Resident Evil Village Combat and Strategies Guide
Master combat in Resident Evil Village with weapon tips, resource management, enemy weaknesses, and expert boss strategies.
Facing the dangers of Resident Evil Village isn’t just about bravado—it’s about knowing what you’re up against and how to handle whatever the game throws at you. Whether you’re weaving through the foggy streets of the village or bracing for what lurks inside Castle Dimitrescu, quick thinking and adaptability are key. The game ramps up the tension with varied enemy types, limited resources, and environments that demand more than just good aim. Understanding some of the essentials—how to read an enemy’s behavior, when to stand your ground, and when it’s smarter to make a run for it—can make all the difference between surviving and starting over at your last save point.
Weapon Upgrades Guide
In Resident Evil Village, your survival depends as much on your firepower as your fearlessness. Guns aren’t just tools—they’re lifelines. Upgrading your weapons can shift an uphill battle in your favor, making waves of Lycans feel a little less overwhelming and boss fights a whole lot less painful. Here’s what you need to know about powering up your arsenal.
The Duke: Your Upgrade Guy
Throughout the Village, you’ll cross paths with The Duke, a merchant stationed at various safe points. He’s your go-to for weapon upgrades and supplies. Each time you talk to him, you can spend Lei—the game’s currency—to buy and upgrade weapons. The Duke also lets you sell items and craft supplies, so keep an eye out for treasure and loot.
How Weapon Upgrades Work
Weapons fall into categories: handguns, shotguns, rifles, magnums, and a few specialty pieces. Each weapon has core stats that can be leveled up:
- Power: The higher this is, the more damage each shot will dish out.
- Rate of Fire: Boosting this lets you shoot faster, squeezing off more shots before enemies swarm you.
- Reload Speed: Faster reloads keep you shooting instead of panicking with an empty clip.
- Ammo Capacity: Increases the number of bullets your gun holds at once—a lifesaver in longer fights.
Not every weapon has all four stats to upgrade, but most do. You don’t have to max everything right away—in fact, you probably can’t due to Lei constraints. Prioritizing what you need based on your playstyle and the threats ahead can save both ammo and health.
Which Weapons Should You Upgrade First?
Starting out, focus on your handgun and shotgun. The LEMI handgun and the M1897 shotgun are solid picks early on. Upgrade power and ammo capacity first; higher damage makes every bullet count, and more rounds mean less time fumbling through your inventory while getting rushed.
As you progress, you’ll come across stronger weapons. Don’t waste too much Lei maxing out starter guns—hold off once you’re close to finding upgrades like the F2 rifle or the W870 TAC shotgun. These later weapons can be pushed to seriously high levels, giving you more bang for your buck.
Attachments and Custom Parts
Beyond raw stats, look for weapon attachments. These are scattered throughout the Village or available from The Duke and boost your weapons with bonuses—think red dot sights, stocks, and extended magazines. Attachments are automatically equipped through the inventory and enhance everything from reload speed to recoil reduction. If you see one in The Duke’s shop, consider grabbing it right away, since some are unique or have limited stock.
How to Prioritize Upgrades
Here’s a quick rule of thumb for upgrades:
- Power should usually come first, especially on shotguns and magnums.
- Ammo Capacity is a close second—especially for anything with a tiny clip size.
- Reload Speed helps when you're getting overwhelmed in close quarters.
- Rate of Fire is more useful for high-capacity guns, like SMGs or rifles.
If you only have enough Lei for one upgrade, think about the fights you’re struggling with. If regular enemies aren’t dropping fast, boost power; if you’re running out of bullets too quickly, bump up capacity.
Best Weapons to Upgrade and When
- LEMI Handgun: Great at the start. Upgrade until you can get the M1911.
- M1911 Handgun: Fast, powerful—becomes your main sidearm. Worth stacking upgrades.
- M1897 Shotgun: Solid for the early game. Start boosting the W870 TAC once you find it.
- W870 TAC Shotgun: Outclasses the M1897—dump your shotgun upgrades here mid-game.
- F2 Rifle: Perfect for long-range threats, Snipe bosses or armored foes. Upgrade power and reload speed.
- M1851 Wolfsbane (Magnum): Rare ammo, huge damage—save upgrades for boss fights.
- S.T.A.K.E. (Post-game): Shreds everything. If you get it, max it—nothing else compares.
Tips for Squeezing the Most Out of Your Lei
- Sell treasures and crystalized enemy drops to The Duke—none of it is used for crafting.
- Only buy upgrades for guns you’re planning to stick with.
- Some weapon upgrades and attachments are locked behind story progress, so check The Duke’s stock after big events.
- If you switch to a new gun, don’t worry—sell your old one. The Duke will refund the Lei you spent on its upgrades (minus the base gun cost).
Don’t Forget the Recipe Cards
As you gather Lei, consider picking up recipe cards from The Duke. These let you craft extra ammunition and explosives, which help offset limited drops in tougher areas. Combine this with smart weapon upgrades to keep your inventory stocked.
Conclusion
Upgrading your weapons in Resident Evil Village can feel overwhelming with so many options, but a few smart choices make a world of difference. Prioritize damage and ammo capacity, switch to stronger gear as you find it, and visit The Duke often. Stay resourceful, and your firepower will keep you alive when things get hairy.
Resource Management
Staying alive in Resident Evil Village isn’t just about blasting monsters—it’s also about keeping your backpack stocked with the right stuff at the right time. Every bullet, herb, and scrap of gunpowder could be the difference between outlasting a Lycan ambush or loading your last checkpoint. Here’s how to keep your inventory healthy and your pockets loaded without breaking a sweat.
Inventory Space: Pack Smart
Inventory management works on a grid-based system. Bigger weapons eat up more slots. Early on, you’ll only have a small briefcase, so every inch matters.
- Prioritize Essentials: Keep at least one healing item, your favorite gun, and some ammo for each gun you actually use. Don’t let backup pistols clog your space.
- Expand When Possible: The Duke sells upgrades to your case size—buy these ASAP. More room equals more flexibility and fewer hard choices.
- Rearrange Regularly: Open your inventory with Triangle/Y and shuffle items around. Group related things together, fit ammos into awkward corners, and leave space for new loot.
Ammo: Waste Not, Want Not
Ammo doesn’t come cheap, and you can run dry fast if you don’t plan ahead. Keeping your guns fed takes some thought.
- Don’t Spray and Pray: Every shot should count. Aim for weak spots, especially heads or exposed bits on bosses.
- Craft When Needed: As you find recipes and pick up scrap and chem fluid, you can craft ammo on the fly. Check your resources often, but don’t dump everything into handgun bullets—save some for bigger stuff later.
- Pick Your Fights: Sometimes, it’s smarter to run past enemies rather than burn precious ammo. If you can avoid a group by ducking through a shortcut or using a well-placed pipe bomb, do it.
Health Items: Stock, But Don’t Hoard
First aid meds are your healing lifeline, and herbs plus chem fluid are the basic pieces. You can only carry so many, so treat them like gold.
- Save Until Needed: Don’t panic-heal if you’re lightly wounded—orange health doesn’t mean instant death. Wait until you’re really hurt, then heal.
- Craft When Safe: Heal up between encounters, not in the middle of a fight, so you don’t get tagged at the crafting screen.
- Don’t Overcraft: If you’ve got more than 2-3 heals, hold off on making more unless you’re about to face a boss.
Crafting Resources: Always Be Collecting
As you wander through the Village, open every drawer, smash every crate, and peek in every side room. Almost every little side path has something useful tucked away.
- Gunpowder, Rusted Scrap, Chem Fluid, Herbs: Never pass these up. Most items respawn after story progress, so circle back if you’re running low.
- Inventory Balance: Ammo and health items share resource pools—sometimes you’ll need to choose between making more bullets or another heal. Think about what you’re low on before you craft.
Treasures and Key Items: What to Keep, What to Sell
Your pockets will fill up with trinkets labeled Crystal Skull, Necklace, or other treasures. These don’t have another use—sell them to The Duke. Some larger treasures can be combined with items found elsewhere (“Combinable” designation)—wait until they're finished before you sell to get the most Lei possible.
- Key Items: Don’t worry about tossing these—story items are kept in a separate section and don’t take up space in your inventory grid.
The Kitchen: Cooking for Perks
Midway through the game, The Duke opens up his kitchen. Bring him rare meats, fish, or poultry, and he’ll cook up permanent health and speed boosts.
- Bag It Early: If you spot animals or fish, take them out and collect the meat. Upgrade your health and movement as soon as possible—these upgrades stay with you forever.
- Don’t Cook Randomly: Check the menu and save up for the bigger upgrades, since ingredients are limited.
General Tips for Surviving Scarcity
- Manual Saves: Save stations are scattered throughout the Village—use them often, especially before tough fights or exploring new areas.
- Swap Out Old Gear: Trade up to newer guns when you can, and don’t be afraid to sell your old weapons and parts to free up space and Lei.
- Dump Clutter: If you’re carrying way too many leftover parts or excess ammo for weapons you no longer use, either sell or discard them if you need space.
Wrapping Up Resource Management
Staying stocked in Resident Evil Village means thinking ahead, taking only what you need, and making every item pull its weight. Spend your Lei wisely, keep your pouch organized, and don’t burn through your supplies unless you absolutely need to. The Village rewards careful resource management with smoother progress—and when the claws and fangs are coming, a well-packed case makes all the difference.
Enemy Weakness Guide
Resident Evil Village throws all kinds of nightmares at you—snarling Lycans, armored beasts, mutated monstrosities, and more. Knowing what hurts these enemies the most is as important as good aim. Here’s the nitty-gritty on weak spots, best ammo to use, and some practical tactics for every major foe. Master these weaknesses and you’ll breeze through rooms that might otherwise eat your health and ammo.
Lycans and Varieties
The werewolf-like Lycans are the most common enemy you’ll bump into, and they can easily overwhelm if you’re not ready.
- Weak Spot: Head. Go for headshots every time—it staggers them and drops them faster.
- Ideal Weapons: Handgun early on, shotgun in tight spaces or for groups. Sniper rifle works at range.
- Tips: Lycans dodge a lot, so wait for a lunge or after they attack to fire. If they’re in packs, use explosives or pipe bombs to hit several at once.
Armored Lycans
These look tougher and have bits of metal “armor” on their heads or bodies.
- Weak Spot: Unarmored head or limbs—look for exposed flesh and shoot there.
- Ideal Weapons: Shotgun or sniper rifle to punch through. Melee attacks are risky but can knock off helmets if you’re brave.
- Tips: Try to hit the gaps in the armor. If you can’t line up a shot, lure them into explosives.
Moroaică (Ghouls)
These shambling enemies show up in dungeons and lower areas, sometimes alone, sometimes in swarms.
- Weak Spot: Head and upper chest. They’re slow, so aim carefully.
- Ideal Weapons: Handgun or knife one-on-one. Shotgun when outnumbered.
- Tips: Let them get close, line up a few, and use one or two shotgun blasts to hit multiple at once. If you’re feeling stingy with ammo, use the knife when they’re alone.
Samca and Vampire Daughters
Samca fly around the castle exterior, while the Vampire Daughters (Bela, Daniela, and Cassandra) haunt halls within.
Samca
- Weak Spot: Head, specifically when they swoop or rest briefly on the ground.
- Ideal Weapons: Handgun, shotgun, or sniper rifle if you’re a good shot.
- Tips: Bait out their charge attacks—they land for a split second before flying again. Don’t waste resources chasing them between windows.
Vampire Daughters
- Weak Spot: Exposure to cold. They’re invincible until you crack a window or hit them with a cold burst (like environmental breezes or special explosives during fights).
- Ideal Weapons: Any gun once vulnerable; shotgun or pistol works great.
- Tips: Save your ammo until you’ve triggered their vulnerability, then unload. Listen for their dialogue—they taunt right before they’re about to become damageable.
Soldat and Varieties (Heisenberg’s Factory)
Heisenberg’s failed experiments pack extra armor and different attack patterns.
Standard Soldat
- Weak Spot: The blinking red mechanical heart on their chest.
- Ideal Weapons: Shotgun or magnum up close, sniper rifle at range.
- Tips: Circle strafe to their side to line up shots at the heart. Stay mobile to avoid their chainsaw swings.
Soldat Panzer
- Weak Spot: Still the heart, but tougher to access under lots of armor.
- Ideal Weapons: Magnum, grenades, or explosive rounds.
- Tips: Use mines or pipe bombs to blast off armor first, then target the exposed heart.
Armored Enemies and Mechanical Monsters
Later on, you’ll meet enemies with real metal plating.
- Weak Spot: Unarmored joints and, once again, the heart if visible. Sometimes, shooting arms or legs can break off armor plates.
- Ideal Weapons: Explosive rounds, mines, or sniper rifle to punch through.
- Tips: Don’t waste regular handgun rounds if you’re bouncing off armor—save those for after you’ve broken through plating.
Special Enemies & Mini-Bosses
Varcolac
Think giant, mutated wolf. Fast, dangerous, and intimidating.
- Weak Spot: Head and mouth.
- Ideal Weapons: Sniper rifle for range, magnum or shotgun up close.
- Tips: Sprint sideways, stay out of reach, and snipe when it pauses or howls.
Urias and Urias Strajer
Massive hammer-wielding brutes; they show up at key plot points.
- Weak Spot: Head and back.
- Ideal Weapons: Magnum, shotgun, or explosives.
- Tips: Circle around to avoid hammer swings, blast them when they pause. If minions appear, clear them with a pipe bomb to keep the area manageable.
Bosses
Each boss has its own special vulnerability, usually based on the arena or storyline event. Watch for environmental clues (like breakable windows, water, or machines). Their phases often feature exposed body parts that become weak spots—shoot those as soon as they show up. When in doubt, equip your biggest gun and unload when the boss is staggered.
Quick Reference Table: Enemy Weaknesses
| Enemy Type | Weak Spot | Best Weapons | Extra Tips | |--------------------|---------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Lycan (basic) | Head | Handgun, Shotgun | Dodge attacks, fire after they commit | | Armored Lycan | Exposed flesh | Shotgun, Sniper | Aim for gaps, use explosives if packed | | Moroaică | Head/Upper chest | Handgun, Shotgun | Knife solo ghouls to save ammo | | Samca | Head (when landed) | Handgun, Sniper | Shoot when grounded, don’t chase in air | | Vampire Daughters | After cold exposed | Any gun | Wait for vulnerability, then go all out | | Soldat | Mechanical heart | Shotgun, Magnum | Circle to the side, stay on the move | | Soldat Panzer | Heart (under armor) | Magnum, Explosives | Blast armor off, then target heart | | Armored Monsters | Joints/Heart | Explosives, Sniper | Break armor first, don’t waste basic ammo | | Varcolac | Head/Mouth | Sniper, Shotgun | Stay mobile, hit when vulnerable | | Urias | Head/Back | Magnum, Shotgun | Avoid swings, blast after attacks |
Tips for Exploiting Weaknesses
- Pause and Aim: Hitting weak spots deals more damage, saves ammo, and may stagger targets.
- Explosives Are King: Mines and pipe bombs aren’t just for bosses—they’re great for armored targets and crowds.
- Conserve Resources: Don’t overcommit high-end ammo to standard enemies. Save the heavy artillery for boss phases and late-game monsters.
- Use the Arena: Environmental hazards (windows, bombs, water) often make enemies vulnerable.
Take the time to learn each enemy type—what hurts them, what wastes your ammo, and how to win fights efficiently. With these tips, your loadout will stretch further, and those monsters won’t look nearly as scary when you know exactly where to aim. Before you get too trigger-happy in Resident Evil Village, it’s also smart to learn some defensive techniques. The game gives you a solid blocking system—a lifesaver, especially when surrounded or low on resources. Mastering when and how to block or parry can mean the difference between staggering away with a sliver of health or having to reload your last autosave.
Blocking and Parrying
Enemy attacks are fast, and you can’t dodge roll or sprint away like in some other survival-horror games. That’s where blocking—and occasionally parrying—steps in to help you survive.
How Blocking Works
Press and hold the guard button (L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox, or Spacebar on PC) to bring up Ethan’s hands and defend against incoming attacks. Blocking absorbs a big chunk of damage from nearly any attack in the game—slashing claws, blunt objects, even many boss swipes.
- Timing: You don’t need perfect reflexes—just hold the button before the attack lands. You can even block as a last-second reaction if you spot a swing coming.
- Universal Defense: Nearly every enemy, from Lycans to Soldats, has at least one attack you can block. Some grapples or environmental attacks still break through, but most standard strikes and swipes are fair game.
- Minimal Penalty: Blocking does not use stamina or require a “guard meter,” so you can hold the button as long as you like—though you’ll move slower while guarding.
Perfect Guard (Advanced Block)
Village rewards well-timed defense. If you press the guard button just before an enemy’s attack connects—about a split second before impact—you’ll perform what’s often called a “Perfect Guard” or advanced block. This maneuver reduces damage even further and pushes enemies backward. It’s especially useful for creating space or interrupting a fast, swarming enemy.
- Look for the Tell: Some enemies have readable animations right before they swing. Use their windup to practice your timing.
- Visual and Audio Cues: A sharper sound and a bigger visual jolt signal that you nailed the timing.
- Practice: Try perfect guarding against the Lycans at the start of the village section—they’re aggressive but not deadly, making them good practice fodder.
Parrying and Counterattack
Resident Evil Village adds a simple counterattack: After blocking a close-range hit (especially from melee attackers), a “Counter” prompt may appear on screen. Tap the interact button (usually L1/LB/Spacebar again) to shove enemies back, staggering them and sometimes opening a short window to get in damage.
- Situational: Counters only show up after a successful block of a physical hit—typically claws, swords, or blunt objects. It won’t appear after blocking projectiles or non-melee attacks.
- Risk vs. Reward: Parrying stops some enemies dead in their tracks, especially Lycans and shambling ghouls. Against bigger monsters or elite enemies, you’ll often gain breathing room to reload or run, but don’t expect to stun bosses.
Steps for a Successful Parry
- Hold guard as an enemy attacks.
- Watch for the counter prompt right after the hit lands.
- Hit the button quickly to push back and stagger the attacker.
Upgrading Your Blocking
Early in the game, blocking is basic, but it gets stronger thanks to upgrades. Visit The Duke (your merchant buddy) and buy the “Guard Damage Mitigation” upgrades. These stack—they gradually whittle down the damage you take when blocking, letting you survive even beefy hits late in the game.
Some weapons (like the shotgun) also naturally block more damage if you’re holding them, though the difference is subtle.
When to Use Block and When Not To
- Block: If you’re cornered, facing multiple foes, or fighting something with unpredictable patterns.
- Don’t Block: Some slow windups (like Soldat Panzer’s charge or some bosses’ grapples) break through guard or deal chip damage anyway—run or sidestep these.
- Boss Fights: Several bosses test whether you can balance offense and defense. Block barrages until you see an opening, then fire back.
Blocking vs. Healing
Blocking can keep you alive long enough to heal—don’t rush for the inventory mid-fight. Block first, reposition, then pop your healing. Consider turning off the inventory’s auto-pause for more challenge (in display/controller settings), forcing you to time your blocks and heals even better.
Pro Tips
- Always have your finger on the guard button when entering new rooms.
- Practice predicting enemy swings—some will fake you out with double attacks or delayed swings.
- Blocking is safer than trying to “tank” hits. Rely on it, especially on higher difficulties.
Conclusion
Blocking and parrying don’t have the flashiest animations, but they’re one of the best ways to stay alive in Resident Evil Village, especially on Hardcore or Village of Shadows mode. With some practice, you’ll shrug off swipes, nail perfect guards, and push back hordes with ease. A player confident with their defensive moves goes a lot further—so don’t sleep on the guard button!
Boss Strategy Guide
Taking on bosses in Resident Evil Village is a unique challenge compared to fighting regular enemies. Each major boss has distinct patterns, weaknesses, and environments that can trip up new players or even series veterans. Below, you’ll find practical tips and breakdowns for every major boss fight, highlighting how to survive and finish each one off with as little fuss (and as few health kits) as possible.
Lady Dimitrescu
Phase 1: Human Form
- Pattern: Lady Dimitrescu’s attacks are slow but hit hard. She’ll claw at you up close and uses long windups—watch her hands for clues.
- Tip: Block if you misjudge distance, but your best move is circling her and shooting at her head. Don’t panic if you get grabbed; wiggle the stick or mash the interact button to break free quicker.
Phase 2: Mutant Bat Form
- Arena: On the rooftops, Dimitrescu transforms, and the fight becomes more vertical.
- Weak Spots: The huge bat-like body is armored. Aim for the humanoid upper half emerging from her back—that's where you do real damage.
- Attacks:
- Charge: She’ll fly toward you; sprint sideways or duck behind pillars.
- Blood Rain: When she takes to the air and pauses, get under shelter as she sprays bloody projectiles.
- Ammo: Shotguns do big damage if you’re close, but the sniper rifle is best for safely hitting her weak spot from afar.
- Supplies: Smash crates around the edges for ammo or healing items during the fight.
Quick Recap:
- Prioritize dodging rather than blocking.
- Aim for her real face, not the monster’s.
- Keep moving so you don’t get cornered.
Donna Beneviento (Angie)
The Dollhouse Sequence
This “fight” is all about hide-and-seek. There’s no direct combat here—your goal is to find Angie (the creepy doll) three times inside the house.
- Tip: Hunt for the blood-stained or giggling doll among the crowd of fake Angies.
- Location: Angie will always be on a different floor or room after each find—don’t waste time searching the same spots twice.
- Time Limit: Fail to find Angie quickly and Ethan starts taking damage, so move fast and listen for audio cues.
Quick Recap:
- No knives, guns, or blocking needed for this one—speed and memory are key.
Salvatore Moreau
Phase 1: Human-Fish Hybrid
- Arena Hazards: Watch for acidic vomit pools and falling debris.
- Pattern: Moreau wriggles and lurches at you, spewing acid at range and flopping about the bulk of the arena’s shallow water.
- Tip: Stay at mid-range when possible. Use your shotgun or handgun to chip away at his exposed back; when he stands and opens his mouth, target it for bonus damage.
Phase 2: Roof Collapse
- Acid Rain: He jumps onto rooftops and pours down acid for several seconds. Dash under broken roofs or awnings—these offer solid protection.
- Floods: Get caught in his acidic surf and you’ll take heavy damage, so keep moving.
- Hooks: Use the ledges and ladders to quickly reposition.
Quick Recap:
- Keep healing items ready—environmental hazards hit as hard as his attacks.
- Don’t waste magnum ammo unless you’re out of everything else.
Karl Heisenberg
The Factory War Machine
This fight puts you in a makeshift tank, so things get wild.
- Mounted Gun: Use the tank’s cannon for big hits. When Heisenberg’s exposed (his glowing red core), that’s your target.
- Heisenberg's Attacks:
- Saw Blade Rush: He charges with saw blades spinning. Block with the tank’s shield or blast him to stagger.
- Metal Barrage: He throws debris—shoot the objects or steer clear.
- Pistol Phase: When Heisenberg disables your tank, Ethan’s back on foot. Keep circling the arena, use cover, and blast the core with all your heavy firepower.
Quick Recap:
- Save the tank’s big shots for when his red core is exposed.
- On foot, use magnum or grenade launcher for faster takedown.
Mother Miranda
Final Battle Phases
Miranda cycles through four different forms, each with new attacks:
- Standard Form
- Uses quick melee swipes and lunges.
- Block or sidestep, then shoot her head or glowing chest.
- Spider Form
- Crawls around and lunges from walls or ceiling.
- Keep your distance—move in circles and shoot when she lands.
- Flight Form
- Flies around and throws glowing orbs.
- Use cover and aim at her wherever possible—try your sniper here.
- Dark Room Form
- Arena goes pitch-black; she charges blindly.
- Watch for her eyes—they’ll glow briefly. Light her up when you see them, or run until the room lights up again.
General Tips
- Block when in doubt. Many of Miranda’s attacks can be softened with a well-timed guard.
- Keep moving; don’t hang near the arena’s outer edges.
- Make every shot count—use your magnum and explosives only when she’s stunned or stuck mid-attack.
- Use every healing item you have left—this is the final fight for a reason.
General Boss Fight Tips
Ammo & Item Management
- Bring plenty of healing and a fully stocked arsenal.
- Craft extra explosive rounds or pipe bombs for quicker boss kills.
- If you’re struggling, backtrack and scavenge before jumping into a boss arena.
Pattern Recognition
- Study each boss’s routine—most have clear “tells” for their strongest attacks. Learn the rhythm to block, dodge, then punish.
Weapon Choice
- Sniper: Best for long-range and weak points.
- Shotgun: Great for up-close, high-damage shots.
- Magnum: Keep it for bosses only.
Boss battles in Resident Evil Village reward patience, smart observation, and quick thinking. The first round or two might test your nerves, but once you know what each boss does, you can adapt and win with confidence. Finish these fights strong—Ethan and his story are counting on you!