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Highlights

  • Leon S. Kennedy is the most beloved protagonist in the Resident Evil franchise, with a large fan following from his role in Resident Evil 4.
  • Chris Redfield is a franchise legend, appearing in 15 Resident Evil games and spin-offs.
  • Jill Valentine's fearsome prowess in battle and central role in major events have cemented her status as a Resident Evil legend.

In its long history, Resident Evil has consistently cycled through protagonists. Some characters have shot into the limelight as immediate fan favorites for their daring nature and enthralling storylines in a world rife with monsters. The most memorable among these have gone on to make multiple appearances in Resident Evil's mainline titles and spin-offs. On the flip side, others have lagged as they lack the cutting-edge factor that keeps gamers coming back for more. While future franchise entries might revisit said characters to turn their fortunes around, there is a pecking order of protagonists that can be established based on Resident Evil's current discography.

As the franchise works towards its ninth mainline addition, nearly every major character has featured in a playable role at some point. As a result, ranking the best protagonists in Resident Evil can be challenging. Several factors can impact a principal's public perception; from minute details in character design to a relatable backstory. However, some characters have been more instrumental than others, and Resident Evil's protagonists can be ranked efficiently by their impact.

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S Tier

Leon S. Kennedy: Resident Evil is Leon Kennedy, and Leon Kennedy is Resident Evil. Leon arguably has the largest fan following stemming from his stellar lead role in Resident Evil 4 -- the installment many believe to be the best entry in Resident Evil history. Resident Evil 4 Remake's groundbreaking numbers have boosted his reputation, and since his humble beginnings as a rookie police officer in Resident Evil 2, Leon has gone on to appear in three canon games.

Chris Redfield: While Leon may have the fan-favorite label, Chris Redfield is the definition of a franchise legend. Boasting 15 appearances in Resident Evil mainline and spin-off titles, few protagonists in gaming history are as decorated as Chris. With a distinctive muscular build, the franchise hunk has held several roles in his career, starting as an Air Force Pilot before co-founding the BSAA to fight bioterrorism.

Jill Valentine: There's a reason Jill has featured in so many franchise titles, with her fearsome prowess in battle endearing her to Resident Evil faithful. In terms of raw skill, she has few equals in the S.T.A.R.S Alpha team -- most famously defeating Nemesis and needing two BSAA members to get taken down in RE5. Her central role in events such as Raccoon City and the Spencer Estate have cemented her status as a Resident Evil legend.

A Tier

Ada Wong: Ada Wong embodies the James Bond spy lifestyle. Combining her mysterious background with her complex relationship with Leon Kennedy sealed Ada's popularity in the Resident Evil franchise. Her versatility in combat, from fisticuffs to crossbows, has made her a mainstay, although she hasn't expanded on her mainline story since RE6.

Barry Burton: Despite never holding a lead role in the mainline series, there are few that have had an impact on Resident Evil's story in a similar magnitude as Barry Burton. Appearing as the oldest member of the original characters, the weapons specialist plays a mentor to Jill and takes the reins of a protagonist in the Revelations 2 spin-off in a thrilling search for his daughter.

Claire Redfield: Although her brother Chris steals the spotlight, Claire has racked up an eye-popping list of accomplishments since she popped onto the Resident Evil scene with RE2's franchise-defining Raccoon City tale. A deadly hand with a weapon, Claire might be one of the most underrated Resident Evil characters as she lies in Chris' shadow.

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B Tier

Rebecca Chambers: Rebecca is another often overlooked character in the Resident Evil universe due to her relegation to the sidelines in newer titles. While her last appearance in the mainline series came in RE5, she was a consistent feature in the earlier gaming, her cheerful personality in her co-lead role in Resident Evil Zero was a refreshing spin on the typical paranoid personas.

Jake Muller: Albert Wesker's fingerprints as an antagonist are all over the Resident Evil series, and RE6 expanded on him even further. Jake Muller's status as the international bio-terriorist's only son raised eyebrows about the protagonist, but Jake uses his superhuman abilities for good, unlike his old man.

Carlos Oliveira: Jill Valentine was undoubtedly Resident Evil 3's star, but Carlos' supporting role was an added sheen to the title. The mercenary wasn't afraid to go head-to-head with hordes of zombies in his playable missions, contrasting Jill's dodging approach. He has yet to make another appearance in the series, and he is one of the characters that needs more screen time to flourish.

Ethan Winters: The supposedly indestructible star of RE7 and Village got dealt a heavier hand than most. Ethan's perseverance is admirable even in a franchise built around apocalyptic levels of hardship. Despite his storyline retaining the traditional Resident Evil rescue theme, Ethan departs from consistent combat in favor of a hide-and-seek dynamic, which doesn't sit well with everyone.

C Tier

Billy Coen: It's not every day gamers meet a character that escaped from death row condemnation. Rebecca's co-star in Resident Evil Zero fleshed out an exhilarating tale of an innocent man charged with heinous crimes, making for a fun escape partner from the clutches of Spencer Mansion. Still, he pales in comparison to RE mainstays.

Sheva Alomar: One of the characters perceived to lack depth in the Resident Evil franchise, Sheva was a point of criticism in Resident Evil 5. She hasn't featured in any form since her debut, and it is unclear if this status will change in the future.

Rosemary Winters: Carrying the torch for the Winters family in RE Village's Shadows of Rose expansion, Rosemary marked a return to the traditional gun-wielding Resident Evil elements. However, her limited combat capabilities hold her back compared to the elite protagonists in the franchise.