The best plane to use early in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the F/A-18C Hornet, the starter jet according to launch reviews and the community wiki, because Bandai Namco describes it as a multirole jet that carries air-to-air missiles plus anti-ground and anti-ship weapons, so it handles every early mission type. If you pre-ordered, switch to the F-14A for missions that are mostly dogfights, since its official role is outranging threats with long-range missiles.
This guide explains why those two come first, what to spend your first MRP on, which bonus planes do not help early, and how to match your jet to each briefing. It covers the launch version on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, including the Deluxe Edition’s early access.
Why the Hornet Is the Best Early Pick
Hardcore Gamer’s review names the F/A-18 Hornet as a starting plane, and the community wiki specifies the F/A-18C model. Bandai Namco’s hangar description calls it “an improved version of an early F/A-18 carrier-based attacker model” with “improved engine thrust and enhanced radar abilities,” and says it “is able to operate a wide array of air-to-air missiles, as well as anti-ground and anti-ship weaponry.”
That range matters because the campaign mixes jobs from the start. Bandai Namco’s official game overview lists dogfighting, air support for ground troops, and air-to-sea sorties against threats to the carrier. A multirole jet covers all three without a swap, and CGMagazine’s reviewer, who logged around 32 hours on PC, says they “almost always preferred a multi-role plane.”
When to Fly the F-14A Instead
Every pre-order on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam includes the F-14A. It is a Fighter, and Bandai Namco says its role of “using long-range missiles to outrange and eliminate threats to the fleet has remained consistent from its creation.” Hardcore Gamer lists the F-14 Tomcat alongside the Hornet as a starting plane.
Use it when the briefing is about enemy aircraft. For missions built around ground or naval targets, the Hornet’s wider weapon list is the safer choice. One caveat: the Steam page notes that pre-order bonuses other than Ace Combat Zero may be released at a later date, so check your hangar if the F-14A is missing at first.
What to Buy First on the Aircraft Tree
You earn MRP by finishing missions, and CGMagazine says the payout depends on your rank, which weighs enemies destroyed, time taken and checkpoint use. You spend it on the Aircraft Tree, which the official Ace Combat account describes as having “multiple branching paths,” so pick the branch that leads to the jet you want next. DayOne’s reviewer immediately set their sights on the F-14D Super Tomcat.
We have not verified where each plane sits on the tree or what it costs, so here is what Bandai Namco’s official aircraft page says about jets worth aiming for early:
- Mirage 2000-5 (Multirole): “well balanced speed and maneuverability” and “inherently excellent flying stability,” a good sign for a new pilot.
- F-14D Super Tomcat (Fighter): long-range anti-air missiles and “superior combat at all speeds and altitudes.”
- F-2A (Attacker): its “greatest strength” is “interdictions at sea,” and it “can hold its own in aerial combat.”
- A-10C Thunderbolt II (Attacker): “agility at low speeds” and heavy air-to-ground weaponry for close air support.
- MiG-21bis Fishbed (Fighter): Bandai Namco warns its “tricky controls ask a lot of the pilot,” so it can wait.
Budget for your wingmen, too. You buy aircraft for the rest of Joker Flight, and DayOne reports that extra copies of a plane you own are cheaper, with an option to let the game pick your squad’s loadouts. Upgrade parts (BODY, ARMS and MISC) are worth buying as well: CGMagazine found they fit any aircraft with free slots, so a part keeps paying off after you switch planes. Our full planes list shows every confirmed jet by role.
Bonus Planes That Will Not Help Early
The Deluxe Edition’s standout jet is the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY-, unlocked instantly with its Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher. Bandai Namco’s FAQ says it “is only usable in Campaign Mode once players complete all campaign missions,” so it is an online and post-game plane, not an early one.
The Deluxe skins follow the same rule: the F-4E Mobius Squadron 25th Anniversary and F/A-18C Team Zvezda skins only reach Campaign Mode after every mission is done. Deluxe buyers still get the three-day head start covered in our launch trailer news, and our editions guide breaks down the rest.
Match the Plane to the Briefing
The plane matters less than bringing the right one. A few habits, drawn from official material and launch reviews:
- Read the briefing. Bandai Namco’s own overview tells you to “pay close attention” to it, since the objectives set the loadout.
- Bring an attacker for ground support. CGMagazine found air-support missions “significantly easier” after swapping to an attacker armed with bombs.
- Rethink a failed loadout before a failed attempt. DayOne beat a late-campaign wall by switching to homing air-to-ground bombs plus multi-target air-to-air missiles.
- Plan for two special weapons. Bandai Namco’s Japanese site says story progress unlocks a second special weapon slot, though each weapon then carries fewer rounds.
- Lean on your squad. Your wingmen, including Tasha Severskaya, take attack and cover orders from the D-pad.
Difficulty affects this too. Pilot is the default, and Bandai Namco says Rookie adds optional settings that reduce damage from hitting the ground or structures. Our flight stick and controls guide explains the Standard and Expert control modes, and every guide is on our Ace Combat 8 hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plane do you start with in Ace Combat 8? Hardcore Gamer names the F/A-18 Hornet, and the community wiki specifies the F/A-18C. Pre-order owners also get the F-14A.
Is the F-14A good early? For air-to-air missions, yes, since Bandai Namco built its role around long-range missiles. For ground and naval targets, the multirole Hornet covers more.
Can you use the ADFX-02 Morgan in the early campaign? No. Bandai Namco says it only becomes usable in Campaign Mode after you complete every campaign mission.
Do your wingmen need their own planes? Yes. You buy aircraft for Joker Flight on the Aircraft Tree, and reviewers say extra copies of an owned plane cost less.
Do campaign planes carry over to online mode? No. Online mode has separate progression, so its planes come from mercenary rewards, as our multiplayer guide explains.