Want to earn S-Rank on every mission in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve? This complete Ace Combat 8 S-Rank guide covers all 30 campaign missions, with recommended aircraft, special weapons, scoring benchmarks, and practical strategies for Ace difficulty.
Before attempting to S-Rank every mission, you need to understand how the game evaluates your performance.
Ace Combat 8 uses mission-specific scoring requirements rather than one universal score target.
The most important elements are destruction points, completion time, and successfully completing the required objectives.
Destroying enemies earns points.
Different targets have different values, meaning some enemies contribute significantly more than others.
A powerful aircraft, large naval target, or important enemy formation may provide a better scoring opportunity than several isolated ground vehicles.
However, that doesn't mean you should automatically chase every valuable target.
If reaching one aircraft requires a long detour, the time lost may outweigh the points earned.
The best targets are often those that provide substantial points while remaining close to your main mission route.
Completing a mission efficiently contributes to your final ranking.
Post-launch scoring research indicates that missions award time bonuses, with the available bonus decreasing after certain mission-specific time thresholds.
This creates an important balance.
Finishing too quickly without earning enough destruction points can leave you short of an S-Rank.
Spending too long collecting additional points can also reduce your final score.
Your goal is to build enough destruction score and preserve as much of the time bonus as possible.
Special enemy pilots can appear when certain conditions are satisfied.
These named Aces provide additional destruction points.
Post-launch guides commonly report rewards of around 2,000 points for defeating an enemy Ace, although individual values and conditions can vary.
However, attempting to spawn an Ace isn't always worthwhile.
Some require difficult maneuvers or objectives that consume valuable time.
If triggering one creates a serious risk of failure, it may be better to focus on ordinary high-value targets.
Restarting from a checkpoint can hurt your final ranking.
It may affect your performance calculation and reduce your ability to earn a high score.
A checkpoint restart doesn't necessarily make S-Rank impossible in every mission, but it can make the attempt significantly harder.
If you've made a major mistake early in a short mission, restarting the entire sortie is often the cleaner choice.
Some post-launch guides report a 5,000-point no-damage bonus.
However, community analysis disputes whether that bonus contributes directly to the mission rank score or only affects MRP earnings.
For that reason, don't rely on the no-damage bonus as a guaranteed way to reach S-Rank.
Avoiding damage is still useful because it reduces the risk of crashing, losing time, or restarting.
The safest strategy is to concentrate on destruction points, completion time, and mission survival.
Ace difficulty is the highest available campaign difficulty.
It must be unlocked before you can earn the Ace of Aces trophy.
Complete the campaign on Elite difficulty.
This unlocks Ace difficulty for eligible campaign replays and Free Mission attempts.
If you've previously finished the story on a lower difficulty, you'll need to complete an Elite campaign run to unlock Ace.
Free Mission becomes available after completing the campaign.
It allows you to replay individual sorties without progressing through the entire story again.
This is particularly helpful when you want to improve a specific mission rank.
To unlock Ace of Aces:
Play on Ace difficulty. S-Ranks earned on lower difficulties don't satisfy the requirement for this particular trophy.
Earn an S-Rank on all 30 numbered missions. The Prologue isn't part of the 30-mission requirement.
Use Free Mission when necessary. You can return to individual missions and improve their ranks without restarting the entire campaign.
Complete every qualifying sortie. Defeating optional targets isn't enough if you fail the mission or don't reach the results screen.
You do not need 30 consecutive S-Ranks.
If you earn an A-Rank on Mission 28, you can return to it later without losing the qualifying S-Ranks you've already earned elsewhere.
Aircraft selection becomes extremely important when attempting Ace difficulty S-Ranks.
A powerful fighter might dominate aerial engagements but struggle to destroy concentrated ground targets efficiently.
Likewise, a dedicated attacker may perform extremely well during a surface-heavy battle but feel uncomfortable against advanced enemy fighters.
The X-40 Nightmare is one of the most useful endgame aircraft for S-Rank attempts.
Its UAVT special weapon is effective against many different target types.
This makes it particularly attractive for missions involving difficult aircraft, small target groups, or individual components.
However, its ammunition is limited, and it isn't necessarily the most efficient solution when hundreds of ground targets are spread across a large battlefield.
The FA-36 Game is one of the strongest choices for surface-heavy missions.
Its SOD special weapon can destroy groups of nearby targets efficiently.
This is particularly useful when missions contain packed defensive positions, vehicles, or large structures with multiple vulnerable components.
For example, Missions 7, 23, 25, and 27 can benefit significantly from powerful area-effect weapons.
Aircraft such as the F-22A Raptor and Su-57 Felon are useful alternatives for air-focused sorties.
These aircraft are attractive when you need to intercept bombers, defeat maneuverable fighters, or maintain pressure during difficult dogfights.
However, the available special weapons are often more important than the aircraft's overall reputation.
SOD: Particularly useful for attacking concentrated surface targets and large structures. The FA-36 is a strong option for this weapon.
SASM: Useful against maneuverable aircraft because its proximity-based damage can help when direct hits are difficult.
UAVT: An effective option for precision attacks against many airborne and surface targets, particularly when the target count is manageable.
4AAM and 6AAM: Useful when several airborne enemies are available to engage during the same attack.
Guided surface weapons: Attractive when your mission involves isolated ships, vehicles, or defensive installations.
Don't assume one loadout will work equally well in every mission.
The best S-Rank aircraft is the one that can eliminate the required targets quickly without forcing unnecessary extra attack passes.
Below are practical S-Rank strategies for every numbered campaign mission.
Each section includes a community-reported S-Rank score benchmark.
These figures are based on post-launch guides and player-extracted scoring data, not an official Bandai Namco scoring chart. Treat them as reference values rather than guaranteed cutoffs.
The strategy is more important than aiming for a number without understanding the mission.
Operation: Seabird
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 3,000 points
Recommended Weapons: 4AAM or UAVT
The first mission is relatively straightforward, but target order matters.
Begin by destroying the initial UAVs without wasting time.
When the MiG-21bis fighters appear protecting the AWACS aircraft, don't immediately destroy the AWACS.
Instead, eliminate the escort fighters first.
Defeating them can trigger the appearance of the named enemy Ace, Gigas.
Gigas provides an additional opportunity to earn points.
Destroy the Ace if it appears, then finish the AWACS to end the mission.
S-Rank Tip: Leave the final mission target alive until you've collected the useful points available nearby.
The mission is short enough that a clean opening and efficient finish can make a substantial difference.
Operation: Falling Sparks
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 16,000 points
Recommended Weapons: UAVT or multi-target air-to-air missiles
Your objective is to protect the Endurance aircraft carrier.
The opening wave includes four A-6E attackers approaching the carrier.
Destroy them quickly before they can complete their bombing run.
Additional bomber formations arrive from different directions.
Concentrate on the bombers rather than chasing every escort fighter.
Defeating four enemies early can also trigger the named Ace, Crematio, giving you another scoring opportunity.
Later Tu-95 bombers arrive with F-14D escorts.
Prioritize the bombers and finish the mission before the carrier suffers unnecessary damage.
S-Rank Tip: Stay close enough to intercept new formations immediately. Chasing distant fighters can waste valuable time.
Operation: Frostwave
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 16,500 points
Recommended Weapons: Multi-target air-to-air missiles
This mission requires defending the White Valley radar facilities.
Start with the six Mi-24 helicopters north of the base.
Reduce your speed as you approach so you don't overshoot these relatively slow targets.
Afterward, move toward the northeastern approach and intercept the Mirage fighters and incoming bombers.
Later formations include A-6E and Tu-160 aircraft.
Destroy the bombers before they reach the protected installations.
Efficient interception of the Tu-160s can also help trigger the named Ace, Raia.
Finish by defeating the remaining Shadow fighters.
S-Rank Tip: Position yourself along the main enemy approach instead of returning to the center of the map after every kill.
Operation: Elder Hand
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 21,000 points
Recommended Weapons: Air-to-surface missiles or area-effect weapons
This mission rewards efficient destruction of ships and nearby surface defenses.
Begin with the western airfield.
Destroy aircraft while they're still on the ground whenever possible.
Remove nearby SAM sites, anti-aircraft positions, and docked vessels.
Then move toward the eastern fleet.
Attack the most valuable groups before finishing the mission's final required targets.
The hidden Ace, Auster, can be triggered by flying through a narrow tunnel.
However, that maneuver creates a significant collision risk.
S-Rank Tip: Skip the tunnel unless you're confident you can complete it quickly. A safe, efficient route through the naval targets is generally more reliable.
Operation: Long Shot
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 17,500 points
Recommended Weapons: UAVT or a balanced air-and-ground loadout
The opening objective involves supporting eight allied landing craft.
These craft face attacks from helicopters, artillery, and other enemies.
Destroy the immediate threats before they damage your allies.
Move between the landing craft and nearby defensive positions rather than flying far away.
Area-effect attacks can be useful against concentrated ground forces.
As the battle changes and the Land Battleship appears, follow the retreat objective.
Protect the withdrawing forces and intercept attacking aircraft.
Keeping all eight landing craft alive can trigger an optional named Ace, but that isn't a requirement for every successful S-Rank route.
S-Rank Tip: Protect the landing craft first. Trying to force an optional Ace appearance at the expense of the mission is a poor trade.
Operation: Redouble
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 17,000 points
Recommended Weapons: Guided missiles with a multirole aircraft
This mission requires protecting allied helicopter groups advancing toward the airfield.
Start by clearing nearby ground defenses and aircraft.
Keep track of both helicopter formations because attacks can come from different directions.
Eliminate the enemies directly threatening each group before pursuing optional targets.
Once the transports reach the airfield, the mission introduces additional combat objectives.
Deal with the escaping enemy transport and approaching bombers promptly.
Avoid using large area-effect weapons near protected fuel or ammunition facilities.
S-Rank Tip: Don't destroy everything indiscriminately. Precision near protected facilities prevents unnecessary mission failures.
Operation: Squeeze
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 53,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD
Mission 7 is a destruction-focused sortie that rewards efficient attacks against large groups of ground targets.
The battlefield contains solar installations, military positions, an airfield, and industrial facilities.
The FA-36's SOD can eliminate groups of targets in one attack.
Start with concentrated installations in the northwest, then move toward the airfield and refineries.
Look for explosive objects that can cause chain reactions.
Those reactions may destroy surrounding targets without requiring separate missile attacks.
Use the return line if you're running low on ammunition.
S-Rank Tip: Build enough destruction score before completing the final objective, but avoid wasting time chasing isolated low-value targets after you've built a comfortable score.
Operation: Gut Shot
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 36,900 points
Recommended Weapons: Area-effect ground weapons with reliable air-to-air missiles
This mission combines ground support and air combat.
Begin by destroying enemy positions along the coast.
Focus on artillery, armored vehicles, and surface defenses preventing allied troops from advancing.
Chain reactions involving fuel vehicles can help eliminate clustered enemies.
As bombers and Shadow fighters arrive, switch your attention toward the airborne threats.
Tu-160 bombers can be particularly dangerous to friendly forces.
Destroy them quickly before returning to the ground objectives.
S-Rank Tip: Don't become trapped fighting one group of vehicles while aircraft threaten your allies. Switching target types efficiently is essential.
Operation: Ogre Pitfall
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 12,500 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD or other effective surface weapons
This is a multi-stage Land Battleship encounter.
First, destroy defenses threatening the explosive vehicles sent to damage the battleship.
These vehicles are necessary to expose the protected tread components.
Watch for quadcopter UAVs that can destroy them.
Once the armor is opened, attack the exposed treads.
The mission then changes to a containment-demolition objective.
Destroy the designated structures before the battleship moves past them.
Finally, attack the required rocket thrusters.
S-Rank Tip: Focus on the currently vulnerable components. Attacking armored sections before they're exposed wastes time and ammunition.
Operation: Raincoat
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 14,200 points
Recommended Aircraft: Fast fighter or multirole aircraft
This mission requires protecting the fleet from Tonitra Spear guidance attacks.
Enemy airships hide inside the Rainband and use lasers to designate allied ships.
When a guidance beam appears, follow it toward the source.
Destroy the guidance airship before it completes the attack.
The final portion includes simultaneous threats from two guidance aircraft.
Move between them quickly and avoid unnecessary dogfights.
A fast response to one of the later guidance beams can also trigger the named Ace, Vorago.
S-Rank Tip: Your best scoring opportunity comes from handling objectives efficiently, not from chasing fighters while the fleet is under attack.
Operation: Gaffed Card
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 44,000 points
Recommended Weapons: High-ammunition precision missiles or UAVT
This mission features the enormous Podarge transport aircraft.
You must locate several transport groups despite electronic warfare interference.
Follow their contrails to find the targets.
Once you reach a Podarge, attack its defensive systems and propellers.
Destroying additional weapons before eliminating the transport can provide more destruction points.
However, avoid spending too long on one damaged component.
The final Podarge's destruction ends the mission, so collect useful points from nearby escorts before delivering the last attack.
S-Rank Tip: Remove valuable defensive components before destroying the transport, but don't let optional targets consume your time bonus.
Operation: Worker Bee
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 21,500 points
Recommended Weapons: Long-range air-to-air missiles or UAVT
Fort Grays is threatened by enemy aircraft and cruise missiles.
The primary challenge is defending the base while accumulating enough destruction points.
Destroy approaching bombers before they reach the protected area.
Later C-130 transports deploy cruise missile pallets.
Once missiles launch, intercept them immediately.
An optional named Ace, Imber, can appear after quickly destroying a set of approaching landing craft.
That provides additional points, but the requirement involves a substantial opening detour.
S-Rank Tip: Don't let the optional Ace objective distract you from defending Fort Grays. Successful interception matters more than forcing every possible bonus target.
Operation: Twin Birds
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 22,000 points
Recommended Weapons: Balanced air and surface equipment
This escort mission requires protecting a transport as it travels through hostile territory.
Move slightly ahead of the aircraft and eliminate nearby anti-aircraft threats.
Radar towers provide additional scoring opportunities.
Destroying enough of them can trigger the named Ace, Sicarius.
However, don't fly so far ahead that you miss threats approaching the transport.
Watch carefully for portable anti-aircraft weapons that become visible when targeting the escorted aircraft.
Clear the landing area before the transport arrives.
Finish by intercepting the enemy aircraft threatening the completed landing.
S-Rank Tip: Stay near the transport's route and remove valuable targets as you pass them. Large detours create unnecessary risk.
Operation: Homing Pigeon
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 10,700 points
Aircraft: Fixed unarmed A-6E Intruder
Mission 14 is completely different from normal S-Rank attempts.
You must escape through hostile territory without weapons.
Even in Free Mission, you cannot replace the unarmed A-6E with your preferred aircraft.
That means your success depends on navigation and speed rather than destruction.
Follow the safe canyon route while avoiding radar coverage.
Use the available visual guidance to identify detection zones.
Accelerate through open sections, then reduce speed when approaching tight turns or moving patrol drones.
When the escape sequence moves through the mushroom cloud, maintain control and return to the safe route.
S-Rank Tip: Learn the route before attempting your fastest clear. A clean escape is much more valuable than flying aggressively and crashing.
Operation: Deal Cards
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 19,000 points
Recommended Aircraft: Fast fighter with strong air-to-air weapons
This mission revolves around two enormous Ladon bombers threatening the fleet.
They're fast, heavily armed, and protected by electronic warfare systems.
Approach closely enough to attack their components reliably.
Focus on damaging the engines and defensive batteries.
However, be careful about how quickly you destroy the weapon systems.
Destroying all offensive batteries at the wrong time can change the encounter and prolong the battle through additional drones.
Try to damage both bombers efficiently rather than spending an excessive amount of time on only one.
The optional Ace, Lupus, can appear during the encounter.
S-Rank Tip: Use the bombers' predictable attack patterns to line up precision strikes. Their speed changes can cause overshooting if you're constantly accelerating.
Operation: Lighthouse Lady
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 40,000 points
Recommended Aircraft: Fast multirole fighter with accurate missiles
Mission 16 tests target identification more than raw firepower.
Three hostile container ships are disguised among civilian vessels.
You must identify the correct ships before attacking them.
Look for the vessels with three deck cranes and the sun emblem on their hull.
Use the target-focus view when necessary.
After the hostile vessels are identified and attacked, explosive UAVs become the next major threat.
Destroy them before they reach the protected Space Elevator structure.
The named Ace, Currus, can also appear during this stage.
S-Rank Tip: Learn the ship appearances before replaying the mission. Efficient identification saves significant time and reduces the chance of attacking the wrong vessel.
Operation: Broncobuster
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 15,600 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD
This mission requires supporting friendly bombers attacking another Land Battleship.
Start by clearing defensive positions along the bomber route.
Use area-effect weapons against groups of surface targets.
Anti-aircraft guns, SAM sites, and radar vehicles are important targets.
The optional named Ace, Avus, has a demanding trigger involving rapid destruction of defensive systems before allied aircraft eliminate them.
If you're pursuing S-Rank rather than Ace collection, don't force this difficult condition unless you're comfortable with the route.
After the friendly bombing attack opens the armor, attack the exposed vulnerable section.
S-Rank Tip: The bomber escort is the priority. Destroying defenses early prevents delays and gives your allies the opportunity to expose the final target.
Operation: Branching Path
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 15,000 points
Recommended Weapons: High-damage air-to-air missiles
This mission begins with conventional air combat before introducing rocket interception.
Destroy the hostile aircraft approaching the launch area.
Shadow Squadron becomes an important obstacle, so use suitable weapons and avoid drawn-out turning battles.
When the rockets launch, immediately switch to the new objectives.
The rockets aren't normal targets before their launch sequence.
Destroy both rockets once they become valid targets.
Then deal with the falling debris before it reaches the protected facilities.
S-Rank Tip: Avoid chasing surviving fighters when the rocket interception begins. Fast objective switching is more important than unnecessary extra kills.
Operation: Silver String
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 26,400 points
Recommended Weapons: Accurate multirole missiles
This mission combines a Land Battleship encounter with the additional challenge of protecting the Space Elevator.
Begin by removing immediate enemy threats.
Attack the relevant transport and loading systems when directed.
Once the Land Battleship becomes the focus, remove defenses that threaten your allied bombers.
The enemy's rail guns can interrupt the friendly bombing operation.
Attack their marked components to disrupt their firing.
After allied bombers damage the battleship, use the exposed breach to finish the encounter.
S-Rank Tip: Avoid reckless attacks near protected structures. Precision is more important than using the widest possible explosions.
Operation: Migration Keeper
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 25,000 points
Recommended Aircraft: Fast fighter or multirole aircraft
Your main objective is protecting the transport carrying the orbiter.
Begin by eliminating aircraft threatening the escort.
Some stealth bombers may be difficult to identify until you're relatively close.
Watch for contrails and visual signs of approaching aircraft.
The mission also includes powerful incoming missiles.
When a dangerous image-recognition missile targets the transport, you must intercept it directly.
Don't assume the escort aircraft's defensive countermeasures will solve the problem.
S-Rank Tip: Stay close enough to protect the transport throughout the encounter. Don't chase fighters that have moved far away from your objective.
Operation: Dawn Rising
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 41,500 points
Recommended Weapons: Multi-target air-to-air missiles
Mission 21 requires defending a shuttle launch operation.
The battlefield includes aircraft, naval threats, and additional enemy formations approaching from different directions.
Protect the shuttle and its supporting facilities first.
When enemies approach from the north and south simultaneously, use your squadron orders to distribute defensive responsibility.
This allows you to intercept one group while your wingmen help with the other.
The northern group can contain dangerous attack aircraft.
Eliminate these threats before they damage the launch operation.
S-Rank Tip: Use quiet moments to destroy nearby optional enemies, but immediately return to defensive priorities when a new attack wave appears.
Operation: Patch of Blue
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 18,500 points
Recommended Weapons: Precision missiles or UAVT
The Heavy Strategic Control Aircraft, Celaeno, is a massive target with several defensive systems.
The biggest S-Rank challenge is destroying its components without wasting time or ammunition.
Approach the aircraft and disable the systems interfering with targeting.
Destroy its propulsion components as they become vulnerable.
Once enough propellers are disabled, additional structural targets become available.
Attack the wing structures, then the exposed engines.
The final objective involves an internal generator.
Shield UAVs can interfere with missile attacks, so clear them when necessary.
S-Rank Tip: Don't fire repeatedly into protected components. Wait for the correct vulnerability and use a controlled attack angle.
Operation: Rumbling
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 51,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD
This large ground battle rewards efficient destruction of concentrated targets.
Begin by attacking enemy land warships and artillery.
Use area-effect weapons to eliminate groups of vehicles and defensive installations.
Continue supporting allied troops while collecting additional points from valuable enemy formations.
Enemy aircraft can also provide worthwhile scoring opportunities.
However, don't abandon ground forces to chase distant fighters.
Later stages introduce more enemy groups across the city and nearby naval areas.
Use the return line if your equipment becomes insufficient.
S-Rank Tip: Prioritize large target groups and high-value aircraft. The required score can be demanding if you spend too much time attacking isolated low-value targets.
Operation: Coastal Hammer
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 39,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD or another strong ground-attack loadout
This mission requires protecting several landing groups.
Your allies approach different beachheads while enemy artillery, aircraft, and surface defenses attack.
Begin by eliminating coastal positions that threaten the landing craft.
Move between the landing groups as necessary.
Watch for enemy fighters approaching vulnerable allied vessels.
Once the landing craft reach their destinations, continue eliminating the defensive positions blocking the ground advance.
Later targets around the Turntable require careful attacks.
S-Rank Tip: Avoid overcommitting to one beachhead while another group is under pressure. Efficient movement between threatened allies is essential.
Operation: Paint it Blue
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 87,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD, with air-to-air options for later combat
Mission 25 is one of the most demanding S-Rank attempts because of its large battlefield and changing objectives.
You'll need to destroy substantial numbers of ground targets while protecting several allied advances.
Use area-effect weapons to clear large enemy formations.
Pay particular attention to artillery, Land Aegis units, and other targets threatening friendly troops.
As the mission progresses, Shadow fighters become a major obstacle.
Some concentrate on attacking allied units rather than engaging you directly.
These aircraft deserve immediate attention.
Don't use all your ammunition during the opening ground battle.
Prepare for later aerial combat and additional threats near the headquarters.
S-Rank Tip: The biggest mistake is ignoring allied distress calls while farming points. Keep the offensive moving and eliminate mission-critical threats immediately.
Operation: King Tide
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 45,500 points
Recommended Weapons: Strong anti-ship weapons with reliable air-to-air capability
Mission 26 involves a large naval engagement.
You'll need to attack enemy ships while defending allied fleets from bombers and other threats.
Start by destroying high-value vessels and important defensive systems.
Area-effect weapons can be especially useful against large ships with several components.
Watch for explosive gunboats attempting to attack friendly vessels.
Intercept approaching bombers before they reach their targets.
As the mission develops, Moon 11 enters the battle.
This encounter involves advanced aircraft maneuvering and protective UAVs.
Destroy the supporting drones and continue attacking the main enemy aircraft as instructed.
S-Rank Tip: Build your destruction score during the naval battle. Avoid wasting too much time on optional targets once the encounter changes to the scripted aerial confrontation.
Operation: Rootbreaker
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 130,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD or Su-34 with UGBL
Mission 27 is one of the best opportunities to generate a high destruction score through area attacks.
Fatsia contains enormous numbers of surface targets, defensive systems, and structural components.
Use bombs or SOD weapons against concentrated installations.
Destroying important supports can collapse larger sections and eliminate nearby targets through chain reactions.
Clear major defenses that interfere with your attack runs.
Avoid spending too much time targeting isolated objects when a large group is available elsewhere.
A named Ace, Stiria, can also appear after a special flying maneuver through part of the structure.
However, don't attempt risky flying solely for an optional target if you already have enough score.
When the mission orders a cease-fire, stop attacking.
After the story sequence, follow the new objective involving the central reactor.
S-Rank Tip: Efficient area damage is the key to this mission. Use weapons that destroy multiple components in one pass.
Operation: Locust Purge
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 154,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SASM or another strong anti-air loadout
Mission 28 is one of the hardest S-Rank challenges in the campaign.
It features enormous numbers of enemy aircraft and a demanding score requirement.
The mission also includes a later encounter against powerful Shadow fighters.
Begin by intercepting bomber formations.
Use multi-target or high-performance air-to-air weapons to destroy enemies efficiently.
Move along the formations rather than repeatedly chasing single aircraft across the battlefield.
As new waves arrive, focus on bombers threatening Cima Island.
The Cima Island airstrip allows you to replenish ammunition.
Use it during safe opportunities, particularly before the later fighter battle.
The final Shadow encounter can consume a substantial amount of time.
SASM weapons are useful against maneuverable targets because proximity damage may still connect when enemies evade direct missile paths.
Keep your wingmen attacking where appropriate.
S-Rank Tip: Don't leave all your scoring until the final fighter battle. Build a strong destruction total during the bomber waves, then finish the Shadows efficiently to preserve your time bonus.
Operation: Lunar Eclipse
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 30,300 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SASM
Mission 29 focuses on the difficult fight against Moon 11.
The enemy aircraft is extremely maneuverable and protected by supporting UAVs.
Destroy the UAVs when possible to reduce the effectiveness of the protective systems.
Avoid launching missiles while Moon 11 is performing extremely sharp maneuvers.
Instead, watch for predictable moments during climbs or attack preparations.
Keep enough speed to remain competitive throughout the engagement.
An optional named Ace, Prudens, can be triggered through a particular low-altitude maneuver near the city.
However, don't waste repeated attempts on this difficult approach if your primary objective is simply earning S-Rank.
When the final attack opportunity appears, respond immediately.
S-Rank Tip: Focus on reliable hits and reducing unnecessary pursuit time. Endless turning battles can destroy your time bonus.
Operation: Showdown
Community S-Rank Benchmark: 60,000 points
Recommended Weapons: FA-36 with SOD or a versatile anti-surface loadout
The final mission combines missile interception, escort protection, and a multi-stage submarine encounter.
Your opening priority is protecting the Endurance from incoming missiles.
Intercept cruise missiles before they approach the carrier.
Watch for guidance UAVs that support Tonitra Spear attacks.
Destroy these targets immediately when they become critical.
As the encounter develops, the enemy submarine begins deploying additional weapons.
Eliminate dangerous missile dispensers and intercept incoming attacks.
When the submarine surfaces, attack its exposed launchers and defensive systems.
SOD weapons are particularly useful when you line up an attack along the submarine's direction of movement.
Avoid firing area-effect weapons across a moving target's path without accounting for its movement.
The submarine may submerge and return with restored weapon systems.
Continue attacking the relevant components until the launch tube objective becomes available.
Finally, the submarine attempts to ram the Endurance.
At this stage, prioritize damaging the hull and ending the battle.
S-Rank Tip: The final mission rewards fast objective switching. Stop chasing optional enemies whenever a missile, guidance drone, or submarine component becomes the immediate threat.
Some missions are more demanding than others.
The following encounters deserve extra attention if you're struggling to complete the Ace of Aces requirement.
The challenge comes from navigating without weapons.
You cannot compensate for a slow run by destroying additional enemies.
Learn the safe route and practice maintaining speed without entering radar coverage.
The ship-identification mechanics can consume substantial time.
Learn the correct visual features and avoid unnecessary inspections.
Once the UAV phase begins, react immediately.
This mission requires a high destruction score while protecting multiple allied units.
Use strong area-effect weapons and respond to friendly distress calls.
Don't become distracted by optional targets while the ground advance is under attack.
The high score requirement can seem intimidating, but the enormous number of surface targets provides plenty of opportunities.
Use bombs or SOD weapons and take advantage of chain destruction.
This mission combines a very high score benchmark with a difficult final fighter encounter.
Build points early, replenish ammunition when possible, and avoid letting the last dogfight continue unnecessarily.
The final mission requires constant attention to changing objectives.
Missiles, guidance UAVs, exposed submarine weapons, and the final hull attack all demand different responses.
Learn the encounter's mechanics before trying to complete it as quickly as possible.
Sometimes your mission feels almost perfect, yet the results screen still shows A-Rank.
Before repeating the mission, inspect what actually happened.
If you earned a strong destruction score but received a low final grade, your time bonus may have decreased too much.
Try the following improvements:
Remove unnecessary detours. Stay near the required route instead of flying after isolated enemies.
Improve attack efficiency. Use weapons that eliminate valuable targets with fewer passes.
Finish the final objective promptly. Once you've built enough score, stop collecting optional kills.
If your clear time was excellent but your total score was low, you may have finished before earning enough points.
Try destroying additional high-value targets along the mission route.
Named enemy Aces can help when their appearance conditions are manageable.
Also look for enemy groups that can be destroyed through chain reactions or area-effect weapons.
A dedicated fighter may be inefficient during a large surface battle.
Likewise, using an attacker against advanced enemy aircraft can make certain encounters unnecessarily difficult.
Change your loadout before repeating the same strategy.
A checkpoint restart may reduce your ranking potential.
For short missions, beginning the entire sortie again may be the better choice after a serious mistake.
On longer missions, continuing from a checkpoint can still be worthwhile, especially if you're close to completing the objective.
Joker Flight can contribute to enemy destruction.
Make sure your squadron orders support the current situation.
Dispersed Attack is useful when several targets are available, while concentrated attacks may help against important enemies.
Remember to check wingman commands after scripted sequences because their behavior can change.
Several habits make Ace difficulty S-Ranks harder than necessary.
Trying to destroy every enemy.
You don't need to clear the entire map unless the mission requires it. Extra kills are useful only when their score outweighs the time spent earning them.
Ignoring the time bonus.
Large destruction scores don't guarantee S-Rank. Efficient completion remains essential.
Using the same aircraft everywhere.
Different missions reward different weapons and combat roles. Match your aircraft to the objective.
Forgetting wingman commands.
Allied aircraft can contribute to combat and help remove threats while you focus on important targets.
Firing at protected components.
Large enemies such as Land Battleships and the HSCA have vulnerable components that become available during specific phases.
Ignoring enemy bombers.
Bombers often threaten protected allies and can cause mission failure if left alone.
Wasting special ammunition.
Long sorties may contain additional waves or difficult final encounters. Conserve weapons when necessary and use resupply opportunities.
Pursuing named Aces at any cost.
Optional Aces provide useful points but aren't always the most efficient choice for S-Rank hunting.
Relying on a no-damage bonus.
Its direct contribution to rank scoring is disputed. Concentrate on destruction score and completion time.
Forgetting that Free Mission counts.
You don't need to restart the entire campaign after one unsuccessful S-Rank attempt.
The strongest S-Rank runs are consistent, controlled, and focused on the mission's most valuable objectives.
Earn enough destruction points while completing the mission efficiently.
Each mission has its own scoring requirements, so you need to balance enemy destruction with the available time bonus.
Complete the campaign on Elite difficulty.
This unlocks Ace difficulty for eligible campaign replays and Free Mission.
Yes, if you want the Ace of Aces trophy or achievement.
S-Ranks earned on lower difficulties don't satisfy that particular requirement.
No.
You can replay individual missions in Free Mission and improve their grades separately.
Yes.
Qualifying S-Ranks earned on Ace difficulty through Free Mission count toward the achievement.
No.
The Ace of Aces requirement covers the 30 numbered campaign missions.
The X-40 Nightmare is a strong all-around option, while the FA-36 Game is particularly effective during ground-heavy missions.
The best choice depends on the target types and the weapons available.
There isn't one perfect weapon for every mission.
SOD is useful for concentrated surface targets, while SASM and other air-to-air weapons are attractive for fighter encounters.
UAVT can be effective for precision attacks against different target types.
Yes.
They can provide additional destruction points.
However, triggering a named Ace may consume too much time or require dangerous maneuvers.
Only pursue one when the extra points are worth the effort.
Not automatically.
The direct scoring contribution of the no-damage bonus is disputed in post-launch research.
Avoiding damage is still helpful because it improves survival and reduces the risk of checkpoint restarts.
Not necessarily in every mission, but it can make earning S-Rank more difficult.
Restarting the entire sortie is often preferable after a major early mistake.
Mission 28, A Thousand Points of Light, has one of the highest published benchmarks at approximately 154,000 points.
This figure comes from community scoring research rather than an official publisher chart.
Many players struggle with Mission 28 because of its large destruction-score requirement and the difficult final Shadow encounter.
Missions 25, 27, 29, and 30 can also be challenging depending on your aircraft and experience.
Yes.
Free Mission generally allows you to select aircraft and equipment you've already unlocked.
Mission 14 remains an exception because it requires the unarmed A-6E Intruder.
Check your destruction score, completion time, and checkpoint restarts.
If you're finishing too slowly, reduce unnecessary engagements.
If you're finishing quickly but earning too few points, add valuable targets along your normal route.
Earning an S-Rank on every mission in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is one of the game's most satisfying challenges.
It demands more than basic flying skills.
You'll need to understand mission objectives, choose effective aircraft, manage special weapons, and recognize when an extra enemy is worth attacking.
The most important lesson is that S-Ranks reward efficiency, not unnecessary destruction.
A fast mission with valuable target kills is usually better than a long battle where you attempt to eliminate everything.
For ground-heavy sorties, equipment such as the FA-36 with SOD can dramatically improve your results.
For air-heavy missions, powerful fighters and suitable air-to-air weapons make intercepting enemies easier.
Remember that you can complete the campaign on Elite to unlock Ace difficulty, then use Free Mission to earn the required S-Ranks individually.
You don't need to complete all 30 missions perfectly in one continuous campaign run.
If a mission keeps giving you A-Rank, review your scoring, change your approach, and concentrate on the objective that's costing you the most time.
And don't forget to use your wingmen. A well-coordinated squadron can make demanding missions considerably easier.
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Master your aircraft, choose your targets wisely, and make every sortie count.
With the right preparation and enough practice, all 30 S-Ranks — and the Ace of Aces achievement — are achievable.
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