Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission starts with a huge strike on Erusean naval forces at Anchorhead, then switches into a difficult fight against Mimic Squadron’s Rage and Scream. You get 15 minutes to earn enough points by destroying ships, coastal defenses and aircraft. After that, both Su-47s become the mission targets.
The easiest way to build score is to destroy valuable ship hulls and defense installations rather than chasing one fast enemy jet across the map. But don’t forget about the submarine Alicorn’s long-range attacks: its SLUAVs can guide railgun fire straight toward you. Once Mimic arrives, getting clean missile locks becomes a separate challenge.
Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission score requirements
Operation Domino is a 15-minute score attack across two bays. The score quota rises with difficulty. You still have to fight Rage and Scream after the opening stage ends.
| Difficulty | Score needed |
|---|---|
| Easy | 30,000 |
| Normal | 35,000 |
| Hard | 40,000 |
| Ace | 40,000 |
Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission walkthrough: get your points in Anchorhead Bay
1. Destroy ship hulls and the Aegis Ashore defense
Anchor Bay, the northern part of the map, has a dense group of warships and an Aegis Ashore installation. Head for the larger naval targets and use anti-ship weapons if your aircraft supports them. Destroying the hull is generally quicker and more valuable than individually picking apart every turret mounted on the deck.
For Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, the surface defenses are also worth removing so your next attack runs are less dangerous. Plan a loop through the fleet and nearby installations rather than wasting time travelling back and forth after small targets.
2. Clear Dakiouk Bay and use its targets for extra points
The southern Dakiouk Bay has fewer ships, but it does contain an Aegis Ashore installation, helicopters and containers that launch MQ-99 drones. Strike the defensive targets, then clear the marked enemies that are easiest for your loadout. Don’t assume the entire operation can be completed simply by destroying the initial northern fleet.
3. Use the north, east or south return line
There are three return lines for Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, one each on the north, east and south sides. They let you restock ammunition, repair damage and change your special weapon. If your air-to-ship missiles run out halfway through the 15-minute attack, head to the closest line instead of trying to finish every vessel with your machine gun.
4. Take easy bonus points from escaping helicopters and reinforcements
After a few minutes, MV-22 helicopters carrying officials try to leave the area. They’re optional, but worth 1,500 points each if you can intercept without abandoning your main targets. Later, a sizeable warship group enters from the east and provides another opportunity to build score quickly.
In Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, you don’t need to destroy every optional enemy to win. Aim to reach the quota comfortably before the 15-minute stage ends so you can focus on surviving the next fight.
How to survive the Alicorn’s railgun attacks
Partway through the strike, the Alicorn fires long-range railgun rounds toward airborne SLUAVs. The shells burst around the drones and can seriously damage you if you’re close when they detonate. Listen for Long Caster’s railgun warnings, check the area around each SLUAV and move away before the blast.
One option is to destroy the SLUAV before the incoming shot arrives, but don’t take a desperate point-blank approach when a railgun burst is seconds away. If you’re trying to beat Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission for the first time, staying out of the blast area matters more than destroying every drone.
How to beat Rage and Scream in the final phase
After the 15-minute strike, Mimic Squadron arrives for the mandatory boss fight. Both Su-47 pilots use electronic countermeasures that disrupt your HUD and break missile locks. They can also fire stealthy missiles that give little warning before they’re dangerously close.
5. Use Count as a distraction
After several minutes of the boss phase, Count deliberately attracts one or both Mimic pilots. That gives you a better chance to attack the aircraft chasing him. In Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, don’t keep firing missiles into a broken ECM lock. Wait for a clean opening and strike when a target is committed to following Count or completing a turn.
6. Shoot down both Su-47s
You need to destroy both Rage and Scream. Defeating just one doesn’t finish the mission, and the survivor changes tactics depending on which sibling falls first. If Scream is destroyed first, Rage becomes particularly aggressive and fires large missile volleys. If Rage falls first, Scream uses extremely persistent homing missiles.
Stay fast enough to evade missiles while making deliberate turns to regain your lock. Once both Su-47s are down, the operation ends. That is the actual final objective of Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, not simply reaching the first-stage score quota.
Best aircraft and weapons for Anchorhead Raid
A multirole jet with a useful anti-ship or land-attack weapon is good for building points, but it still needs respectable air-to-air performance for the boss fight. You can exploit the return lines to adjust weapons before the stage transition if necessary. Bringing only a slow heavy attacker may make the final duel frustrating.
Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission: common questions and S rank
Do I need to shoot down all the MV-22 helicopters?
No. They are extra score opportunities. If you’re already close to the quota or they’re escaping too far away, focus on the ships and defenses that are still within easy reach.
Why do my missile locks keep breaking?
Rage and Scream use ECM to disrupt your HUD. In Ace Combat 7 Anchorhead Raid DLC mission, this is part of the boss fight. Wait for good firing angles and use Count’s distraction rather than firing every time a target box appears.
What’s the S-rank requirement?
The documented combined target-score and time-bonus requirement is 70,000 points. Completing the mission within 19 minutes gives a maximum 8,100 time bonus, so you’d need 61,900 target points. That’s for an S-rank challenge, not a normal clear.
Read our Ace Combat 7 Unexpected Visitor DLC Mission guide for the first special sortie. The next DLC mission, Ten Million Relief Plan, concludes the Alicorn storyline.
Official game and DLC information: Bandai Namco Entertainment.
