In Onimusha: Warlords -- particularly the remaster, where ranks tie into achievements -- each stage is graded at completion, and S rank is the top grade. Achieving it on every level is one of the game's premier completion challenges and a common requirement for 100% achievements. The rank reflects how cleanly you played the stage, not just whether you finished it.
Because the game does not always spell out the exact formula, the practical approach is to optimize the factors that clearly influence rank and to treat S rank as a clean, efficient, low-damage run of the stage. The better you execute on each factor, the higher your grade climbs from C through B, A, and finally S.
S rank is best attempted after you have already cleared the game, because Ultimate Mode -- with maxed weapons from the start -- removes the combat friction that makes low-damage, fast clears difficult on a first run. Treat your first playthrough as practice and chase S ranks on a powered-up second pass.
How S Rank Works
In Onimusha: Warlords -- particularly the remaster, where ranks tie into achievements -- each stage is graded at completion, and S rank is the top grade. Achieving it on every level is one of the game's premier completion challenges and a common requirement for 100% achievements. The rank reflects how cleanly you played the stage, not just whether you finished it.
Because the game does not always spell out the exact formula, the practical approach is to optimize the factors that clearly influence rank and to treat S rank as a clean, efficient, low-damage run of the stage. The better you execute on each factor, the higher your grade climbs from C through B, A, and finally S.
S rank is best attempted after you have already cleared the game, because Ultimate Mode -- with maxed weapons from the start -- removes the combat friction that makes low-damage, fast clears difficult on a first run. Treat your first playthrough as practice and chase S ranks on a powered-up second pass.
Factors That Affect Rank
While the exact weighting is not fully documented, the factors that affect rank are consistent with most action games of its era. Clear time is a major factor: finishing a stage quickly pushes your grade up, so learn the optimal route, skip cutscenes, and avoid backtracking. Damage taken is another key factor: the less health you lose, the higher your rank, so guarding, dodging, and Issen-countering to avoid hits matter as much as dealing damage.
Enemies defeated also contributes, which creates a tension with speed: you must kill enough enemies to score well, but not so many that you waste time. The balance is to fight efficiently along your route -- killing the enemies on your path with quick charged attacks and counters -- without detouring to clear optional packs. Item usage may also factor in, with fewer consumables used yielding a better grade.
The implication is that an S-rank run is a holistic performance: fast, low-damage, and reasonably thorough. Optimize all factors together rather than fixating on one, because a single weak category can cap your grade below S.
Per-Level S Rank Strategy
Per-level S-rank strategy starts with preparation. Enter each stage in Ultimate Mode with a maxed weapon (ideally the Bishamon Sword) and a full magic meter, so you can kill fast and take little damage. Maxed gear means most enemies die in one or two hits, which simultaneously improves your time, your damage taken, and your kill count -- all three rank factors at once.
Route each stage for efficiency. Memorize the key-item and door sequence so you never backtrack, and skip optional fights that are not on your path. When you must fight, use charged attacks and Issen counters to drop enemies instantly rather than mashing through long strings. Magic is your tool for clustered enemies: one Shippuu or Enryuu cast clears a pack in seconds, improving both time and kill count.
Minimize damage above all. Guard and dodge religiously, because taken damage is the factor most likely to cap your rank. If you get hit, do not panic -- just avoid further damage and finish cleanly. It is often better to play conservatively and take zero hits than to rush and eat several, since damage tanks your grade faster than a few extra seconds costs it.
Best Setup for S Rank Runs
The best setup for S-rank runs is Ultimate Mode with the Bishamon Sword and maxed magic, attempted after you have already learned each stage's layout on a first playthrough. Maxed weapons kill instantly, so your time and kill-count factors are nearly automatic, leaving you free to focus on the factor that actually determines S rank: taking as little damage as possible.
Practice the Issen counter until it is second nature. A guard-then-strike counter one-shots most non-boss enemies, which is the single fastest and safest way to clear the path -- it costs no magic, deals huge damage, and avoids the hits a prolonged fight would risk. Drill the timing on basic Genma until you can land it reliably under pressure.
For boss stages, memorize the patterns so you can punish safely without trading hits. Lead with your strongest magic for burst, then fall back to charged strikes and counters. If a stage resists S rank, replay it in Ultimate Mode with a tighter route and stricter damage discipline; S rank is a matter of clean execution, and the powered-up setup gives you every tool to achieve it.
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