Resident Evil 4 Remake Merchant Best Inventory Upgrades: Guide

Resident Evil 4 Remake Merchant Best Inventory Upgrades: Guide

The mysterious Merchant in Resident Evil 4 Remake is more than just a quirky side character—he’s your lifeline. With his iconic call of “What’re ya buyin’?” he offers weapons, gear, and, most importantly, inventory upgrades. Managing your attaché case efficiently is crucial to survival, especially on higher difficulties. Knowing which upgrades to prioritize can mean the difference between facing down Verdugo with confidence or scrambling for ammo. This guide breaks down the best inventory upgrades to invest in, helping you maximize space, organize resources, and dominate the horrors that await.

Why Inventory Upgrades Matter

In Resident Evil 4 Remake, your attaché case is where you store all weapons, ammo, healing items, and resources. Unlike the original, the remake introduces craftable items and a more nuanced resource management system. Without sufficient space, you’ll constantly struggle to carry key resources, forcing you to discard items or leave valuable loot behind. Inventory upgrades expand your attaché case, allowing you to hold more weapons, stack more ammo, and store more healing items. They also provide organizational benefits, making it easier to access critical items during combat.

The Merchant offers two types of inventory upgrades:

1. Case Size Increases: These add extra rows or columns to your attaché case.
2. Custom Attaché Cases: These specialized cases provide unique bonuses, such as increased drop rates for certain ammo types or faster health recovery from herbs.

Prioritizing these upgrades wisely will streamline your gameplay and reduce unnecessary stress.

Best Early-Game Upgrades

In the early chapters (1-3), you’re short on Pesetas and resources. Focus on upgrades that offer immediate utility without breaking the bank.

1. Small Size Increase (First Upgrade):
   The first inventory upgrade the Merchant offers is relatively cheap (around 10,000 Pesetas) and adds a row or two of space. This should be your absolute priority. Early on, you’re picking up handgun ammo, herbs, and resources like gunpowder and scrap. Without extra space, you’ll quickly run out of room, forcing you to waste items. This upgrade ensures you can stockpile enough ammo and healing items for the first major boss fight (El Gigante).

2. Handgun Ammo Capacity Case:
   If you’re using the SG-09 R or Sentinel Nine extensively, consider investing in a handgun ammo-friendly attaché case. These cases increase the drop rate for handgun ammo, which is abundant but crucial for conserving stronger weapons. Since handguns are your most reliable tool for precision shots and staggering enemies, this upgrade helps maintain ammo sustainability.

3. Resource Stack Expansion:
   While not a direct inventory upgrade, increasing the stack size for resources like gunpowder and herbs indirectly improves inventory management. The Merchant occasionally offers stack size upgrades for a reasonable cost. Prioritize these to reduce clutter and free up space for more valuable items.

Mid-Game Priorities (Chapters 4-7)

By the mid-game, you’ll have acquired more weapons and faced tougher enemies. Your attaché case should be optimized for versatility and combat readiness.

1. Medium Size Increase:
   This upgrade significantly expands your attaché case, often adding multiple rows and columns. It’s expensive (around 30,000-40,000 Pesetas) but worth every coin. With more space, you can carry a broader arsenal, including a handgun, shotgun, rifle, and possibly a magnum. You’ll also have room for grenades, first aid sprays, and crafting materials. Don’t hesitate to sell treasure and gems to afford this.

2. Shotgun Ammo Case:
   Shotguns are indispensable for crowd control and dealing with shielded enemies. The shotgun ammo attaché case increases the drop rate for shotgun shells, ensuring you never run dry during intense encounters. This is particularly useful before facing the Verdugo or the double Garrador fight.

3. Healing Efficiency Case:
   Some custom attaché cases boost the effectiveness of healing items. For example, the “Herbaceous” case increases the health recovery from green and mixed herbs. This is a game-changer on higher difficulties where healing items are scarce. If you’re playing on Hardcore or Professional, this upgrade can save your life.

Late-Game and Endgame Upgrades

In the later chapters (8-14), you’re swimming in Pesetas but facing the game’s deadliest enemies. Your inventory should be fully optimized to handle everything from Regenerators to Krauser.

1. Large Size Increase:
   The final inventory expansion is costly (up to 80,000 Pesetas) but essential. It maximizes your attaché case, allowing you to carry every weapon you need, along with ample ammo and healing items. With this upgrade, you can prepare for any scenario without worrying about inventory tetris.

2. Rifle or Magnum Ammo Case:
   By the late game, you’ll rely heavily on precision rifles (like the Stingray) and magnums (like the Killer7) for boss fights and tough enemies. Investing in a case that boosts rifle or magnum ammo drops ensures you have enough firepower for these critical moments. Magnum ammo is especially rare, so this upgrade is a must if you’re using a magnum.

3. Crafting Bonus Case:
   Certain custom cases increase the yield when crafting items. For example, the “Gunpowder Guru” case gives you extra ammo when crafting handgun or shotgun rounds. This synergizes well with the crafting system, allowing you to generate more resources from limited materials. It’s perfect for players who enjoy crafting their own ammo.

Strategic Tips for Inventory Management

• Sell Unnecessary Weapons: If you’re not using a weapon, sell it. The Merchant offers good prices, and the space you save is more valuable than holding onto a gun you never use.
• Organize with Purpose: Place frequently used items (like healing herbs and key weapons) at the top of your attaché case for quick access during combat.
• Combine Items Wisely: Always combine herbs to create mixed varieties—they take up less space and provide better healing. Similarly, craft ammo when you’re running low rather than hoarding materials.
• Plan for Boss Fights: Before a boss fight, reorganize your inventory to ensure you have enough healing items, ammo, and grenades. Discard or sell anything non-essential.

Conclusion

The Merchant’s inventory upgrades are among the most valuable investments in Resident Evil 4 Remake. From the early-game size increases to the late-game specialized cases, each upgrade plays a vital role in your survival. Prioritize expansions that match your playstyle: if you’re a sharpshooter, focus on rifle ammo cases; if you prefer close-quarters combat, shotgun cases are your best friend. With a well-managed attaché case, you’ll be ready to face whatever nightmares plague Leon’s mission. So, heed the Merchant’s advice—spend those Pesetas wisely, and you’ll make it out alive.