Sung Jin Woo begins his journey as an E-rank hunter, enduring immense hardships and numerous near-death encounters before ascending to become one of the most formidable figures in Solo Leveling. Throughout his relentless pursuit of strength within the System, he is accompanied by a group of exceptionally skilled hunters.
Each of these hunters possess remarkable abilities that aid him in battles against terrifying monsters. Only a select few S-class hunters managed to endure the brutal events of Solo Leveling. Alongside these elite hunters, powerful Monarchs and Rulers demonstrate unparalleled abilities.
Monarchs, hunters, and rulers clash in a war of dominance (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)To accurately determine their rank, it is essential to evaluate their combat prowess, strategic mindset, unique skills, and intellectual capabilities.
10. Thomas Andre – The National Level Goliath
Before Jin Woo’s rise, Thomas Andre was widely regarded as the strongest hunter. As a national-level hunter based in the USA, he fought the fearsome dragon Kamish and later forged its fangs into mighty daggers.
This S-class tank hunter adopts an aggressive combat style and wields abilities such as Spiritual Body Manifestation and Ruler’s Authority due to his status as a Ruler’s Vessel.
Although he was unable to triumph over Jin Woo or the Beast Monarch, he showcased immense resilience, enduring severe injuries yet managing to survive their encounters.
9. Sung IL Hwan – Among Korea’s First S-Rank Hunters
After being trapped inside a dungeon for several years, Sung IL Hwan was finally freed by the Rulers and became one of their vessels. His mission was to eliminate the new Shadow Monarch, only to later discover that he was targeting his son.
Despite his brief appearance, he left a lasting impression by fearlessly confronting two Monarchs alone, allowing Jin Woo to resurrect as the Shadow Monarch. His initial hunter days predated the ranking system, yet his extraordinary combat abilities place him among S-rank fighters.
8. The Frost Monarch – A Ruthless and Tactical Adversary
Recognized as Sillad, the Frost Monarch possesses exceptional intelligence and managed to critically wound Jin Woo, even though he was not the most powerful among the Monarchs. To challenge the Mage Hunter, he allied with other Monarchs and employed his ice-based magic to subdue S-rank hunters.
With extraordinary reflexes and unmatched speed, he proved to be a formidable foe. Known as the King of Snow Folk, he wields some of the most devastating ice-based abilities in Solo Leveling, making him one of the strongest characters in the series.
7. The Monarch of White Flames – The Demon King’s Wrath
Baran, known as the Monarch of White Flames, is recognized as one of the most formidable beings in Solo Leveling. Under orders from Antares, he and Rakan were tasked with assassinating Ashborn but failed.
Jin Woo later encounters a clone of Baran on the final floor of the Demon’s Castle and engages in an intense battle. His overwhelming strength allows him to summon an army of demons for assistance.
Despite his superior power, he was defeated by Jin Woo, who leveraged his intelligence and tactical acumen to outmaneuver the Monarch.
6. The Monarch of Beastly Fangs – Unrivaled Physical Power
Rakan, the King of Beasts, is a cunning Monarch capable of effortlessly defeating S-rank hunters, including Thomas Andre, without even exerting his full strength. His arrogance and boastful nature remain different to his tendency to flee when faced with a losing battle.
During his fight with Jin Woo, he struck a critical blow to his back, momentarily incapacitating him. However, after reawakening, Jin Woo swiftly overpowered both Rakan and Sillad. Due to his immense physical prowess and deceptive combat style, he is regarded as one of the most formidable Monarchs.
5. The Monarch of Destruction – The Foremost and Most Ancient Monarch
As the final adversary Jin Woo confronts, Antares proves to be a formidable opponent, requiring the assistance of the Rulers for his defeat. His sheer speed and strength are second only to Ashborn.
Antares held such a deep fear of the Shadow Monarch’s potential that he commanded Baran and Rakan to eliminate him, though they failed.
During his battle with Jin Woo, he summoned an army of countless soldiers. Recognizing his inability to defeat Antares alone, Jin Woo strategically relied on the Rulers to eliminate the powerful Monarch.
4. The Rulers – Guardians of Existence
Created by the Absolute Being to safeguard the world, the Rulers are immensely powerful, angelic warriors who always operate as a unit. Their combined strength enabled them to overthrow the very entity that had given them life, a testament to their incredible might.
Although the extent of their power remains unclear, they have collectively vanquished some of the most formidable beings, including Ashborn. They also played a pivotal role in Jin Woo’s ultimate battle against Antares by delivering the final blow.
Additionally, Rulers possess the unique ability to grant their powers to humans, creating Ruler’s Vessels such as Thomas Andre and Sung IL Hwan.
3. The Monarch of Shadows – The Supreme Commander of Darkness
Ashborn stands as the most powerful Monarch in Solo Leveling. While Antares surpasses him in raw strength, the Dragon Monarch fears Ashborn’s army, which posed a severe threat to his dominance. Despite all efforts to stop him, Ashborn remained undefeated.
A father’s return from the shadows changes the course of fate (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)With the Shadow Extraction ability, Ashborn expanded his forces by reviving fallen enemies as loyal warriors. As a former Ruler, he also wielded Ruler’s Authority, granting him the capability to manipulate objects purely with his mind.
2. The Absolute Being – Architect of Rulers and Monarchs
Although he met his end at the hands of the Rulers, this entity possessed the greatest power and held the ability to create life from nothingness. He viewed his creations as mere sources of entertainment and refused to put an end to the ongoing war between Rulers and Monarchs, sealing his fate.
Despite his immense durability, he fell due to his incompetence and failure to wield his abilities effectively. The Absolute Being was also responsible for crafting the Cup of Reincarnation, an artifact capable of rewinding time by ten years with every use.
1. Sung Jin Woo – The Strongest and Most Revered Protagonist
Without question, Sung Jin Woo reigns as the most powerful character in Solo Leveling. His strategic brilliance and analytical approach to combat have enabled him to defeat Monarchs and monsters far superior in rank and strength. His unwavering selflessness and deep concern for others earned him the admiration of his allies.
Even during his weaker days, he risked his life on raids to provide for his family. His abilities encompass immense strength, agility, hypnosis, stealth, and bloodlust. Over time, he mastered various techniques that greatly enhanced his combat effectiveness.
His unparalleled skill set and admirable personality cement his status as the greatest character in Solo Leveling.