- I Am Your Beast in the trenches S rank runs demand speed, momentum, and clean extraction above raw kill counts
- Route first: memorize objective placement and enemy positions before chasing a faster time
- Chain eliminations: high ratings reward continuous combat flow, not cautious duels
- Skip optional fights: only engage enemies who block the objective or the escape route
- Replay in layers: fix your route, then your combat, then combine them into one run
How S Rank Scoring Works on In the Trenches
I Am Your Beast is built as a score-attack FPS: short, replayable missions where the result screen grades your completion time, combat flow, and objective execution. In the Trenches follows the same rules as every other mission in the campaign — the S rank is earned by turning a successful clear into a fast, controlled run rather than by hunting every enemy on the map.
Three factors shape your final rating on this mission:
| Scoring Factor | What It Measures | S Rank Target |
|---|---|---|
| Completion time | Time from level start to extraction | Minimal detours, no backtracking |
| Combat efficiency | Speed and flow of eliminations | Chained kills without long pauses |
| Objective execution | Clean completion of mission tasks | No failed interactions or resets |
Before changing your strategy, finish one full clear and study the mission result screen. It tells you whether time, combat flow, or movement is the weakest part of your attempt — fix that element before anything else.
The mission's trench layout rewards players who treat movement as part of every attack. Standing still — even for a moment to reload — gives grouped enemies time to establish sight lines and surround you, which destroys both your time and your combat rating.
Route Planning: Objective to Extraction
Every strong S rank attempt on In the Trenches starts before the first shot. At level start, identify the primary objective, note the direction of the extraction route, and find the shortest line that connects the two.
Opening Route
- Move along the edge of the combat space
- Use cover to cross exposed sections
- Approach isolated enemies before groups
Objective Area
- Approach from cover first
- Remove the closest threat to the interaction point
- Plan the exit before starting the interaction
Final Approach
- Save a direct movement line for the escape
- Eliminate only enemies controlling the path
- Sprint through the exit without stopping
Many failed runs come from continuing to fight after the level has already been won. Once the main task is complete, stop taking risks and follow the extraction route. Optional kills only matter when an active challenge requires them.
Combat Chains and Weapon Choices
Improvisation is the core of I Am Your Beast combat. There is no fixed loadout — the best weapon is the one that matches the current distance, enemy formation, and escape route. Use this comparison to pick the right tool for each section of the trench:
| Tool | Ideal Range | Best Use in the Trenches | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee attacks | Point-blank | Isolated enemies, ammo conservation | Risky against grouped sight lines |
| Pistol | Short-medium | Removing the enemy blocking your next movement line | Weak against packed clusters |
| Shotgun | Close | Breaking through tight trench sections | Loses value at distance |
| Assault rifle | Medium | Open areas with spread-out threats | Encourages slow positional play |
| Thrown objects | Short-medium | Disrupting groups, opening routes | Wasted on single low-priority targets |
Separate targets
Use trench corners, cover, and movement to pull enemies away from their group before committing to a melee or close-range attack.
Strike and move
Complete the elimination, then immediately reposition. Never stand over a defeated enemy — the next threat is already aiming.
Chain into the next encounter
Carry momentum forward. Treat melee, firearms, thrown objects, and environmental hazards as parts of one continuous combat sequence.
Break formations with the environment
When a group blocks the route, use explosives or hazardous objects to disrupt them instead of fighting from one position.
Exit cleanly
Once the route opens, leave the combat area. Do not return for optional kills during a scoring attempt.
High-level attempts reward sustained combat flow. A run with five fast, chained eliminations typically scores better than one with eight slow, separated kills — keep attacking without losing momentum.
Five-Step S Rank Improvement Routine
Fast, repeatable improvement follows a layered process. Fix one element at a time and only combine them when each part is consistent:
| Stage | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Safe clear | Mission layout, enemy placement, objective order | Understand the full route |
| 2. Downtime reduction | Fast transitions, minimal backtracking | Remove pauses between encounters |
| 3. Combat chains | Continuous eliminations, combo preservation | Sustain combat flow |
| 4. Section practice | Reset discipline, consistent openings | Stabilize weak sections |
| 5. Full optimization | Time, efficiency, and rating together | Reach the S rank target |
Your S Rank Checklist:
- Complete one safe clear and study the result screen
- Memorize objective placement and the extraction route
- Remove all unnecessary detours and reload pauses
- Practice the two hardest sections in isolation
- Combine route and combat tactics into one full run
Reset attempts that lose too much time instead of finishing them. Isolate the section causing failures, repeat it until consistent, and return to full runs only when your opening route is reliable.
Common Mistakes That Block S Rank
- Clearing every enemy before moving forward — eliminate only threats that block progress
- Fighting the whole group from one position — reposition after every attack
- Chasing fleeing or distant enemies outside challenge requirements
- Stopping to reload or search for a perfect loadout during the escape sequence
Treat extraction as its own encounter. Keep a reliable close-range weapon ready for the final approach, keep moving, and use the route you planned at the beginning unless enemy positions have changed. For broader mechanics, weapon matchups, and the full challenge system, see the official Steam page and the Steam community guides.
FAQ
Q: How fast do I need to be for an S rank on In the Trenches?
There is no single fixed time to quote — the S rank depends on completion time, combat efficiency, and objective execution combined. Use the mission result screen after a successful clear to see which factor is holding your rating back, then improve that element on the next run.
Q: Do I need to kill every enemy for an S rank in I Am Your Beast?
No. Eliminate only opponents who block the objective or the extraction route. Optional kills cost time and often lower your combat flow rating unless a specific challenge requires them.
Q: Which weapon works best for the I Am Your Beast in the trenches S rank run?
There is no fixed loadout. Melee works best against isolated targets in tight sections, the shotgun breaks clustered groups, and thrown objects or explosives disrupt formations. Switch tools based on distance and enemy density rather than keeping the first weapon you find.
Q: Should I practice the whole mission or specific sections?
Practice sections. Reset attempts that lose too much time, repeat the sections causing failures until they are consistent, then return to full runs once your opening route is stable.