Ace Combat 8 Best Aircraft Tier List: Best Planes for Every Role

If you still cannot decide on your main aircraft in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, we recommend starting with the F-22A Raptor or Su-57 Felon. For a campaign that constantly switches between air combat, ground strikes, and carrier missions, the F-35C Lightning II is a very convenient choice. We do not recommend buying the most expensive aircraft just because its stats look impressive because the wrong special weapons can ruin a sortie even in an excellent plane.We already covered unlock requirements and prices in our separate guide to all aircraft in Ace Combat 8, so this article focuses specifically on which planes are worth choosing.

How this Ace Combat 8 aircraft tier list works

This ranking gives extra weight to air-to-air performance and the ability to handle different mission types. A high tier means the aircraft is a strong candidate for your main plane, while a lower placement usually reflects limitations or a more specialized role. Attackers and Electronic Warfare aircraft are discussed separately because comparing them directly with fighters purely on dogfighting performance would not be very useful.

• S - top choices for air combat. F-22A Raptor, Su-57 Felon, and Su-47 Berkut.
• A - strong fighters and multiroles. Typhoon, Su-35S Flanker-E, Rafale M, F-35C Lightning II, Gripen E, F-15C Eagle, F-15J Eagle, F-14D Super Tomcat, F/A-18E Super Hornet, and F/A-18F Super Hornet.
• B - reliable aircraft with more noticeable limitations. F/A-18C Hornet, Mirage 2000-5, F-16C Fighting Falcon, MiG-29A Fulcrum, Su-33 Flanker-D, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F-2A.
• C - aircraft we mainly pick for a specific task or because we like the model. F-4E Phantom II, MiG-21bis Fishbed, and F-14A Tomcat. The MiG-31B Foxhound also fits here for versatility, although it deserves separate attention as a long-range interceptor.

We discuss the FA-36 Game, X-40 Nightmare, and ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY- separately from the normal recommendations for a first playthrough. They are interesting advanced aircraft, but their availability and unusual weapon options make them less useful as recommendations for someone who is simply deciding which Aircraft Tree branch to pursue next.

Best aircraft tier list

F-22A Raptor - our top pick for air-to-air combat

The F-22A is one of the best choices if you want a powerful fighter for difficult aerial encounters. Its biggest advantage as a main aircraft is the combination of strong maneuverability and useful special weapons. It regularly appears near the top of international Ace Combat 8 tier lists, making it a very straightforward late-game goal.QAAMs are useful against dangerous single targets, while 4AAMs let you engage several aircraft at once. For ground targets, you can switch to XSDBs. We recommend choosing the weapon based on the mission because even an excellent fighter becomes much more useful when its loadout matches the objectives.

Su-57 Felon - a strong alternative to the F-22A

The Su-57 is ideal for players who want air combat to remain their main specialty while keeping a meaningful option against ground targets. Its weapon set includes QAAMs, HCAAs, and LACMs. If you regularly switch between different mission types, that flexibility is a good reason to compare the Su-57 with the F-22A before spending your MRP.We do not recommend buying both immediately just because they rank highly. Pick one first, unlock the special weapons you need, and see which mission types still give you trouble. A second expensive fighter may end up being less useful than a carrier-capable aircraft or a dedicated ground-attack option.

Su-47 Berkut - for players who love maneuvering fights

The Su-47 is worth considering if you like closing the distance and fighting aggressively for position on an enemy's tail. It is one of the most notable choices for this style of play and ranks highly in several international tier lists. That does not mean it is automatically a mandatory upgrade over every A-tier aircraft because handling preference still has a major impact on your performance.We recommend choosing the Berkut once you already know what you want from a highly maneuverable fighter. If you still regularly lose sight of enemies and spend most of the fight circling endlessly, work on your controls first. A better aircraft gives you more options, but it will not place you on an enemy's six by itself.

Which A-tier aircraft are worth choosing?

A tier is especially interesting for players looking for a comfortable main aircraft rather than chasing the absolute best dogfighter. It includes strong carrier aircraft, versatile multiroles, and dedicated air-superiority fighters. Compare them based on the mission types you play most often.

• F-35C Lightning II. Our priority pick for a campaign with mixed objectives. It combines solid air-to-air performance, ground-attack capability, and carrier compatibility.
• Rafale M. A strong choice if you want a carrier-capable multirole that also feels comfortable in close combat. It is particularly useful for players who value flexibility between different mission types.
• Typhoon. A powerful option for aerial engagements. Compare it with the more expensive endgame targets if you want a strong fighter without immediately chasing experimental aircraft.
• Su-35S Flanker-E. Another excellent choice for maneuvering combat with enough versatility to handle different objectives. Consider it if you want a multirole-leaning aircraft with a strong focus on air combat.
• Gripen E. A good fit for players who enjoy compact and agile aircraft. It is a worthwhile alternative to larger fighters, especially if you like how it handles.
• F-15C Eagle and F-15J Eagle. Strong options when your main job is destroying enemy aircraft. The F-15J is also worth considering as an intermediate main plane while progressing through the Aircraft Tree.
• F-14D Super Tomcat. A carrier-capable fighter for players who prefer to begin engagements from range. Consider it if you need a carrier aircraft and do not have access to the F-14A.
• F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet. Practical carrier aircraft for mixed objectives. They are worth considering if you want to retain the ability to attack surface targets while still fighting effectively in the air.

Are B-tier and C-tier aircraft worth buying?

Yes, if the purchase solves a specific problem. The F/A-18C and Mirage 2000-5 work as versatile early-progression options, while the F-16C and MiG-29A are useful choices for learning air combat. The Su-33 gives you another carrier-capable aircraft. We do not recommend replacing a plane that already works well for you just because a tier list places another model one row higher.The F-15E is primarily interesting for strike missions, so its position in the overall ranking does not mean it performs poorly against ground targets. The F-2A also has a clear niche and is worth considering for anti-ship work. Just remember that having anti-ship weapons does not automatically make an aircraft carrier-capable.The MiG-31B deserves a separate explanation. Its strengths are speed and long-range interception, which can make it more useful than a general-purpose aircraft in the right mission. If you plan to stay close to enemies and fight through constant tight turns, however, we recommend starting with other candidates.The F-4E, MiG-21bis, and F-14A do not need to be picked purely for maximum efficiency. Choose them if you like the aircraft itself or want to learn a different playstyle. The MiG-21bis demands more attention to handling, while the F-14A is tied to bonus or paid access, so we do not treat it as an essential purchase.

Best aircraft for ground attacks

For ground targets, we recommend comparing the Su-34 Fullback and A-10C Thunderbolt II. The Su-34 is appealing if you want a strike aircraft that can still defend itself against enemy planes, while the A-10C is better suited to missions where you want to focus heavily on surface targets. The difference matters most when a successful ground attack is immediately followed by an air battle.The A-10C fits the role of a specialized attacker very well, but do not choose it only because the first part of a mission contains many ground targets. Think about how far you need to travel and how serious the air threat will become. If you want to preserve more options for mixed combat, compare it with the Su-34 or the multirole F-35C first.The Su-25SM Frogfoot and A-6E Intruder also have clear niches in ground-attack missions. We recommend treating them as specialized additions to your main aircraft rather than universal fighter replacements. During a first playthrough, filling a missing role in your hangar is usually more useful than buying several similar attackers in a row.

Electronic Warfare and experimental aircraft

The EA-6B Prowler, EA-18G Growler, and EA-36 Barricader should be judged by their support value rather than only by how effectively they can score kills on their own. If you are looking for a straightforward air-to-air aircraft, start with normal fighters. Electronic Warfare becomes much more interesting once you understand exactly what role you want it to fill in a team.The FA-36 Game stands out among the advanced multirole options and also ranks highly in several international lists. The X-40 Nightmare is interesting for its unusual weapon systems, while the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY- is tied to the Season 1 Premium Ace Pass. We do not recommend buying the pass solely because you expect one aircraft to guarantee victories. Even experimental machines still need to be used in the right way.

What aircraft should you use in multiplayer?

For direct air-to-air fights against other players, start by comparing the F-22A Raptor and Su-57 Felon. In team modes, however, aircraft choice also depends on your role because air superiority, ground attacks, and support all require different capabilities. If your team already has enough fighters, adding another similar aircraft may not be the most useful choice.Before an online sortie, check your loadout against the role you intend to play. Even a strong fighter contributes less if its weapons do not fit the current objectives.

How to spend MRP without wasting it

We recommend choosing your main aircraft and the special weapons you need first, then buying a second plane to cover the mission types your primary aircraft handles less effectively. If ground attacks are still causing problems, consider adding a dedicated attacker.Before buying a plane, check not only its listed price but also the cost of progressing through the Aircraft Tree, unlocking its weapons, and purchasing required upgrades. Do not spend your entire MRP balance on the aircraft itself if that leaves nothing for its loadout. A good purchase starts with understanding the next mission you need to solve, and the attractive plane sitting in the hangar is not going anywhere.