Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown ⎼ Trophy Guide
Welcome, pilots! This comprehensive guide details achieving the platinum trophy in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, covering all 50 trophies and strategies.
Expect roughly 40-60 hours, with a difficulty leaning towards a 6/10, potentially reduced to a 3/10 with DLC assistance.
Prepare for a challenging aerial campaign! This guide serves as your detailed roadmap to unlocking the coveted platinum trophy in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The game boasts a robust trophy list, comprising 50 achievements – 36 bronze, 11 silver, 2 gold, and the ultimate platinum reward.
Successfully navigating this journey requires dedication, skillful piloting, and a strategic approach. While the base game presents a moderate difficulty, estimated around a 6/10, certain downloadable content (DLC) can significantly streamline the process, potentially lowering the challenge to a more manageable 3/10. This guide will explore these options and provide optimized strategies for both offline and online trophy acquisition, ensuring a smooth path to platinum glory.
Platinum Difficulty & Estimated Completion Time
Assessing the challenge: Earning the platinum trophy in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is generally considered a moderate undertaking. Most players estimate a difficulty rating of 6 out of 10, leaning towards the grindy side rather than exceptionally difficult. However, this assessment can vary based on individual skill and willingness to utilize available DLC.
Time commitment: Expect to dedicate approximately 40 to 60 hours to fully complete the trophy list. This timeframe accounts for campaign completion, multiplayer engagements, and the necessary grinding for specific achievements like kilometer accumulation. Utilizing DLC, particularly aircraft designed for efficient trophy hunting, can substantially reduce this time investment.
Trophy Breakdown
Total Count: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown boasts a total of 50 trophies to collect, offering a substantial list of accomplishments for dedicated players. This breakdown encompasses both single-player and multiplayer challenges, ensuring a diverse range of objectives.
Rarity Distribution: The trophy list is comprised of 36 Bronze trophies, forming the bulk of the achievements. Following this, there are 11 Silver trophies, 2 Gold trophies, and the coveted Platinum trophy. Notably, one trophy, “Ace of Aces,” is designated as “Ultra Rare,” signifying its difficulty. This distribution highlights the game’s emphasis on consistent performance and dedication.
Total Number of Trophies
A Comprehensive Collection: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown presents players with a robust collection of 50 distinct trophies to earn throughout their journey. These achievements span the entirety of the game, encompassing both the thrilling single-player campaign and the competitive multiplayer arenas.
Varied Challenges: This substantial number ensures a diverse range of challenges, rewarding players for skillful piloting, strategic mission completion, and dedicated online engagement. Obtaining all 50 trophies signifies true mastery of the game’s mechanics and content. The platinum trophy awaits those who conquer all obstacles!
Trophy Rarity Distribution
A Spectrum of Challenges: The 50 trophies in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown are distributed across varying levels of rarity, reflecting their difficulty to obtain. The majority, 36, are categorized as Bronze, representing more common accomplishments. Following these are 11 Silver trophies, demanding greater skill and dedication.
Prestigious Rewards: For truly exceptional feats, players can strive for 2 Gold trophies, signifying significant mastery. Finally, the coveted Platinum trophy stands as the ultimate reward, earned by unlocking all other trophies. Notably, one trophy is designated as “Ultra Rare,” indicating extreme challenge.
Difficulty-Reducing DLC
Easing the Path to Platinum: While Ace Combat 7’s platinum trophy is achievable without DLC, certain additions significantly reduce the overall difficulty. Specifically, downloadable content planes can transform a challenging 7/10 experience into a more manageable 3/10. These planes offer advantages in combat and mission completion, streamlining the grind.
Strategic Investments: Investing in DLC isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended for players seeking a less stressful platinum run. The enhanced capabilities of these aircraft can be particularly helpful when tackling the notoriously difficult S-rank requirements on ACE difficulty.
Impact of DLC on Platinum Difficulty
A Significant Shift: The inclusion of DLC planes dramatically alters the platinum difficulty in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. What initially presents as a demanding experience, requiring precise piloting and strategic weapon usage, becomes considerably more forgiving. The DLC aircraft boast superior performance characteristics, simplifying challenging missions and S-rank attempts.
Reduced Grind & Increased Efficiency: Beyond easing combat, DLC minimizes the tedious aspects of trophy hunting. Faster mission completion times and improved efficiency in multiplayer contribute to a less grindy overall experience, making the platinum trophy far more attainable for a wider range of players.
Recommended DLC Planes for Trophy Hunting
Prioritizing Performance: For optimal trophy hunting in Ace Combat 7, the “Xi’an Long” and “F-15C Eagle” DLC planes stand out. The Xi’an Long excels in missile performance, crucial for swiftly eliminating targets and achieving S-ranks on ACE difficulty. Its maneuverability also aids in dodging enemy fire.
Versatility and Power: The F-15C Eagle offers a balanced skillset, proving effective in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements. Its powerful weaponry and robust build make it a reliable choice for tackling diverse mission objectives, significantly streamlining the platinum run.
Essential Gameplay Tips for Trophy Success
Mastering the Skies: To excel in Ace Combat 7 and efficiently earn trophies, maintaining high speed is paramount. Utilize afterburners strategically, especially during dogfights and when evading missile locks. This enhances maneuverability and reduces vulnerability.
Unguided Precision: Effective use of unguided munitions, like bombs and cluster munitions, is vital for missions with numerous ground targets. Employ high-altitude bombing runs for maximum coverage and safety. Against aircraft, prioritize speed and precise aiming to quickly neutralize threats, maximizing your score and minimizing risk.
Maintaining High Speed
The Afterburner Advantage: Consistently utilizing afterburners is crucial for trophy success. It dramatically increases your aircraft’s speed, enhancing maneuverability and making you a harder target. However, be mindful of fuel consumption; strategic bursts are more effective than constant use.
Evading Missiles: High speed is your primary defense against incoming missiles. Employ evasive maneuvers – sharp turns and dives – while boosting to break target locks. Mastering this technique is essential for surviving intense dogfights and achieving S-ranks on ACE difficulty. Prioritize speed to dictate the terms of engagement.
Effective Use of Unguided Munitions
High-Altitude Bombing: Unguided munitions, like standard bombs and cluster munitions, are incredibly effective when deployed from high altitudes. This allows for a wider targeting range and minimizes exposure to enemy fire. Utilize the targeting pod to accurately aim before releasing your payload.
Ground Target Domination: For missions with numerous ground targets, this tactic is invaluable. Maintain a safe distance and systematically eliminate threats. Remember to account for bullet drop and target movement. Mastering this technique significantly speeds up mission completion and contributes to achieving S-ranks.
Campaign Mode Trophies
Core Challenges: The campaign trophies represent the bulk of the platinum effort. “Ace of Aces” demands S-ranks on ACE difficulty for all missions – a significant hurdle requiring mastery of aircraft control and tactical decision-making. “Hardened Vet” simply requires completing the campaign on Hard difficulty, offering a more manageable challenge.
Mission Specifics: Beyond these, numerous trophies are awarded for simply completing individual missions. Focus on optimizing performance for S-ranks, as many trophies are tied to achieving this benchmark. Prioritize learning enemy patterns and utilizing appropriate weaponry for each encounter.
Ace of Aces ‒ S Rank on ACE Difficulty
The Ultimate Test: Achieving S-rank on ACE difficulty across all campaign missions is the most demanding trophy. It necessitates flawless execution, strategic weapon selection, and efficient target prioritization. Mastering high-speed maneuvers and utilizing special weapons effectively are crucial for maximizing your score.
Strategic Approaches: For ground targets, employ unguided bombs from high altitudes. Against aircraft, maintain speed and exploit enemy weaknesses. Replay missions multiple times, refining your approach with each attempt. DLC planes can significantly ease this challenge, offering performance advantages.
Hardened Vet ⎼ Completing Missions on Hard Difficulty
A Significant Hurdle: This trophy requires completing every campaign mission on Hard difficulty. While less punishing than ACE, it still demands skillful piloting and tactical awareness. Enemy aircraft are more resilient, and your mistakes are more readily capitalized upon, necessitating careful planning and precise execution.
Preparation is Key: Select aircraft suited for each mission’s demands. Prioritize upgrading your chosen planes to enhance their performance. Utilize special weapons strategically to quickly eliminate high-value targets. Don’t hesitate to replay missions to refine your strategy and improve your overall performance.
Mission Completion Trophies
A Lengthy Collection: A substantial portion of the trophies are awarded simply for completing each mission within the campaign. These are generally straightforward, though some may require specific approaches or aircraft to overcome effectively. Expect to earn these trophies naturally as you progress through the story.
Strategic Aircraft Choice: While not always mandatory, selecting appropriate aircraft for each mission can significantly ease the experience. Consider the mission objectives and enemy types when making your selections. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different planes to find what works best for your playstyle.
Multiplayer Trophies
A Significant Time Investment: The multiplayer trophies represent a considerable time commitment, often being the most grind-intensive aspect of the platinum run. Prepare for numerous online matches to unlock these achievements. Focus on consistent play and efficient strategies.
Kilometers and Victories: Key trophies involve accumulating a substantial number of kilometers flown (76,500 km) and achieving a certain number of multiplayer wins. Prioritize game modes that allow for rapid kilometer accumulation and consistent victories. Teamwork and strategic aircraft choices are crucial for success.
Kilometer Flight Trophy
The Long Haul: The 76,500 km flight trophy is notorious for its grind. It requires dedication and a strategic approach to maximize distance covered per match. This is arguably the most time-consuming trophy in the game, demanding patience and consistent effort.
Efficient Strategies: Utilize game modes like Battle Royale or Free-For-All, focusing on continuous flight rather than aggressive engagements. Maintaining high speed and avoiding unnecessary maneuvers are key. Consider boosting and utilizing the afterburner frequently, even if it depletes resources quickly, to rack up the kilometers.
Multiplayer Win Trophies
Dominating the Skies: Several trophies require winning matches in various multiplayer modes. These aren’t necessarily about exceptional skill, but consistent performance and understanding game modes. Expect to dedicate significant time to these, as wins aren’t guaranteed and rely on team cooperation and opponent skill.
Strategic Approaches: Focus on team-based modes like Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale to increase win probability. Communicate with your team, coordinate attacks, and prioritize objectives. Mastering aircraft suited for different combat scenarios will also improve your chances of securing victories and unlocking these trophies.
Specific Multiplayer Actions Trophies
Precision and Persistence: This category demands performing specific actions within multiplayer matches, like achieving multiple kills with certain weapons or downing enemy aces. These trophies often require focused effort and a degree of luck, as opportunities don’t always present themselves.
Optimized Loadouts: Experiment with different aircraft and weapon loadouts to maximize your efficiency in achieving these actions. Utilize special weapons strategically and prioritize targets that align with trophy requirements. Patience and consistent play are key to unlocking these challenging, yet rewarding, achievements within the online arena.
Grindy Trophies & How to Minimize the Grind
Kilometer Accumulation: The most notorious grind involves accumulating a substantial number of kilometers flown, both in campaign and multiplayer modes. To mitigate this, prioritize long-distance missions and consistently engage in online matches, even while passively completing other objectives.
Efficient Strategies: Utilize the “Free Flight” mode for campaign kilometers, and focus on matches with extended flight times. Optimize online play by joining teams and actively participating to maximize distance covered. Remember, consistent effort and strategic planning are crucial for conquering this demanding aspect of the platinum run.
Kilometer Accumulation Strategies
Campaign Kilometers: Exploit longer campaign missions, prioritizing those with extended flight paths and multiple objectives. Repeatedly fly these missions, even after initial completion, focusing on maximizing airtime. Utilize the “Free Flight” mode strategically, racking up kilometers without mission constraints.
Multiplayer Kilometers: Engage in prolonged online matches, favoring team-based modes to ensure extended flight durations. Actively participate in dogfights and objective-based gameplay to maintain consistent movement. Prioritize matches with a high player count, increasing the overall flight time within each session. Consistent play is key!
Online Match Strategies for Efficient Progress
Team Battles: Focus on team-based modes like Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale, as these generally offer longer match durations compared to free-for-all options. Consistent participation and objective completion contribute significantly to kilometer accumulation.
Strategic Flying: Avoid simply camping or focusing solely on kills. Prioritize continuous flight and maneuvering, even when not actively engaged in combat. Utilize boost frequently, but manage it effectively to avoid depletion. Flying long distances between objectives and engaging in prolonged dogfights are crucial.
Troubleshooting Common Trophy Issues
Trophy Not Popping: Ensure a stable internet connection, even for offline trophies, as the game occasionally verifies progress online. Restart the game and console; sometimes, a simple reboot resolves synchronization issues. Check the trophy list again within the game to trigger a re-check.
Connectivity Issues: If experiencing multiplayer connectivity problems, verify your network settings and ensure your PlayStation Network account is functioning correctly. Check the server status for Ace Combat 7; outages can prevent trophies from unlocking. Try restarting your router and modem to refresh your connection.
Trophy Not Popping
Persistent Issues: If a trophy fails to unlock despite meeting the criteria, the first step is to completely close and restart Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. A full console restart can also force a synchronization with PlayStation Network.
Offline Verification: Even offline trophies sometimes require a brief online check. Ensure a stable internet connection is available, even if not actively used during gameplay. Double-check the trophy requirements; seemingly minor details can be crucial. If problems persist, consider rebuilding your PlayStation database – a more drastic, but potentially effective, solution.
Connectivity Issues in Multiplayer
Network Stability: Multiplayer trophies demand a stable internet connection. Frequent disconnects can halt progress, especially during lengthy kilometer accumulation or win streak challenges. Check your PlayStation Network connection status and router settings for optimal performance.
Server Status: Occasionally, Ace Combat 7 servers experience outages or maintenance. Verify the official Bandai Namco support channels for server status updates before troubleshooting extensively. If connection issues persist, try changing your DNS settings or using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi for increased reliability.