Find all enemy Aces in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with our complete locations and rewards guide. Discover all 31 hidden Ace pilots, their aircraft, spawn conditions, special paint schemes, and how to collect all 83 Assault Records.
Think you've defeated every dangerous pilot in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve? There's a good chance you've missed some of the game's most interesting opponents.
Throughout the campaign, powerful enemy pilots appear in special formations or enter the battlefield after you complete hidden objectives. Some require eliminating enemies within a strict time limit. Others only appear when you protect every allied landing craft, destroy specific targets, or fly through dangerous terrain.
And here's the catch: many of these pilots won't appear at all unless you're playing on Veteran difficulty or higher.
Ace Combat 8 contains 83 Campaign Assault Records, divided into two groups:
31 hidden enemy Aces: Special pilots who appear after you satisfy mission-specific conditions. They require Veteran, Elite, or Ace difficulty and reward you with special aircraft paint schemes when defeated.
52 special-unit pilots: Named enemies encountered through campaign events, including members of the Lux Lunae squadrons. Most appear automatically, although you must shoot them down to register their records.
Collecting all 83 Assault Records unlocks the A Record of Rivalry trophy or achievement.
Fortunately, you don't need to obtain everything during your first campaign playthrough.
Once Free Mission becomes available, you can replay individual operations and focus on whichever Aces you're missing.
This Ace Combat 8 enemy Aces guide covers all 31 hidden pilots, where to find them, their exact reported spawn conditions, the special-unit records, and the rewards available for completing the collection.
Spoiler warning: This guide reveals late-campaign enemy encounters, mission locations, and special squadrons.
Before hunting individual pilots, it's important to understand the difference between regular enemies and Assault Record targets.
Most aircraft you encounter are ordinary combat units.
Named Aces are different.
They have individual tactical callsigns, specific aircraft, and their own Assault Record entries.
Some are part of scripted enemy formations, while others only appear when particular conditions have been satisfied.
There are four essential steps to obtaining a hidden Ace's record.
Select Veteran difficulty or higher.
The 31 conditional Aces only appear on Veteran, Elite, or Ace difficulty. Playing on Rookie or Pilot won't trigger these special encounters, even when you complete the required objective perfectly.
Complete the mission's hidden condition.
Every conditional Ace has a specific trigger. This might involve defeating certain enemies, protecting allied units, destroying a component before a deadline, or flying through a particular location.
Find and shoot down the named aircraft.
Once the Ace appears, look for its distinctive red radar contact. Locking onto the enemy reveals its tactical callsign, allowing you to confirm that you've found the correct aircraft.
Complete the mission successfully.
This is extremely important. Defeating an Ace isn't enough if you subsequently quit or fail the mission. You must finish the sortie to save the Assault Record and associated unlock.
Never leave a mission immediately after shooting down a hidden Ace.
Finish the remaining objectives and confirm that your record has registered.
You can view your collected entries through:
Data Viewer → Campaign Data → Campaign Assault Records
This menu displays the enemy pilots you've already recorded.
It's especially useful when completing the collection because some missions contain multiple Assault Record targets.
Checking the list allows you to focus on missing pilots instead of repeatedly destroying enemies you've already recorded.
Yes.
After completing the campaign, Free Mission allows you to revisit individual missions.
This is the most practical way to complete the collection.
You can select a suitable difficulty, prepare the aircraft you want, and attempt the hidden condition without repeating the entire story.
Veteran is our recommended difficulty for collecting Aces.
It satisfies the spawn requirements without forcing you into the additional challenges of Elite or Ace difficulty.
The opening missions introduce several different hidden spawn mechanics.
Some Aces are straightforward to obtain, while others require precise target selection or completing unusual objectives.
The locations below include community-reported map positions where available. Grid coordinates are approximate search references, not official fixed-position guarantees.
Mission: Jokers Wild
Aircraft: Mirage 2000-5
Location: Central section of the mission map.
Spawn Condition: Destroy every non-target enemy aircraft.
Gigas is one of the earliest hidden Aces you can encounter.
During the second half of the mission, enemy MiG-21 aircraft appear alongside the main objectives.
Instead of immediately destroying the final mission target, eliminate the non-target aircraft first.
Once the required enemies have been destroyed, Gigas enters the battlefield.
Look for the named aircraft near the center of the map.
Important Tip: Don't destroy the final objective before dealing with the additional fighters. Ending the mission prematurely prevents the encounter.
Reward: Special Mirage 2000-5 paint scheme.
Mission: Nomad
Aircraft: A-6E Intruder
Location: Northern area, approximately grid F1.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least four aircraft during the opening three minutes.
This is your first important timed Ace challenge.
The opening phase contains aircraft that you must intercept quickly.
Most detailed unlock guides identify four kills within three minutes as the requirement, although one post-launch location guide reports five.
For a safer attempt, aim to destroy at least five aircraft before the three-minute window closes.
Use a fast fighter and prioritize nearby enemies.
Once Crematio appears, head toward the northern section of the map.
Important Tip: Avoid unnecessary dogfights that consume valuable time during the opening engagement.
Reward: Special A-6E Intruder paint scheme.
Mission: Purple Magic Takes Flight
Aircraft: F/A-18C Hornet
Location: Eastern part of the map.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all enemy bombers before they reach White Valley Base.
Raia rewards efficient interception.
Your objective is to eliminate the bomber formations before they approach the defended base.
Don't allow enemy fighters to distract you from these priority targets.
During the later part of the operation, destroy the required Tu-160 bombers before they can threaten White Valley Base.
Raia subsequently appears toward the eastern side of the battlefield.
Important Tip: Use reliable air-to-air weapons and focus on the bombers before chasing their escorts.
Reward: Special F/A-18C Hornet paint scheme.
Mission: The Fall of the Numbered Fleets
Aircraft: Gripen E
Location: Tunnel connecting the western and eastern sides of Newfield Island.
Spawn Condition: Fly into the tunnel from the Anderson Port side.
Auster has one of the most unusual hidden spawn conditions.
Instead of requiring a certain number of kills, this encounter is triggered through a dangerous flight maneuver.
Find the tunnel connecting the two sides of Newfield Island.
Approach carefully and enter from the Anderson Port direction.
The tunnel contains limited maneuvering space and obstacles that make high-speed flying dangerous.
Important Tip: Reduce your speed and maintain a stable flight path. Attempting to rush through the tunnel can end your sortie in a collision.
Reward: Special Gripen E paint scheme.
This objective also overlaps with the Tunnel Specter medal challenge.
Mission: Retaking of Theve
Aircraft: Su-25SM Frogfoot
Location: Western battlefield, approximately grid B5.
Spawn Condition: Keep all eight allied LCAC landing craft alive through the required operation phase.
Custos is one of the more demanding early hidden Aces.
You must protect every allied landing craft while enemy forces attempt to destroy them.
These threats include helicopters, surface weapons, and additional attacking aircraft.
Rather than pursuing optional enemies, concentrate on eliminating threats closest to the landing craft.
Custos appears toward the western side of the map during the retreat phase if the survival requirement is satisfied.
Important Tip: Use Joker Flight commands to help attack enemy threats while you protect the most vulnerable craft.
Reward: Special Su-25SM Frogfoot paint scheme.
Mission: Attack on the Drinwich Airfield
Aircraft: MiG-31B Foxhound
Location: Northern part of the map, approximately grid F1.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least five marked mission targets within three minutes.
Flamma requires a fast opening attack.
Focus on enemies marked as primary targets rather than ordinary nearby units.
Most unlock guides report five target kills within the opening three minutes, while another location guide recommends six.
For consistency, aim to eliminate six if enough valid targets are available.
Once the condition is met, Flamma appears in the northern section.
Important Tip: Select weapons capable of destroying the opening objectives quickly rather than spending valuable time switching between isolated targets.
Reward: Special MiG-31B Foxhound paint scheme.
Mission: A Lifeline in the Desert
Aircraft: EA-6B Prowler
Location: Southern section, approximately grid F7.
Spawn Condition: Destroy a Land Aegis through an oil-tank chain reaction.
Orcus is a hidden Ace that depends on using the environment.
During the mission, a Land Aegis passes near explosive oil tanks.
You must destroy the Land Aegis through the resulting chain reaction rather than eliminating it through an ordinary attack.
Wait until the enemy is positioned close enough to the relevant tanks.
Then trigger the explosion.
Orcus should appear toward the southern part of the map when the condition is satisfied.
Important Tip: Don't destroy the oil tanks before the Land Aegis reaches the required area. Doing so can remove the opportunity to trigger this Ace.
Reward: Special EA-6B Prowler paint scheme.
Mission: Retaking of Theve II
Aircraft: MiG-21bis Fishbed
Location: Southeastern area, approximately grid F7.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all non-target surface weapons.
Tessera requires a more thorough battlefield cleanup than many ordinary mission objectives.
You need to eliminate surface weapons that are not marked as primary targets.
These may include additional defensive installations that you would normally ignore when attempting a fast clear.
Work through the combat area carefully, checking the radar for any remaining weapons.
Once all required non-target surface defenses are destroyed, Tessera appears in the southeast.
Important Tip: Don't confuse non-target surface weapons with every optional unit. Focus on the specific surface-defense targets required by the trigger.
Reward: Special MiG-21bis Fishbed paint scheme.
Mission: The Land Battleship Blockade
Aircraft: MiG-29A Fulcrum
Location: Northwestern area, approximately grid C2.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all eight secondary tread armor sections before the Land Battleship reaches the second slowdown line.
Judex is one of the trickier hidden Aces because the trigger depends on a moving enemy superweapon.
The Land Battleship has secondary tread armor that must be destroyed before it advances beyond a certain point.
You also need to manage threats that interfere with allied operations.
Quadcopter UAVs can attack the bomb trucks involved in weakening the battleship.
Eliminate these drones quickly and focus on the required armor sections.
Important Tip: Don't allow the battleship to cross the second slowdown line before the secondary tread armor is destroyed.
Reward: Special MiG-29A Fulcrum paint scheme.
Mission: Over the Rainband
Aircraft: F-15C Eagle
Location: Central battlefield, approximately grid D5.
Spawn Condition: Destroy an enemy airship within 70 seconds of its laser-targeting phase beginning.
This mission involves enemy airships concealed within cloud formations.
The hidden Ace condition requires locating and destroying an airship quickly after the relevant laser attack sequence begins.
Follow the direction of the targeting laser to locate the responsible airship.
Post-launch walkthroughs indicate that the first laser event is scripted, making the subsequent active targeting opportunity particularly important.
Vorago appears near the middle of the map, accompanied by additional enemy fighters.
Important Tip: Head toward the laser's source immediately instead of searching the clouds randomly.
Reward: Special F-15C Eagle paint scheme.
The middle portion of the campaign introduces more complicated conditions.
Several Aces require defeating particular enemy formations in the correct order or protecting objectives before they reach important locations.
Mission: Maximum Payload
Aircraft: F-14D Super Tomcat
Location: Reported near grid H6.
Spawn Condition: Eliminate all Shadow aircraft before the relevant Podarge is destroyed.
Larus requires careful control over the order in which enemies are eliminated.
As the mission develops, Shadow aircraft arrive during the transport engagement.
Destroy the required Shadow units before finishing the Podarge.
Larus then appears toward the eastern or southeastern portion of the combat area.
Important Tip: Avoid eliminating the important transport objective too early. Clear the necessary escorts first.
Reward: Special F-14D Super Tomcat paint scheme.
Mission: An Island in Darkness
Aircraft: F/A-18F Super Hornet
Location: Appears during the enemy landing-craft engagement.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all enemy LCACs within three minutes of their takeoff.
Imber is another timed encounter.
The important detail is that the deadline is linked to the landing craft's departure, not necessarily the beginning of the mission.
When the enemy LCACs become active, prioritize destroying them quickly.
A multirole aircraft with effective surface-attack weapons can make the engagement easier.
Important Tip: Prepare to attack the landing craft as soon as the relevant phase begins rather than waiting until they approach their destination.
Reward: Special F/A-18F Super Hornet paint scheme.
Mission: The People of the Lost Country
Aircraft: Su-47 Berkut
Location: Western portion of the mission map.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least five radar towers before the escorted transport lands.
Sicarius appears when you destroy enough radar installations during the escort operation.
The challenge is balancing optional tower destruction with your primary responsibility of protecting the transport.
Fly ahead to attack radar towers, but remain close enough to respond to dangerous enemy forces.
After destroying five towers, look for Sicarius toward the west.
Important Tip: Don't abandon the escort to chase towers across the entire map. The mission must still be completed successfully.
Reward: Special Su-47 Berkut paint scheme.
Mission: Two on the Run
Mission 14 has no conditional enemy Ace to hunt.
The mission places you in an unarmed A-6E Intruder during an escape operation.
Since you cannot fight enemy aircraft normally, there's no additional Ace spawn condition to complete.
If you're missing Assault Records, continue checking the other missions instead.
Mission: Wings of Wax
Aircraft: Su-33 Flanker-D
Location: Northeastern area, approximately grid G2.
Spawn Condition: Destroy one Ladon, then shoot down Lupus before destroying the second Ladon.
Lupus requires completing objectives in a particular order.
Destroy the first Ladon to trigger the Ace's appearance.
When Lupus enters the battlefield, immediately switch your attention to the named aircraft.
Do not destroy the second Ladon until Lupus has been shot down.
Important Tip: This encounter has an easily missed opportunity window. Completing the remaining main objective too early can prevent the Ace kill.
Reward: Special Su-33 Flanker-D paint scheme.
Mission: Singer
Aircraft: F-16C Fighting Falcon
Location: Near the third enemy container ship; position varies with the ship arrangement.
Spawn Condition: Reach the phase where the enemy UAVs launch.
Currus is tied to the mission's UAV launch sequence.
After identifying the disguised enemy ships, progress until the enemy drones begin launching.
Currus appears around this phase.
Some location reports place the aircraft near the northwestern grid, but its actual position depends on the third ship's location.
Important Tip: Don't rely on one fixed map coordinate. Watch for the named radar contact when the UAV phase begins.
Reward: Special F-16C Fighting Falcon paint scheme.
Mission: Land Battleship No. 3
Aircraft: F-4E Phantom II
Location: Reported in the northern battlefield, either northwest or northeast.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all required targets before the allied B-1B reaches the halfway point of its approach.
Avus depends on completing the necessary destruction objectives quickly.
Once the relevant bomber phase begins, eliminate the marked targets before the B-1B advances too far.
Use appropriate weapons against the target types and avoid unnecessary detours.
Important Tip: Learn which targets are required before attempting this encounter. An inefficient opening route can make the condition impossible.
Reward: Special F-4E Phantom II paint scheme.
Mission: Moonlight and Shadows
Aircraft: F-15J Eagle
Location: South of the launch pad, approximately grid E7.
Spawn Condition: Destroy Shadow 24 during the launch sequence.
Curis is one of the most important enemy Aces for players completing all Assault Records.
You must destroy Shadow 24 during the correct mission phase.
Curis then appears south of the launch pad, around checkpoint 18-4 according to post-launch walkthroughs.
But there's another reason this mission matters.
Destroying Shadow 24 is also required to make the Lux Lunae 22nd Unit appear later in Mission 28.
That means this encounter affects more than one part of your collection.
Important Tip: Prioritize Shadow 24 when it becomes available and complete the mission afterward.
Reward: Special F-15J Eagle paint scheme, plus progress toward unlocking the later Lux Lunae 22nd Unit encounter.
Mission: Clearing the Lighthouse
Aircraft: F/A-18E Super Hornet
Location: Eastern battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Destroy every Su-47 Berkut in the required enemy formation.
Aleator is triggered by eliminating a specific aircraft type.
When the Su-47 fighters appear, concentrate on destroying the entire relevant group.
Avoid completing the mission prematurely.
After the condition is satisfied, Aleator appears toward the east.
Important Tip: Check for any remaining Su-47 fighters before returning to the main objective.
Reward: Special F/A-18E Super Hornet paint scheme.
Mission: Escort Orbiter
Aircraft: Su-35S Flanker-E
Location: Northern section of the battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least one B-2 bomber.
Periodus has a relatively straightforward trigger.
When the B-2 bombers become available as targets, shoot down at least one.
The named Ace subsequently appears in the northern area.
Be careful not to become distracted from the mission's escort responsibilities.
Important Tip: Destroy a suitable B-2 as soon as you have a reliable firing opportunity, then return to protecting the main objective.
Reward: Special Su-35S Flanker-E paint scheme.
The final missions contain several difficult hidden conditions, including special flight maneuvers, large battles, and encounters that involve multiple named Aces.
Mission: The Star-Bound Bird
Aircraft: EA-18G Growler
Location: Reported around grid G4.
Spawn Condition: Sink every enemy ship.
Alienus requires a complete naval-target cleanup.
Destroy all enemy ships involved in the operation rather than stopping after eliminating the primary targets.
A multirole aircraft equipped with suitable anti-ship weapons can make this much easier.
Once the required ships are destroyed, Alienus appears around the reported central-eastern search area.
Important Tip: Use the radar and target list to confirm that no enemy vessels remain.
Reward: Special EA-18G Growler paint scheme.
Mission: Pursuing the HSCA
Aircraft: Rafale M
Location: Approximately grid D3.
Spawn Condition: Approach the Celaeno without being detected.
Caligo has a stealth-oriented encounter requirement.
You must approach the Celaeno while avoiding detection.
Instead of charging directly toward the target, use a controlled approach and follow the mission's detection-related cues.
Successfully reaching the required area without being spotted triggers Caligo.
Important Tip: This is not an ordinary kill-count challenge. Careful positioning is more important than destroying extra enemies.
Reward: Special Rafale M paint scheme.
Mission: The Destruction of Expo City
Aircraft: A-10C Thunderbolt II
Location: Eastern part of the map.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all required Lux Lunae Ace units within three minutes of their arrival.
Mission 23 contains two hidden Aces sharing the same spawn requirement.
For Milvus, your objective is to eliminate the relevant enemy elite formations quickly.
The important deadline begins when those enemy units appear, not at the beginning of the mission.
Use suitable air-to-air weapons and avoid wasting ammunition before the encounter begins.
Important Tip: Prepare for the incoming elite formation before committing your special weapons to unrelated enemies.
Reward: Special A-10C Thunderbolt II paint scheme.
Mission: The Destruction of Expo City
Aircraft: FA-36 Game
Location: Eastern part of the map.
Spawn Condition: Same condition as Milvus.
Cantrix appears alongside the Mission 23 hidden-Ace encounter.
Destroy the required Lux Lunae units within the three-minute window to trigger both Aces.
You'll then need to shoot down Milvus and Cantrix before completing the mission.
Important Tip: Do not assume defeating one Ace automatically registers both records. Each named aircraft must be destroyed individually.
Reward: Special FA-36 Game paint scheme.
Mission: The Battle of Rocky Island, Day 1
Aircraft: Su-34 Fullback
Location: Southern part of the battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Keep every allied LCAC alive until it reaches land.
Sabulum is another demanding escort-related Ace.
Your goal is to protect all the landing craft throughout the approach to Rocky Island.
Prioritize coastal defenses, enemy aircraft, and surface weapons that threaten the landing operation.
Sabulum appears toward the south when the required landing condition has been satisfied.
Important Tip: Protecting the landing craft takes priority over pursuing optional enemies.
Reward: Special Su-34 Fullback paint scheme.
The Sabulum callsign and aircraft have been identified by newer post-launch guides, although some earlier lists left this entry unidentified.
Mission: The Battle of Rocky Island, Day 2
Aircraft: F-15E Strike Eagle
Location: Southern section of the battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Destroy every land destroyer and the Land Aegis.
Cinis requires eliminating a specific set of powerful surface targets.
Concentrate on the land destroyers and Land Aegis rather than spending excessive time fighting unrelated enemies.
Use a strong surface-attack loadout for efficient destruction.
Once the required units are destroyed, Cinis appears toward the south.
Important Tip: Preserve enough ammunition for the named Ace instead of using everything on the initial surface targets.
Reward: Special F-15E Strike Eagle paint scheme.
Mission: The Battle of Rocky Island, Day 2
Aircraft: EA-36 Barricader
Location: Near the floating Podarge aircraft in the southern battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Fly between the floating Podarges and the ocean surface.
Silacrum shares Mission 25 with Cinis but has a completely different spawn requirement.
You need to perform a low-altitude flight maneuver beneath the floating Podarges.
The maneuver requires flying through the available space between the aircraft and the water.
Approach carefully and maintain enough control to avoid colliding with either obstacle.
Important Tip: Use a stable flight path and avoid abrupt pitch changes. A collision will ruin the attempt.
Reward: Special EA-36 Barricader paint scheme.
Mission: Crossing Fleets
Aircraft: F-2A
Location: Eastern part of the map.
Spawn Condition: Destroy all enemy surface units on Cima Island.
Lucidius requires clearing a specific island of hostile surface targets.
Focus on Cima Island rather than trying to destroy every ship or aircraft elsewhere on the map.
Use appropriate surface-attack weapons and carefully inspect the island for remaining defenses.
Once the required units have been eliminated, Lucidius appears toward the east.
Important Tip: Some surface targets can be easy to overlook. Check for remaining radar contacts before leaving the island.
Reward: Special F-2A paint scheme.
Mission: Fatsia, The Ocean Fortress
Aircraft: Typhoon
Location: Northeastern area, approximately grid E3.
Spawn Condition: Fly through one of the gaps between the Megafloat spokes.
Stiria is another Ace that requires a special flight maneuver.
During the Fatsia operation, locate an opening between the large Megafloat structures.
Fly through the gap to trigger the encounter.
The opening is hazardous, so focus on maintaining a controlled flight path.
Once the condition is satisfied, Stiria appears toward the northeast.
Important Tip: Don't attempt the maneuver at excessive speed. Precise control is more important than completing the passage quickly.
Reward: Special Typhoon paint scheme.
Mission: A Thousand Points of Light
Aircraft: F-35C Lightning II
Location: Southeastern portion of the battlefield.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least five enemy bombers within the first five minutes.
Harmonius is one of the more straightforward late-game Ace challenges, provided you understand which targets to prioritize.
The mission features large enemy formations attacking Sema Island.
Focus on destroying bombers instead of spending valuable time dogfighting their escorts.
Once five bombers have been eliminated within the required window, Harmonius arrives with reinforcements from the southeast.
Important Tip: Choose effective interception weapons and ignore unnecessary targets until the bomber-kill requirement has been satisfied.
Reward: Special F-35C Lightning II paint scheme.
Mission: Selene
Aircraft: Su-57 Felon
Location: Central battlefield, near downtown Theve.
Spawn Condition: Fly beneath an urban highway bridge.
Prudens requires navigating through an urban environment.
Locate the relevant highway bridge in downtown Theve and fly beneath it.
This maneuver demands careful control because nearby terrain and structures limit your escape options.
Once completed successfully, Prudens appears toward the central area.
Important Tip: Approach with enough altitude and distance to line up the passage before descending beneath the bridge.
Reward: Special Su-57 Felon paint scheme.
Mission: Song of Wings
Aircraft: F-22A Raptor
Location: Southeastern area, approximately grid G6.
Spawn Condition: Destroy at least three submarine-launched swarm missile dispensers before they release their missiles.
Tegimen is the final conditional Ace in the campaign.
During the battle against the enemy submarine, you must destroy three swarm missile dispensers before their missiles are launched.
This requires responding quickly to the available targets.
Don't wait until the dispensers have already released their missiles.
When the condition is met, Tegimen appears toward the southeastern battlefield during the later encounter.
Important Tip: Prioritize the missile dispensers immediately when they become vulnerable.
Reward: Special F-22A Raptor paint scheme.
The 31 hidden enemy Aces are only part of the collection.
To unlock A Record of Rivalry, you must also obtain 52 special-unit Assault Records.
These named pilots are associated with campaign formations, particularly the Lux Lunae squadrons.
Most appear through ordinary mission progression and do not require secret spawn conditions.
However, you still need to shoot down the relevant aircraft and complete the mission to register their records.
Aircraft: MiG-29A Fulcrum
Pilots:
Gladiator
Captor
Domitor
Praedo
Total Records: 4
These pilots appear during Purple Magic Takes Flight.
Eliminate the full formation to obtain their records.
Mission 08 contains three separate named formations.
77th Unit – F-15E Strike Eagle
Novacula
Talus
150th Unit – F-16C Fighting Falcon
Aranea
Luscinia
Vespa
Cerambyx
Lucanus
Locusta
Libellula
Gallus
180th Unit – Mirage 2000-5
Patriota
Tormentum
Total Records: 12
This is one of the most important missions for collecting special-unit records because several named formations appear during the operation.
Aircraft: MiG-31B Foxhound
Pilots:
Lacerta
Aspis
Vipera
Salamandra
Total Records: 4
These aircraft appear during Maximum Payload.
Their records are separate from the hidden Larus encounter.
Aircraft: Su-47 Berkut
Pilots:
Safitta
Arcus
Total Records: 2
These aircraft appear during Moonlight and Shadows.
Remember to destroy Shadow 24 as well if you need the later Mission 28 encounter.
Mission 20 contains two major elite formations.
100th Unit – F-14D Super Tomcat
Corvus
Ulula
Picus
Cygnus
Hirundo
Grus
99th Unit – F-22A Raptor
Tigris
Lynx
Panthera
Vulpes
Total Records: 10
You need to shoot down each named aircraft rather than treating the entire formation as one Assault Record.
Aircraft: Su-35S Flanker-E
Pilots:
Niveus
Pruina
Total Records: 2
These pilots appear through the campaign encounter in The Destruction of Expo City.
They are distinct from the hidden Milvus and Cantrix Aces.
Three named units appear during The Battle of Rocky Island, Day 2.
33rd Unit – Typhoon
Monoceros
Siren
Larva
Mors
44th Unit – Su-33 Flanker-D
Poeta
Tempestas
Vorticosus
Malacia
120th Unit – Gripen E
Athleta
Gladius
Flagrum
Lancea
Total Records: 12
Make sure you've destroyed the named pilots from all three formations before completing your collection.
Aircraft: Su-57 Felon
Pilots:
Doctus
Salatrix
Acrobates
Anteros
Ares
Total Records: 5
This formation has a special prerequisite.
You must have destroyed Shadow 24 in Mission 18 to make the 22nd Unit appear.
If these five records are missing, return to Mission 18 and complete the Shadow 24 requirement before attempting the Mission 28 encounter again.
Aircraft: X-40 Nightmare
Pilot:
Selene
Total Records: 1
Selene is part of a scripted campaign encounter.
The record is associated with defeating the named aircraft.
This completes the list of 52 special-unit Assault Records.
Most hidden Aces become manageable once you understand their requirements.
However, several encounters deserve special attention because a small mistake can prevent the target from appearing.
Auster requires flying through a narrow tunnel.
The biggest danger is colliding with the environment.
Approach carefully, reduce your speed, and align the aircraft before entering.
Avoid making unnecessary corrections inside the tunnel.
A successful passage is more important than demonstrating aggressive maneuvering.
Custos is difficult because your objective depends on the survival of several allied units.
You cannot simply defeat the nearest enemy and assume the requirement is safe.
Pay attention to every LCAC.
Intercept helicopters and surface weapons that threaten the landing craft.
Use your squadron to support different targets when possible.
Orcus requires destroying a Land Aegis through an environmental explosion.
This differs from ordinary target destruction.
Allow the enemy to move into the correct position before triggering the explosive oil tanks.
Destroying the tanks too early wastes the required interaction.
Judex requires destroying secondary tread armor before the Land Battleship reaches the second slowdown line.
The moving objective creates a limited opportunity.
Your success depends on quickly weakening the battleship while managing threats to allied bomb trucks.
Prepare the appropriate weapons and avoid attacking unrelated targets.
Mission 23 is especially valuable because completing one condition can spawn two hidden Aces.
Destroy the required elite formations within three minutes of their arrival.
Then eliminate Milvus and Cantrix individually.
Don't forget to finish the mission afterward so both records register.
Silacrum is one of the more unusual encounters.
You need to fly through a narrow space between the floating Podarges and the ocean.
The danger comes from the limited maneuvering space.
Use controlled throttle inputs and avoid sharp corrections that could cause a collision.
Tegimen requires destroying three swarm missile dispensers before they release their missiles.
Timing matters more than raw destruction score.
Focus on the required dispensers immediately when they're available.
Once the condition is met, return your attention to the named Ace and the remaining mission objectives.
Collecting enemy Aces provides several rewards beyond simply defeating challenging opponents.
The most important rewards are special aircraft paint schemes and completion progress.
Each conditional named Ace unlocks a special paint scheme associated with the aircraft it flies.
For example:
Gigas: Mirage 2000-5 special paint scheme.
Auster: Gripen E special paint scheme.
Lupus: Su-33 Flanker-D special paint scheme.
Cantrix: FA-36 Game special paint scheme.
Harmonius: F-35C Lightning II special paint scheme.
Prudens: Su-57 Felon special paint scheme.
Tegimen: F-22A Raptor special paint scheme.
These are cosmetic aircraft customization rewards.
Defeating a named Ace does not automatically grant ownership of the aircraft it flies.
You still need access to the relevant aircraft through the normal applicable unlock system.
After completing the campaign, you can use aircraft customization to apply available special paint schemes.
Current post-launch guides describe the following process:
Open the Aircraft Sets option from the mission menu.
Select the aircraft set you want to modify.
Find the aircraft's skin customization option.
Choose Select Skin.
Apply the special paint scheme you've unlocked.
The skin becomes available for the relevant aircraft type after the Ace defeat has been recorded.
A Record of Rivalry is the major collection reward.
To earn it, you must obtain all 83 Campaign Assault Records.
That includes:
All 31 conditional named Aces.
All 52 special-unit records.
Simply finishing the campaign doesn't automatically award this achievement.
You need to make sure every required pilot has been recorded.
The trophy is classified as Gold on PlayStation.
Defeating enemy aircraft contributes to mission performance and earned rewards.
Named Aces may also provide useful additional destruction score during appropriate campaign missions.
However, the special skin is the primary individual collection reward.
There is no reliable basis for promising a fixed MRP payout for every named Ace, and these encounters should not be treated as guaranteed sources of premium currency or free aircraft.
Sometimes you perform what appears to be the correct objective and the named aircraft still doesn't appear.
Before assuming the game is bugged, check the following problems.
This is the most common problem.
Conditional named Aces require Veteran, Elite, or Ace difficulty.
They will not appear on Rookie or Pilot.
Check your difficulty before starting the mission.
Some Aces require destroying a number of enemies within a limited window.
For example, Crematio and Flamma have opening-phase kill requirements.
If you complete those kills after the deadline, the Ace may not appear.
Restart the mission and prioritize the requirement immediately.
Some encounters depend on destroying a specific type of enemy.
Orcus requires an environmental chain reaction.
Tessera requires clearing non-target surface weapons.
Cinis requires destroying the specified land destroyers and Land Aegis.
Simply destroying large numbers of unrelated enemies won't satisfy these conditions.
Some hidden Aces appear before the final mission objective is destroyed.
If you eliminate that objective immediately, the mission may end before you can shoot down the Ace.
Lupus is an especially important example.
Destroy the first Ladon, defeat Lupus, and only then complete the remaining objective.
If the Lux Lunae 22nd Unit is missing from Mission 28, check Mission 18.
Destroying Shadow 24 is a prerequisite for that special-unit encounter.
Without that earlier completion, the later formation may not appear.
A successful Ace kill must be followed by a successful mission completion.
Quitting immediately after the encounter won't reliably save the Assault Record.
Finish the sortie and verify the entry afterward.
Completing the full collection is much easier when you approach it strategically.
Veteran satisfies the conditional Ace requirements while generally presenting less danger than Elite or Ace.
This makes it especially attractive for missions involving escorts, difficult navigation, or unusual conditions.
There's no need to force every Ace encounter onto the highest difficulty unless you're also pursuing another challenge.
Some encounters are primarily about aerial combat.
Others require destroying surface targets quickly.
For air-to-air objectives, use aircraft equipped with suitable missiles.
For surface-heavy conditions, select aircraft with effective ground-attack weapons.
For tunnel and bridge maneuvers, prioritize aircraft whose handling you're comfortable controlling.
The best aircraft is the one that helps you complete the hidden condition reliably.
Named Aces can contribute useful score during S-Rank runs.
However, some spawn conditions require dangerous detours or extra objectives.
A risky tunnel maneuver or time-consuming escort requirement may make an otherwise efficient S-Rank attempt harder.
Complete these objectives separately when necessary.
After obtaining an Ace, open the Assault Records menu and confirm that the entry has registered.
This prevents uncertainty about which pilots remain missing.
It's especially useful after missions with several special-unit pilots.
Many players focus entirely on the 31 hidden Aces.
But the remaining 52 Assault Records are also necessary for the collection trophy.
Make sure you've destroyed the required named units rather than merely completing the associated mission.
The full collection requires defeating every listed pilot, not simply seeing every formation appear.
There are 31 conditional named Aces and 52 special-unit Assault Records, for a total of 83 recorded enemy pilots.
Play on Veteran difficulty or higher and complete the mission-specific spawn condition.
After the Ace appears, shoot it down and finish the mission.
Veteran, Elite, or Ace.
Conditional enemy Aces do not appear on Rookie or Pilot difficulty.
Yes.
Free Mission allows you to replay individual operations after completing the campaign.
It's the most convenient way to collect missing named Aces.
Defeating conditional named Aces unlocks special aircraft paint schemes.
Obtaining all 83 Assault Records also earns the A Record of Rivalry trophy or achievement.
No.
The individual reward is a special paint scheme for the associated aircraft type.
You still need to obtain that aircraft through the relevant acquisition system.
Collect all 83 Campaign Assault Records.
This includes 31 hidden Aces and 52 special-unit pilots.
Missions 23 and 25 each contain two hidden Aces.
Mission 23 features Milvus and Cantrix.
Mission 25 features Cinis and Silacrum.
No.
Mission 14, Two on the Run, does not contain a conditional named Ace.
You must destroy Shadow 24 during Mission 18.
This prerequisite enables the Lux Lunae 22nd Unit encounter in Mission 28.
Yes.
The Assault Record is saved after successfully completing the sortie.
Quitting or failing after destroying the named aircraft can prevent the record from registering.
There is no universally agreed hardest encounter.
Auster, Custos, Judex, Silacrum, and Tegimen are among the more demanding because their conditions involve dangerous maneuvers, strict objective requirements, or limited opportunities.
Finding every enemy Ace in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is one of the most rewarding challenges for players who enjoy exploring everything the campaign has to offer.
The game contains 31 hidden Aces and 52 special-unit pilots, all contributing toward the 83 Assault Records required for A Record of Rivalry.
Some encounters are straightforward.
Others require precise timing, protecting allied units, destroying particular targets, or performing dangerous flight maneuvers.
The key is understanding each condition before starting the mission.
Play on Veteran difficulty or higher, prepare an aircraft suited to the objective, complete the hidden requirement, and finish the mission after shooting down the named Ace.
Remember to check your Assault Records regularly and pay special attention to the Shadow 24 requirement in Mission 18, which affects the later Lux Lunae encounter.
The special aircraft paint schemes provide an additional reason to hunt these pilots, especially if you enjoy customizing your favorite jets.
And because Free Mission allows you to revisit individual operations, you can complete the collection without repeating the entire campaign every time you miss an encounter.
For players interested in gaming services and additional assistance with their favorite titles, BoostRoom offers a marketplace focused on helping gamers achieve their goals.
Prepare your aircraft, check the mission requirements, and challenge every enemy Ace standing between you and a complete Assault Record collection.
More Reads
Complete every Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve trophy and achievement with our Platinum guide. Discover all 56 trophies, Ace difficulty requirements, S-Rank challenges, Assault Records, medals, MRP milestones, and practical tips for earning Platinum.
Read more
Discover all Ace Combat 8 Season 1 Ace Pass rewards and learn how to earn XP faster. Compare Free, Premium, and Premium Plus rewards, unlock the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY-, and find practical ways to complete all 100 levels
Read more
Discover the best weapons and loadouts in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for all 34 aircraft. Learn which special weapons to equip for dogfights, ground attacks, naval missions, and boss fights, plus the best upgrade parts for every combat role.
Read more
Earn S-Rank on all 30 missions in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on Ace difficulty. Discover mission-by-mission strategies, recommended aircraft and weapons, scoring tips, boss tactics, and the requirements for unlocking the Ace of Aces trophy.
Read more