Merchant

"Got somethin' that might interest ya'!"

The Weapons Merchant, known in the localization simply as the "Merchant", is a pseudo-character in Resident Evil 4 created by Capcom as means for the player to upgrade, sell, and purchase weapons. Another Merchant appears in the iPhone game Resident Evil: Degeneration.

History
While the Merchant primarily functions as a shop for players, he still "acts" as a character.

The Merchant reveals himself to Leon S. Kennedy after he wakes up in the house in the valley by beckoning him from outside a window. When Leon goes around the outside of the building the Merchant shows off his merchandise. Ada later runs into him inside the Cave before he properly sets up his shop (which includes lighting a torch that emits blue fire). Leon crosses him in this same area when he is ready and he greets Leon.

His history and reasons for being a dealer are never elaborated on. He is last seen before Leon fights Saddler.

Appearance
The Merchant wears a tattered black trench-coat along with a large sandy backpack. A purple piece of fabric covers the lower portion of his face. The inside of his coat contains a number of belts, packs, and pockets, all packed full of merchandise. The Merchant's face shows signs of few scars and in later parts of the game, he shares the Ganados' glowing red eyes, though he is not confirmed to become one. He speaks with a slight cockney accent.

Gameplay
The Merchant is interacted with by walking up to him and presssing the "TALK" action. Only exception being the first two times Leon encounters him and players "visit" him at the start of a New Round. The Merchant will appear at various points throughout the main game and Separate Ways, offering new upgrades and merchandise the further the player progresses. The Merchant usually sets up a blue torch near him when he is in business, and most of the areas he appears are free of enemies, though they are not safe-zones. The player can actually kill the Merchant. His body will not fade, and he will respawn in that specific spot after some time in Amateur and Normal difficulties, but not in Professional.

The Merchant also runs the various Shooting Ranges around the castle and island areas.

The Merchant also has a bottle cap modeled after him. He is one of the regular prizes that can be won when playing Game C and his voice clip is him saying "Welcome!".

Shopping
Players can shop by using pesetas they find or get in exchange for selling items or treasures.

For the list of buying and selling prices, see here.

There is a minor sidequest involving destroying Blue Medallions for the Merchant at the beginning of the main game, which the player can start before even meeting with him. Doing so will reward Leon with a specialized handgun.

Further notes

 * There is a Resident Evil: The Deck Building Game card modeled after him called The Merchant.
 * According to the Beta Art works of "The Art of Resident Evil 5", another merchant-type character would have made an appearance but was removed in the end. A left-over unused merchant model can be found in Resident Evil 5. It has a flat orange texture and non-detailed model, with the Kanji for merchant (商) being imprinted on the front. He seems to have been supposed to wear a tight shirt, pants, and gloves (normal human appearance).

Gallery
Händler