Mastering the Lithographic Stone Puzzle in Resident Evil 4 Remake’s Separate Ways DLC

In the year 2026, the survival horror masterpiece that is the Resident Evil 4 Remake continues to command the attention of both veterans and newcomers alike. The critically acclaimed Separate Ways DLC, which first launched in 2023, gives players the chance to walk in the stiletto heels of the enigmatic Ada Wong, witnessing the events of the main campaign from her unique perspective. One of the most memorable cerebral challenges in this add-on appears in Chapter 4, where Ada must conquer a lithographic stone puzzle strikingly similar to the one Leon Kennedy solves in Chapter 8 of the core game. However, Ada's version layers in additional exploration, demanding that players first hunt down two missing lithographic stones scattered through the castle's crumbling corridors. This comprehensive guide will detail the exact resting places of those stones, explain their proper arrangement on the puzzle wall, and equip you with everything needed to unlock the path into the bindery and continue Ada’s high-stakes mission.

The castle section of Separate Ways begins right after Ada reluctantly separates from Luis Sera, grappling up into a lonely tower that echoes with the sounds of distant Ganados. This is the zone where the merchant sets up his first shop for her, and where the keen-eyed agent will uncover the initial clues to the puzzle that awaits. Familiarizing yourself with the layout from the moment you vault through the tower window makes the subsequent search far smoother.

The first lithographic stone, conveniently labeled Lithographic Stone A, lies within whispering distance of that very first merchant encounter. After the brief topple-and-fix sequence with a fallen bookcase in the hallway just beyond the tower grapple point, players step into a corridor that conceals a stuffed raccoon and several breakable crates. Continuing forward leads straight into a dim room where the merchant clinks his wares in the back-right corner. On the left side of this room, positioned directly opposite the merchant and resting on a simple wooden table, Lithographic Stone A waits for Ada’s nimble fingers. The stone is not hidden inside a container or guarded by a special enemy, yet it is remarkably easy to sprint past if you are too focused on the comforting glow of the merchant’s inventory screen. Take a moment to grab it now, because retracing steps through infested hallways later is a needless risk.

With Stone A safely tucked in Ada’s attaché case, the search shifts deeper into the castle. The second required piece, Lithographic Stone B, is located in the very chamber that houses the puzzle wall itself, a grand room that sits just outside the locked bindery. After dispatching the zealot monks and other foes that inhabit the space, the room falls silent, allowing players to examine dim corners thoroughly. Against the wall opposite the ornate lithographic puzzle, there rests a long, unassuming bench. On its left end, almost blending into the aged wood grain, sits Lithographic Stone B. This positioning is a deliberate test of observation; many explorers sweep the room for ammunition and healing items only to miss the critical puzzle component sitting in plain sight. Securing both stones in this order not only satisfies the puzzle’s requirements but also flows naturally with the level’s progression, minimizing backtracking.

Now that both missing pieces are accounted for, the true intellectual test begins at the puzzle wall. Interacting with the wall slots all four lithographic stones into position, but they are scrambled and must be rotated and rearranged to match the symbols etched faintly on the stone surface surrounding the slots. The puzzle demands close attention to two layers of detail: the color and shape of the background icon, and the foreground emblem that adorns each stone. Unlike Leon’s version where the pieces are often already in place, Ada must mentally pair the correct dual-sided stone with the correct configuration on the wall. Below is a step-by-step breakdown that makes the solution absolutely foolproof.

Puzzle placement reference:

Using the table above, here is the exact procedure to follow with the four stones you now possess:

1. 📦 Locate the stone with a black square carrying a dress on one side and an orange hexagon carrying a bonnet on the other. Flip the stone so that the orange hexagon (bonnet) faces outward, and place this piece firmly into the left slot.

2. 🌀 Find the stone that bears a black hexagon with an umbrella on one face and an orange square with a fan on the reverse. Rotate it until the orange square (fan) side is displayed, and set it into the top slot.

3. ☂️ Pick up the stone that shows a black square with an umbrella opposite an orange hexagon with a fan. This time, reveal the black square (umbrella) side and insert it into the right slot.

4. 👗 Take the final stone, which switches between a black hexagon with a dress and an orange square with a bonnet. Activate the black hexagon (dress) orientation and slot it into the bottom position.

The moment every stone clicks into its correct alignment, the massive wall groans and slides open, revealing a shadowy passage that leads directly into the bindery. This room is crucial for advancing the story, as it holds documents and items that peel back more layers of Ada’s covert assignment. It is also home to tight encounters that reward the methodical preparation the puzzle-solving section encourages.

Even three years after the DLC’s release, guides like this one remain valuable for players who are returning to the Separate Ways experience on newer platforms or revisiting the game in anticipation of upcoming entries in the franchise. The lithographic puzzle encapsulates what makes Resident Evil 4 Remake’s design so enduring: a masterful blend of item-based exploration, symbolic thinking, and atmospheric environmental storytelling. Ada’s journey through the castle is shorter and more agile than Leon’s, but it never sacrifices the granular problem-solving that keeps tension high and satisfaction even higher when a locked door finally yields to a well-reasoned solution.

Resident Evil 4 Remake and the Separate Ways DLC continue to be playable across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms in 2026, with performance enhancements and community mods breathing fresh air into the timeless survival horror loop. Whether you are a first-time Ada operative or a seasoned spy returning for a minimalist run, mastering this puzzle guarantees you spend less time staring at ancient stones and more time savoring the high-octane action that awaits beyond the bindery.