How to Get S Rank in Onimusha Warlords - Complete Rank Guide

Rank System Overview

Onimusha Warlords awards a completion rank at the end of the game based on your performance across several criteria. The ranks range from D (lowest) to S (highest). Achieving S Rank requires excellent performance in all scoring categories.

S Rank Scoring Criteria

Your final rank is determined by four main criteria:

All four criteria must be met simultaneously for S Rank. Failing even one category drops your rank to A or lower.

Time Optimization Strategy

Completing the game in under 2 hours requires efficient routing and combat:

Route Optimization

• Skip non-essential areas: Only visit locations required for story progression
• Know puzzle solutions: Solve all puzzles immediately without trial and error
• Skip the Dark Realm: Do not enter the Dark Realm during an S Rank run (unless you have the Bishamon Sword from NG+)
• Skip cutscenes: Press start to skip all non-essential cutscenes

Combat Speed

• Use Issen exclusively: Issen kills are instant, saving significant combat time
• Use magic attacks on groups: Clear groups instantly with one magic attack
• Run past non-essential enemies: Do not fight enemies you can avoid
• Boss fights: Use Oni Mode to quickly dispatch bosses

The fastest S Rank runs use New Game Plus with the Bishamon Sword, allowing you to one-shot most enemies and breeze through boss fights.

Item Management for S Rank

Using 3 or fewer items requires careful healing management:

Healing Without Items

• Green souls: Collect green souls from every enemy to heal for free
• Avoid damage: Use Issen and dodging to minimize incoming damage
• Magic for defense: Use Raizan magic to stun enemies, preventing them from attacking
• Oni Mode: Use Oni Mode for its damage reduction during tough fights

When to Use Items

Save your 3 item uses for the final boss (Fortinbras) and the second Marcellus fight. Use Medicines (100 HP recovery) rather than Herbs (50 HP) for maximum value per use.

Power Jewels

Collect all 10 Power Jewels before the final boss. Maximum HP reduces the need for healing items, as you can survive more hits before needing to heal.

Soul Absorption Requirements

Absorbing 500+ souls requires active farming throughout the game:

Using Issen for every kill triples your soul collection rate. Chain Issen in group encounters for massive soul bursts. The 500 soul threshold is achievable through normal play if you consistently use Issen and collect all dropped souls.

Complete S Rank Strategy

Best Approach: New Game Plus with Bishamon Sword

1. Complete the game once: Obtain the Bishamon Sword and all weapon upgrades
2. Start NG+: Your weapon levels and magic gauge carry over
3. Plan your route: Know exactly where to go to minimize backtracking
4. Collect Power Jewels early: Grab them during your route for maximum HP
5. Use Issen for all combat: Instant kills save time and maximize soul collection
6. Skip non-essential content: Do not enter the Dark Realm or collect fluorites
7. Save Oni Mode for bosses: Use it on Marcellus 2 and Fortinbras for fast kills
8. Use max 3 healing items: Save them for Fortinbras phase 3
9. Never die: If you are about to die, reload your save instead of using a continue

With the Bishamon Sword in NG+, most enemies die in 1-2 hits, making the time and item requirements much easier to meet.