The Molded are the staple enemies in Resident Evil 7. Although not quite identical to their t-Virus infected shambling cousins that roam the streets during the Arklay Mansion incident, they still pack a punch when encountered in numbers.
The Molded
Related article: Killing the Molded (Demo Version)
If you’ve played the Teaser Demo entitled the Resident Evil: The Beginning Hour prior to the game’s release, you might already have some knowledge on this creature’s behavior. After the brief encounter with the creature, it pays off to learn that the protagonist cannot afford to come into contact with it as he might contract the virus. Fortunately, it is possible to fend it off even if it isn’t a flawless run in the Main Story.
By appearance, it resembles a mixture of the old installments grotesque B.O.W.’s. The movement speed could be based on the pace of traditional Zombies. Whereas its appearance seems like Resident Evil 4’s Regenerator or even counting Resident Evil 6 into the mix, it also shares some resemblance to the Bloodshot.
According to an article, the game’s producer, Jun Takeuchi, stated that he purposely set the Molded apart from the previous B.O.W.’s due to an “intention.”
Types
Related article: Enemies List
The Story centers mostly on Ethan’s encounter with the Baker family, which leaves little diversity to the amount of enemies that appear in the game. Instead, the exploration of Dulvey, Louisiana pits Ethan against several variants of the Molded that spawn from different infected areas.
Clawed Molded (Default)
The Clawed Molded is grotesque and almost looks like a charred version of Resident Evil 6’s Bloodshot. They have sharp claws on each hand. Its face is lined with several sharp fangs that taper out of its gaping mouth.
Location
As the staple creature of the game, it is possible to encounter the Clawed Molded in various areas and situations.
Strategy
Although quite slow, these are difficult to kill even when lone. According to the in-game description “To stop them, you will have to either take off their heads or completely tear their bodies apart.”
In terms of behavior, the basic variant of the Molded has two attacks. It can swing its arm, dealing a decent hit, or it could attempt to bite Ethan’s arm to deal moderate to severe damage.
You will know if it will try to bite Ethan since it will initiate various animations. At a moderate distance, it will start off with a brief snarl as it raises its arms in preparation. If it connects, Ethan will suffer damage from the claws and will be bit afterwards, suffering even more damage. At farther distances, it will take on a hunched stature prior to attempting to dash after Ethan with a startling growl. If it connects, it will tackle Ethan down to the ground and will attempt to bite his thigh.
In addition, while Ethan is aiming, it attempts to cover its face to block any clean hits at times.
If it takes sufficient damage, it might collapse, however it can perform a backward roll when it still has energy left to fight.
The best way to approach it upon encounter is to equip the M19 Handgun. Point your gun to its head, then place a clean shot. Keep shooting until it staggers, then approach it immediately and draw out the knife to deal multiple slashes to the face. Keep a moderate amount of distance if it doesn’t seem to weaken after a few slashing combos. Rinse and repeat and it will eventually go down.
Alternatively, if you plan to conserve even more ammunition or are running out, you could also bait it to attack. Upon a successful dodge, and while its retracting its arm; quickly go behind it and deal multiple slashes with the Survival knife. Strafe from left to right slowly while slashing in order to increase your chances of dodging any of its possible retaliations. You could also perform a Guard to prevent any severe damage when it’s about to strike. This latter one is effective against a lone Molded.
Spiked-Arm Molded
Related article: Main House Walkthrough
It is very similar to the Clawed Molded save for its massive and relatively darker asphalt colored right arm.
Location
This type of Molded first spawns at the Processing Area after solving the puzzle inside the Morgue.
Strategy
With a longer arm equipped, it is capable of lashing it at a longer distance. It also uses its right arm to strike in a similar albeit covering a shorter range manner.
The way to deal with it is no different from the Clawed Molded, save for having the need to maintain an even longer distance while shooting to avoid getting caught. If it lashes its arm at you and there’s no room to maneuver, it’s best to just execute a Guard.
In addition it might also have a higher health as opposed to the default Molded, thus it’s better to utilize a nice hit-and-run tactic to conserve recovery items and ammunition.
Again, place clean head shots using the M19 Handgun then follow up with knife slashes to eventually whittle it down.
Four-Legged Molded
Related article: Testing Area Walkthrough
It is a variety of Molded that have adapted a more beast-like stature by crawling on all fours. Given this mutation, they scurry about like Spiders or Lickers as opposed to the amputated Zombies that bite your ankles. These have the least amount of health, however don’t let this fool you as they make up for it with incredible speed.
Location
The first encounter of the Four-Legged Molded during the Easy difficulty is through the path to the Testing area.
Strategy
Its primary attack is lunging, which deals a great deal of damage. It also performs a claw swipe at Ethan’s foot to which inflicts a decent amount, this is troublesome since it makes Ethan vulnerable to follow up attacks.
These are more feisty than their bipedal counterparts. The best way to handle them is by blasting their heads clean off with a M37 Shotgun before they begin to inflict any or additional harm.
Fat Molded
The last variant of the Molded are bloated versions of their default brethren. As opposed to the other variants, the Fat Molded moves the slowest. However, it is still capable of dealing a huge amount of damage once it catches you covered in its bile.
Location
On Easy difficulty, the first one spawns at the barn in the Testing Area.
Strategy
The Fat Molded’s primary form of attack is expelling Acid, that they shoot from a distance.
When encountered, equip the M37 Shotgun or Grenade Launcher then blast the head to make them stagger. Find a cover to avoid its Acid Spit whenever you are running short of ammunition, if there’s no place to take cover, simply strafe while shooting. As soon as the Acid animation fades, immediately pursue after it from a distance, and continue to unload your M37 Shotgun until it finally perishes.
Upon successfully knocking it down by decapitation, stand back and wait until it explodes before moving past it.
Wow…this helps a lot…but I’m in the main house,trying to get the card key,but there are molded in there XD it sucks right now
This is like me saying that you’re not allowed to write things on the internet because ypur grammar skills are clearly subpar to the sta dard and beyond. Grow up, no one thinks ypu’re cool because you complain about people not going Madhouse mode out of the gates.
“On Easy Difficulty” – NO. Noone plays on Easy. If they do, they have NO RIGHT to look anything up. Also: They really have no right to play the game :/
I’m not saying you have to play every game on the hardest difficulty – but you don’t GET to play below Normal (which, for SOME reason, this pretty easy game only gives you “Normal” as the hardest).
Also: when writing any kind of guide, you ALWAYS play on the HARDEST difficulty (or, look up info from someone who has) – worst case, you’ll have the idiot playing on Easy prepared for no reason, so he’ll do better than he expected. At it’s best, you helped out someone who actually might need it.
It is just a video game Jacob, people can play it on whatever difficulty they want. If you actually think there is an ethical difficulty code that gamers need to live up too, then I truly feel sorry for you.
No reason to be a pric, Jacob. Just because someone doesn’t play games on the same level as you. It’s almost like me telling you, “You have a life threatening illness? It’s not cancer? You don’t deserve medical care.”
Shut your mouth, people will play on whatever difficulty they want. There is nothing wrong with playing a game on easy mode. You realize there are some people who don’t care about enemies and just want to experience the story? I don’t give one fuck if I’m five years late. I’m not gonna sit here and look at an online fps tryhard rant on about how people don’t deserve to play an amazing game just because they played on easy mode.