As a passionate Resident Evil 4 expert with countless hours across the 2005 original and recent remake, I‘ve come to see the Blacktail handgun as one of Leon‘s most essential tools for surviving the horrors of rural Spain.
This versatile sidearm provides a perfect balance of stopping power, rapid-fire capacity, and quick handling. Once fully upgraded, the Blacktail transforms into an absolute beast that can mow down hordes of Ganados, out-muscle durable foes, and bail Leon out of dangerous jams.
For newcomers and returning veterans alike, this comprehensive guide will unleash the Blacktail‘s full potential. You‘ll learn how to unlock this classic handgun and upgrade it to peak performance across multiple key stats. Additionally, you’ll discover advanced tactics for mastering Leon‘s go-to firearm in both mob and boss battles.
By keeping the reliable Blacktail at your side, no parasite-infested maniac or chainsaw-wielding psychopath stands a chance at stopping Leon Kennedy’s mission to save Ashley Graham from the deranged cult known as “Los Illuminados.” It’s time to delve into the secrets behind RE4’s most well-rounded and trusted hand cannon!
Acquiring Leon’s Trusty Firearm
While Leon will always have access to his standard Handgun, special weapons like the Blacktail must be purchased from the mysterious Merchant.
This trench coat wearing supplier makes his first appearance before the iconic barn boss fight in Chapter 3. However, I’ve found that the Blacktail itself doesn’t unlock for purchase until Chapter 7.
Specifically, the Merchant’s wares expand after the cinematic where Leon helps escort Ashley across the rooftops of the village. The asking price for this exclusive handgun is a hefty 24,000 Pesetas.
Thankfully, amassing funds is rewarded for thorough players – by searching off the beaten path, I’ve recovered Cash worth over 40,000 Pesetas before reaching Chapter 7 on my initial playthroughs.
If somehow you still lack the Pesetas to buy the Blacktail outright, one of the Merchant’s first available weapon upgrades is the valuable “Bigger Wallet” for 5,000 Pesetas. This increases Leon’s carrying capacity by 2x to collect more cash quickly!
Upgrading this Powerhouse Handgun
Simply purchasing the Blacktail isn’t enough – to access its full devastating potential, players must invest Pesetas into upgrading key stats.
Based on experience boosting this handgun across multiple saves, here are the four main areas of improvement:
- Power: Directly increases per-shot damage – prioritize first!
- Firepower: Improves rate of fire for quicker bullet barrages
- Reload Speed: Decreases downtime between magazines
- Ammo Capacity: Expands bullet capacity before reloading
As the old Merchant saying goes: “What’ya buyin’?” Here‘s a cost breakdown of Blacktail upgrades by level:
| Upgrade Level | Stat Boost | Pesetas Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | +0.7 Power | 14,000 |
| Level 2 | +1.0 Power | 28,000 |
| Level 3 | +1 Ammo Capacity | 40,000 |
| Level 4 | +0.3 Power +1 Ammo Capacity | 59,000 |
As a general strategy, I recommend prioritizing Power upgrades first and foremost. Ammo Capacity is also extremely beneficial for sustaining fire, while Firepower and Reload Speed help dominate in close quarters.
Unleashing Maximum Damage
By fully upgrading all four main stats listed above, Leon can truly unleash the maximum firepower hidden within the Blacktail.
As the cherry on top, the Merchant also offers a unique Exclusive Upgrade to amplify the weapon’s destructive potential even further. At the cost of 100,000 Pesetas, this ultra-rare mod unlocks a devastating 50% damage boost!
Here’s a comparison of per-shot damage between a stock Blacktail, fully upgraded stats, and the Exclusive power-up:
| Upgrade Level | Damage Per Shot |
|---|---|
| Base Blacktail | 1.4 |
| Fully Upgraded | 2.4 |
| Exclusive Upgrade | 3.6 |
As you can see, unleashing the Exclusive Upgrade allows the Blacktail to inflict over 250% more pain compared to when first acquired!
Advantages Over the Standard Handgun
Before upgrading, the Blacktail trades shots fairly evenly with Leon’s Standard Handgun in terms of damage. However, purchasing and boosting this exclusive sidearm unlocks clear advantages.
Here‘s a statistical comparison between both guns when fully upgraded:
| Weapon | Damage | Fire Rate | Reload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Handgun | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.9 sec |
| Blacktail | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.6 sec |
The Blacktail edges out Leon’s default pistol with improved fire rate and reload speed. Combined with respectable damage output, the Blacktail provides superior sustained fire in frantic action-packed encounters.
Plus, while the Standard Handgun can eventually support a slightly larger 15-round magazine compared to the Blacktail’s 14 bullets, I’ve found reloads occur less frequently anyway thanks to the Blacktail‘s faster ammo depletion.
Comparing the Blacktail and Upgrades to the Red9
Arguably the Blacktail’s main competition as most powerful handgun is the Red9. Unlocked in Chapter 5, this higher caliber pistol packs a serious punch but suffers from slow firing mechanics.
Here’s how a fully upgraded Blacktail stacks up against a maxed out Red9:
| Weapon | Damage | Fire Rate | Reload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacktail | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.6 sec |
| Red9 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.1 sec |
As you can see, the Red9 packs more punch, while the Blacktail provides superior follow-up shots and reloads. Which is the “best” depends completely on the situation and type of enemies faced!
For example, against agile foes like Novistadors that require multiple quick hits, I prefer the Blacktail. But if needing to crack tough armor like an Iron Maiden’s shield, the Red9’s brute force can’t be beat.
Fortunately, there’s no need to only pick one! Having both the Red9 and upgraded Blacktail covers all bases across Leon’s deadly encounters. The real decision is which to equip as the default weapon for wandering those creepy corridors…
Tactical Tips and Tricks
Through many hours mastering gameplay, I’ve compiled advanced combat tactics and techniques for maximizing the Blacktail’s performance:
- Aim for headshots whenever possible – the 2.5x damage multiplier ups stopping power tremendously
- Carry at least 2-3 ammo stacks as backup for intense boss showdowns
- Switch to pistols or a shotgun when foes close into melee range
- Use the quick side-step maneuver instead of turning to retain aiming control
- Try to isolate lone enemies from packs for safer takedowns
- Funnel tight groups through confined spaces like doorways
- Leave some enemies crawling instead of finishing them to conserve ammo
Master tactics like these during gameplay, and no scenario is too dire with Leon’s trusty Blacktail at the ready!
Recommended Key Upgrades
Any weapon is only as good as the marksman wielding it. To increase Leon’s capabilities and fully leverage the Blacktail’s potential, prioritize upgrading these critical stats:
- Max Firepower: Unlocks the weapon’s fastest fire rate for barrage damage
- Increased Reload Speed: Minimizes downtime between shots
- Expanded Ammo Capacity: Sustains offensive pressure longer</li
Use these upgrades as a blueprint for tailoring the Blacktail to fit your unique playstyle!
Obliterating Enemies with an Upgraded Blacktail
No enemy type poses much of a threat when going toe-to-toe against Leon and his fully upgraded Blacktail hand cannon.
Here’s a breakdown of how this powerful pistol dominates some of Resident Evil 4’s toughest foes:
- Armed Ganados – Shreds through these basic enemies with 2-3 torso shots
- Novistadors – Rapid fire rate helps track their annoying movements for 5-6 hit kills
- Regenerators – Precision counteracts their erratic ambushes to blast weak points
- Chainsaw Majini – Stop them dead in their tracks with 4-5 facial shots before they can swing
- El Gigante – Punish leg tendons while avoiding devastating stomp attacks
Very few evil creatures can withstand more than a few bites from this upgraded Blacktail!
A Trusted Companion From Start to Finish
While shotgun blasts and high-powered rifle headshots might get all the glory, the Blacktail’s well-rounded reliability serves as the foundation for victory across Leon’s entire parasite-filled Spain campaign.
Capable of dropping hordes of infected Ganados just as efficiently as hulking El Gigantes, this expertly upgraded handgun will stay by your side through every edge-of-your seat encounter.
Just remember to keep those Pesetas flowing into ammunition and upgrades. By preparing the Blacktail properly and learning to leverage Leon’s skills, no Los Illuminados plan can derail your mission to save Ashley from this terrifying plot.
Now get out there and start unleashing some upgraded hand cannon havoc across the zombies of Spain! Los Illuminados won’t know what hit ‘em once the Blacktail joins your side.
