A-Rank is the top tier of Border's combat personnel. A-Rank agents are elite agents on active duty. The ranks are comprised of 9 Squads of 2-5 members each (including Operators). A-Ranks do historically embark on Away Missions, as well as defense duty around the Forbidden Zone and are mobilized in battle. A-Rank agents are paid both a salary, and wages based on the Trion Soldiers they suppress on duty.[1]
A-Rank Squads have their own Strategy Rooms, which the agents can customize to their liking[citation needed], additionally they are bigger than B-Rank Squad Strategy Rooms.[citation needed] Individual agents are able to customize their triggers to an extent[2], and are given more options, and freedom for customization than B-Rank agents.[3]
Here are the following ways an Agent or Squad can be promoted or demoted. Note: it is impossible to be promoted to A-Rank as a solo agent as promotions happen through team rank wars.[4] However if you quit a squad after becoming A-rank, you become an A-rank solo agent.[4]
Promotions
- B-Rank squads have the potential of ascending to A-Rank if they perform well enough in Rank Wars.
- If A-rank solo agents come together to form a new squad, they are counted as an A-rank squad.[5] But they ranked with the rank of the lowest squad member[5], for this reason if any amount of B-rank solo agent(s) is part of the squad's creation, the squad will start out in B-rank with the rank of the lowest squad member.[5]
Demotions. (Note: the demoted squad can keep the emblem until they disband.[6])
- the captain[7], or one of their teammates[8] of an A-Rank squad breaks the rules. In the two cases this has happened, both squads were not able to promote for a set period of time[9] in their case it was for two seasons.[10][11]
- If an A-rank squad adds a new combatant who is B-rank in a single season, the squad won't be demoted[12], however their performance in rank wars could suffer enough that a demotion can happen[12] But if a second or third B-rank combatant is added in the same season[12], there are cases where the squad is demoted to match rank of those members.[12]
Squads
This gallery represents Border's current A-Rank Squads. Squads with a * next to the name have a history of different members. More information is available on the squads' respective pages.
Trivia
- Most play-by-plays are done with people with A-Rank experience, but anyone can do it.[13]
References
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Do Border agents get paid?
A: I might show it one day, but yes, agents do get paid. B-Rank Agents get a fee per Trion Soldier they defeat. A-Rank Agents have a salary + fee per Trion Soldier. C-Rank Trainees do not get paid.
Source: Volume 5, Question Corner 1 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Kumagai's Kogetsu has a guard, can the design of any part that isn't the blade be freely changed?
A: Consult with the Engineers, and it can be freely changed to an extent. Kumagai blocks with her sword a lot, so a guard was attached to protect her hands.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 305, Question 153 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: It’s said that Jin made Scorpion, but are there any conditions for an agent to take part in Trigger development?
A: Kako talked a little about it in Volume 14; when you become A-Rank Agent, you can make requests with Engineers to customise your Trigger. Developing new Triggers is just an extension of that.
Source: Volume 19, Question Corner 12 - ↑ 4.0 4.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Can B-rank agents not belonging to a squad rise to A-rank on their own?
A: It is basically impossible to rise to A-rank on your own. At the very least you need to form a 2 person team with an Operator and win through the Rank Wars. If you rise to A-rank and the squad breaks up then you are treated as an A-rank solo agent until you form a new team. In this case you can't participate in the team Rank Wars. Right now, Jin is in this position.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 317, Question 236 - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: In cases where A-rank agents want to separate from their current team and create a new one, do they start again from B-rank? And is that possible?
A: It is possible. The rank of the new squad is "the rank of the lowest ranking member in the new squad". If a team is made with just A-rank agents, then they start from A-rank (with the rank of the lowest ranking member), if even one B-rank agent is added then they start from B-rank (with the rank of the lowest ranking member).
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 317, Question 239 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Do only A-Rank squads have their own emblems?
A: Once a squad makes A-Rank they can make their own emblem. Even if they are eventually demoted to B-Rank, they can continue to use their emblem until the squad disbands.
Source: Volume 9, Question Corner 8 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Vol. 13 Character Profile
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 109)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: After falling to B-Rank, did Ninomiya Squad and Kageura Squad challenge and lose to A-Rank Squads during the Rank Wars in October? Is that why they've remained B-Rank?
A: After dropping down in the ranks, they couldn't fight for a chance at promotion for a set period of time as a penalty. Something like that.
Source: Volume 24, Question Corner 20 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 236 (p. 18)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 236 (p. 27)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: If an A-rank squad adds a B-rank agent, does their team rank have to start again from B-rank? Or do they stay A-rank?
A: If they only add one person in 1 season then they stay A-rank. But newly added agents have more openings and are targeted a lot, so there is a so-so chance of being demoted as a result of the Rank Wars. In cases where a second or third person is added in the same season then there are cases where the squad is demoted to match the rank of those members.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 317, Question 238 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: What are the criteria used to choose who does the Play-by-play and the commentary for Rank Wars?
A: It seems Play-by-play are mostly those who have A-Rank experience, but sometimes B-Rank captains are called up too. Anyone can be a commentator as long as they can talk, and honestly it doesn’t have to be an Operator but because you need to operate equipment a lot are Operators. There have been times when the person doing the Play-by-play was a combatant or an Engineer.
Source: Volume 20, Question Corner 14