Solo Leveling: The Difference Between National Level Hunters and S-Rank

In the world of Solo Leveling, a hunter’s strength isn’t built through training—it’s determined at birth. When someone first becomes a Hunter, their magical energy is measured, giving them a rank that never changes. Once you’re assigned a rank like E or A, you’re stuck with it for life—even the most talented A-Rank hunter can’t reach S-Rank. The system is simply based on inherent luck; you’re either born with potential, or you aren’t.

S-Rank Hunters are truly unique, standing apart in a world where gaining power is difficult. Within this already elite group, there’s another level: Hunters so powerful they’re considered national assets rather than individuals. These National-Level Hunters aren’t part of the official ranking system – they operate far beyond it.

The S-Rank: The Ceiling of Mana Measurement

Why S-Rank Isn’t The True Peak As We Initially Thought

The ‘S-Rank’ designation isn’t based on a specific power level because current measurement technology can’t accurately gauge a Hunter’s true strength. It’s a catch-all category given to Hunters whose energy is too high to measure, simply indicating they’re exceptionally powerful. However, being S-Rank doesn’t mean everyone at that level is equal – there’s a huge gap in strength between S-Rank Hunters. For example, while Hunters like Choi Jong-In and Baek Yoonho are strong, they’re far below someone like Goto Ryuji, who was still easily defeated by the Ant-King. These Hunters can handle difficult challenges, but they aren’t on the same tier as characters like Thomas Andre or the later, more powerful version of Sung Jin-Woo.

S-Rank isn’t a defined ranking, but rather a label for hunters with incredible, yet unquantifiable, abilities. Despite their fame, S-Rank Hunters are still fundamentally human with awakened powers. They rely on their own internal energy and, like all humans, have limits. Even at their peak, they can be overwhelmed by enemies as powerful as Monarchs, meaning they’re still bound by the laws of the world.

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National Level Hunters: The Special Authority Rank

The Special Rank Created After The Kamish Disaster

The title of National Level Hunter, reserved for the world’s most powerful hunters, originated after the devastating Kamish incident. Kamish was a colossal dragon-like monster that caused unprecedented destruction when the first S-Rank Gate opened in the United States. Very few hunters made it out of the battle alive, and those who did were given the designation of National Level Hunter.

Unlike the S-Rank, being recognized at the National Level isn’t just about magical power. It’s a formal title given to hunters who can protect a country on the world stage. These hunters are considered vital assets by their governments, giving them more power and freedom than most. They’re so important that their abilities can actually shift the global balance of power.

The Elite Five: Kamish Raid Survivors

Five Individuals Recognized By The World As The Strongest

The world of Solo Leveling features five highly-ranked Hunters who represent their nations. Thomas Andree is considered the most powerful Hunter from the United States, while Liu Zhigang holds that title for China. Two other prominent Hunters, Christopher Reed (the second-strongest in the US) and Siddharth Bachchan (the strongest from India), were among the survivors of the dangerous Kamish raid, though the series reveals little about Bachchan’s abilities or background.

The fifth National-Level Hunter introduced in Solo Leveling: ARISE is Antoine Martinez. Currently, not much is known about him except that he was a healer and uniquely, wasn’t possessed by a ruler. In the game, he’s a wind-based hunter, suggesting he likely provided healing and powerful support during the Kamish Raid. Together, these five hunters represent humanity’s strongest military force as the Monarch war intensifies. They are renowned for their skills and are also survivors of a historically devastating event for hunters.

The Ruler’s Authority: The True Power Gap

The Power That Separates National Level Hunters

The difference between National-Level and S-Rank Hunters isn’t just how much mana they have; it’s that S-Rank Hunters possess a unique ability called the Authority of the Ruler. These Hunters are connected to the Rulers – ancient foes of the Monarchs – and this connection gives them telekinetic powers. This means they can move objects and affect enemies without using their own mana, clearly showing they draw power from a different source than ordinary Hunters.

What really sets these Hunters apart, like Thomas Andre, isn’t just how strong they are, but what that strength even is. Thomas can reinforce his body to the point it’s practically indestructible – it’s a whole different level of durability! And the Ruler? He doesn’t even need to fight directly; his Authority just controls the battlefield. Then you have Liu Zhigang, whose combat skills are just off the charts, way beyond any typical S-Rank Hunter. It’s not just that they’re stronger, it’s like their power comes from a completely different source, something else entirely.

When S‑Rank Isn’t the Peak of Power

S-Rank Hunters are like celebrities – incredibly powerful individuals who protect the world from dangerous monsters and magical gates. There aren’t many of them, but they’re vital to humanity’s survival. However, when you get to National-Level Hunters, the ranking system doesn’t matter as much. These hunters are judged not just on how well they clear dungeons, but also on their ability to safeguard entire countries.

The gap between S-Rank and National-Level Hunters feels enormous in the story because they represent fundamentally different levels of power. National-Level Hunters achieve peak human potential, while S-Rank Hunters seem to gain power beyond human limits, almost like a divine force is involved. When Sung Jin-Woo surpasses the National-Level Hunters, it shows he’s broken free from the established Hunter system and become something entirely new and far more powerful.

2026-02-12 01:09