Mastering S-Rank in Ready or Not Commander Mode

Commander Mode in Ready or Not challenges players to lead an AI squad through high-stakes SWAT operations, where earning an S-rank demands near-perfection in tactics, non-lethal force, and objective mastery. This guide breaks down every essential step to secure top-tier scores consistently across all missions.

Understanding S-Rank Criteria

S-rank represents the pinnacle of operational excellence, requiring zero casualties among civilians, suspects, and your team while securing every piece of evidence and fulfilling all objectives. Missions auto-complete upon perfection, triggering commendations over radio—manually ending early signals unfinished tasks.

• Zero Deaths: No fatalities for savable civilians or suspects; pre-deceased individuals are exempt.
• Full Objective Completion: Primary, secondary, and hidden goals like reporting contraband.
• Evidence Collection: All dropped weapons and intel secured.
• Team Survival: Officers must remain alive; minor injuries are tolerated, but friendly fire penalizes heavily.
• Minimal Force: Avoid harming subdued or surrendered targets; preemptive non-lethal actions on unaware enemies are score-neutral.

Time is irrelevant—prioritize precision over speed. Non-lethal weapons are key, though lethal shots that don’t kill won’t deduct points but heighten surrender chances.

Optimal Loadouts for Non-Lethal Dominance

Loadouts emphasize less-lethal options to neutralize threats without kills. Beanbag shotguns shine for reliable stuns, even against armored foes.

Equip your entire squad identically for synergy. Traits like Negotiator amplify surrender rates, easing moral/stress management.

Team Management and Trait Optimization

In Commander Mode, your roster grows with missions. Monitor status—stressed or depressed officers underperform; send them to counseling pre-mission.

• Breacher Traits: Assign charges, battering rams for efficient entries.
• Negotiator Traits: Boost suspect compliance, critical for S-rank.
• Status Check: Fresh, fit officers execute commands flawlessly.

Rotate squads to maintain peak condition. Assign role-matched gear: breachers get explosives, point men get optiwands.

General Mission Strategies

Approach every op methodically: scout with optiwand, gas rooms preemptively, and yell for surrenders before engaging.

1. Recon Phase: Peek doors, mark threats.
2. Clearance: Flash/gas, beanbag unaware suspects.
3. Cuffing: Bind immediately; ignore dead starts.
4. Evidence Sweep: Collect all drops post-clear.

Auto-end confirms S-rank; dispatcher praise verifies success. Practice mode refines routes without pressure.

Mission-Specific Tactics

Neon Tomb

Focus underground labs: gas vents, beanbag patrolling guards. Hidden chems trigger secondaries—report promptly.

Valley of the Dolls

Multi-floor raid; wedge stairs, clear top-down. Civilians cluster—yell first, gas if needed.

Greased Palms

Stressful suspect density; Negotiators shine. Route garages first, manage moral drops with yells.

A Lethal Obsession

Armored cults: double beanbag torso hits. Collect ritual items; auto-end after full sweeps.

Other Maps

Adapt: rural areas favor long-range beanbags, urban needs door stacks. Always verify hidden intel.

Common Pitfalls and Fixes

• Premature Ends: Forfeit S-rank; sweep twice.
• Squad Deaths: Position rear, command holds.
• Missed Evidence: Metal detectors ping drops.
• Headshots: Aim center mass with beanbags.

Friendly fire voids runs—instruct ‘hold fire’ on civilians.

Advanced Tips for Consistency

Leverage AI behaviors: stack at doors, mirror commands. Beanbag ammo conservation via gas/flash combos. Post-mission, review debriefs for penalties.

FAQs

Can I use lethal weapons for S-rank?

Yes, if no kills result, but non-lethals are safer and more reliable.

Does time affect rank?

No—perfection trumps speed.

How do I unlock cosmetics?

S-ranks award medals and skins; full clears grant more.

Practice vs. Commander?

Both viable; Commander adds team management depth.

Why won’t it auto-end?

Uncollected weapons or unreported intel.