Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern is the game’s expensive post-campaign aircraft, and it does not unlock simply because you have saved enough MRP. You must first clear the main campaign and buy one of three qualifying late-game aircraft to reach its node.
The Strike Wyvern is an excellent goal for mission replays and higher difficulties, but its price means you should plan the route properly. Here is the exact unlock method, how much it costs and what weapons become available once it’s in your hangar.
Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern unlock requirements
- Complete the campaign through Mission 20, Dark Blue.
- Purchase at least one qualifying end-of-branch fighter: YF-23 Black Widow II, F-22A Raptor or Su-57.
- Open the Aircraft Tree and follow the connection to the X-02S node.
- Spend 2,000,000 MRP to buy the aircraft itself.
- Return to the hangar to select the X-02S and choose its available special weapon.
The 2,000,000 MRP figure is only the purchase price of the aircraft. Your total spending will be higher if you still need to unlock the branch leading to it. You may also spend more MRP on additional weapons, depending on which loadout you want.
How much does the Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern cost?
| Unlock | MRP |
|---|---|
| X-02S Strike Wyvern aircraft | 2,000,000 |
| LASM special weapon | 200,000 |
| EML special weapon | 200,000 |
| Both extra weapons after aircraft | 400,000 |
| Aircraft and both extra weapons | 2,400,000 |
The initial weapon is 4AAM, so you do not need to buy a special weapon to fly your newly purchased jet. LASM and EML are the extra MRP purchases. Remember that neither the figure above nor the Aircraft Tree automatically includes the cost of your prerequisite fighter and intervening upgrades.
If you’re still early in the campaign, don’t park your progress for hours just to chase the Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern. Finish the story with the aircraft you already know, then use Free Missions or multiplayer to collect MRP while working toward the late-game branch.
Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern special weapons explained
4AAM is a multi-target air-to-air missile, useful when you need to engage several aircraft together. It is a sensible all-around option for fighter-heavy campaign missions and bomber waves.
LASM is a long-range anti-ship missile. It is valuable for naval combat and missions with ships or offshore installations, including Fleet Destruction. It is not the weapon to choose for a mission that is almost entirely aerial dogfighting.
EML is an electromagnetic launcher. It rewards accurate direct aiming rather than waiting for a standard missile lock, and can be powerful in the hands of a pilot who knows how to line up shots. Try it in a familiar sortie before attempting a demanding S-rank mission.
Is the X-02S Strike Wyvern worth buying?
For post-campaign replays, absolutely. It’s a distinctive high-performance fighter with strong speed and manoeuvrability, and it gives you varied loadout choices. If you’re hoping it will magically make every mission trivial, though, remember that the weapons still have their own strengths and limitations.
The most useful Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern feature is the flexibility between air-to-air weapons and an anti-ship option. You can make the same aircraft work for very different mission types by selecting the right special weapon in the hangar.
How to unlock the special skin for the X-02S
The game’s collectible named enemy aces each have a unique paint scheme. Destroy all 24 hidden aces from the main campaign’s collectible roster to earn the Bird of Prey achievement and the special X-02S Strike Wyvern skin.
The skin is a cosmetic reward, not a performance part. It is separate from purchasing the aircraft itself in the Aircraft Tree, so don’t confuse a locked skin with a locked jet.
Why Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern is still unavailable
- Campaign unfinished: complete Mission 20 to open the endgame aircraft.
- Wrong branch: purchase a qualifying YF-23, F-22A or Su-57 before expecting the connection to open.
- Not enough MRP: remember that the aircraft costs 2,000,000 MRP before optional special weapons.
- Looking in DLC: the X-02S is a core-game Aircraft Tree purchase, not one of the original Raven, FALKEN or Morgan aircraft packs.
For the quickest route to a stronger hangar, plan your next purchase around the mission you’re playing. The Ace Combat 7 X-02S Strike Wyvern is a fantastic endgame project, but it makes much more sense once the story is complete and you can earn MRP comfortably.
For earning the required currency, see Ace Combat 7 MRP Farming. Our Ace Combat 7 Aircraft Tree guide covers the wider unlock system.
Related Guides
Official source: Bandai Namco official Ace Combat 7 Aircraft Tree information.
