Instant death attacks are a common occurrence throughout the Resident Evil series. This name has been attributed to three different classes of attacks utilized by various monsters.
Types
- Instant Death Attacks - These are the very essence of the namesake. If these attacks hit their target, they will die regardless of their health situation and once hit, there is no way to recover from it.
- Avoidable Death Attacks - These involve either grabbing the player or putting them in an immediately avoidable situation. The player can often escape by struggling (moving the analog/directional pad or tapping buttons) or by entering a designated prompt. Failing to will result in death.
- High-Damaging Attacks - Although these do not include instant death in such a manner, they are extremely damaging. When a player in Caution status is hit with these attacks, it will result in a specialized instant death animation. Some creatures will not even use these attacks until the player is in Caution status.
Instant Death Attacks
Creature | Games | Picture | Description | Strategy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alexia Ashford (First Form) | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica | Only in her first form, if Alexia gets too close to the player, she will lift them up with her hand and completely engulf them in flames. | The best course of action for Alexia's first form is to simply keep as much of a distance from her as possible. Try to get out of this battle quickly by using the magnum or another powerful weapon. | |
Alligator | Resident Evil 2 | This giant alligator found in the sewers beneath Raccoon City is easily large enough to completely consume the player in its maw, and it will do just that if it gets close enough. | The easiest way to defeat this toilet-flushed-pet is to lead it around the sewer tunnel until you get to the explosive canister. As the alligator passes it, it will snap it up in its jaw. All it will take is a single bullet, then, to take off the gator's head. | |
Chainsaw Sisters | Resident Evil 4 | Much like Chainsaw Man, these two female Ganado wield deadly chainsaws that are capable of decapitating the player when they get close enough. | Like any creature that needs to get close, keep a distance. Although they aren't as easily stunned as regular Ganado, a well-placed shotgun blast will be enough to down them and give you a few free shots from a weapon of your choice. | |
Durga | Revelations 2 | The Durga will grab at the player with its claw and proceed to slam him/her to death. | ||
Glasp | Revelations 2 | The Glasp will try to sneak up from in front of the player, and will break their spine and implant larvae. | ||
Gulp Worm | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica | The Gulp Worm will attempt to come up from beneath the player, and will completely devour the player if given the chance. | The best strategy is to just run away from it, because it will take a lot of bullets to kill early on. It shouldn't be too hard to dodge if you're quick. | |
William Birkin (First Form) | Resident Evil 2 (Scenario B Only) | With his pipe in hand, Birkin will raise it high into the air for several seconds before smashing it down onto any nearby player, killing them instantly. | Thankfully, Birkin's first form is extremely slow, giving you plenty of time to unload into him with a Grenade Launcher, Shotgun, or whatever you have to end the battle quickly before he can close in and use this attack. Even then, it should be easy to run from and avoid. | |
Chainsaw Majini | Resident Evil 5 | Another chainsaw enemy with the same trick up its sleeve. When he gets within range, he will perform one of two swings that will instantly cut open the player's throat. If standing directly behind him, he will swiftly turn and perform an instant kill as well. | The same as dealing with the chainsaw enemies of Resident Evil 4, keeping a distance and moving quickly is vital. The enemy isn't very fast so it's very easy to pull off shots on them, aiming for the head to stun them. Making use of the environment (barrels and conductors) is also highly advisable. | |
Crocodile | Resident Evil 5 | Walking through a marsh/water are littered with these highly-dangerous creatures. They only have one attack - a massive chomp that will drag a player underneath as they devour them. | Crocodiles will take as much abuse as other very powerful enemies. The best thing to do is to run fast and run far to avoid them. Using grenades, a grenade launcher, or a magnum will be the best bet if you want to kill them just to get them out of your way... but running is just as effective. | |
Del Lago | Resident Evil 4 | This will only occur if the player goes out of their way to stand on the shore of where Del Lago rests and fire repeatedly into the water. The creature will leap out and snatch the player off the shore, devouring them. | This is very easy to avoid... DON'T SHOOT THE WATER. Chances are you are doing this on purpose anyway, so a strategy is pointless. | |
Zombie Lion | File #2 | The creature will rear back and begin to growl as it prepares to attack, alerting the player before it charges the player and slashes their torso. | Zombie Lions are very quick and very dangerous because of their mobility. They are weak to David's homemade spears and a hunting rifle or any other heavy weapon should be enough to take them down. Just be ready to move when it gets into its stance.
Interestingly, Mark is able to guard against this attack. | |
Globster | Revelations | When having the advantage of being underwater, a Globster will be able to kill a player also submerged in water by swallowing them. | Obviously, the best thing to do is to avoid water where possible. The inside of their mouth is extremely vulnerable and also extremely exposed when they are moving or attacking. | |
Scagdead | Revelations | The creature will grab the player by the legs with its large jaws when they are close, then activate its buzzsaw and run it through the center of their body vertically. | Keep your distance and aim for the humanoid head. This part of the creature takes extra damage from all attacks. Be wary of its traps that it sets out, resembling bear traps that will grab the player and hold them in place until they can escape. Like bear traps, they can be shot to be rendered harmless. | |
Wall Blister | Revelations | This creature appears exclusively in the HD / Unveiled Edition of Revelations, it also appears exclusively in Infernal Mode and Raid Mode. Once grabbed by this player, it is impossible to break free and it will twist the player spine resulting in an instant death. | It is best to shoot this creature with a highly powerful weapon immediately as it lands (since killing it is not possible when it didn't land/hatch yet). Otherwise it is best to completely avoid it by running away. | |
Hunter R | Outbreak, File #2 | The creature will stand in place and begin to growl as it readies its claw. When it attacks, the claw will slash the player's torso, causing them to fall to their knees as they bleed out. | This variation of Hunter is the easiest to deal with by far, being extremely susceptible to all kinds of weapons. A point-blank shotgun blast is often enough to kill it right away and even using melee weapons is enough to take the creature down rather quickly. | |
Al Lester (The Axe Man) | File #2 | With his axe in both hands, Lester will lift it high above his head and wait for a moment before quickly bringing it down, slicing anyone in its path. | There is enough time to avoid him when he begins to prepare this attack and it has little range, so it shouldn't be much of an issue. He can also be shot or attacked to make him cancel the attack. Either trying to kill the Axe Man or simply running away, either solution is viable really. | |
Lurker | Resident Evil Zero | Extremely dangerous when close, the creature will easily swallow the player whole. | Killing the Lurker is out of the question. Thankfully, it scares easily as a gunshot is usually enough to make it run away quickly. Firing off a shot should give you enough time to make way to an exit and get away from this creature before they make a snack out of you. | |
Nemesis-T Type (Final Form) | Resident Evil 3 | Getting too close to the back of Nemesis' final form will cause it to suddenly flip over onto its back, impaling the player with the spikes lining its back. | Very simple - don't stay near it's back side. Although its attacks are powerful, this one is the most dangerous. Nemesis' final form can be damaged with the magnum and rocket launcher but the best way to go about this is as the game intended, by utilizing the rail gun. | |
Neptune | Resident Evil (Remake) | In Resident Evil, failing to cross the Aqua Ring fast enough will result in the mother Nepture instantly devouring the player. | Run. In this situation, that is really the only thing you can do. The Neptune shark cannot be killed at this point, so just run through the Aqua Ring as fast as you can and you should avoid a chompy death. | |
Plaga (B) | Resident Evil 4 | The Plaga commonly found in cultists and some Armadura, when they get close enough to the player, the open mouth of the parasite will promptly bite off their head. | The Plaga aren't difficult to deal with unless you're cornered. Even though, throwing a flash grenade will immediately destroy the Plaga. Of course, it can be handled using any type of firearm (although attacking it with the knife is obviously not advisable), but a flash grenade will make all your problems go away. | |
Reaper | Resident Evil 5 | When the Reaper is close to a player, it will use its primary claws to grab them and hold them in place while using the secondaries to repeatedly impale the player. | Easily one of the most difficult enemies to deal with, they are only vulnerable in a few glowing sacs on their body. Explosives and fire are ineffective, as are flash grenades, but flash rounds from the grenade launcher will expose its weakpoints, leaving it open to attack. Limbs can be destroyed but regenerate very quickly. | |
Ramon Salazar | Resident Evil 4 | File:Ramon-Salazar.jpg | During the boss fight with Salazar, the newly formed head will turn sideways and swiftly snap out at the player, tearing them apart with its jaws. | Staying away from the center of the upper area will help, damaging the tentacle on the side you're on to give you some space. The jaw will not be able to reach you there. The best strategy is to shoot the large, bulbous eye until the "body" of the creature opens up, revealing Salazar's real body. Hitting this with a rocket launcher will end the battle right away. |
Chainsaw Man | Resident Evil 4 | Like all chainsaw counterparts, when Salvador gets in range, he will drive the chainsaw into the player's neck, pulling it through completely until the player is decapitated. | The method of dealing with Chainsaw Man is the same as dealing with the Chainsaw Sisters. Although dangers to let him close, a shotgun blast should be sufficient in stunning him and knocking him off his feet. Just as with the Sisters, this will give you ample opportunity to load into him with whatever weaponry you see fit. | |
Zombie Lion | File #2 | See Zombie Lion | See Zombie Lion. The Zombie Lion is more resilient but same basic strategy applies. When it leaps onto a nearby rooftop to recover, fire upon it to force it back down and finish the job before it can kill you. | |
Thanatos | File #2 | Before performing its attack, the Thanatos will take a moment to point out his potential victim. Then, he will quickly run them through with his clawed hand. | A good strategy (aside from running, which is advisable in the first encounter) is to lead Thanatos to the nearby staircase, as he will rarely attack when going up stairs. Even when he's preparing to do his instant-kill, he can easily be knocked out of it through any heavy weapon or a potshot from a handgun. Overall, very manageable compared to others.
Mark can guard against this attack. | |
Zombie Elephant | File #2 | When running through the office, this mutated elephant can grab a player through a hole with its trunk and pull them out to prompty stomp them to death. | There is only one way to actually avoid this, and that is to stay away from the holes it comes through. Once Zombie Elephant grabs you, there is no escape from this so that is the only strategy that needs mention. | |
Tyrant C | File #2 | Much like the Tyrant R, the Tyrant C will begin to rotate its elastic arms around itself quickly, instantly killing anyone within range. | This Tyrant should be handled like any other Tyrant - try to take it down with whatever heavy weaponry you have and avoid it at all costs. This variant is faster than the Tyrant R and can easily corner you, but it still gives you a moment to escape as it prepares its attack. This attack is easily capable of hitting all players at the same time. | |
Tyrant R | File #2 | Much like the Tyrant C, the Tyrant R will begin to rotate its large clawed hands around itself quickly, instantly slashing and killing anyone within range. | This Tyrant should be handled like any other Tyrant - try to take it down with whatever heavy weaponry you have and avoid it at all costs. Thankfully this variant is not as fast as the Tyrant C and gives you a moment to escape as it prepares its attack. This attack is easily capable of hitting all players at the same time. | |
Uroboros Aheri | Resident Evil 5 | At some point during the battle with the Aheri, while using four tentacles, it will raise all four of them into the air. It will wait several moments before smashing them all down, instantly killing both players. | There is only one way to avoid this devastating and rather annoying attack. Look for the tell-tale sign of the tentacles being raised into the air as they glow a bright red. The only thing you can do at this point is to focus on one tentacle and let loose on it with whatever you have to knock the boss out of this attack. | |
Ustanak | Resident Evil 6 | During a chase sequence, if the Ustanak catches up to either player, he will pick them up with his clawed hand and immediately crush their body. Other sequences may result in other similar end results. | In these sequences, there is only one thing you can do - run. That is the entire purpose of these moments, run and do not stop. Stop even for a second can give the Ustanak the edge it might need to catch up to you. | |
Albert Wesker (Uroboros) | Resident Evil 5 | In his first transformation, he will pursue Chris and Sheva with spinning arms that will kill them upon contact. In his final form, he will create whirlwinds of tentacles that will instantly kill anyone in the center. | The only way to avoid this in his first form is to go through the motions of what's required. The partner can shoot Wesker to slow him down until the players meet to face the final form. This is easily shown by Wesker roaring and slamming both hands into the ground prior to it. Although you can use a rocket launcher to end the battle quickly, only other way is to target the weak points on his chest and back. |
Avoidable Death Attacks
Creature | Games | Picture | Description | Escape |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alligator | File #2 | When on land, the alligator will grab on to the player's leg and attempt to throw them into the air to devour them. While in water, they will come up under the player to attempt to eat them. | When the alligator grabs your leg, it is possible to escape by rotating the analog/directional pad or being saved by an ally by shooting the creature. The latter is the only way to save a player caught by the creature while in water. | |
Bandersnatch | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica | When a player is at a distance, the Bandersnatch will use its long elastic arm to grab their head. If they don't escape quickly enough, the creature will break their neck. | Immediately when it grabs your head, begin to circulate the analog/directional pad or move back and forth to escape the Bandersnatch's grasp. | |
Crow | Outbreak | When crossing the J's Bar rooftop and the wall of the Apple Inn, Crows will attempt to knock the player over. Pecking at you, they will knock them over and they will grab on to the ledge. If the crow strikes again, the player will fall to their death. | To avoid this, you can tap the designated button to pull yourself back up onto the ledge before the crow can strike you again. | |
Wasp | Outbreak | When crossing the wall in the emission tower (Decisions, Decisions scenario), one wasp will try to knock the player over, just like the crow. If the wasp strikes again, the player will fall to their death. | To avoid this, you can tap the designated button to pull yourself back into the ledge before the wasp can strike you again. | |
Del Lago | Resident Evil 4 | While fighting the Del Lago, it will often knock the player out of the boat. They are forced to swim back but if unsuccessful, Del Lago will swallow them whole. | When knocked out of the boat, the only thing you can do is rapidly tap the designated button to swim back to the boat. However, if your health is low enough to a certain point you will not make it regardless so stay healed. | |
Hunter α | Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil | The Hunter will pounce onto the player, pinning them to the ground before it slashes at their throat. | After being hit with the pounce, it is possible for the you to throw the Hunter off of you by struggling with it. | |
Hunter γ | Outbreak, File #2 | When near a player in caution status, the Hunter will pick them up and put them in their mouth, chewing on them for a few moments before swallowing them whole. | When being chewed, the player can be rescued by another player. Almost any attack will stun the Hunter and cause it to drop the player in its mouth. | |
Ricardo Irving | Resident Evil 5 | Occasionally, the mutated Irving will open its gaping maw and bite down on part of the boat. If nearby, the player can be caught in its bite and killed. | When this attack occurs, players will be prompted with a button press that will allow them to evade the incoming attack if necessary. | |
J'avo (Moth Wing) | Resident Evil 6 | When caught by a J'avo that is mutated into a moth body for legs, it will grab the player. If they do not escape in time, it will use a stinger to impale the player. | If caught, simply move the analog back and forth to build up the meter to escape. It is best to avoid these types of mutations, stepping back when they rear back their upper bodies to grab you. | |
Nemesis-T Type (First Form, No Launcher) | Resident Evil 3 | When facing the Nemesis in its first form with no rocket launcher, it will pick the player up off the ground if knocked over and attempt to drive its spiked tentacle through their face. | When picked up by the Nemesis creature, you can struggle to break yourself free from its grasp. | |
Neptune | Outbreak | If a player is knocked into the water with Neptune, they must swim back to the pier or else it will come from under them to eat them. | One could avoid trouble by not being knocked into the water but if you are, you can just as easily swim back to the pier to avoid being eaten. | |
Nyx | File #2 | When the monster smashes its hand down on a player, it will engulf them and begin to rapidly infect them with the virus until dead. | The only way to escape from this after it happens is the hopes that one of the other players will damage Nyx enough that it will spit you out. | |
U-3 | Resident Evil 4 | If too close, the creature will grab the player's head with its tentacle arm. And sometimes, while running through the crates the creature will drop down on the player and drag them up to the ceiling. If successful on both situations, it will break the player's neck. | Both attacks will have a prompt to evade but even if grabbed, you will be able to struggle to break free by rotating the analog stick. | |
U-8 | Resident Evil 5 | While fighting this creature, it will use its scissor-like appendage to snap out and snip the player in half. | When the U-8 attempts this attack, you will be given a prompt to dodge the incoming attack and avoid certain death. | |
Uroboros (Test Subject) | Resident Evil 5 | If too close to the creature, it will grab the player and attempt to assimilate them into its form, completely devouring them. | When grabbed, you will be able to struggle or call for help from your partner character that can damage it to make it let you go. | |
Uroboros Mkono | Resident Evil 5 | See Uroboros (Test Subject) | See Uroboros (Test Subject) | |
Albert Wesker | Resident Evil 5 | While fighting Wesker in his humanoid form in the melee prompt battle, he will end his combo by piercing the player through the chest with his arm. | As with all of the attacks in his combo, this can be avoided by pressing the correct button prompt when necessary. | |
Zombie | Outbreak, File #2 | During certain scenarios, zombies will reach through windows to grab the player and pull them through to their death. | Avoid the windows or, failing that, you can easily escape by struggling. |
High-Damaging Attacks
Creature | Games | Picture | Description | Strategy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cerberus | Resident Evil (Remake) | When the player is low on health, the Cerberus will sometimes perform this new attack. As they pounce on the player, their jaws immediately lock on their throat and tear it out. | The most obvious aspect of this is don't stay in a low health status, trying to stay in Fine condition. Although a Cerberus can be taken down with a knife or handgun, sometimes it's best to just down it with a shotgun blast to give you an opportunity to finish it quickly before it can hurt you too badly. | |
Farfarello | Revelations | See Hunter α | See Hunter α. Keep in mind unlike others in the Hunter family, the Farfarello is able to utilize camouflage, making it an even trickier enemy to deal with. | |
Hunter α | Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil | A trademark move of the Hunter, it will leap at the player and slash across its throat with its claw, sometimes decapitating them. | This will only occur when the player reaches a Caution level of health. The best bet is to handle a Hunter with a shotgun or any other heavy weapon that you have ammo for. Keeping it floored and keeping your health in Fine status will save you from this. | |
Hunter β | Resident Evil 3 | See Hunter α | See Hunter α | |
Hunter γ | Resident Evil 3 | See Hunter α. This Hunter can also swallow a player whole while in the Caution status. | See Hunter α | |
Hunter II | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica | See Hunter α | See Hunter α | |
Licker | Resident Evil 2 | Much like the family of Hunter creatures, when a player is in Caution a Licker can leap at them and slash their throat with a clawed hand. | Lickers are quick and agile, much like the Hunters but in a different manner in that they are low to the ground. The same basical strategy would still apply, however. A well-placed shotgun blast will do wonders and the best thing is to make sure your health stays in a Fine status. | |
Licker (Evolved) | Resident Evil 2 | See Licker | See Licker | |
Stinger | Resident Evil 0 | If the player is too close to the scorpion when low on health, they just might find themselves soon impaled by the creature's stinger. | Although the boss hurts, it is simple - unload into its face with the Hunting Gun or whatever you happen to have handy. Make sure to have healing items present and be careful not to waste ammo when it's guarding itself. Keep in mind to keep away from it as it dies, as it will attempt one final highly-damaging attack. It might also be advisable to play as Billy for the battle. | |
Sweeper | Resident Evil CODE: Veronica | See Hunter α | See Hunter α | |
Zombie Elephant | File #2 | Rearing back onto its hind legs briefly, the creature will use all of its weight to come down with the front two legs, stomping upon beneath them. | The best strategy is to really not fight the elephant in the first place. It can be done by trapping the elephant inside its cage by using the blank tape on the tape machine above the cage to lure it back in, then run down and shut the doors behind it. Although it can escape again, you at least have a chance to get away before it does. Mark-type characters can block this attack interestingly. | |
Yawn | Resident Evil/Resident Evil | In the original game, Yawn will devour a weakened character. In the Resident Evil, the massive snake will constrict the player tightly until they die. | In the first encounter, it is possible to try to avoid this serpent all together as you grab the necessary item and escape. Second round however is to the death. Regardless of when you face it, the strategy remains the same - keep away from its head and unload into it with the Grenade Launcher (Acid Rounds), Shotgun, or whatever you have. |
Miscellaneous
This is worthy of mention as this is an extremely dangerous enemy. Although it does not cause an instant death per se, firing upon it will result in an immediate game over regardless.
Creature | Games | Picture | Description | Strategy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Forest Speyer (Zombie) | Resident Evil (Remake) | In the mode One Dangerous Zombie, Forest will appear strapped with grenades, pursuing the player through rooms. If fired upon, it is an instant game over for the player. | The only thing to really do about this zombie is to avoid and evade him. Whatever you do, do not shoot him. Some creatures can knock him down while the player.pursuing without any consequences. Most notably, Crimson Heads. |