ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Special Weapons
Special weapons let you tailor a loadout to a mission's target mix. This page lists what the official sources confirm and keeps the rest labelled Unverified.
The official walkthrough describes the loadout loop as: pick your aircraft, then choose from a variety of special weapons, then upgrade your aircraft. The per-aircraft special-weapon list has not been published as of September 30, 2026 — it is marked Unverified until officially announced.
What the official sources confirm
- A wide array of special weapons exists — official walkthrough, 'Choose your Weapon' section.
- Weapons are chosen per mission — 'Different missions call for different loadouts.'
- F/A-18C Hornet — operates 'a wide array of air-to-air missiles, as well as anti-ground and anti-ship weaponry' (official aircraft page).
- F-14D Super Tomcat — carries long-range anti-air missiles (official aircraft page).
- F-22A Raptor — 'weapons systems are among the most powerful of any fighter' (official aircraft page).
- Online builds — Ace Combat Online encourages experimenting with 'special weaponry and builds' (official online page).
Mission fit (data-driven guidance)
Without published stats, plan by role rather than numbers:
| Mission target mix | Preferred roles | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Air superiority (dogfights) | Fighter | Air-to-air weapons and long-range AAMs |
| Ground attack | Attacker | Anti-ground armament and close air support |
| Anti-ship | Attacker / Multirole | Anti-ship weaponry (e.g. F-2A, F/A-18C) |
| SEAD / defense networks | Electronic | Electronic interference and network suppression |
| Mixed objectives | Multirole | Balanced air and ground capability |
Plan a full loadout with the Loadout Planner.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
What special weapons are in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE?
The official pages confirm a variety of special weapons but have not published the full list yet. This page will be updated as soon as official data appears.
Can I carry multiple special weapons?
Not officially confirmed — the walkthrough says to 'choose' a weapon as part of the loadout. Pending official confirmation, treat multiple-SP-weapon loadouts as Unverified.
How do I choose a special weapon?
Consider the mission objective and your playstyle: air superiority favors air-to-air options, ground attack favors anti-ground armament — per the official walkthrough and aircraft descriptions.