Author note: Written by Jachin, 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 → Insanity → NG+ Insanity completions). All strategies, timings, and locations have been personally tested across the v1.02 patch. AI tools were used only for grammar review and note organization; no AI-generated content appears in strategy analysis.
Verified on: v1.02 + DLC patch · Last reviewed: May 30, 2026 · About the author · Editorial policies
Short answer: 1) Magnum first (Chapter 2 immediately). 2) Shotgun second (Chapter 4-5). 3) Assault Rifle third (Chapter 6). Skip Pistol after Chapter 3. Save currency for tier-3 upgrades — partial upgrades waste resources.
| Priority | Weapon | When to upgrade | Cost (T1 → T3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Magnum | Immediately (Ch. 2) | 12,000 → 35,000 |
| #2 | Shotgun | Ch. 4-5 | 8,000 → 22,000 |
| #3 | Assault Rifle | Ch. 6 | 6,000 → 16,000 |
| Skip | Pistol | Never (post-Ch. 3) | 3,000 wasted |
| Skip | Handgun | Never | 5,000 wasted |
Total currency available across a Standard playthrough: ~85,000-100,000.
| Currency source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enemy drops | ~30,000 |
| Antique Coins (6× 10,000) | 60,000 (if not sold) |
| Chapter completion bonus | ~5,000 |
If you keep all Antique Coins (recommended), you have 95,000+ available. That covers Magnum T3 + Shotgun T2 + AR T1.
You'll have ~15,000 currency at end of Care Center. T2 Magnum costs 8,000. Spend it. Save the rest for T3.
By Chapter 5, you should have ~25,000 saved. Shotgun T2 costs 6,000. Save rest for Magnum T3.
Magnum T3 (15,000) is the biggest single purchase. Pair with AR T1 (6,000) for RPD encounters.
Final boss Magnum + Shotgun T3 combo dominates Victor Gideon phases.
See our complete weapons tier list for all 17 weapons ranked.
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