Getting an SSS rank in The Mercenaries mode of Resident Evil Village requires strategy, efficiency, and knowing how to maintain your combo. This guide outlines a pistol-only approach that prioritizes movement, enemy management, and strategic power-ups to help you maximize your score and earn the highest rank possible.

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Initial Preparation: Setting Up Your Loadout

1. Sell all shotgun and rifle ammo, as well as the First Aid Med.
2. Max out the LEMI handgun: Upgrade ammo capacity, power, and fire rate. This will be your primary weapon for the majority of the run.
3. Pistol-only until the final section: You can complete the entire run with just the handgun, but purchasing a sniper rifle for the last section is optional and can make the run easier.

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Area 1: Maintaining Your Combo

General Tips:

• Always leave a few enemies alive in each section to extend your combo into the next part.
• The Lycans are the fastest enemies, so eliminate them quickly to avoid losing time.
• Keep an eye on Blue Orbs to grab ability upgrades that enhance your pistol and movement speed.
• The explosive ability is incredibly useful, making enemies explode upon death and dealing extra AOE damage.

Step-by-Step Execution:

1. Knife the Orb at the start and immediately turn around to keep enemies within reach for combo continuation.
2. Take out the Lycans quickly, as their speed makes them a threat.
3. Head to the blue orb with two enemies behind you so you can continue your combo.
4. Memorize enemy spawns, as all encounters in this stage are scripted.
5. Prioritize movement buffs and any abilities that boost pistol power.
6. First big enemy: An Armored Lycan – headshots will eventually strip his armor, making him easier to kill.
7. Final enemy: Leave one enemy behind before proceeding to the goal to keep your combo intact.
8. Completion time goal: ~5:42 remaining for a perfect score.

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Area 2: Strategic Route & Upgrades

Merchant Tips Before Starting:

• Sell unnecessary ammo again and upgrade the LEMIs power further.
• Pick up all ammo on the merchant’s table.

Route Optimization:

1. Move right at the start to reach a Blue Orb early.
2. Prioritize Magic Magazine (doubles ammo capacity) and Pistol Master (major damage boost).
3. Be aware of respawning Lycans—kill them quickly to keep your combo alive.
4. Use the red barrels strategically to take out large groups of enemies at once.
5. Climb the staircase after eliminating archers to clear enemies at the top.
6. Make sure to collect a Blue Orb before entering the final stretch.
7. Completion time goal: Maintain all combos for flawless execution.

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Area 3: Sniper Rifle Strategy

Merchant Recommendations Before Starting:

• If possible, upgrade the F2 Sniper Rifle (ammo capacity) for ranged enemies.
• If funds are limited, rely on the handgun—it’s still effective.

Execution Strategy:

1. Prioritize the first Blue Orb and get an essential power-up.
2. Use the sniper rifle for long-range threats (archers and enemies with fireballs).
3. Enemies will respawn multiple times, so learn their locations.
4. Keep your combo active by staggering enemy kills and using explosive barrels.
5. Handle mini-boss enemies carefully:
   • Aim for headshots on Soldats (mechanized enemies).
   • Use pipe bombs if necessary.
   • The werewolf boss takes significant damage from explosive barrels and headshots.
6. Final enemies: If running low on time, prioritize quick kills over looting.

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Final Tips for SSS Rank:

1. Never lose your combo – this is the single most important factor for achieving high scores.
2. Prioritize speed and movement upgrades when selecting abilities.
3. Headshots are key – maximize pistol damage with precise aiming.
4. Always be aware of enemy spawns to keep up efficiency.
5. Don’t worry about grabbing all loot – money isn’t needed beyond initial upgrades.
6. Use sniper rifle only when necessary – handgun is enough for most encounters.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to consistently achieve an SSS rank in The Mercenaries mode. Keep practicing, optimize your routes, and enjoy the challenge!