Unveiling Sung Jin-Woo’s Genius Tactics in Solo Leveling!

by

Summary

  • Stop and Analyze – Take a moment to assess, not attack.
  • The Eye Pokes – Targeting the eyes as a strategy.
  • A Numerical Advantage – Overwhelm enemies with increasing shadow soldiers.

Since acquiring the power to continually advance, Sung Jin-woo has been confronting each opponent directly. Unlike those who prefer to bide their time or carefully strategize before engaging in battle, he charges into every fight with the abilities and tools available at that moment.

In a different way of saying it: Although it may seem like Jin-woo doesn’t think much during fights, he actually excels at devising smart strategies amidst intense combat situations. Here is a list of the most strategically brilliant moves executed by Sung Jin-woo in Solo Leveling, arranged according to their intrigue level. To keep things spoiler-free for viewers who only watch the anime, this compilation features battles that have been adapted into the anime so far.

7. Stop And Analyze

Keep Calm And See The Signs

  • Story Arc: D-Rank Dungeon Arc
  • Enemy: Giant Statues
  • Episodes: Episodes 2-3

In the heat of battle, it might seem counterintuitive, but many combatants fail to consider this: The wisest action isn’t always charging forward with full force; sometimes, it’s prudent to step back and evaluate. By taking a brief pause to assess the circumstances, you can identify the most effective route to victory, distinguishing impulsive brawlers from tactical fighters.

Jin-woo frequently employed a straightforward approach, particularly during his days as a less experienced hunter. Remarkably, it was this method of carefully examining every detail and information at hand that ultimately saved his teammates during the Double Dungeon incident. This strategy proved vital in helping him devise effective solutions. He also applied it during his battles against the Giant Snake and Cerberus.

6. The Eye Pokes

Attacking The Obvious Weakness

  • Story Arc: Dungeon and Prisoners Arc, Job Change Arc
  • Enemy: Cerberus, Igris
  • Episodes: Episode 7, Episode 11

To build up his strength, Jin-woo encounters various formidable foes boasting robust exteriors, like Cerberus with its tough hide, or Igris in his armored shell. Despite repeatedly striking them with his reliable daggers, he failed to inflict even a single scratch on either of them. However, he discovered that the one vulnerable spot on these adversaries was their eyes. Employing this seemingly straightforward yet challenging maneuver, Jin-woo achieved remarkable victories over both Cerberus and Igris.

Eye pokes might seem easy initially, but the difficulty comes from precisely hitting the eyes when opponents are stronger and swifter. Instead of rushing in, Jin-woo bides his time until Igris’ sword nearly touches his neck. He then skillfully deflects the blade with his left hand and swiftly strikes Igris’ eyes with his right. In the case of Cerberus, Jin-woo seizes the opportunity when it bites him to repeatedly attack its massive eyes.

5. Choosing His Enemy

One Strong Enemy Is Better Than Countless Regular Enemies

  • Story Arc: Red Gate Arc
  • Enemy: Ice Bear
  • Episodes: Episode 1 (Season 2)

At times, the optimal approach may be as uncomplicated as selecting the ideal adversary. This is exactly what transpires when Jin-woo and some hunters from the White Tiger guild approach the notorious Red Gate. Kim Chul, a high-ranking A-hunter and their leader, elects to dispatch the powerful members towards the Snow Plains in search of an escape route. In contrast, Jin-woo selects the less capable members and guides them into the forest.

1. Kim Chul chuckles at this decision since he’s aware the forest belongs to the fearsome Ice Bear. This is why Jin-woo leads his group into the woods; they understand no other powerful creature would dare challenge the Ice Bear’s territory, making it safer for them, as they only need to be cautious of the Ice Bears. On the contrary, Kim Chul has to be wary of the Ice Elves, wolves, and various magical beasts that inhabit the snowy plains.

(Alternatively,)

2. Kim Chul finds this decision amusing as he recognizes the forest is the domain of the fearsome Ice Bear. That’s why Jin-woo guides his team into the woods; they comprehend no other powerful beast would dare venture into the Ice Bear’s territory, making it safer for them, since their main concern becomes the Ice Bears. In contrast, Kim Chul must remain vigilant against the Ice Elves, wolves, and magical creatures that roam the snowy plains.

4. Team Combat

Teaming Up With The Shadows

  • Story Arc: Red Gate Arc
  • Enemy: Baruka
  • Episodes: Episode 2 (Season 2)

After mastering the art of summoning shadow soldiers from fallen enemies, Jin-woo devised this tactic: Let the lesser foes be handled by the shadow troops while he focuses on taking down the main leader. In his encounter with Baruka, the Ice Elves’ chief, he adapted that approach and chose to work together with his most potent shadows.

At that moment, Baruka was not just physically superior to Jin-woo, but they shared a similar combat approach. This allowed Baruka to predict Jin-woo’s actions and attack strategies. Consequently, Jin-woo decided to partner with Igris and Iron, turning the fight into a three against one encounter. Iron served as a shield against Baruka’s assaults, while Igris wielded his deadly sword towards him. Simultaneously, Jin-woo made a surprise attack from behind enemy lines, striking Baruka with his venomous dagger.

3. Turns An Advantage Into A Disadvantage

Kill The Momentum

  • Story Arc: Demon Castle Arc
  • Enemy: Vulcan
  • Episodes: Episode 3 (Season 2)

Among the many unusual creatures Jin-woo has met, Vulcan stands out distinctively. This Demon Lord towers like a multi-storey edifice and boasts a structure reminiscent of a colossal tank. A casual strike with his gargantuan club can reduce a house to ruins. What makes him particularly remarkable is his agility, capable of matching an assassin’s swiftness. The destructive power of his massive frame hurtling forward at great speed is nothing less than catastrophic.

In essence, during their battle, Jin-woo observed an intriguing detail: a creature of such immense size, capable of moving swiftly, would find it challenging to halt abruptly. Vulcan, unsurprisingly, shared this trait. Jin-woo exploited this knowledge to maneuver Vulcan into a precarious position. He lured the demon into a high-speed chase and then unexpectedly stopped near a towering building. Due to his inability to react quickly enough, Vulcan collided with the structure. Seizing the moment when his enemy was disoriented, Jin-woo administered the decisive strike.

2. Dismounting The Rider

Take Out The Mount To Get To Its Rider

  • Story Arc: Return to the Demon Castle Arc
  • Enemy: Baran
  • Episodes: Episode 8

In the Middle Ages, a common strategy when facing a knight on horseback was to target both the horse and the rider. The objective was initially to unseat or “dismount” the knight from his steed. Once the horse was incapacitated or panicked and fled, the knight would be forced into hand-to-hand combat in close quarters.

This approach is effective even when the adversary is mounted on a colossal wyvern. Given that Jin-woo can’t reach Baran as long as he’s soaring in the sky on his wyvern, he instead dispatches Tusk to launch an intense fire attack at Baran. While Baran is preoccupied defending against Tusk’s fiery assault, Jin-woo hurls Igris’ huge sword towards the wyvern and manages to cut its neck cleanly. With his mount now incapacitated, Baran has no other option but to engage in combat on the ground.

1. A Numerical Advantage

The Longer The Fight, The Bigger The Army

  • Story Arc: Hunter’s Guild Gate Arc
  • Enemy: Kargalgan
  • Episodes: Episode 6 (Season 2)

Previously discussed, Sung Jin-woo prefers employing his shadow soldiers to eliminate minor opponents while he targets the main boss. However, powerful shadows such as Igris and Iron are exceptions, most other shadow soldiers can be easily defeated by A-rank hunters. As a result, Kargalgan doesn’t consider Jin-woo’s shadows much of a threat. What Kargalgan fails to understand, though, is that confronting multiple troops head-on against Sung Jin-woo poses significant risk.

In essence, Jin-woo possesses an extraordinary ability: he can resurrect his shadows repeatedly, as long as mana sustains him. This implies that the Orc soldiers will eventually succumb to defeat. Moreover, being the Monarch of Shadows, Jin-woo has the power to transform fallen foes into loyal shadow soldiers under his command. The longer the conflict persists, the greater the loss of enemy soldiers, while Jin-woo’s forces grow stronger with additional shadows. His overarching tactic is to outnumber the opposition with an ever-growing army of shadow soldiers. By the time Kargalgan perceives the situation, all his Orc troops have likely been transformed into Jin-woo’s shadows. Ultimately, it won’t be long before Kargalgan too awakens as a shadow.

Read More

2025-03-05 15:15