Campaign Missions & S-Rank Tactics
Operation briefings, score thresholds, time limits, and named ace triggers across Ace difficulty.
[TAC-DIRECTIVE] S-Rank Scoring Formula
In Ace Combat 8, your overall rank is computed via Total Points = Destruction Score + Time Bonus. Destroying high-value secondary targets (SAM sites, Aegis cruisers, and radar antennas) before the mission update is crucial to meet S-Rank thresholds.
| Mission | Operation Name | Recommended Plane & SPW | S-Rank Score Req | Time Limit | Named Ace Spawn Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-01 | Deer Horn | F-16C / 4AAM | 11,200 pts | 05:30 | MiG-21bis "PYRO": Destroy the third wave of Tu-95 bombers in under 90 seconds. |
| M-02 | Charge Assault | F/A-18F / 4AGM | 12,500 pts | 06:00 | MiG-29A "JESTER": Destroy all radar vehicles before destroying control tower. |
| M-03 | Two-Pronged Strategy | F-15C / 4AAM | 18,500 pts | 07:15 | F-16C "BAYONET": Destroy all initial air targets within 90 seconds. |
| M-04 | Rescue | Mirage 2000-5 / 4AAM | 19,800 pts | 08:45 | F-15C "RONIN": Fly below 200m altitude during the entire radar network approach. |
| M-05 | 444 Base Defense | A-10C / UGB or F-15C | 17,000 pts | 08:00 | Su-33 "FANG": Take minimum 50% damage while airborne during Phase 1. |
| M-06 | Long Day | F-22A / XSDB | 31,000 pts | 15:00 | F-14D "KITTEN": Fly through the narrow canyon tunnel in the western desert base. |
| M-11 | Fleet Destruction | Su-33 or Rafale M / LASM | 41,000 pts | 12:00 | Su-33 "IBIS": Fly between the two main deck pillars of the central oil platform. |
| M-12 | Stonehenge Defensive | Su-57 / PLSL or F-15E / SDB | 36,500 pts | 15:00 | A-10C "BUFFLE": Destroy all 3 A-10Cs in the first ground attack wave immediately. |
| M-15 | Battle for Farbanti | X-02S / EML or F-22A | 42,000 pts | 15:00 | Su-47 "SERPENT": Accumulate over 18,000 pts before the Sol Squadron arrives. |
| M-19 | Lighthouse Siege | ADF-11F / QAAM or F-22A | 58,000 pts | 15:00 | Su-57 "CALAMITY": Accumulate over 17,000 points within the first 5 minutes of Phase 1. |
| M-20 | Dark Blue Horizon | F-22A or ADF-11F Raven | 32,500 pts | 07:30 | ADFX-10 "MANTIS": Fly under the coastal rail bridge before engaging the twin Ravens. |