Grace vs Leon, Character Differences in Resident Evil Requiem
Author note: Written by the writer, a 23-year Resident Evil series fan based in Seoul, South Korea. This guide is based on 6 full RE9 playthroughs on PS5 and Steam (Casual β Insanity β NG+ Insanity completions). All strategies, timings, and locations have been personally tested on the v1.02 patch. AI tools were used only for grammar review and note organization; no AI-generated content appears in strategy analysis.
PUBLISHED MAY 2026 Β· 9 MIN READ Β· CHARACTER COMPARISON
β SPOILER LEVEL: MEDIUM
Resident Evil Requiem features two playable protagonists with completely different gameplay styles. This complete comparison covers every ability, weapon access, exclusive feature, and tactical difference between Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy.
Hemolytic Injector; one-shots mini-bosses from behind
Silencer 9 Silencer 9 pistol Magazines, extended mag for the M232
First Aid Items β supplemental healing
Recipes unlock by analyzing Blood Specimens at the Blood Lab. Solve Specimen 1 (Denatured) ASAP. it unlocks Hemolytic Injectors which trivialize the Chef and Chunk fights.
// SAFE-CRACKING (EXCLUSIVE)
Only Grace can interact with the 5 locked safes. If you encounter a safe as Leon, you cannot open it; switch back to Grace's section in the story.
// STEALTH FOCUS
Grace's chapters emphasize avoidance. Many encounters are designed around sneaking past enemies rather than fighting. Use the Hemolytic Injector for silent stealth kills from behind.
Leon S. Kennedy β abilities and exclusives
// WEAPON UPGRADE SYSTEM
Leon visits Supply Boxes across Raccoon City and the ARK to spend Credits on weapon upgrades:
Tier 1 upgrades, base improvements (damage, capacity, accuracy)
Tier 2 upgrades. specialized stats (rate of fire, reload speed)
Tier 3 (Advanced Tuning) β unlocked by collecting all 25 Mr. Raccoons
// HATCHET FINISHER
When an enemy is staggered (low HP or post-parry), Leon can perform a Hatchet finisher; an instant-kill execution. Three finishers unlock the "Chop Chop" trophy.
// HEAVY WEAPON ACCESS
Leon has access to weapons Grace cannot use:
Requiem Revolver (his signature weapon)
MSBG 500 / W870 / 990-TAC Shotguns
Marksman 1A Sniper Rifle
Clatter Carbine (Clatter Carbine)
Rocket Launcher (single-use)
Side-by-side stat comparison
Stat
Grace
Leon
Health pool
Standard
Standard
Movement speed
Slightly faster
Standard
Inventory size
Smaller
Larger
Weapon variety
5 weapons
13 weapons
Weapon upgrades
None
3 tiers
Crafting
Blood + Scrap
Standard ammo only
Safe access
β Exclusive
β
Hatchet finisher
β
β Exclusive
Stealth options
Hemolytic Injector kills
Silencer 9 only
Best at
Survival, exploration
Boss fights, combat
Story-driven character switching
You don't choose which character to play; the story switches automatically based on chapter progression:
Wrenwood β Grace (intro)
Care Center 1F-Basement, Grace
Care Center Attic-Courtyard; Leon
Raccoon City β Leon (mostly)
ARK Facility; Leon (final boss)
β Critical: Once the story switches to Leon, you cannot return as Grace. Any Grace-exclusive activities (safe-cracking, missable Mr. Raccoons in Care Center) must be completed before the transition.
Optimal play for each character
// AS GRACE
Solve Blood Specimen (Denatured) ASAP for Hemolytic Injectors
Open all 5 safes during her chapters
Kill the optional Chunk and Chef bosses for unique drops
Use stealth approach. most fights are avoidable
Conserve Blood β recipes get expensive late-game
// AS LEON
Pick up MSBG 500 W870 Police shotgun in Care Center Attic immediately
Visit every Supply Box to upgrade weapons
Collect all 25 Mr. Raccoons for Advanced Tuning (Tier 3)
Master parry β Hatchet counter for boss fights
Save Requiem Bullets for boss weak points only
Which character is "better"?
Neither; they're complementary halves of the same game. Capcom designed the campaign so Grace's setup work (safe codes, blood crafting, exploration) directly benefits Leon's combat sections. A player who hoards Hemolytic Injectors as Grace will struggle once Leon takes over.
If you must pick a favorite for replay value:
Speedrunners prefer Leon. Infinite Requiem trivializes his sections
Completionists prefer Grace β her exploration is where most missables live
Casual players often find Grace more relaxing (less combat pressure)
Combat fans prefer Leon for the boss fights and weapon variety