Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launched on 2 October 2026, and like every Ace Combat, its deep roster of aircraft is gated behind an in-game currency grind. Unlocking the planes you actually want - and the parts to tune them - means earning credits mission after mission. This guide explains how the aircraft tree and credit system work, the fastest ways to earn, and how a modded save hands you the whole roster if you would rather just fly.
How aircraft unlocks work
Ace Combat has always used an aircraft tree bought with credits earned from missions, and Wings of Theve follows that template: you progress through the campaign, earn credits for completing and excelling at missions, and spend them to unlock new aircraft and the aircraft parts that upgrade them. The best and most iconic planes sit deep in the tree, so getting to them means either a long campaign grind or replaying missions for more credits. The parts system compounds it - a fully tuned top-tier jet costs credits on top of the aircraft itself.
The fastest ways to earn credits
If you are earning credits the honest way, a few things speed it up. Higher difficulties pay out more, so playing on Hard or Ace multiplies your income per mission. S-ranking missions - hitting the top score through fast, accurate, high-destruction runs - pays better than just clearing them, so replaying a comfortable mission for an S rank is often the most efficient farm. And some missions simply have higher target density, making them better credit-per-minute runs to repeat. Combine all three and the grind shrinks, but for the full roster it is still a lot of flying.
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Play the campaign | Earn credits mission by mission - the natural route |
| Raise the difficulty | Hard and Ace pay out more credits per mission |
| S-rank and replay missions | Top scores pay better; repeat high-density missions to farm |
| Modded save | The full aircraft roster and credits, unlocked on your account |
Which planes to chase first
Because the roster unlocks gradually, early priorities matter. Most players chase a versatile multirole fighter first - something with a strong balance of speed, maneuverability and special-weapon loadout that handles both the campaign's air and ground targets - before saving up for the heavy-hitting top-tier jets. The "best plane" depends on the mission and on whether you are flying the campaign or multiplayer, which is the usual reason players want the whole roster unlocked: so they can bring the right jet to each mission instead of making do with the one they could afford.
Unlock the whole roster, or go for the platinum
If you would rather fly every jet than grind credits for them, the Ace Combat 8 modded save ($50) unlocks the aircraft roster and credits on your own account, so the whole hangar is open from the start. And if you want the completion - including the tougher high-difficulty and S-rank trophies - the Platinum Trophy service ($15) finishes the list. Both are on the Ace Combat 8 services hub.
Aircraft parts and tuning
Unlocking a plane is only half of a build in Ace Combat - the parts system is the other half. Across the series you spend credits on aircraft parts that tune a jet's performance, special-weapon loadout and defenses, and a top-tier aircraft without its parts underperforms a well-tuned lower-tier one. That means the credit grind is really double: credits for the plane, then credits for the parts that make it competitive. It is the main reason players chasing the full experience want a large credit reserve rather than just a few unlocked airframes.
Campaign and multiplayer loadouts
The "best" aircraft depends heavily on where you are flying. Campaign missions reward versatile multirole jets that can switch between dogfighting and ground strikes, while multiplayer rewards specialists tuned for speed, missiles or evasion against human opponents. Having the whole roster and a healthy parts collection lets you bring the right tool to each - a nimble fighter for an air-superiority mission, a heavier payload jet for a strike. That flexibility is the practical payoff of unlocking everything rather than committing your credits to one favourite.
The bottom line
Ace Combat 8's aircraft and parts are gated behind a mission-credit grind, and the top jets sit deep in the tree. If you would rather fly the whole hangar than farm credits, the modded save unlocks the roster and credits on your account, and the Platinum Trophy service handles the tougher high-difficulty and S-rank trophies. Both on the Ace Combat 8 services hub.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock aircraft in Ace Combat 8?
You earn credits by completing and excelling at missions, then spend them in the aircraft tree to unlock planes and upgrade parts. The best jets sit deep in the tree, so the full roster is a credit grind.
What is the fastest way to earn credits in Ace Combat 8?
Play on higher difficulties, which pay more per mission, and S-rank missions by scoring high through fast, high-destruction runs. Replaying a comfortable high-target-density mission for an S rank is usually the most efficient farm.
What is the best plane in Ace Combat 8?
It depends on the mission and whether you are in the campaign or multiplayer. Most players want a versatile multirole fighter early, then the heavy-hitting top-tier jets - which is why unlocking the full roster is so useful.
When did Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve release?
It launched worldwide on 2 October 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, with early access for Deluxe Edition buyers beforehand.
Can you unlock all aircraft without the grind?
Yes - a modded save unlocks the full aircraft roster and credits on your own account, so you can fly any plane from the start instead of grinding mission credits for the whole tree.
Do you need aircraft parts in Ace Combat 8?
Yes - parts tune a jet's performance, weapons and defenses, and a top-tier plane without its parts underperforms a well-tuned lesser one. The credit grind covers both the aircraft and the parts that make it competitive.
What is the best aircraft for multiplayer in Ace Combat 8?
Multiplayer rewards specialists tuned for speed, missiles or evasion against human players, which differs from the versatile multirole jets that suit the campaign. Owning the full roster lets you bring the right jet to each.