Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Find All Enemy Aces Guide

Here's a quick guide on how to find all enemy Aces in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.

Finding all the hidden Aces in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve can be a pain, especially when you've replayed a mission and still can't figure out why a particular pilot won't show up. The trick is that each Ace has its own condition, and simply clearing the mission objectives isn't always enough. If you're working on your Assault Records, you'll need to know what to do before each encounter.

Finish the Campaign First

You'll want to finish the campaign before worrying about the hidden Aces. Once you've unlocked Free Mission, you can go back to individual stages instead of replaying the whole story. Just make sure you're playing on Veteran difficulty or higher, since the hidden Aces won't appear on easier settings.

Find Out What Makes Each Ace Appear

The conditions vary from mission to mission. Some Aces require you to destroy certain enemies quickly, while others depend on keeping allies alive or flying through a particular part of the map. For example, Crematio in Mission 2 requires you to shoot down at least four enemy aircraft within the first three minutes. Auster in Mission 4 appears when you fly through the mountain tunnel, while Custos in Mission 5 requires you to keep all eight allied landing craft alive.

Things get a little more specific later on. To encounter Lupus in Mission 15, destroy one Ladon and then take down the Ace before destroying the second. Caligo in Mission 22 requires you to approach the Celaeno without being detected, while Prudens in Mission 29 appears when you fly underneath an urban highway bridge. 

If you're replaying a mission and nothing happens, double-check its requirements before trying again. It's easy to overlook a small objective while you're busy dealing with everything else flying around you.

Shoot Down the Ace Before Ending the Mission

Once you've met the required condition, watch your radar for the Ace's appearance. You'll still need to shoot the pilot down and finish the mission to register the record. Triggering the encounter alone won't count.

If you miss an Ace, there's no need to start a new campaign. Head back into Free Mission, try the stage again, and make sure you meet the condition before completing the main objective.

FAQ

Q. Can I miss an Ace permanently?

A. No. You can replay completed missions through Free Mission and try again.

Q. What's the minimum difficulty for finding hidden Aces?

A. Veteran difficulty or higher.

Q. Do I need every Ace for the Assault Records achievement?

A. Yes. You'll need to complete the Assault Records collection to earn the A Record of Rivalry achievement.

Also, check out our Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review and other guides below:

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