Bella Dimitrescu, the first of Lady Dimitrescu’s daughters, presents a significant challenge in Resident Evil Village, particularly on Village of Shadows difficulty. Without the benefit of infinite ammo weapons or New Game Plus bonuses, this fight becomes a test of resourcefulness, precise shooting, and efficient movement. This guide will walk you through the best strategies to take down Bella and her two minions while conserving as much ammo as possible.

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Pre-Fight Preparation

Before engaging Bella, you must ensure you have the necessary tools for an efficient battle. Here’s what you need:

• Mines – Essential for dealing with Bella’s two minions and staggering her.
• Pipe Bombs – A powerful way to hit multiple enemies at once.
• Shotgun Shells – These provide crucial burst damage, especially for headshots.
• Handgun Ammo – Used for precise, focus-fired shots.
• Crafting Ability for Mines – If you haven’t unlocked this from the Duke, reload your save or restart the game. Being able to craft mines significantly simplifies this fight.

Collecting Essential Items

On your way to the fight, be sure to explore the prison area thoroughly. Several hidden resources are available that will help you craft an extra mine and gather additional ammunition:

• Rusted Scrap & Metal Scrap – Found in various cells.
• Pipe Bomb – Found in a wooden crate.
• Shotgun Shells – Located on a table near the fight area.
• Chem Fluid – Another key resource, though note that scrap has been removed on Village of Shadows difficulty.

Avoid unnecessary fights in the prison. The enemies here can be dodged using the environment, such as looping around the blasted wall passage to escape without engaging them.

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How to Start the Fight

The encounter begins when you approach the wooden crate in the boss room. Avoid breaking this crate immediately, as doing so will trigger the fight prematurely. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Shoot the Window – This will stun Bella momentarily.
2. Throw a Pipe Bomb – Aim it between Bella and the nearby wall to damage her minions.
3. Drop a Mine in the Pathway – When enemies advance, the mine will trigger even if you are grabbed.
4. Place a Second Mine – The follow-up explosion should take out at least one of the minions, if not both.

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Combat Strategy: Managing Bella and Her Minions

With her minions gone, you can now focus on Bella. Here’s how to fight her efficiently:

Movement and Positioning

• Use the Kitchen Hallway Loop – Run back and forth between the kitchen and hallway, baiting her attacks.
• Kite Bella Around Obstacles – This helps keep distance while setting up shots.
• Stay Near Cover – If you need a breather, obstacles can force Bella into an attack animation, giving you a moment to reload.

Defensive Techniques

• Block and Counter – Block the first hit, then mash L1 to push Bella away, minimizing damage.
• Quick Dodge – Bait Bella into attacking, then strafe or step backward to avoid damage.

Offensive Tactics

• Prioritize Headshots – Aim for the head to maximize damage and stagger effects.
• Use Focus Shots – Wait for the reticle to fully converge before firing to deal more damage and conserve ammo.
• Explosives for Staggering – If Bella gets too close, another mine or pipe bomb can create space.

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Ammo Conservation & Efficiency

Since Village of Shadows is a resource-intensive difficulty mode, it’s crucial to conserve ammunition:

• Use Mines Strategically – They do not damage the player, making them perfect for close-quarters combat.
• Avoid Wasteful Shooting – Only take shots when you have a clear headshot opportunity.
• Utilize the Environment – Force Bella into attack animations before counterattacking.

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Final Notes on the Fight

This battle is one of the first major difficulty spikes in Village of Shadows. The mode demands careful planning, resource management, and precision shooting. If you find yourself struggling, consider reloading an earlier save to prepare better or restarting the game to ensure you have the crafting ability for mines.

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Summary of Key Strategies

• Prepare with mines, pipe bombs, and shotgun shells.
• Loot all resources in the prison before engaging Bella.
• Use the environment to dodge minions and avoid unnecessary damage.
• Shoot the window, drop mines, and use pipe bombs to deal with minions quickly.
• Block and counter Bella’s attacks to minimize damage.
• Prioritize headshots and use focus shots to conserve ammo.
• Mines do not damage you—use them at close range if necessary.

By following this guide, you’ll significantly increase your chances of surviving and taking down Bella Dimitrescu in Village of Shadows difficulty without infinite ammo or New Game Plus bonuses. Best of luck, and may your aim stay true!

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