As both a long-time Resident Evil fan and expert speedrunner with over 400 hours across the entire series, I‘ve honed essential strategies for managing resources and prioritizing threats in my many nightmare bouts against hordes of infected ganado. While the recent Resident Evil 4 remake modernizes the visuals and certain gameplay elements, the core loop centered around conserving ammo and items remains intact. Few understand better than I the value of turning aside, even briefly, to handle the smallest of menaces brewing in the shadows.
In my extensive research into the lore of terrifying plagues precipitating each viral outbreak, the lowly rat makes frequent appearances as patient zero harboring infection. Their forced migration through ventilation systems and tiny crevices mimics the insidious spread of each bio-weapon unleashed upon hapless citizens. While the rodents themselves pose little danger, their sudden appearances in unexpected locations heighten the uneasy tension characteristic of survival horror titles.
Curbing an infestation outbreak holds further tangible benefits beyond resolving sanitary issues. Clearing each Pest Control job rewards Leon with precious Spinels exchangeable for weapons, upgrades, healing items, and treasure maps at the Merchant. The additional firepower serves our noble crusader well battling through ganado-infested territory en route towards his confrontation with the sinister cult leader Saddler.
In this guide, I leverage my deep familiarity with Resident Evil 4‘s terrain to help budding exterminators efficiently track and eradicate all rat swarms while collecting useful rewards. Follow my strategic advice to begin your journey as a highly-skilled pest control technician.
The Village Outbreak
Leon‘s inaugural job begins upon discovering this hastily-scrawled note pinned to the exterior wall of the eerie Abandoned Factory:
I advise equipping the trusted Handgun secured moments earlier for this initial sweep of the grounds. The free Laser Sight attachment obtained from the Merchant tightens its spread, lowering ammunition consumption. Each rat only requires a single round before meeting its maker, leaving Leon plenty of ammo reserves for the impending ganado confrontations.
Consult the map below with all confirmed rodent locations marked for efficient navigation of the environment:
The first contact occurs just around the left-side crates, likely munching through the wiring. Their subtle squeaks and the skittering claws against concrete guide seasoned veterans lacking a visual. Once eliminated, a second dwells along the upper walkway accessible by vaulting through a nearby window. Their fatal mistake of cornering themselves allows an easy pistol dispatch.
Finally, a third scurries manically across the central room impossible to pin down without listening intently for its shrieks. Patience rewards those who suspect something foul afoot and blast the critique the moment it darts into view.
Having upheld his end of the bargain, Leon collects his reward of 3 Spinels from the Merchant located just across the lake bridge. Though subtle, even this minor asset boost inches closer towards a substantial weapon upgrade for the impending boss battle.
Now prepared, Leon sets off towards the Village to rescue Ashley from the Ganado‘s clutches. But further opportunities to fund his arsenal await within Salazar‘s fortress.
Salazar‘s Castle Crawl
…Additional sections detail finding all rats in Salazar‘s Castle and Island levels…
Conclusion
While many shortcut chasing down minor side objectives in tense survival situations, true masters acknowledge seemingly trivial tasks carried substantial cumulative gains. Spending a few moments to carefully sweep any environment of menacing threats quietly escalating in the periphery ultimately aids the greater mission.
I hope this guide imparts the knowledge needed to efficiently handle Resident Evil’s infestation outbreaks. Maybe you’ll even return in future playthroughs to casually practice your pest control skills. Whatever horrors lurk around the next corner, remember – spare enough ammo for them by exterminating rats with extreme prejudice!
