Best Crafting Recipes & Ammo Management Guide — RE9
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
PUBLISHED MAY 2026 · 9 MIN READ · CRAFTING SYSTEM
✓ SPOILER LEVEL: LOW
Crafting in Resident Evil Requiem can make or break your run, especially on Insanity. This guide covers all Blood Specimen recipes, optimal resource management for Grace's Blood Collector and Leon's ammo crafting, and which recipes to prioritize.
Resource flow overview
// RESOURCE FLOW (GRACE)
🩸
Kill enemies → Harvest Infected Blood with Blood Collector
🔧
Loot containers → Find Scrap
🧪
Solve Blood Specimens at the Lab → Unlock recipes
⚗️
Combine at Item Box → Craft ammo + Hemolytic Injectors
Blood Specimen recipes (Grace)
The three Blood Specimen puzzles in the Care Center unlock progressively better crafting recipes. Solve them in order:
Specimen 1 — Denatured DO IMMEDIATELY
Click middle square → Recipe unlocked
Located in the Blood Lab beside the Blood Collector. Solve this first thing on entering the lab. Unlocks: S&S M232 S&S M232 handgun Ammo recipe + Hemolytic Injector recipe. The Injector instant-kills Chunk and the Chef from behind.
Specimen 2 — Converged RECOMMENDED
Top-middle → 2nd from bottom = 2 steps
Found in the Ward Office (East Wing). Requires Level 1 ID Wristband. Unlocks: SMG Ammo recipe + Silencer 9 Silencer 9 pistol Magazine extender. Worth doing for the SMG ammo if you've found The Gal SMG.
Specimen 3 — Reversible END-GAME
Bot-left → middle → top-right → 2nd top = 4 steps
Behind a security door in the Blood Lab. Requires Level 1 Wristband. Unlocks: Premium Hemolytic Injector (boss-tier damage) + High-Quality Blood crafting tier. Useful for late Grace sections only.
Crafting recipe priorities
// HIGH PRIORITY (Always craft)
Hemolytic Injector ★★★★★
Scrap ×1 + Infected Blood ×2 = 1 Injector
The single most valuable craft. Instant-kills mini-bosses (Chef, Chunk) when used from behind. Stockpile 4-5 before Grace's combat-heavy sections.
S&S M232 S&S M232 handgun Ammo ★★★★
Scrap ×1 + Infected Blood ×1 = 6 rounds
Reliable bread-and-butter ammo. Craft whenever your S&S M232 handgun reserves drop below 20 rounds. Both Grace and Leon use this.
// MEDIUM PRIORITY (Craft when available)
First Aid Spray ★★★
Scrap ×2 + High-Grade Herb ×1 = 1 spray
Full health restore. Save Scrap for crafting these in critical moments. Don't waste Scrap on minor crafts when you're at full HP.
SMG Ammo ★★★
Scrap ×1 + Infected Blood ×1 = 12 rounds
Best ammo-to-resource ratio. Craft if you're using The Gal SMG or Stiri REVO3 A1. Skip if you don't have an SMG equipped.
// LOW PRIORITY (Skip unless needed)
W870 Police shotgun Shells ★★
Scrap ×2 + Gunpowder ×1 = 4 shells
Resource-expensive. Better to find shells in containers. Only craft for Leon's Care Center MSBG 500 sections if you're running low.
Silencer 9 Silencer 9 pistol Magazine Extender ★
Scrap ×3 + Premium Scrap ×1 = 1 attachment
Permanent capacity boost for Grace's M232 or Blacktail. Worth crafting once for an Insanity run.
Ammo management strategy
// THE 30/30/30 RULE
Maintain 30 rounds in three weapon categories at all times:
- S&S M232 S&S M232 handgun: 30 rounds (S&S M232, Blacktail, or Silencer 9)
- W870 Police shotgun: 30 shells (MSBG 500 or 990-TAC)
- Special: 30 of your specialty (SMG rounds, sniper rounds, or Requiem)
If any drops below 15, craft or loot before continuing. If above 50, stop crafting that type and focus elsewhere.
// REQUIEM BULLETS — TREAT LIKE GOLD
💡 Requiem Revolver rule: Never use Requiem rounds on standard zombies. Reserve them exclusively for boss weak points (Mr. X heart, Plant 43 flower, Victor's pustules). The Requiem one-shots most enemies, but you only get ~30 rounds in a full playthrough.
// HATCHET FINISHERS = FREE KILLS
When an enemy is staggered (low HP, post-parry, or after a headshot), the Hatchet finisher prompt appears. Always use it — finishers cost no ammo, restore some stamina, and unlock the "Chop Chop" trophy. Leon-only ability.
Hemolytic Injector tactics
The Injector deserves its own section because it's that important:
// USE CASES
- The Chef — Sneak behind, inject. Instant kill. Drops Pantry Key.
- Chunk #1 (East Wing) — 3 Injectors needed (use doorways to reset stealth)
- Chunk #2 (Attic) — Less effective; he's faster. Use W870 Police shotgun instead.
- Standard zombies — Wasteful. Use the knife or Silencer 9 pistol.
// HOW TO INJECT FROM BEHIND
- Approach from outside the enemy's vision cone
- Crouch within 2 meters
- The Injector prompt appears
- Press the action button — Grace performs an instant-kill animation
Insanity-specific crafting tips
⚠ On Insanity, ammo drops are halved. Crafting becomes mandatory, not optional. You cannot rely on world drops alone.
- Solve all 3 Blood Specimens as Grace — every recipe matters
- Loot every container for Scrap and Blood — even minor amounts add up
- Skip optional bosses if low on Injectors — save resources for mandatory fights
- Craft First Aid Sprays before bosses — you'll need them
- Use the Hemolytic Injector on any mini-boss you encounter — they're worth it on Insanity
Trophy considerations
- "The Power of Blood" — Bronze. Auto-unlocks on first Blood Collector craft.
- "Science!" — Bronze. Solve any Blood Specimen.
- "Order Up!" — Bronze. Defeat the Chef (Hemolytic Injector instant-kill is the easiest path).
- "Eye Spy" — Bronze. Defeat Chunk for the charm (3× Hemolytic Injectors needed).
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