Solo Leveling’s main narrative revolves around clearing the dungeons with a group of Hunters, a magically enhanced population, to stop the threat of monsters that might appear from the dungeons. Though all Hunters possess magical abilities, each individual undergoes a unique awakening process that determines their rank and type. This process grants them abilities that remain fixed for life, neither improving nor diminishing over time.
A Hunter’s rank is assigned based on their magical prowess during awakening, while their type is determined by the specific abilities they receive.In total, there are six types of official Hunter categories inSolo Leveling’s narrative, ranging from Healers to Fighters, and it is evident that they are inspired by the class of characters found in tabletop and RPGs. Though there are officially six types of hunters,Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist ofSolo Leveling, brings his own category.
7Fighters
The Most Common Yet Very Essential Type of Hunter
Fighters inSolo Levelingare the frontline warriors, leading battles while other Hunter types support them in combat. Specializing in close-quarters combat, they are known for their immense strength and powerful strikes. While many can take down monsters with their bare hands, depending on their rank and the enemy’s strength, they often wieldmagical weapons like swords or axesfor a more effective offense.
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As the vanguard of raids, Fighters also possess considerable agility, allowing them to evade otherwise lethal attacks. Overall,they are the most balanced Hunter type, excelling in strength, magical prowess, and defense, making them essential to any raid. Many of the most powerful S-Rank Hunters, such as Cha Hae-In, Goto Ryuji, and Baek Yoonho, belong to this category. Thus, though Fighters seem to be the most common types of Hunters inSolo Leveling, they seem to be the most essential type a Hunter can hope to be awakened as.
6Tankers
Tankers, Also Known as Defense Hunters, Are the Most Essential Support
While Fighters take charge in battle, bringing down enemies, Tankers are built to support them with exceptional defense. Known for their extraordinary strength and durability, Tankers can withstand powerful monster attacks with little concern. They are often equipped with massive weapons and, more importantly, large shields that enhance their defensive capabilities. However, their heavy gear makes them slower, requiring them to engage enemies up close to be most effective.
In difficult situations,Tankers push enemies into a corner using their specialty ability called Taunt. Taunt, as the name implies, forces the enemy to attack the Tankers, enabling them to create openings for Fighters to land decisive attacks and finish the battle. As one of the three most essential Hunter types for any raid, Defense Hunters play a crucial role in ensuring success. Notable Tankers include Yoo Jinho, Thomas Andre, and Kim Chul, the latter being part ofJinwoo’s shadow army, who has demonstrated that, in close combat, Tankers can surpass even Fighters in raw strength.
5Healers
Healers are the Key to Victories and Preventing Horrendous Outcomes
Besides Fighters and Tankers, Healers are the third most essential type of Hunter required for any dungeon raid. As their name suggests,Healers possess the strongest magical abilities, specializing in recovery and support.The extent of their powers depends on their rank; however, even lower-ranked healers have been shown to mend grave injuries and even regenerate lost limbs. Unlike Fighters and Tankers, Healers are rare, and as a result, only one is typically included in a raid party.
Since their abilities are solely focused on healing, Healers lack combat specialties, making them the weakest members of a group. It is uncommon to see them directly engaging in battle. However, because their support allows other Hunters to fight longer, they often become prime targets for enemies. Despite this vulnerability, their role remains crucial. Due to their rarity, Healer-type Hunters are uncommon, and so far, only one S-Rank Healer has been depicted, Min Byung-Gyu. His presence during theJeju Island raiddemonstrated just how invaluable Healers can be.
Byung-Gyu’s aid allowed the Hunters to stand against the Ant Kingfor as long as they did, and it was thanks to his abilities that Jinwoo was able to save Cha Hae-In. His role as a Healer, though it was very short, added depth to the narrative and left a lasting impression on fans.
4Mages
Hunters With Special Magical Abilities
Mages are the literal wizards ofSolo Leveling’s narrative. Just as the origins of dungeons and monsters remain a mystery, so too do their magical abilities. These Hunters possess the highest amount of mana, which they use to launch long-range attacks against enemies. Their abilities often manifest through elemental magic, such as fire and water. However,their specialization isn’t limited to elemental attacks, some Mages excel in summoning or barrier creation.
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Due to their diverse skill sets, Mages can serve both offensive and defensive roles. Their long-range attacks and summoning abilities make them formidable in battle, while their barriers provide essential protection. As a result, Mages are considered a foundational requirement for any raid. Much like Healers, their reliance on magic rather than physical strength means they rarely engage in close combat, making them prime targets for enemies. The effectiveness of Mages was demonstrated by S-Rank Hunter Choi Jong-In during the Jeju Island raid, proving their crucial role in battle.
3Assassins
Concealing Themselves and Swiftly Killing Enemies Are Their Specialties
Assassins are one of the rarest and most dangerous types of Hunters. They are the fastest, even surpassing Fighters in agility, allowing them to swiftly engage enemies while evading harm. Most assassin types of hunter possess abilities that enable them tocompletely conceal their presence, blending into their surroundings and executing stealth attackswhen the opportunity arises. As expected of this Hunter type, their preferred weapons are knives or daggers, which are lightweight and easily hidden.
With their ability to strike from the shadows, Assassins are among thedeadliest Hunters inSolo Leveling. Their attacks, whether through swift knife strikes or even poison, make them formidable opponents. However, their lack of raw strength makes them highly vulnerable if discovered, which is why remaining undetected is their top priority. So far, the narrative has introduced two Assassin-type Hunters: Kang Taeshik and Ippei Izawa, during the Jeju Island arc. While some fans speculated that Jinwoo might be an Assassin-type, he ultimately proved to belong to a category of his own.
2Rangers
Very Rare and Seems To Be the Most Ineffective Type of Hunter
Rangers are even rarer than Assassin-type Hunters, with only one Ranger depicted in the narrative so far. Much like Mages, Rangers specialize in attacking enemies from a distance, as their name suggests. However, unlike Mages, they do not possess magical abilities. Instead,they rely on long-range weapons such as bows and arrows.Rangers excel in precision and power, capable of targeting enemies hidden in the blind spots of fighters.
As long-range offensive Hunters, Rangers are highly vulnerable in close combat, making it essential for them to maintain a safe distance from their enemies. While they can provide coverage in areas other hunters cannot reach, their disadvantages often outweigh their advantages. Since Mages can fulfill a similar role with greater effectiveness, the demand for Rangers is extremely low. This may explain why the series has introduced only one Ranger so far,S-Rank Hunter Lim Tae-Gyu, the Guild Master of the Fiend Guild.
1Sung Jinwoo Is a Special Type of Hunter
Sung Jinwoo, With the Help of the System, Is Creating His Own Hunter-Type
Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist ofSolo Leveling, is a unique Hunter whose abilities defy classification. Initially, even he believed himself to be an Assassin-type Hunter due to his speed and stealth. However, as the narrative progressed, he demonstrated traits of both a Mage and a Fighter. At times, he has even displayed minor healing abilities, though it is clear thathis true specialty lies entirely everywhere.
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Jinwoo’s defining ability is hispower to extract the shadows of defeated enemies and turn them into loyal soldiers, an ability he first unlocked at the end of the first season after completing an exceptionally dangerous quest. Following this event, the system granted him theShadow Monarch class, allowing him to summon and command shadows with the word “Arise.” With this power, Jinwoo single-handedly cleared Jeju Island and even saved the remaining S-Rank Hunters of his nation.
Although shadow extraction is his signature ability, Jinwoo frequently shifts between combat styles,utilizing both Mage-like magic and Assassin-like agility.This proves that he cannot be confined to any single Hunter category; rather, he belongs to a class of his own. WhileSolo Levelinghas yet to officially explain his Hunter type, it is evident that he surpasses the six standard classifications within the series.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
