Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom takes Trigger and Strider Squadron to Shilage Castle, where a breakaway Erusean force is gathering supplies. You begin by clearing enemy ground and air targets on the way to the castle, but the mission ends with a direct confrontation against Mihaly in his X-02S Strike Wyvern.
If you’re getting caught out by the change in objectives, make sure you’ve brought an aircraft that can handle both surface targets and a serious dogfight. You won’t need to destroy the whole map before the final encounter, but you do need to clear the mission-marked opposition and keep your jet ready for the battle over the castle.
Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom walkthrough: reach Shilage Castle
Operation Beehive begins with the objective to capture Shilage Castle. Erusean splinter forces defend the roads and surrounding area, with ground installations and aircraft along the route. Advance toward the castle while eliminating the targets that block your squadron.
1. Clear the enemies along the approach
At the start of Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom, don’t rush blindly to the castle and ignore the marked enemies along the route. Destroy the hostile ground units and defenses as you advance. A multirole jet can deal with the surface targets without leaving you helpless against the fighters waiting farther ahead.
Use the terrain as a guide rather than flying low through every valley. You want clean angles on the target markers, not an approach that forces you into the side of a hill. If ground fire becomes heavy, pull away, climb and make another pass from a different direction.
2. Deal with the aircraft defending the castle
As you close on Shilage Castle, enemy aircraft become increasingly important. Sol Squadron is involved in the defense, and the mission eventually changes from clearing the area to the Mihaly confrontation. Keep an eye on the changing target list rather than spending time on a surface target that is no longer needed.
In Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom, a good strategy is to clear nearby surface threats first, then keep enough space and speed to engage enemy planes. If you’ve brought a slow attacker just because the first phase has ground targets, the dogfight can become much harder than it needs to be.
How to defeat Mihaly in Mission 18
The later stage changes the objective to shooting down Mihaly. Unlike the earlier scripted meeting in Battle for Farbanti, this confrontation ends with Mihaly being defeated. Keep him within radar range and make controlled turns rather than following every abrupt manoeuvre at full throttle.
In Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom, Mihaly’s X-02S is fast and changes direction sharply. If you’re always chasing his tail, you’re likely firing too late. Instead, anticipate the exit of his next turn and wait for a stable missile lock. Keep your own aircraft moving to avoid exposing yourself to a clean attack.
Don’t spend your entire ammunition supply before the fight. Standard missiles can bring him down, and an air-to-air special weapon helps if your chosen aircraft supports one. The important part is getting accurate shots rather than launching repeated missiles as soon as the target box appears.
Best aircraft and weapons for Lost Kingdom
Choose a multirole fighter that can clear ground targets without sacrificing manoeuvrability. Early surface weapons are helpful, but the final fight rewards a jet that can keep up with Mihaly. For Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom, comfort with the controls is particularly important because the battle takes place around uneven terrain and castle structures.
If your first attempt fails in the final phase, consider switching to a more agile aircraft instead of adding more ground-attack ammunition. Once the early targets are handled, the sortie is won in the air.
How to spawn LYNX in Mission 18
LYNX is the optional YF-23 ace in Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom. The requirement is to destroy all enemies along the approach route and reach Shilage Castle within three minutes. You also need to have completed the mission once already and be playing on Normal difficulty or higher.
When the condition is met, LYNX appears just north of the castle. The ace can flee south at high speed if you don’t intercept quickly. This is a tougher route than a normal first clear because you have to combine rapid flying with efficient target elimination.
Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom: frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t the mission finish when I reach the castle?
Getting to Shilage Castle is only the beginning. You have to clear the required hostile forces, then complete the Mihaly encounter. Watch for the mission update and switch from ground targets to the marked aircraft.
Can I shoot down Mihaly in Lost Kingdom?
Yes. The goal of the later phase in Ace Combat 7 Mission 18 Lost Kingdom is to shoot him down. That’s different from the heavily scripted earlier encounter at Farbanti, where you couldn’t simply end the battle by destroying him at the first opportunity.
Do I need LYNX to finish the mission?
No. LYNX is an optional hidden ace on repeat runs. For a first clear, concentrate on capturing the castle and defeating Mihaly.
Our Ace Combat 7 Mission 17 Homeward guide covers the preceding sortie. Here, the most important preparation is keeping enough air-to-air firepower for the last stage.
Official game information and artwork: Bandai Namco Entertainment.
