After the assignment of archetype, it is rank that determines the exact level of toughness of an enemy on an internal scale –
critter < normal < lieutenant < leader
. Thus, a guard detachment composed entirely of troopers may contain a tougher lieutenant trooper and some critter troopers of much weaker stock. Look for visual indicators in the size of the health bar and the color of the name above the enemy’s head (with bright red text for higher ranks).
Higher rank confers the following bonuses:
- Increased resistances to elemental attacks.
- Increased health, attack and damage ratings.
- Lower susceptibility to Knockdown and cross-class combos, while spells won’t hold them for so long.
- Increased amount of items dropped.
- Leader ranks are immune to certain attacks, such as Crushing Prison and Brittle status. Leader ranks can also offset player attack and defense ratings, reducing player resistances to the leader’s attacks.
Note the Vanguard ability of Deathblow: this warrior advantage automatically removes normal ranks below 20% health and lieutenants below 10% health, and is most effective in the latter case against an enemy with high health or armor.