Clearing most of Resident Evil 4 Remake (RE4) with only knives can be difficult, especially since they break after enough use. Check out our tips and strategies for knife only runs!

Knife Only Tips and Strategies

Top Tips for Knife Only Runs
Unlock and Upgrade the Primal Knife Wear the Deer Antlers Equip the Illuminados Emblem Charm Max Out Combat Knife Durability Collect and Use Disposable Knives First

Unlock and Upgrade the Primal Knife

We highly recommend unlocking the Primal Knife when going for knife-only runs. This weapon's Exclusive Upgrade gives it infinite durability, letting players parry, stealth kill, and execute foes as much as they want.

You can get this Bonus Weapon by destroying all 16 Clockwork Castellans and purchasing it in the Extra Content Shop for 1000 CP.

Primal Knife Location, Stats, and Upgrades

Play on Assisted New Game Plus

If you don't care about difficulty settings, the easiest way to complete a knife-only run after getting the Primal Knife is by unlocking New Game Plus and starting a New Playthrough on Assisted difficulty.

Carrying over your preferred fully-upgraded Knife in an easier difficulty setting will make melee-only runs much easier.

New Game Plus Guide and What Carries Over

Wear the Deer Antlers

Deer Antlers
Perk	Greatly increases the power of knife attacks.
How to Unlock	Complete the main story on Standard mode with an S+ rank.
Extra Contents Shop Price	2000 CP

In addition, wearing the Deer Antlers is a massive help when aiming for a knife-only run. This accessory's perk greatly increases the power of Knife attacks, improving your overall damage output when slashing foes and breaking free from grapple attacks.

How to Get Deer Antlers Accessory

Equip the Illuminados Emblem Charm

Charm	How to Get	Perk
Illuminados Emblem	Token Machines at Shooting Ranges.	+20% melee critical hit rate.

You can enhance the power of your Knife attacks even further by equipping the Illuminados Emblem Charm. This Epic Charm provides a 20% melee critical hit rate increase, increasing the chances of landing devastating strikes with your Knife.

Best Charms to Equip

Max Out Combat Knife Durability

If you plan on aiming for a knife-only run on your first playthrough, we highly recommend maxing out your Combat Knife's durability as soon as possible. Slowing down how fast Leon's knife deteriorates increases the number of times you can parry and execute foes, saving you from repairing it too often.

Combat Knife Location, Stats, and Upgrades

Collect and Use Disposable Knives First

In addition, suggest searching for and using disposable knives first in knife-only runs. Always make the most of your Kitchen and Boot Knives before swapping to your Combat Knife to extend its durability and save its higher damage output for tougher fights.

List of All Knives

Knife Only Completion Rewards

Silver Minimalist Trophy

Silver	Minimalist
	Complete the main story using only knives and handguns. (Excluding specific battles.) ► How to Complete Minimalist Trophy and Challenge

While there isn't a knife-only trophy, beating the game while only using Knives and Handguns rewards you with the silver Minimalist trophy.

Achievements List and Trophy Guide

1500 CP from Minimalist Challenge

Getting the Minimalist trophy also means you complete the in-game Minimalist challenge, which rewards the player with 1500 CP that they can spend at the Extra Content Shop.

All Challenges and How to Complete

Resident Evil 4 Remake Related Guides

Tips and Tricks: A Beginner's Guide

All Tips and Tricks Guides