Updated January 2026 – Whether you’re a veteran of Strangereal or new to the skies of Ace Combat 7 (AC7), achieving S Rank is the ultimate mark of mastery in any mission. This guide covers the latest S Rank mechanics, aircraft recommendations, optimal weapon loadouts, checkpoint strategy, and mission-specific scoring targets to help you dominate both Normal, Hard, and Ace difficulties.
By following these strategies, you’ll maximize your destruction score, minimize completion time, and secure the coveted top rank — plus the “Ace of Aces” trophy/achievement if you’re aiming for perfection.
🏆 What is S Rank in AC7 Skies Unknown?
S Rank is the highest possible mission rank, earned by completing objectives efficiently and destroying enemies strategically. Unlike casual completion, S Rank considers:
Destruction Score – Points gained from destroying aircraft, ground targets, and high-value mission objectives.
Time Bonus – Completion speed matters. Missions have thresholds; exceeding them reduces your bonus.
Combined Performance – You need both high destruction and fast mission completion to hit S Rank.
⚠️ Important Update (2026): Simply completing a mission isn’t enough. You must balance destruction and speed, even if you take minor damage. This dual requirement is now emphasized by the community and is mission-specific.
✈️ Aircraft Recommendations for S Rank
While your old tip to unlock the F-22A Raptor is still valid, modern community data suggests loadout and mission adaptation matter more than aircraft alone:
✅ Recommended Aircraft
F-22A Raptor – Versatile, high maneuverability, great special weapons.
F-15C Eagle – Excellent for long-range engagements, reliable radar-guided missiles.
Su-37 Terminator – High agility and strong missile combos for ace pilots.
✅ Optimal Weapon Loadouts
Air Targets: QAAMs, LAAMs, Heat-Seeker missiles.
Ground Targets: LACM, LAGMs, Cruise Missiles.
Mixed Missions: Equip special weapons to cover both air and surface objectives efficiently.
Pro Tip: Adapt weapons per mission. High-value target destruction gives exponentially more points than drones, so choose weapons that maximize score. ( reddit.com )
⏱ Checkpoint & Timer Mechanics
Many players misunderstand S Rank timing:
Checkpoints do NOT reset mission timers.
Reloading at a checkpoint keeps your elapsed time, which affects your time bonus.
Strategy: If you die early, sometimes it’s faster to restart the mission from scratch rather than using multiple checkpoints later.
📝 Mission-Specific S Rank Targets
Here’s a mission table with approximate scores and recommended times, based on community-tested values. These targets are your reliable reference for S Rank:
| Mission | Minimum Combined Score | Recommended Time | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission 01: Charge Assault | ~10,270 | < 4:50 | Focus on high-value ground targets first. |
| Mission 02: Ice Storm | ~7,450 | < 6:00 | Prioritize enemy bombers for max score. |
| Mission 03: Scorched Earth | ~16,360 | < 9:00 | Use cruise missiles on clustered ground units. |
| Mission 19: Lighthouse | ~50,660 | < 20:30 | Air superiority first, then ground objectives. |
| Mission 20: Dark Blue | ~10,450 | < 10:00 | Combine missiles and rockets to finish fast. |
⚠️ Note: Scores are approximate based on community consensus and may vary slightly depending on difficulty and upgrades.
💡 Time & Destruction Strategy for S Rank
Prioritize High-Value Targets: Ace enemies, bombers, and key ground installations grant exponentially higher points.
Maintain Mission Tempo: Even after completing objectives, continue destroying available targets to maximize score.
Avoid Excessive Damage: Minor damage is acceptable, but losing too many lives reduces score potential.
🥇 Difficulty Considerations & Achievement Notes
S Rank requirements are consistent across Normal, Hard, and Ace difficulties.
Higher difficulties feature more aggressive enemies — precision and speed are critical.
“Ace of Aces” Trophy/Achievement: Requires S Rank on Ace difficulty for every mission.
Recommended approach: Master missions on Normal or Hard first, then execute Ace runs with optimized loadouts.
⚡ Pro Tips to Maximize Your S Rank
Upgrade Aircraft Fully: Focus on acceleration, deceleration, and weapon effectiveness.
Use Clouds & Terrain: Break enemy lock-on using clouds or environmental features.
Reload Checkpoints Strategically: Only reload if it significantly improves your total mission efficiency.
Tailor Loadout Per Mission: QAAMs for air-heavy missions, LACMs for ground-heavy missions.
Plan for High-Value Target Combos: Destroying clustered targets in quick succession boosts score multiplier.
📌 Key 2026 Updates Added to This Guide
Clarified combined score + time requirement for S Rank.
Added mission-specific score & time table for actionable guidance.
Explained checkpoint mechanics and timer effects.
Updated aircraft and loadout recommendations with modern community consensus.
Highlighted difficulty and trophy considerations, including Ace of Aces.
Added strategic tips for high-value target prioritization.
✅ Final Thoughts
Achieving S Rank in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a mix of skill, planning, and precise execution. By optimizing your aircraft, loadout, and mission strategy — while understanding time and destruction mechanics — you can reliably earn S on every mission, complete the Ace of Aces trophy, and dominate Strangereal skies like a true ace pilot.
Remember: It’s not just about completing the mission — it’s about how efficiently and effectively you destroy the enemy. Fly smart, strike fast, and aim for perfection.
Comments
Post a Comment