Over the span of 25 years, the Resident Evil series introduced players to a myriad of interesting protagonists. While most Resident Evil games allow players to use multiple characters, others feature a dedicated lead.
The remakes of the original trilogy offered a new layer of depth to old favorites while lending them new abilities and scenarios. Plus sequel titles offered new abilities. For the sake of argument, this will focus primarily on the franchise's storyline leads from the mainline games.
13 Sheva
Originally appearing in Resident Evil 5, this BSAA agent fought alongside Chris Redfield. Due to the nature of Resident Evil 5's co-op gameplay, she plays identically to Chris as well. However, she does feature a number of stunning costumes to unlock.
12 Piers
Chris Redfield's right-hand man appeared in Resident Evil 6. When Chris rejoined the BSAA, he led his men on their mission to quell the B.O.W. outbreak. What makes Piers stellar comes from his ending at the climax of this scenario.
11 Helena
Helena Harper joined up with Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 6. This secret service agent sought revenge against NSA advisor, Simmons, for the death of her sister. While Leon's campaign features her getting heavily wounded, she's more than able to fight back against Neo Umbrella at his side once more.
10 Jake/Sherry
This Mercenary and government agent made for an unlikely duo in Resident Evil 6. Sherry was originally rescued from Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 and sought to pay it forward by fighting alongside the BSAA to stop the production of B.O.Ws. As such, she teams up with mercenary Jake who fights with impressive combat prowess from his training days. Despite the lackluster campaign in Resident Evil 6, the banter between these two made for several interesting moments.
9 Ethan
The protagonist of Resident Evil 7 found himself in the series' first title in first-person view. As such, with Resident Evil returning to its survival horror roots, Ethan found himself bereft of the abilities of past series' protagonists. He was armed with the usual firearms of Resident Evil but ended up getting himself hurt worse than any other playable character in the series.
8 Claire
Sister to Chris Redfield, Claire debuted while searching for her brother in Resident Evil 2. While she managed to unite with him on Rockfort Island, in Code Veronica, Claire's only recent prominent outing was in the remake of Resident Evil 2 and Revelations 2. Claire might not have stellar stats or unique weapons but still remains a fan-favorite design to this day.
7 Rebecca
The S.T.A.R.S. team medic who debuted in the first title got her first true playable role in Resident Evil 0. Unfortunately, she found herself regularly in danger. Giving support fire to Billy and combining herbs were her best assets.
6 Ada
Resident Evil 2's beloved spy was featured in several modes of Resident Evil 4 as well as her own campaign in Resident Evil 6. Not known for her defense, this agile girl was armed with a grappling hook for quick escapes. While her armaments kept her out of danger, her razor-sharp wit and impeccable fashion sense made her one of the most appealing characters to play despite being featured in one of the single worst campaigns in the series.
5 Billy
This ex-Marine from Resident Evil 0 was accused of killing his squad and sentenced to death. However, while the truth slowly reveals itself over the course of the game, Billy spends the campaign carrying Rebecca with his impressive durability. Billy's skilled with a Magnum and perfect for both offense and defense, making him one of the toughest baddies in the series.
4 Jill
The protagonist of Resident Evil 1 starred alongside Chris Redfield. Unlike Chris, however, she took more damage but could carry more items. Jill's development came full-circle in Resident Evil 3 when she became the sole protagonist. While taking down Nemesis, she was armed to the teeth with Grenade Rounds and mixed ammo. Jill's adventure became even more thrilling in the remake of Resident Evil 3.
3 Carlos
Formerly a supporting character of Resident Evil 3, Carlos became the deuteragonist and alternate playable character in the remake. Much like Billy, Carlos was Jill's foil for being a bigger, stronger, and more durable character. Along with a stellar redesign, Billy was charged with ensuring Jill's safety from a zombie horde within a hospital. This one-man-army brought the fight against Umbrella's designs and will hopefully resurface in the titles down the road.
2 Chris
Co-protagonist of the original Resident Evil, Chris has seen numerous designs through his appearances in Code Veronica, Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, and perhaps most dramatically, Resident Evil 7. Perhaps known best for his bulky physique in 5 and 6, the BSAA badass was known for taking the fight to his rival Wesker and punching boulders along the way. No matter what game he's in, Chris is known for being steadfast, durable, and armed to the teeth. Additionally, in Resident Evil 5, he picked up Wesker's powerful Thrust Punch attack from Resident Evil 4's Mercenaries mode.
1 Leon
The rookie cop from Resident Evil 2 did not even get to enjoy his first day on the force before attempting to survive and escape Raccoon City. Partnered up with Claire Redfield and Ada Wong, he would later cross paths with them in subsequent titles. Resident Evil 4 marked Leon as a likable protagonist thanks to his quips, his well-received design, and the game's inherent overhaul of Resident Evil combat. This began the trend of finishing BOWs with various techniques, such as kicking, suplexing, and stomping zombies without wasting ammo. Leon will forever be one of the most enjoyable characters to play as in Resident Evil.