Ace Combat 8 bombs: aim UGBs and choose weapons for ground targets

Aim at the ground-impact circle, then leave the attack run

DeviantMystro’s question describes spread-out targets, limited bombs and exposure while aiming. New-Mix-7818 recommends placing the displayed ground circle over the objective. Ok-Storage3439 separately describes releasing when the reticle turns red in their Su-34 bombing runs.

1. Confirm the selected special weapon is an unguided bomb, not a missile or a guided bomb.
2. Approach a visible group with room to turn away and find the impact circle on the ground.
3. Align that circle with the intended targets. If it has moved past them, make another pass rather than releasing after the useful overlap.
4. Release, leave the exposed approach and check which targets actually disappear.
5. Use missiles for surviving isolated targets instead of spending another bomb on empty space.

This is an editorial practice sequence built from those aiming reports. It does not prescribe an exact speed or altitude. If the reticle is difficult to see, Mooshino reports that HUD view helps; compare the view in a safe attempt rather than slowing indefinitely over defenses.

Target layout matters more than a universal best bomb

Players disagree about whether small unguided bombs are worth using. You can continue a first playthrough with suitable guided weapons; a ground-target mission is not evidence that bombs are compulsory. Inspect the selected aircraft’s weapon menu before assuming a recommendation is available on it. Two special weapons can broaden coverage at an ammunition tradeoff.

Mission 7: a GPB report for the hardened bunkers

scratch422 reports that GPB destroys the hardened bunkers in one shot without hitting the entrance. Important_Garlic_785 independently recommends this alternative to flying low to shoot through the opening. Their accounts concern those Mission 7 targets; parts, difficulty and exact build are absent.

The thread initially contains a mistaken claim that GPB is absent. Replies name an F-18 option and F-14D, and the mistaken commenter acknowledges the correction. We have not verified a complete aircraft-to-GPB unlock list, so check your own menu instead of buying an unspecified F-18 variant.

If your owned loadout lacks GPB, the entrance approach remains the described alternative. Preserve your target label and result if the reported GPB attempt fails; do not treat ordinary UGB, XSDB and GPB as identical penetration weapons. For a different ground superweapon, use Mission 9’s phase sequence: removing defenses does not complete its scripted objectives.

When bombs still feel ineffective

Separate a missed impact from insufficient damage and from a scripted objective that has not opened. On the next attempt, keep the plane and difficulty fixed and change one choice: the target group, release timing or weapon family. Confirm hits from target destruction rather than explosion size.

Use Campaign Aircraft Sets to check which weapon parts are actually equipped. No exact blast-radius improvement or optimal bombing range is established by this discussion. Do not copy another game’s ammunition, ship one-hit rule or armor calculation into AC8.