Sengoku Rance extra characters: NG+ Unlock Guide

Sengoku Rance extra characters are part of the Second Game Bonuses system, which becomes available after you beat the game once. When you begin another Normal Mode run, the bonus screen lets you spend accumulated points on clan packs, special characters, items, starting resources, and the Extra Characters option.

The system is designed for New Game Plus planning rather than first-playthrough progression. Your points remain available after selecting bonuses, and you may leave points unspent if you want to save for a later run. The bonus menu is available for Normal Mode; the same options do not apply to National Mode, also called Free for All.

The available point total is based on your highest completed score, with an additional 5 points for each qualifying route. Official History, Kenshin, Ran, and Isoroku provide route bonuses. Archfiend and Monkeyslayer may count as routes for other purposes, but they do not provide the same point reward.

The Extra Characters bonus unlocks two delayed recruits: Shizuka and Gekkou. Their value comes from specialized skills rather than instant starting power, so the purchase is strongest when your route plan supports their arrival.

Shizuka offers a unique skill called Sticky Ground. It works similarly to Defeated Warrior Hunt, and the two effects can stack. This makes her especially useful when you are trying to capture specific enemy units instead of simply winning battles.

Gekkou becomes available earlier, around turn 8 according to the strategic guide, and is regarded as one of the strongest Ninja choices. His advantages include strong starting statistics, six movement, a broad selection of Ninja skills, and a passive effect that allows Assassination to eliminate a commander who has run out of moves.

The main drawback is timing. Extra Characters does not immediately strengthen your opening roster in the same way as a clan pack or a 5-point special character. You also need to rush the conditions that lead to Shizuka’s appearance, including obtaining Kanami and Maria before the relevant Leazas reinforcements arrive.

Extra Characters competes with several powerful New Game Plus options. A strong purchase depends on whether you are replaying casually, improving your score, or attempting a high-difficulty route.

For a relaxed replay, the 20-point cost can be justified if you want access to unique characters or plan to complete more of the roster. However, a clan pack may provide stronger immediate value because it gives several commanders from turn one, even though the selected clan begins hostile.

For score-focused runs, prioritize bonuses that save actions, accelerate conquest, or improve battle efficiency. The guide identifies +1 Action, the Operation Permit set, the ability to kill Toukichirou, selected clan bonuses, and several high-impact items as important parts of a serious scoring package.

A 5-point special character can be a better first purchase when you need immediate strength. Elina is highlighted as an especially effective early Onmyouji, while Nobuhiko Makutsudou offers high statistics and early Action Transfer access. Ichiya Kurosaki is more specialized: Advantage Down 2 can be powerful, but his lower statistics demand a more deliberate setup.

Extra Characters is also easier to justify when you already have the basic tools for your run. If your roster lacks early damage, movement, or defensive support, the 20 points may be better spent on a smaller combination of bonuses.

The Second Game Bonuses system has an important roster limitation: the maximum roster size is 30 characters. If you select more bonus characters than the roster can hold, the first removable person in the roster may die in an accident to make room.

The initial removable positions listed in the guide are Ranmaru first and Katsuie Shibata second. If you remove the bonus characters afterward, characters lost through the accident may not immediately return. Exiting the new-game menu and entering it again can restore the affected roster state.

Clan Bonuses provide the listed House’s commanders, but the clan begins hostile. This makes clan selections powerful but strategically meaningful. Uesugi costs 20 points and requires the Kenshin IF route. Takeda costs 40 points and adds Yoshikage Kousaka, Tourin Sanada, Shouen Baba, and Masakage Yamagata under the listed unlock condition.

Item bonuses follow another restriction: you generally need to have obtained the item previously and then cleared the game before selecting it in New Game Plus. This makes preparation during the first run valuable, especially if you are building toward a high-difficulty setup.

The guide notes that all listed options can require 315 total points, while difficulty settings also affect starting score. Standard difficulty begins with 60 points in the cited breakdown, while higher star levels provide larger starting values. Choose difficulty according to your objective: casual completion, route collection, or score maximization each rewards a different bonus strategy.

Use the Sengoku Rance Second Game Bonuses reference to review the point system, clan requirements, item restrictions, and character notes before locking in a New Game Plus setup.

The most reliable way to use the bonus is to decide your run objective first. If you want a flexible replay with unusual recruits, Extra Characters is a strong long-term choice. If you need immediate momentum, compare it against lower-cost commanders, clan packs, or action and item bonuses.