Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Unlock All Aircraft Guide

Here's a quick guide on how to unlock all Aircraft in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.

There are a lot of aircraft to work toward in Ace Combat 8, but you won't get most of them just by finishing missions. Most of the planes are tied to the Aircraft Tree, where you'll spend MRP to work your way through different branches. A few aircraft are handled separately, so knowing which is which saves you from wasting MRP.

Use the Aircraft Tree

The Aircraft Tree becomes available after you complete Mission 2. From there, you can spend MRP on aircraft, parts, and special weapons. Buying an item on a branch opens the next items connected to it, so you can't simply jump straight to whichever plane you want.

This means you'll sometimes have to buy parts or another aircraft first. If there's a particular jet you're aiming for, check its route before spending your MRP so you know what you'll have to unlock along the way.

Earn MRP as You Play

MRP is what you'll use to buy most aircraft in the tree. You earn it by completing missions, so playing through the campaign naturally gives you more options as you progress.

Don't feel like you have to unlock every branch immediately. MRP adds up over time, and choosing a route that leads to an aircraft you actually want is usually better than buying everything you happen to pass.

Finish the Campaign for the Late-Game Aircraft

Some of the more unusual aircraft aren't available until you've finished the campaign. The FA-36 Game, EA-36 Barricader, and X-40 Nightmare become available after completing Mission 30, with additional Aircraft Tree requirements for the individual jets.

So if you don't see one of these aircraft earlier in your playthrough, you haven't missed anything. Keep progressing through the story and they'll become available later.

Don't Forget the Bonus Aircraft

Not every playable aircraft comes from the Aircraft Tree. The F/A-18C Hornet is your starting aircraft, while the A-6E Intruder becomes available after Mission 14. The F-14A Tomcat is a pre-order bonus, and the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY- comes from the Season 1 Premium Ace Pass.

Spend your MRP on the branches you actually want, then work through the tree until you reach the aircraft you're after.

FAQ

Q. How many aircraft are there in Ace Combat 8?
A. There are 34 playable aircraft in the launch roster, including the F-14A pre-order aircraft and ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY- bonus aircraft.

Q. How do I unlock most aircraft?
A. Earn MRP from missions and spend it on the Aircraft Tree. You'll need to purchase items leading to an aircraft before you can reach it.

Q. Can I unlock every aircraft during the first campaign?
A. You can work toward them, but you don't need to clear the entire tree during your first run. Some aircraft also require you to finish the campaign before they become available.

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

• Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Get General Purpose Upgrade Blueprints Guide
• Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Earn MRP Fast Guide
• Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Unlock Ace Difficulty Guide
• Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: How to Get S-Rank on Every Mission Guide