You can clear the opening stages of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve by focusing on mission-specific objectives rather than engaging every enemy plane you see. Mastering the distinction between air-to-air and ground-attack sorties is the secret to moving through these early battles efficiently. This ace combat 8 beginner guide breaks down exactly how to handle the first five missions without wasting your resources.
The learning curve here hits hardest when you try to dogfight everything at once while ignoring bombers or ground threats. It is easy to get tunnel vision when a target is right in front of you, but protecting your carriers should always take priority over chasing individual fighters. Take a moment to learn your squad mates’ capabilities early on, as their support becomes essential for handling multiple waves of enemies.
Before you hit the hangar, check your available MRP to unlock parts that improve your turn rate and missile tracking. Ensuring your aircraft is equipped with the right special weapons for the mission—like UGBs for ground targets—will save you a lot of headache during intense sorties. You are ready to start once you have a basic grasp of your flight controls and the mission briefing.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve brings the series back to its roots with a campaign focused on deep squad dynamics and difficult tactical decisions. It honors the classic PS1-era design philosophy while introducing new mechanical depth to the franchise.
- Prologue
- Mission 1 – Jokers Wild
- Mission 2 – Nomad
- Mission 3 – Purple Magic Takes Flight
- Mission 4 – The Fall of the Numbered Fleets
- Mission 5 – Retaking of Theve
Prologue
Ace Combat 8 character Rex holds the helmet belonging to the pilot Cope.
The story kicks off with you and Major Jenkins stranded on a lifeboat before a Navy paramedic crew rescues you. Jenkins immediately gets to work as a mechanic once you are safely aboard the cruiser.
As the pilot, you are paired with the ace J. Cope for an escort mission involving a passenger plane. You will soon face off against the organization known as Shadow, forcing you to prioritize evasive maneuvers over direct combat.
Shadow’s prodigy pilot, 22, eventually catches up to you, resulting in a crash landing in the ocean. You retrieve Cope’s dog tag before being rescued, marking the tragic end of the prologue.
The prologue concludes once you are safely back on the ship.
Mission 1 – Jokers Wild
Ace Combat 8 character Ellington Baxter stands on the ship flight deck.
After recovering in the infirmary, you are appointed as the lead pilot for the Joker Crew. You will meet your squad members, Ellington Baxter, Tasha Severskaya, and William Coster, on the flight deck.
You must take off early to clear the flight deck for other incoming craft. If you already know your way around an Ace Combat cockpit, feel free to breeze through the tutorial flight.
Ace Combat 8 player character completes the flight school tutorial mission successfully.
Your primary objective is to defend the San Salvacion port against incoming UAV drones and a recon plane. Be prepared to face defensive carriers as well, as these will be your main targets.
Destroy all identified threats to successfully complete the mission.
Mission 2 – Nomad
Ace Combat 8 warship Endurance under attack by enemy bombers.
Just as you prepare for landing on the Endurance, the mission takes a turn when enemy bombers and fighters are detected nearby. You have to head back into the air immediately to defend the carrier.
Focus your efforts on the bombers first to prevent damage to the Endurance. Fighter jets will try to distract you, but you can pick them off once the primary threats are dealt with.
Ace Combat 8 player engages and destroys enemy bombers in the sky.
Every time a bomber approaches the carrier, it sends out a wave of missiles that drains the Endurance’s health. Stop the chase early and prioritize the bombers to ensure the mission ends safely.
The enemy fighters will retreat once the bombers are destroyed, allowing you to finally land and conclude the mission.
Mission 3 – Purple Magic Takes Flight
Ace Combat 8 characters Tasha and Nikolai sharing a moment together.
You meet a mysterious newcomer named Nikolai in the cafeteria, who turns out to be Tasha’s father and a propagandist for the Enso Order. He explains how Sotoa captured the capital city, Theve.
The conversation reveals that Sotoa uses a satellite-based missile system, though its range is limited to the northern region. This explains why civilian and military refugees are currently sheltering on the Endurance.
Ace Combat 8 player flying toward the White Valley Base entrance.
The Endurance arrives at the White Valley Base to provide support against daily drone incursions. You are now tasked with selecting your fighter jet for the upcoming operation.
Understand the four aircraft types available to optimize your squad performance:
- Fighter (Blue): Specialized for air-to-air combat.
- Attacker (Red): Built for destroying ground forces.
- Multirole (Purple): Versatile performance for both air and ground objectives.
- Electronic Warfare (Green): Neutralizes enemy missiles and provides team buffs.
Ace Combat 8 aircraft flying over snowy mountain terrain during mission.
Equip the entire Joker crew with Fighters to meet the mission’s skill requirements. Shortly after takeoff, you will be swarmed by bandit helicopters and jets attacking the base.
After clearing the initial waves, you must face the Lux Lunae, an elite Shadow squadron. While they are not as formidable as Shadow 22, they still represent a significant challenge.
Ace Combat 8 enemy squadron Lux Lunae engaging in combat.
Coordinate with your squad to utilize special weapons effectively. Chasing these targets down can be intense, but consistent pressure will secure your victory.
Mission 4 – The Fall of the Numbered Fleets
Ace Combat 8 character Tasha giving feedback to Rex.
With a new Harrier carrier named Dauntless joining the fleet, your next goal is to reclaim Theve. You must visit the Aircraft Tree to spend your MRP on upgrades before heading to Newfield Island for heavy ground combat.
Visit the hangar to adjust your loadout, and make sure to equip UGBs in your special weapon slots. This is vital for the ground targets you will encounter.
Ace Combat 8 player flying toward Newfield Island targets.
Newfield Island is heavily defended by non-target SAM launchers that can be incredibly frustrating if left active.
- Target high-priority mission objectives first.
- Sweep the map to neutralize annoying SAM missile launchers.
- Intercept and destroy target fighter jets.
- Deploy UGBs to damage moving carriers efficiently.
This mission takes time to complete, so focus on systematically removing ground threats to streamline your progress.
Mission 5 – Retaking of Theve
Ace Combat 8 fleet heading toward the capital city of Theve.
The operation to retake Theve begins now, requiring a strategic plan to bypass Sotoa’s long-range warship. Since that ship can fire missiles from 500KM away, timing is critical.
The ship is currently docked, giving you a small window of opportunity. Since you need to handle both air and ground threats, a Multirole fighter is your best choice here.
Ace Combat 8 player engaging and destroying enemy helicopters.
