Of all the iconic horrors that stalk the mist-shrouded valleys and gothic halls of Resident Evil Village, few are as peculiarly charming or as universally sought-after as the humble Goat of Warding. These unassuming, stone-carved effigies, hidden with a mix of cunning and cruelty by the developers at Capcom, are more than just collectibles. They are a silent challenge, a secondary objective that pushes players to explore every terrifying nook and cranny, rewarding that courage and curiosity with meaningful and gratifying unlockables. This deep dive explores the rewards tied to these elusive idols and the profound impact they have on the gameplay experience.
Scattered across the game’s six main regions—The Village, Castle Dimitrescu, House Beneviento, Moreau’s Reservoir, Heisenberg’s Factory, and the returned Stronghold—are 20 Goats of Warding. Their silent, judgmental gaze peers from high rafters, hidden behind boxes, tucked away in secret passages, and even concealed in plain sight. The act of finding and shattering them is a meta-game in itself, a moment of cathartic destruction amidst a narrative of survival and desperation. But the true payoff lies not in the act itself, but in the cumulative tally tracked in the Extras menu.
The rewards for collecting these goats are exclusively tied to The Duke’s Emporium, the traveling merchant who is a beacon of respite in the oppressive world of Village. He does not trade in Lei for these prizes; his currency is your diligence. The rewards are unlocked in tiers, each tier requiring the destruction of a set number of goats, encouraging players to be thorough across multiple playthroughs if they cannot find them all in one.
The First Tier: The LEMI Handgun Upgrade (5 Goats) The first significant reward, unlocked after finding just five goats, is a tangible and immediate gameplay enhancement: the infinite ammo cheat for the starting LEMI handgun. While the LEMI is often overshadowed by the more powerful M1911 and V61 Custom later in the game, this unlockable is a strategic masterstroke. On a first playthrough, it provides a reliable, worry-free sidearm for dispatching weaker enemies like the Moroaică and Lycans, conserving precious handgun ammo for stronger weapons. For subsequent playthroughs, particularly on higher difficulties or during speed runs, an infinite ammo sidearm, however basic, is an invaluable tool for managing crowds without ever worrying about resource drain. It’s a reward that respects the player’s effort by providing utility from the very beginning of a new game.
The Second Tier: The WCX Assault Rifle (10 Goats) Upon shattering ten Goats of Warding, The Duke offers a far more powerful prize: the infinite ammo cheat for the WCX assault rifle. This is where the reward structure takes a dramatic turn from practical utility to empowering power fantasy. The WCX itself is a formidable weapon, capable of laying down a devastating hail of bullets with high precision. However, its standard ammo is notoriously scarce and expensive to purchase. By removing this limitation, the player transforms into a force of nature. This unlockable truly shines in New Game+ runs. Marching back into Castle Dimitrescu with an infinite ammo, high-rate-of-fire weapon completely shifts the power dynamic, turning tense survival horror into a triumphant power trip. It is the key weapon for achieving S-rank finishes in The Mercenaries mode, allowing players to shred through hordes of enemies to build massive combos. This reward is the cornerstone of most post-game fun and challenge runs.
The Ultimate Tier: The Karambit Knife (20 Goats) The final reward, reserved only for the most meticulous and persistent hunters who find all 20 Goats of Warding, is the pinnacle of unlockables: the infinite ammo cheat for the Karambit knife. On the surface, this may seem like the least impressive reward. A knife, even an infinite one, is still a knife. But within the culture and mechanics of Resident Evil, it is a legendary status symbol. It hearkens back to the infinite rocket launchers and primal knives of earlier titles, a badge of honor for completionists.
Its utility, however, should not be underestimated. While not a practical primary weapon for most encounters, it serves several key functions. It allows for worry-free resource gathering, as players can slash at every breakable crate and barrel without a thought to their knife’s durability. More importantly, it enables specialized challenge runs, most notably the infamous "knife-only" playthrough, a ultimate test of skill and patience that is only feasible with an unbreakable blade. It represents the ultimate freedom from the game’s resource management systems, the final reward telling the player, "You have mastered our world; now go and play by your own rules."
Beyond the specific weapons, the pursuit of the Goats of Warding fundamentally alters how one experiences Resident Evil Village. The game is famously tense and linear on a first playthrough, urging players forward through a cascade of nightmares. The goat hunt incentivizes the exact opposite behavior. It forces players to stop, to backtrack, to look up, and to investigate that eerie sound coming from a seemingly inaccessible area. This process reveals the incredible depth of the game’s level design. You discover hidden rooms in Castle Dimitrescu, terrifying vistas in Heisenberg’s Factory, and mournful secrets in the village proper that you would have otherwise sprinted past. The rewards are not just the cheats from The Duke, but the intimate knowledge of the game’s world itself.
In conclusion, the Goats of Warding are a brilliantly implemented collectible system. They are not meaningless trophies but are intrinsically linked to a rewarding progression system that extends the game’s lifespan exponentially. The tiered unlocks provide powerful tools that cater to different playstyles: the practical LEMI for newcomers, the empowering WCX for action enthusiasts, and the challenging Karambit for elite completionists. Together, they transform Ethan Winters’s tragic journey from a one-time experience into a replayable, customizable, and deeply satisfying power fantasy, ensuring that every shattered goat feels like a step toward becoming the master of the village’s horrors.
