Ace Combat 8 Mission 5 (Retaking of Theve) is an escort mission where LCACs keep dying for seemingly no reason, usually because players rush inland after the first howitzer callout and miss the helicopters that spawn behind them. The reliable fix is to clear the initial fighters, stay near the boats long enough to kill the incoming helicopters, then push to shore for howitzers and tanks, bouncing back and forth as new threats appear.
Switch to an F-14D with long-range AA missiles (or a Su-34 loaded with UGBs) for much easier results, ignore non-TGT enemies and on the scripted “900” railgun ambush simply turn around with the retreating boats while focusing only on red TGT aircraft and dodging the ongoing railgun fire until they cross the safety line.
Need more details about this mission? Keep reading.
About this Mission:
Why Your Landing Craft Keep Exploding
I start with the most challenging sections of the mission: the LCACs die even when the radar looks clear. There are two main culprits.
First, the helicopters. They spawn slightly behind you the moment you rush inland after the first howitzer callout. While you’re busy bombing the beach, the choppers casually shred the boats. Second, the howitzers and rocket artillery that keep firing the entire time you’re not looking at them.
The radio deliberately pushes you toward the shore too early. Listening to it is the most common reason people fail.
Recommended Aircraft and Loadouts
The starting F/A-18 (it will be the starting option in mission 8 too) can finish the mission, but it makes everything harder than it needs to be. I prefer other choices like:
F-14D with long-range air-to-air missiles: These missiles are fast enough to catch Elite-difficulty fighters that casually dodge regular missiles, and they let you stay close to the LCACs instead of flying halfway across the map for every kill. Ground targets are handled just fine with standard missiles (tanks take two hits, howitzers take one).
Best “I hate aiming” choice (my pick): Su-34 loaded with UGBs (or UGBL) and every bomb-related part you can equip. You end up with a ridiculous number of bombs that erase entire clusters of howitzers in one pass. Just accept that the plane turns like a shopping cart full of concrete.
Other options exist, but these two probably get you past the mission on the first or second try after switching, trust me.
Phase-by-Phase Breakdown
Take off and clear the first wave of fighters quickly. Stay relatively close to the LCACs. When the radio starts yelling about howitzers, ignore it for about thirty to forty seconds. The helicopters are about to appear. Kill them first. Only after the air around the boats is under control should you push inland.
Once you reach the shore, priority order is simple:
- Howitzers and rocket artillery that are actively shooting the landing craft
- Tanks
- SAMs only if they are locking you up constantly
You do not need to wipe the entire beach. Non-TGT enemies mostly exist to pad your score. Focus on whatever is currently threatening the boats.
The “900” Moment
You will hear characters muttering about the number 900. Shortly after, the Land Battleship opens fire with its railgun. A massive explosion hits, debris fills the air, and the mission objective flips from advance to retreat.
This is completely scripted. Do not try to keep pushing inland. Turn around with the boats immediately.
Retreat Phase: The Real Test
This is where most remaining failures happen. New fighters and more helicopters keep spawning while the Land Battleship continues lobbing railgun shots. Your only job is to stay near the LCACs and delete every red TGT that looks at them. The mission ends the moment the last TGT plane dies and the boats cross the blue safety line on the radar.
When you hear a railgun warning, break off whatever you are doing and dodge. Finishing a kill is not worth getting turned into confetti.
Wingman Management and Small Details That Matter
Set your wingmen to Disperse and free use of special weapons. Do not micro-manage them too hard, they do useful work when left alone.
If an enemy plane starts doing long evasive maneuvers, leave it. Time spent chasing one fighter is time the boats are unprotected.
Third-person view is usually clearer in this mission (I love when I can see my skins in Ace Combat 8, don’t you?). The combination of fog and cockpit view makes it easy to miss the helicopters until it is too late.
For S-Rank and the Named Ace
The named ace Custos (Su-25SM Frogfoot) only appears if every single one of the eight LCACs survives. The same strategy applies, just with tighter timing and zero greed.
S-rank is very achievable once the boats stop dying. Efficient kills plus a clean retreat phase are enough.
Mission 5 Tips to Know
Just follow the order below and the mission stops feeling like a personal attack from the developers. The boats will actually reach safety and you can stop hearing the same panicked lines for the tenth time.
- Long-range AA missiles or a huge bomb load
- Kill the first fighters, then wait for the helicopters
- Only go inland after the choppers are dead
- Bounce between shore and boats as new threats appear
- On retreat, stay glued to the LCACs and focus purely on TGT aircraft
- Dodge railgun fire the second the warning appears
