Lightning Hawk

Appearances in Resident Evil

Resident Evil 5

The Lightning Hawk's first appearance is in Resident Evil 5 as one of three available magnum-pistols. Its notable qualities are its more efficient ability to pierce multiple enemies, while also having a much faster reload speed and firing rate to the revolver-magnums of the game -- however it is also not as powerful. While it can eventually be bought in the Store & Inventory HUB, it can also be found in a tomb during the first boss fight against Albert Wesker.

While Wesker himself is never seen to use it across the story, he comes equipped with the Lightning Hawk in the Mercenaries minigame whilst he's wearing his S.T.A.R.S. uniform. Sheva Alomar in her Business Lady costume also has it available in the DLC Mercenaries Reunion mode.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

The Lightning Hawk returns as apart of Albert Wesker's Mercenaries firearm repertoire once again.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

The Lightning Hawk is one of few sidearms available in this multiplayer-focussed spin-off. It is the most powerful in the game, but its firing rate is significantly slower than all other sidearms.

Resident Evil 6

Here the Lightning Hawk is exclusive to Leon S. Kennedy's campaign. However it functions much like it did in Resident Evil 5, with a comparatively fast reload speed and firing rate to the other magnums, but is slightly less powerful. Its distinctive ability to pierce multiple enemies also returns.

For the Mercenaries minigame, Chris Redfield and Sherry Birkin in their regular attire have it available for use, despite never being able to use it in their respective campaigns.

Trivia

• Funnily enough in Resident Evil 2 the requisite magnum of the game is a Desert Eagle. Resident Evil 4 also has a Desert Eagle equivalent, only it is once again a fictionally inspired magnum pistol. Called the Killer7, it is a reference to RE4 director Shinji Mikami's previous work, Killer 7.