Solo Leveling S-Rank Hunters Ranked

This article ranks the S-rank hunters in Solo Leveling by overall combat power, versatility, and narrative impact, from the weakest to the strongest. The definitive top spot belongs to Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch, whose power exceeds every other hunter by a wide margin. Below is a detailed breakdown of each S-rank hunter’s abilities, achievements, and how they compare to one another.

Ranking Criteria

To rank S-rank hunters fairly, we consider several factors that determine their effectiveness in battle and their influence on the story:

• Raw power: Physical strength, speed, and durability.
• Versatility: Range of abilities (melee, magic, summons, support).
• Experience: Years of hunting and tactical acumen.
• Narrative feats: Key battles against Monarchs, Antares, and other top-tier threats.
• Potential growth: How much stronger they become over the series.

This ranking is based on the manhwa (webtoon) canon, not the anime adaptation (which is still ongoing).

The S-Rank Hunters in Solo Leveling

There are 12 confirmed S-rank hunters in the series. Here they are in ascending order of strength:

1. Baek Yoon-ho – The Beast Monarch’s vessel, leader of the White Tiger Guild. He can transform into a massive beast, but his power is the lowest among S-ranks.
2. Choi Jong-in – The “Supreme King,� a fire mage. His destructive magic is impressive but lacks physical resilience.
3. Min Byung-gu – A healer (the only S-rank healer). His combat ability is minimal, but his support is invaluable.
4. Go Gun-hee – The former Chairman of the Korean Hunter Association. He is old and weakened, but his experience and leadership are unmatched.
5. Cha Hae-in – The “National Level� hunter (though not officially), she is a swordswoman with high speed and agility. She is the strongest female hunter.
6. Lim Tae-gyu – A sniper with a bow, he excels at long-range attacks but lacks close combat skills.
7. Yoo Jin-ho – Not an S-rank, but often compared due to his wealth and equipment. He is not included in this ranking.
8. Goto Ryuji – Japan’s strongest hunter, a swordsman. He is powerful but dies early in the story.
9. Thomas Andre – The “Goliath,� an American National Level hunter with immense physical strength. He is the strongest non-Sung hunter.
10. Liu Zhigang – China’s National Level hunter, a martial artist. He is slightly weaker than Thomas Andre.
11. Sung Il-Hwan – Sung Jin-Woo’s father, a former S-rank who was resurrected as a shadow. His power is near the top.
12. Sung Jin-Woo – The Shadow Monarch, the absolute strongest. He surpasses all other hunters and even the Monarchs.

Detailed Analysis of Each Hunter

Baek Yoon-ho

Baek Yoon-ho is the leader of the White Tiger Guild and a Beast-type hunter. He can transform into a large beast, gaining enhanced strength and durability. However, his transformation is not as powerful as the Beast Monarch’s, and he struggles against top-tier enemies. He is a solid S-rank but lacks the versatility of others.

Choi Jong-in

Choi Jong-in is a fire mage known as the “Supreme King.� He can unleash massive fire attacks that can destroy buildings. However, he is physically fragile and relies on his magic. In the Jeju Island raid, he is nearly killed by the Ant King, showing his limits.

Min Byung-gu

Min Byung-gu is the only S-rank healer. He can heal multiple people at once, but he has no offensive abilities. His role is purely supportive, making him invaluable in raids but weak in solo combat.

Go Gun-hee

Go Gun-hee is the former Chairman of the Korean Hunter Association. He was once a powerful S-rank, but age has weakened him. He is still respected for his strategic mind and leadership. He later becomes a vessel for the Ruler’s power, but even then, he is not a top-tier combatant.

Cha Hae-in

Cha Hae-in is a swordswoman and the vice-captain of the Hunters Guild. She has exceptional speed and agility, and her senses are so sharp she can detect mana. She is the strongest female hunter and a key ally of Sung Jin-Woo. However, she is still below the National Level hunters.

Lim Tae-gyu

Lim Tae-gyu is a sniper who uses a bow. He can hit targets from extreme distances with high accuracy. He is a valuable asset in raids, but his lack of close combat skills makes him vulnerable in direct confrontations.

Goto Ryuji

Goto Ryuji is Japan’s strongest hunter. He is a swordsman with immense speed and skill. He is confident in his abilities, but he is killed by the Ant King during the Jeju Island raid, proving that even top S-ranks are not invincible.

Thomas Andre

Thomas Andre, also known as “Goliath,� is an American National Level hunter. He has incredible physical strength and durability, able to fight toe-to-toe with the Monarchs. He is the strongest non-Sung hunter, but he is still defeated by the Frost Monarch in a fight.

Liu Zhigang

Liu Zhigang is China’s National Level hunter. He is a martial artist with immense power. He is slightly weaker than Thomas Andre, as seen in their brief confrontation where Thomas dominated.

Sung Il-Hwan

Sung Il-Hwan is Sung Jin-Woo’s father. He was a powerful S-rank hunter before his death, and he was resurrected as a shadow. He retains his strength and gains the ability to fight alongside his son. He is one of the strongest shadows, but still below the Monarchs.

Sung Jin-Woo

Sung Jin-Woo is the Shadow Monarch, the strongest being in the series. He can summon an army of shadows, use the power of death, and even rewind time. He defeats Antares, the Dragon Monarch, and becomes the new ruler of the dead. His power is so vast that no other hunter can even compare.

How the Ranking Changes Over Time

The ranking is not static. Early in the series, Sung Jin-Woo is an E-rank hunter, but he quickly rises to S-rank and beyond. Other hunters, like Cha Hae-in, also grow stronger through training and experience. However, the gap between Sung Jin-Woo and the rest only widens as he gains more shadow soldiers and unlocks his full potential.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that National Level hunters are stronger than S-rank hunters. While they are officially recognized as a separate class, they are still S-rank in essence, just with more power. Another misconception is that Go Gun-hee is weak because he is old, but his experience and leadership make him a valuable asset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the strongest S-rank hunter in Solo Leveling?

Sung Jin-Woo is the strongest, as he becomes the Shadow Monarch. His power is beyond any other hunter, and he can defeat Monarchs single-handedly.

How many S-rank hunters are there?

There are 12 confirmed S-rank hunters in the manhwa, including Sung Jin-Woo. Some are National Level, but they are still S-rank.

Is Cha Hae-in stronger than Baek Yoon-ho?

Yes, Cha Hae-in is stronger than Baek Yoon-ho. She has superior speed and agility, and she is a better swordsman. Baek Yoon-ho’s beast transformation is powerful, but not enough to overcome her.

Why is Thomas Andre considered the strongest non-Sung hunter?

Thomas Andre has immense physical strength and durability, and he can fight against Monarchs. He is the only non-Sung hunter who can hold his own against a Monarch, even if he loses.

Can Goto Ryuji beat Cha Hae-in?

In a hypothetical fight, Goto Ryuji would likely win due to his experience and skill. However, he is killed by the Ant King, while Cha Hae-in survives, so the comparison is not clear-cut.

Does the ranking include the anime version?

No, this ranking is based on the manhwa, which is the original source. The anime is still in its early seasons and has not covered all the events.

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