Dylan Reed
- Here's a quick guide on how to get S-Rank on every mission in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
- Unlock Ace and Free Mission First
- Don't Waste Time
- Use the Right Aircraft
- Learn the Mission Before You Farm It
- FAQ
Here's a quick guide on how to get S-Rank on every mission in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
Getting an S-Rank on every mission is a different challenge from simply finishing the campaign. You need to score enough points while still getting through the mission quickly, and some missions make that much harder than others. If you're going for all 30 S-Ranks, Free Mission is your best friend once you've finished the campaign.
Unlock Ace and Free Mission First
If you're trying to get the Ace of Aces achievement, the S-Ranks have to be earned on Ace difficulty. First clear the campaign on Elite to unlock Ace, then use Free Mission to replay individual missions with your unlocked aircraft, weapons, and parts.
You don't have to do all 30 S-Ranks in one campaign run. Free Mission lets you go back to the missions you struggled with and try them again without replaying the entire story.
Don't Waste Time
S-Rank isn't just about destroying as many enemies as possible. Your score is affected by things such as completion time, destroyed targets, bonus targets, and mission-specific objectives, so spending too long chasing every enemy can actually hurt you.
Learn which targets are worth going after and which ones you can safely ignore. Once you've got enough points, focus on finishing the objective instead of hanging around for a few extra kills.
Use the Right Aircraft
Free Mission makes S-Rank attempts much easier because you can choose your aircraft and loadout for each mission. Bring something that fits what you're actually fighting instead of trying to use the same plane everywhere.
For missions packed with aircraft, an air-to-air setup can save a lot of time. Ground-heavy missions may be easier with weapons that let you clear multiple targets quickly.
Learn the Mission Before You Farm It
Some missions have objectives that change halfway through, and knowing when that happens can save you a lot of trouble. Missions such as 12, 16, 18, 27, and 30 have specific moments where targeting the wrong thing can waste valuable time.
Don't worry if your first attempt goes badly. Once you know where the important targets appear, your next run can be much cleaner.
Build your score quickly, use a loadout suited to the mission, and don't waste time on targets that aren't helping your S-Rank.
FAQ
Q. Do I need S-Rank on all 30 missions?
A. Yes, if you're going for the Ace of Aces achievement, you need an S-Rank on all 30 numbered missions on Ace difficulty.
Q. Can I get S-Ranks through Free Mission?
A. Yes. After completing the campaign, Free Mission lets you replay individual missions on unlocked difficulties.
Q. What's the most important thing for an S-Rank?
A. Keep your score high without taking too long. The exact requirements vary between missions, so balance valuable kills with completing the objective quickly.
Also, check out our Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review and other guides below:
