- Sengoku Rance all routes begin from the Official History route structure.
- First Games restrict route access, while Second Games unlock most alternate paths.
- Gourd timing determines when Kouhime goes missing and when a route can begin.
- Route preparation should be completed before the Honnoji Temple Incident.
- Archfiend is an unwinnable fail state, not a standard cleared route.
Sengoku Rance all routes: Route Structure
Sengoku Rance all routes are built around gourd progression, route flags, and the timing of the Honnoji Temple Incident. A fresh save begins on the Official History path. In a First Game, most alternate-route conditions are unavailable, so the first clear is primarily used to learn the map, commanders, clan events, and boss battles.
After one cleared game, a Second Game allows bonus points, higher difficulty options, and access to route-specific conditions. The most important planning rule is simple: finish the required character and clan events before the Honnoji incident. Once that incident has started, the game locks the route selection state.
| Route | Game requirement | Main entry condition | Primary clear condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official History | First or Second Game | Break five gourds and search for Kouhime | Stop Stone Geezer and defeat Xavier |
| Isoroku | Second Game | Recruit Isoroku, complete her H-scene, and search for Kou | Defeat the final Xavier battle after Isoroku’s pregnancy |
| Kenshin | Second Game | Recruit Kenshin and Ai, then trigger the Sado picnic | Win the Emperor Race and defeat Xavier |
| Ran | Second Game | Recruit Ran and complete the Petroleum Pit setup | Close the hell holes and defeat Sekimei |
| Monkeyslayer | Second Game | Enable the Second Game bonus and choose Kill Toukichirou | Defeat every country and end the turn |
| Archfiend | First or Second Game failure state | Fail the Hirami Lemon or Miki search sequence | No normal clear; the route ends in Game Over |
Keep at least three Action Fans available when preparing a flexible save. This makes it easier to complete a final clan battle, character command, and dungeon entry before route lockout.
First Game
- Official History is the practical route choice.
- Alternate-route flags are generally inaccessible.
- Use this run to learn event timing and boss mechanics.
Second Game
- Unlocks route bonuses and alternate paths.
- Allows selected route conditions before Honnoji.
- Difficulty and starting bonuses affect preparation.
Flexible Save
- Prepare multiple heroines and clan flags.
- Leave Houjou near its final territory.
- Preserve actions for route-specific commands.
How to Reach the Official History Route
The Official History route is the default campaign path and the foundation for understanding the other endings. Break five gourds, complete the Search for Kouhime event, and then survive the Honnoji sequence. After Kouhime disappears, you have only a short window to find her. The search requires 15 Search, and failure produces a Game Over.
Before starting the Honnoji assault, strengthen Rance, preserve Sill, and prepare commanders for consecutive army and commander battles. The assault includes Apostle Shikibu, two forms of Apostle Rengoku, and Xavier. Rance must participate in the Xavier battle because attacks without him cannot damage the boss.
| Milestone | Requirement or advice | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| First gourd | Usually by turn 15, sometimes earlier | Delayed clan events |
| Second to fifth gourds | Automatic timing checks occur around turns 30, 50, 70, and 90 | Too many delayed events |
| Kouhime search | Use the Search for Kouhime command with 15 Search | Four-turn Game Over window |
| Honnoji assault | Prepare four consecutive fights | Loss sends you to Alice’s Mansion |
| Monster Army | Appears after the post-Honnoji sequence | Route-specific endgame pressure |
Control the Early Map
Conquer or vassal clans while watching gourd ownership. Conquering usually provides more gold, commanders, items, and events than vassalization, although a vassal can protect a border and preserve action economy.
Prepare Before Five Gourds
Recruit useful early commanders, improve Rance, unlock the prison, and keep Sill available. Avoid entering an alternate route accidentally if the goal is Official History.
Search for Kouhime
After the fifth gourd, complete Search for Kouhime with 15 Search before the deadline. Do not end unnecessary turns during this sequence.
Clear Honnoji
Build a durable team for the Shikibu and Rengoku fights. In the final Xavier battle, include Rance and protect him with healing, defensive skills, and move control.
Finish the Monster Army
Advance through the required Monster Army provinces, stop Stone Geezer in Morocco, and begin the Tenma Bridge assault. The final Xavier fight requires Rance or Kentarou to damage Xavier.
After Kouhime goes missing, the search window is limited. Save before the fifth gourd if you are testing event order, and do not spend Search points on optional commands until she is found.
Isoroku, Kenshin, and Ran Routes
The three major heroine routes require deliberate Second Game preparation. Each has a different failure point, so do not treat them as interchangeable. Isoroku and Kenshin retain a Monster Army endgame structure, while Ran replaces that pressure with a contained dungeon and demon-hole sequence.
| Route | Required preparation | Important lockout | Endgame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isoroku | Recruit Isoroku, complete her H-scene, use Searched for Kou but... | Kou-related events become unavailable after entry | Find Miki and defeat Xavier |
| Kenshin | Recruit Kenshin and Ai, conquer Ashikaga, see the riceball event, control some Sado | Kouhime must not be missing | Win the Emperor Race, then defeat Xavier |
| Ran | Recruit Ran after Souun disappears, access the Petroleum Pit | Do not meet the conditions for another route first | Close hell holes and defeat Sekimei |
Isoroku Route
Recruit Isoroku from Ashikaga after weakening her Important Character status through the required battle event. Complete her relationship sequence and use Searched for Kou but... before entering another route. Kouhime-dependent dungeons and character clears become unavailable after entry, so complete them beforehand.
The route eventually reduces Oda’s Action Fans through Keikoku’s tax events. Use Suzume’s mind-reading command when available to prevent the route from becoming fatal. Later, Isoroku’s pregnancy must be announced, Miki must be found, and Battleship Nagato must be conquered. The final battle is a two-part Xavier encounter with Apostle Madou and Toukichirou.
Kenshin Route
The Kenshin route begins with the A picnic with Kenshin in Sado command. You need Kenshin and Ai Naoe, the Ashikaga Clan conquered, Kenshin’s riceball event completed, some Sado territory controlled, and Kouhime still present.
The central challenge is the Emperor Race. Kenshin earns points through duels and selected army battles. Some racers must be discussed or unlocked before they can be challenged. Avoid disqualifying too many racers, and protect Kenshin’s equipment because she will repeatedly fight one-on-one battles.
| Emperor Race concern | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Kenshin’s level | Preserve level-boosting bonuses for difficult duels |
| Equipment | Use durable items that remain useful in repeated fights |
| Racer access | Watch for start-of-turn discussion events |
| Xavier’s progress | Avoid unnecessary Monster Army territory captures |
| Final battle | Use Ashigarus and Defense Shikigami to protect the team |
Ran Route
The Ran route requires a carefully timed Houjou setup. Recruit Ran after Souun disappears, complete her required events, and enter the Petroleum Pit before another route begins. Once Xavier is sealed, the route becomes more defensive and event-driven than the standard campaign.
About twenty turns after route entry, hell holes begin appearing in Oda-controlled provinces. Close every hole through the red battle commands. On turns divisible by four, Owari may face an oni attack; losing those attacks causes a Game Over. After the holes are closed, enter the Saitama dungeon and defeat Sekimei. Ran’s relationship at the final battle changes the ending variation.
For a reusable Second Game save, prepare Kenshin and Ai, recruit Isoroku, recruit Ran, conquer Ashikaga, and reduce Houjou to its final territory without breaking the fifth gourd prematurely.
Monkeyslayer and Archfiend Routes
Monkeyslayer is a special sandbox-style route, while Archfiend is a failure route that cannot be cleared normally. Both differ sharply from the three main story routes.
Monkeyslayer Route
To enter Monkeyslayer, select Enable Killing Toukichirou in the Second Game Bonus menu. Beginning on turn 7 and before the first gourd breaks, use Kill Toukichirou in Owari. The route is useful for building a powerful army, collecting clan bonuses, and exploring events without the usual plot progression.
The route ends after every country has been defeated and the turn is ended. However, many normal events may occur late or fail to appear. Operation Permits and the Popularity Staff follow different availability rules, and the Shimazu brothers can cause female commanders to defect under relationship-based conditions.
Archfiend Route
Archfiend begins when Miki is not found in time or when the Hirami Lemon sequence fails. The route is intentionally unwinnable. Miki’s army grows continuously, and her special unit is extremely dangerous. Defeating all Monster Army provinces only triggers the route’s final Game Over scene rather than a proper ending.
| Route feature | Monkeyslayer | Archfiend |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Sandbox progression and event testing | Failure-state challenge |
| Route entry | Second Game bonus and early Owari command | Missed Miki or Hirami Lemon conditions |
| Monster Army | Replaced by Shimazu-focused behavior | Gains overwhelming reinforcements |
| Normal clear | Defeat all countries, then end turn | No standard clear |
| Recommended goal | Collect bonuses and test builds | Reload an earlier save |
Before Starting a Route:
- Complete all required heroine and clan events before Honnoji
- Keep enough Action Fans for route-specific commands
- Recruit key commanders before Kouhime-related lockouts
- Reserve strong items and SAT Bonuses for boss encounters
- Create a backup save before breaking the fifth gourd
The Archfiend path can look like a late-game route, but its victory condition is not a standard ending. Preserve a previous save if Miki’s search or the Hirami Lemon sequence is at risk.
Route Checklist and FAQ
Use the following checklist to organize a full completion run. The most reliable approach is to clear Official History first, then use Second Game bonuses to prepare targeted heroine routes.
| Goal | Route or phase | Completion check |
|---|---|---|
| Learn core progression | Official History | Defeat Xavier at Tenma Bridge |
| Clear Isoroku | Isoroku route | Win the two-part Xavier battle |
| Clear Kenshin | Kenshin route | Win the Emperor Race and final battle |
| Clear Ran | Ran route | Close hell holes and defeat Sekimei |
| Explore sandbox events | Monkeyslayer | Defeat every country and end the turn |
| Avoid a failed run | Pre-Archfiend | Find Miki and deliver Hirami Lemons |
Q: What is the easiest route to clear first in Sengoku Rance?
Official History is the natural first clear because it is available from a fresh save and teaches gourd timing, clan progression, Honnoji, and the Monster Army.
Q: Can I enter alternate routes in a First Game?
Most alternate routes require a Second Game. The first campaign generally leads through Official History, while Archfiend can occur if its failure conditions are triggered.
Q: When are route conditions locked?
Route conditions must be completed before the Honnoji Temple Incident is triggered. After the incident begins, the game locks the route state.
Q: Is the Archfiend route a real ending?
No. Archfiend is an unwinnable failure route. Even conquering the Monster Army provinces leads to a Game Over scene rather than a normal cleared route.
For clan-by-clan event timing, commander recruitment, gourd behavior, and route-specific exceptions, consult the Sengoku Rance Walkthrough on AliceSoft Wiki.