Unlocking the Secrets of Solo Leveling’s Hunter Ranking System!

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Summary

  • Ranking system measures hunters’ potential based on mana, affecting dungeon selection and income.
  • Moving up the ranks is difficult due to mana limits, making it rare for hunters to level up.
  • S-Rank hunters have varying mana levels, highlighting Sung Jinwoo’s unique ability to transcend limits.

A standout scene from “Solo Leveling” occurs when protagonist Sung Jinwoo chooses to participate in the test to reassess his hunter grade. It’s during this moment that the people of South Korea learn about a brand-new S-Rank Hunter residing within their borders.

It’s quite entertaining to watch everything play out, but the reevaluation exam and all the commotion surrounding it brought something new to light – something not previously delved into in the series. Specifically, we’re talking about the Hunter Ranking system. Now that this topic has been introduced, let’s dive deeper into how the ranking system functions within Solo Leveling, its impact on the hunters, and what sets Hunter Sung Jinwoo’s rapid ascent in the rankings apart from others.

The Ranking System

A Measure of Potential

Name Go Gunhee
Title Chairman of the Korean Hunter Association
Hunter Rank S-Rank

Before delving into Sung Jinwoo’s abilities, let me briefly explain the Ranking System. Prior to this system, it was challenging to accurately judge a hunter’s true power, particularly when comparing them with others. However, with the advent of the Ranking System, we now have a clear understanding that a B-rank is stronger than a C-rank, but not as powerful as an A-rank. Essentially, this system provides us with a convenient benchmark for assessing hunters’ strengths.

A Measure of Mana

When someone transforms into a hunter, their body generates a mystical energy known as Mana. This energy is vital for performing various hunting skills and spells, such as wielding a sword or healing. The more Mana one has, the more intricate and potent the skills or spells they can perform. Since the quantity of Mana varies among individuals, assessing someone’s Mana pool gives an insight into their hunter potential. Consequently, the Hunter Association adopted Mana as the foundation for its ranking system.

Moving Through the Ranks

After a hunter’s skill level has been determined by an evaluation, they’ll be assigned a rank based on their mana capacity. Now, they are ready to embark on dungeon raids, fulfilling their role as a hunter. So, what’s the next step?

Rank Determines a Hunter’s Income

A hunter’s rank indicates their mana level and hunting prowess, while a dungeon’s rank signifies the toughness of its internal monsters. This means that a hunter can only enter a dungeon whose rank is below or equal to their own. Additionally, both the dungeons and the hunters’ ranks influence the amount of money earned after completing the dungeon, with lower ranks resulting in smaller payouts.

Is It Possible to Level Up Your Rank?

If a hunter aims to boost their income, it’s not as simple as climbing the ranks, although that is part of it. In reality, a hunter’s mana pool, which can be likened to their physical abilities, is extremely challenging to alter.

Even with all my dedication and effort, I’ve come to realize that achieving the might of Mike Tyson’s punches or the speed of Usain Bolt at his peak is nearly unattainable for most of us. The same goes for mastering mana, it’s a feat reserved for the extraordinary.

Absolutely! It’s possible for beginners (E-ranks) to progress to more advanced levels (D-ranks), but as you move up, the challenges become increasingly harder, making it extremely rare for high ranks like A-rank to reach the top tier S-rank. In fact, many hunters remain in their current rank throughout their career due to the significant hurdles involved in leveling up. This is how challenging it can be to advance in these ranks.

There’s a Huge Gap Among the S-Rank

The S-Ranks are Not Equal

Let’s take a moment to discuss an often overlooked detail about the S-Rank status: the significant disparities in power among individuals holding this title, both in Korea and globally. It’s important to note that there can be substantial differences in mana and abilities within the S-ranks.

In comparison, although both Sung Jinwoo and Baek Yoonho are top-tier S-Rank hunters, if we’re talking about their battle prowess, it’s more like comparing night to day. If the measurement accurately reflects their true mana and abilities, Baek Yoonho would still be an S-Rank, but Sung Jinwoo would be elevated to the even rarer SSS-Rank.

The reason why the Hunter Association hasn’t assigned Jinwoo a rank that accurately represents his mana and skills might be because there’s no need to do so. In the country, S-rank hunters are quite rare, and further categorization doesn’t seem beneficial. Just as in real life, when someone surpasses specific criteria, they are recognized as being among the best in their field, regardless of whether they outshine others by a little or a lot.

If our meter could cover the entire scale, your results would have been displayed as either an “SS-Grade” or an “SSS-Grade”.

–Go Gunhee, Chapter 63

What Makes Sung Jinwoo so Special?

A Hunter Who Can Keep Evolving

To rephrase: Previously stated, advancing from a C-rank to a B-rank and an A-rank to an S-rank is exceptionally challenging. Similarly, for someone who has achieved the maximum power level of an S-rank hunter, there’s no room for further advancement. Regardless of their actions or years spent in battle, once they have reached their peak, they remain at that level permanently.

Unlike most individuals, Sung Jinwoo isn’t confined by conventional limits. Through aid from a mysterious system, he resembles a character in a Role-Playing Game (RPG), constantly advancing or “leveling up” by accumulating Experience Points (EXP). As his levels increase, so does the EXP needed for each subsequent level, but this doesn’t diminish his potential for further growth. This unique ability sets Sung Jinwoo apart, as he can potentially surpass human limitations and even approach divine status, a feat unmatched by any other Hunter.

To put it simply, although Sung Jinwoo’s unique situation should be taken into account, the rating system established and standardized by the Hunter Association appears straightforward initially but is quite precise in measuring a Hunter’s genuine potential. Unfortunately, many individuals are likely to remain at their current rank, with minimal opportunities for advancement throughout their lives.

Solo Leveling is available to stream on Crunchyroll.Crunchyroll.

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2025-01-20 21:35