil 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Lightning Hawk |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Inventory slots and item combining |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Lightning Hawk
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Raccoon City streets to learn Leon 2nd Run-specific mechanics
- Focus on Inventory slots and item combining. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Lightning Hawk as your first major upgrade
- See our full Leon 2nd Run build guide for the optimal gear progression
Claire 2nd Run
Claire 2nd Run is a strong option in Resident Evil 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | GM 79 |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Weapon upgrade parts |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with GM 79
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Raccoon City streets to learn Claire 2nd Run-specific mechanics
- Focus on Weapon upgrade parts. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize GM 79 as your first major upgrade
- See our full Claire 2nd Run build guide for the optimal gear progression
Hardcore difficulty
Hardcore difficulty is a strong option in Resident Evil 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Spark Shot |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Rank system and infinite ammo unlocks |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Spark Shot
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Raccoon City streets to learn Hardcore difficulty-specific mechanics
- Focus on Rank system and infinite ammo unlocks. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Spark Shot as your first major upgrade
- See our full Hardcore difficulty build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Claire 1st Run is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Leon 1st Run is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Matilda for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Hardcore difficulty offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Claire 2nd Run shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Resident Evil 2 Guides
- Resident Evil 2 Resident Evil 2 Overview
- Resident Evil 2 Best Builds
- Resident Evil 2 Tier List
- Resident Evil 2 Walkthrough
- Resident Evil 2 Beginner's Guide
- Resident Evil 2 Tips & Tricks
- Resident Evil 2 Weapons Guide
- Resident Evil 2 Combat Guide
- Resident Evil 2 Boss Guide
- Resident Evil 2 Maps & Locations
- Resident Evil 2 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Resident Evil 2, check out these related guides:
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- Lethal Company Classes Guide: horror game with similar mechanics
- Dead by Daylight Classes Guide: horror game with similar mechanics
