The Resident Evil 4 remake Mercenaries mode is all about using your characters to lay waste to countless foes. By making the most out of your weapons and abilities, you’ll rack up a high score and a ranking at the end of your run. Here’s our guide to help you with the ranks and how to get the S++ rank in the Resident Evil 4 remake‘s Mercenaries Mode.
How to Get S++ Rank in RE4 Remake Mercenaries Mode
There are a few things to know about Mercenaries mode in the RE4 remake before really delving in:
- By default, each stage has a two-minute timer. You’ll earn extra time by defeating enemies via headshots, melee executions, explosives, and while Mayhem Mode is active. Taking out elites and special infected (i.e., Pighead Brutes, Chainsaw Villagers, Zealots, and Garradors) grants more time.
- Green Orbs extend the timer by 30 to 90 seconds depending on the orb, and there are at least four of them in a stage. Yellow Orbs, meanwhile, add to your Mayhem Mode energy charge.
- Orb locations, as well as various items like herbs, ammo, and grenades, tend to be randomized with each run, though there are some notable spawn locations.
- If the timer runs out or if your character dies, the battle will end. However, if you manage to kill all 150 enemies in each stage, you’ll complete the battle and earn bonus points depending on how much time is left.
RE4 Mercenaries Score Ranks and Combo Points Explained
Screenshot by GameSkinny
Here are the point thresholds needed for each Mercenaries Mode ranking:
- B Rank: Anything below 100,000 points.
- A Rank: 100,000 to 199,999 points.
- S Rank: 200,000 to 499,999 points.
- S+ Rank: 500,000 to 999,999 points.
- S++ Rank: 1 million points and higher.
To rack up those points, be mindful of your combo counter in the upper-right portion of the screen.
Each threshold grants a score multiplier when you get kills, starting from a 1.1x multiplier (10 enemies killed) up to a 1.5x multiplier (100 enemies killed).
The combo counter has a thin bar that gets depleted over time. It will reset if you’re unable to defeat another enemy after a few seconds have passed.
Mercenaries S++ Rank Tips and Tricks
Screenshot by GameSkinny
Here are some additional tips to consider when going after S++ Rank in RE4 remakes’ Mercenaries mode.
Spend the first few seconds taking note of orb locations. You’ll want to grab every Green Orb as soon as possible to extend the timer’s duration. However, you can save the Yellow Orbs for later once you really need a quick boost to your Mayhem ability.
Find the Gold Chicken Egg. There is at least one chicken in each stage, though its location can be a little random at times. Killing this fowl causes it to drop a Golden Egg, which adds 50,000 points. You can learn more in our Gold Chicken Egg locations guide.
Screenshot by GameSkinny
Familiarize yourself with character loadouts and abilities. Different characters have different loadouts and Mayhem abilities. Use them to your advantage.
Generally speaking, save your Mayhem ability for when things get too hectic or whenever elites and special infected appear.
- Leon has the Riot Gun (the only character with a shotgun), making him deadly at close range.
- Luis’ Mayhem ability lets him drop dynamite sticks, which can annihilate entire packs of hostiles, as well as elites. Likewise, his SR-M1903 sniper rifle has the Biosensor Scope, allowing you to pinpoint the Plaga parasites inside mutations.
- Krauser, meanwhile, can blow up enemies with his Compound Bow. He can then cause his arm to mutate, slashing and stabbing enemies with ease.
- Hunk’s Mayhem ability gives his LE5 unlimited ammo for a short time. However, he also has a special Neck Snap melee execution. This works against special infected, too, so you can fire off a few headshots to stun them, then wring their necks for an instant kill.
Find a camping spot. Assuming you’ve picked up every Green Orb (and maybe the Golden Egg as well), it’s time to look for a camping spot, which we’ve detailed in our Mercenaries stages and level layouts guide.
Each stage has a couple of areas where you can funnel in most of the mobs, giving you a decent vantage point and avoiding most hassles, such as enemies popping up behind you. As long as you have a steady stream of enemies and you can reliably take them out, you should whittle down entire packs.
Screenshot by GameSkinny
Be mindful of your combo count. Your combo count won’t reset if you take damage, so all you need to be mindful of is the thin bar that slowly gets depleted. Make sure you’re getting quick kills to retain your score multiplier.
Use headshots, explosions, and executions. While body shots will kill regular enemies and add to your score, only headshots, explosions, and melee executions will add precious seconds to the timer.
Kill all 150 enemies to end the encounter. There are a maximum of 150 enemies in each stage. Once they’re all dead, the battle will end, and any remaining time will be counted toward your bonus score.
Hitting S++ rank in Resident Evil 4 remake Mercenaries Mode is only possible if you manage to kill all hostiles, as the bonus points will push you over the 1 million points threshold. If you die or if the timer runs out, you’ll probably reach S or S+ rank at best. Hopefully, these tips and tricks helped you overcome the challenge!
Featured image by GameSkinny.
