The Ultimate S-Rank Guide: Unlocking All Titles in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

For dedicated fans of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, the true test of skill doesn’t end with defeating The Boss. It’s about how you do it. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater brings back the series’ iconic ranking system, awarding players a specific title at the end of each playthrough based on their performance. These titles range from prestigious, S-tier ranks like ‘FOXHOUND’ to infamous, humorous ones like ‘CHICKEN.’ Unlocking every single one is the ultimate challenge for any true completionist. This comprehensive guide will break down the criteria for each title, helping you plan your perfect run.

Earning titles in MGS Delta is a meticulous process that requires multiple playthroughs and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. The game tracks a variety of stats, including:

• Total Play Time
• Continues Used
• Alert Phases Triggered
• Human Enemies Killed
• Serious Injuries Taken
• Damage Taken
• LIFE Medicine Used
• Special Items Used (Stealth Camo, EZ Gun, Infinity Face Paint)

The titles are a mix of performance-based ranks and special, condition-based awards. The key to unlocking them all is to tackle them in a structured way, grouping similar conditions together to minimize the number of playthroughs.

The S-Tier Ranks: The Path to Perfection

These are the most challenging and sought-after titles. They require a combination of speed, stealth, and non-lethal precision. A ‘no continues’ run is a must for all of them.

• FOXHOUND: The pinnacle of a Metal Gear Solid playthrough. To achieve this rank, you must complete the game on the Extreme difficulty (or higher) with zero Continues, zero Alerts, zero Human Kills, and a total play time of under 5 hours. You must also have fewer than 20 Serious Injuries, take less than 5 full life bars of damage, use no LIFE Medicine, and avoid using any Special Items. This is best attempted on a New Game+ run where you have all your items and collected camos from previous playthroughs.
• FOX: A slightly more forgiving version of the FOXHOUND rank. Complete the game on Hard difficulty (or higher) in under 5 hours, with zero Continues, zero Human Kills, and three or fewer Alert Phases. You must also take less than 5 LIFE bars of damage and use no Special Items.
• DOBERMAN: A good stepping stone for aspiring stealth players. Finish the game on Normal difficulty (or higher) in under 5.5 hours, with zero Continues, zero Human Kills, and five or fewer Alert Phases. No Special Items or LIFE Medicine can be used.
• HOUND: The easiest of the ‘stealth’ ranks. Clear the game on any difficulty in under 6 hours, with zero Continues, zero Human Kills, and 10 or fewer Alerts. No LIFE Medicine or Special Items are allowed.

The Animal Ranks: Special Conditions and Collectibles

These titles are awarded for meeting very specific, often unique criteria that are not tied to the main performance stats.

• CHAMELEON: A straightforward but challenging stealth run. Complete the entire game with zero Alert Phases. This title is a natural byproduct of a FOXHOUND or FOX run.
• PIGEON: The ultimate non-lethal run. Clear the game without killing a single human enemy. The EZ Gun with its tranquilizer rounds is your best friend for this title.
• WHALE: For the true nature enthusiast. Capture every single variety of plant and animal in the game. This will require you to explore every nook and cranny of the game’s biomes and can take multiple playthroughs.
• TSUCHINOKO: This is a very specific, rare title. To earn it, you must capture a live Tsuchinoko—a mythical snake-like creature—and keep it alive in your backpack until the end of the game. Be careful not to eat it!
• GA-KO & KEROTAN: Two titles for the completionist. For GA-KO, you must shoot all 64 GA-KO collectibles throughout the game. For KEROTAN, you must shoot all 64 Kerotan frogs. The progress for both carries over across playthroughs.
• CAT: A title for the cautious player. Manually save your game at least 30 times. This is easy to do on a casual playthrough.
• LEECH: A unique, condition-based title. Complete the game with a leech attached to your body. This is a bit of a strange one, but can be done by intentionally allowing a leech to latch onto you and never removing it.

The “Bad” Ranks: Embracing the Chaos

Not every title is about being a stealthy master. Some are given for completely opposite, and often chaotic, playstyles.

• CHICKEN: The infamous “worst” title. To unlock it, you must play the game in a way that shows a lack of skill and a high reliance on easy methods. This means a play time of 50 hours or more, 60 or more Continues, over 250 Alerts, over 250 Human Kills, and a high amount of damage taken and items used. It’s a title that requires a specific kind of dedication.
• CROCODILE: Earned for an extremely high body count. You must kill at least 250 human enemies.
• PIG: A gluttonous title. Eat at least 250 meals throughout your playthrough.
• GIANT PANDA: A title for the slow and steady. Play for at least 50 hours to unlock this rank.
• BEAR: Earned for taking a lot of punishment. Sustain at least 250 Serious Injuries.

Earning all the titles in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a lengthy and rewarding endeavor that will test your skills in every aspect of the game. Whether you’re a stealth perfectionist aiming for the FOXHOUND rank or a curious player looking to experience everything the game has to offer, each title provides a unique challenge and a reason to return to the world of Big Boss. Good luck, Snake.