What Happens if You Don’t Kill Verdugo in Resident Evil 4? A Tactical Deep Dive

So, you’re staring down Ramon Salazar’s creepy right-hand man, Verdugo, in the depths of the castle in Resident Evil 4 (both the original and the remake). He’s fast, he’s tough, and he’s got that nasty tail. The question burning in your mind is: what happens if I just skip this fight altogether? Well, the short answer is, you absolutely can skip the fight. If you choose to not kill Verdugo, you’ll simply have to survive for approximately 4 minutes while avoiding his attacks until the elevator arrives. He will never reappear again in the game, and Ramon Salazar will have one less bodyguard. You’ll save ammunition, healing items, and potentially a whole lot of frustration. However, you’ll miss out on the reward for defeating him, and you won’t get that satisfying feeling of conquering a formidable foe.

The choice is yours, and it’s a valid strategic decision depending on your play style, difficulty level, and resource management. Let’s break down the implications and consider whether avoiding the fight is the right call for you.

The Tactical Retreat: Surviving the Verdugo Encounter

The core of the “don’t kill Verdugo” strategy revolves around evasion. The arena where you encounter him has a few key features that make this possible:

• Liquid Nitrogen Tanks: These are essential to the strategy, even if you’re not planning on a full-blown assault. Freezing Verdugo with the nitrogen gives you breathing room, slowing him down and allowing you to reposition. You can even shoot the frozen Verdugo to make him break free earlier and do some damage to him.
• The Environment: The area allows you to use doors and passageways to slow him down and give yourself much-needed distance.

Here’s the basic strategy:

1. Utilize Nitrogen Strategically: Don’t waste the nitrogen. Wait until Verdugo is close before activating a tank. The momentary freeze gives you time to run to another part of the map or prepare your next move.
2. Keep Moving: Staying in one place is a death sentence. Verdugo’s attacks are fast and can cover a large area. Constantly move, using the environment to your advantage.
3. Learn His Attack Patterns: Verdugo typically does a few tail attacks from the floor or ceiling before he lands in the main hallway. If you can learn the timings, you can dodge these attacks.

After enduring the wait for around four minutes, the elevator will finally arrive. Get inside as soon as possible and you’re off scot-free, or perhaps in this case, scot-green-goo-free.

The All-Out Assault: The Pros and Cons of Eliminating Verdugo

Now, let’s consider the alternative: taking the fight to Verdugo. This is a more challenging path, but it comes with its own rewards.

Pros:

• The Gold Monocle: Defeating Verdugo earns you the Gold Monocle, which sells for a hefty 30,000 Pesetas. In the original game, killing Verdugo rewards the player with a crown jewel. This is a significant amount of money that can be used to upgrade weapons, buy healing items, or purchase a rocket launcher.
• Bragging Rights: Let’s be honest, Verdugo is a tough enemy. Taking him down is a satisfying accomplishment, especially on higher difficulty levels.
• Achievement/Trophy: In the Resident Evil 4 Remake, defeating Verdugo unlocks a trophy or achievement, rewarding completionists.
• One Less Enemy Later: If you kill Verdugo, you won’t have to worry about him later in the game. He will be gone for good.

Cons:

• Ammunition Consumption: Killing Verdugo requires a significant amount of ammunition, especially if you’re not using powerful weapons or exploiting his weaknesses.
• Resource Intensive: Besides ammunition, you’ll likely need healing items to survive his attacks.
• Time Consuming: The fight can take a while, even with a solid strategy.

Is It Worth It? Factors to Consider

Ultimately, the decision of whether to kill Verdugo comes down to your individual circumstances. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What difficulty are you playing on? On higher difficulties, ammunition and healing items are scarcer.
• What is your current stock of ammunition and healing items? If you’re running low, it might be best to avoid the fight.
• What weapons do you have available? A rocket launcher makes the fight significantly easier. Powerful weapons like the Rifle or Magnum are also very effective.
• Are you going for a completionist run? If you’re trying to unlock all the achievements or trophies, you’ll need to kill Verdugo at least once.
• How confident are you in your ability to dodge Verdugo’s attacks? If you’re not comfortable with the combat mechanics, it might be safer to run.

Weapon Recommendations for a Successful Verdugo Takedown

If you decide to face Verdugo, selecting the right weaponry is crucial. Here are some top recommendations:

• Rocket Launcher: The undisputed king of Verdugo-killing. One well-placed rocket will end the fight instantly.
• Magnum: High damage per shot makes the Magnum an excellent choice, especially when Verdugo is frozen.
• Rifle: A powerful Rifle can deal significant damage, especially with critical hits.
• Shotgun: A Shotgun is useful for close-range damage, but you’ll need to be careful to avoid Verdugo’s attacks.

Remember to use the liquid nitrogen to create openings for your attacks. Freezing him provides a window of opportunity to unload your most powerful weapons.

Final Verdict: To Fight or to Flee?

There’s no single right answer. Both strategies – fighting and fleeing – are viable options in Resident Evil 4. If you’re low on resources, or just want to avoid the hassle, running away is a perfectly acceptable tactic. If you’re feeling confident, have the right weapons, and want the reward (and the bragging rights), then go for the kill. Just remember to use the liquid nitrogen to your advantage, and don’t get greedy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Verdugo

1. Does Verdugo take damage when not frozen?

Yes, Verdugo does take damage when not frozen, but it’s significantly reduced. It’s far more efficient to damage him while he’s frozen, as this multiplies the effect of your attacks. He actually has HP in multiple parts, head, body, hands and legs. If you use the rocket launcher on him without freezing him, all other parts break except the body, so only body takes damage after that.

2. How many times can you freeze Verdugo?

You can freeze Verdugo multiple times, limited only by the number of liquid nitrogen tanks available in the area. Depending on your weapons and accuracy, three or four freezes may be enough to defeat him.

3. Is Verdugo optional?

Yes, Verdugo is entirely optional. You can simply survive for approximately 4 minutes until the elevator arrives. This is why he’s not always considered a true “boss” encounter.

4. What does Verdugo mean in English?

“Verdugo” is a Spanish word that translates to “butcher” or “executioner” in English, which is fitting for his role as Salazar’s brutal bodyguard.

5. How much HP does Verdugo have?

Verdugo has a substantial health pool, estimated at around 20,000 HP. This makes him one of the toughest non-boss enemies in the game.

6. What is the best gun for Verdugo?

The Rocket Launcher is undoubtedly the best weapon for quickly eliminating Verdugo. If you prefer a more conventional approach, a fully upgraded Magnum or Rifle are excellent choices.

7. Do flash grenades work on Verdugo?

No, Flash Grenades and Eggs are ineffective against Verdugo. Focus on using weapons that deal high physical damage.

8. How long does the elevator take to arrive when avoiding Verdugo?

The elevator typically arrives after around 4 minutes of surviving Verdugo’s attacks. Focus on evasion and utilizing the environment to buy time.

9. What happens if you don’t kill Verdugo?

If you don’t kill Verdugo, you’ll miss out on the Gold Monocle (or the crown jewel in the original), the achievement/trophy, and the satisfaction of defeating a tough enemy. However, you’ll save ammunition and healing items, and you won’t have to face him again.

10. Is Verdugo the hardest boss in Resident Evil 4?

While he is a formidable enemy, Verdugo is generally considered less difficult than bosses like Jack Krauser or Lord Saddler in both the original and the remake.

11. Can you kill Verdugo with a knife?

Yes, it is technically possible to kill Verdugo with a knife, but it is an incredibly challenging and time-consuming feat that requires a high level of skill and patience.

12. What are Verdugo’s weaknesses?

Verdugo’s primary weakness is being frozen with liquid nitrogen. While frozen, he takes significantly increased damage from all weapons.

13. What is U-III?

U-III is the designation given to Verdugo in the Resident Evil 4 Remake, indicating his status as a unique B.O.W. (Bio-Organic Weapon).

14. Where can I learn more about game strategy and design?

Consider exploring resources offered by organizations such as the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, which delves into the educational aspects of gaming.

15. What are some good strategies for avoiding Verdugo’s attacks?

Utilize the doors and passageways in the area to create distance between you and Verdugo. Pay attention to his attack patterns, especially his tail strikes from the ceiling, and dodge accordingly. Focus on constant movement and strategic use of the liquid nitrogen tanks.