Acecraft was built as a two-player shoot ’em up from day one. “WE FLY TOGETHER” was literally the launch slogan. Co-Pilot Mode is where that promise gets real: two pilots, one screen full of bullets, and a reward pool that makes solo grinding look slow. Let’s get into it.
What Co-Pilot Mode Is
- Format: real-time co-op for two players. You and your partner fly your own aircraft through the same stages and bosses at the same time.
- Unlock: clear Adventure stage 2-3. That’s it. You can be running co-op on your first day.
- Partners: invite players from your friends list, or send an invite through a social platform so friends can jump straight into your battle.
- Availability: Co-Pilot runs as a limited-time event with rotating themes, so it isn’t always on the lobby. When it’s live, it’s one of the best reward sources in the game.
- Rewards: clearing stages and completing the event Missions pays out Recruit Tickets, Gold, EXP and Diamonds.
One thing to know before you queue: co-op stages are scored with stars just like solo ones, and a failed run doesn’t count. Early builds had a bug that handed out a star on a loss. That got patched in October 2025, so no free stars. You earn them.
Co-Pilot Mode Timeline
The mode has changed a lot since it first showed up, and a bunch of guides out there still describe an older version. Here’s the history straight from the official update notes:
| Date | Version | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | 1.3.39 | Limited-time Co-Pilot Mode debuts, plus social platform invites |
| August 2025 | 1.3.71 | Global launch as a 2-player co-op shoot ’em up |
| October 2, 2025 | 1.3.83 | Fixes for the star-on-failure bug and “Already in a team” invite errors |
| November 26, 2025 | 1.3.89 | Mirror of Nightmares theme visuals and new co-op Missions |
| December 24, 2025 | 1.3.91 | Ice-themed Co-Pilot event with bosses that have new skills |
Why This Slaps: every new theme swaps the visuals and remixes the bosses, so the mode you cleared last season isn’t the mode you’re clearing now. The Mirror of Nightmares theme arrived alongside Chapter 13: The Metropolis and Pris’s debut, and the winter event after it gave familiar bosses brand new skills.
Here’s the Play: Getting In and Clearing
- Clear stage 2-3 in Adventure Mode if you haven’t already.
- Check Events in the lobby to see whether a Co-Pilot event is live and what its Missions want from you. Our events calendar tracks what’s running.
- Pick a partner close to your level. A partner who’s miles ahead carries you but you learn nothing. A partner way behind gets deleted by the first boss. Similar power is the sweet spot.
- Agree on roles before you launch. One damage build, one control build. More on that below.
- Draft different attachments. You both pick upgrades during the run. If you both chase the same EVO, you’re wasting half your options. Our Attachments guide has every pairing.
- Claim your Mission rewards after every session. Unclaimed rewards are just losses with extra steps.
The Duo Meta: Split Your Roles
Two copies of the same build stall out on the harder bosses. Every time. The duos that clear clean split the job:
| Role | Job | Pilots that fit |
|---|---|---|
| Damage carry | Sustained single-target damage on bosses | Pris (laser plus Overload Protocol Energy Cannon), Sylas (Wish Missiles and Whimcaps) |
| Control and support | Clears mobs, eats projectiles, keeps the screen safe | Elsa or Charlie, or any pilot with a screen-clearing Ultimate |
Pris is the poster child for co-op damage. Her Predator Signal Stunt fires a barrage of Tracking Missiles after she absorbs pink projectiles, and her Zone Eraser Ultimate sends out a slow Energy Orb that blocks enemy shots before exploding. That orb protects your partner too. Pair her with her signature wingman Deadly Lily from Honk’s Depot and the laser goes into overload mode, summoning two lily flowers to join the attack. This build hits different.
Stagger your Ultimates. If you both pop screen-clears at the same moment, you’ve wasted one. Call it out, take turns, and save at least one for the boss’s nastiest phase.
Absorb together. Bosses throw pink projectiles in bursts. When both of you absorb and counter in the same window, the damage stacks fast. Our pink absorption guide covers the timing.
Stop Doing This
- Flying on top of your partner. Two aircraft stacked in one spot means one bullet wave can clip you both. Spread out and cover different lanes.
- Ignoring elements. Your wingmen still need to match your pilot’s element in co-op. If you’re still running a mismatched wingman… we need to talk. See our element matching guide.
- Skipping the event. Co-Pilot rotates out. Every day you don’t play while it’s live is Recruit Tickets you’ll never get back.
- Burning heavy weapons on waves. Same rule as solo: save the big stuff for the boss. Our boss guide breaks down the patterns.
Other Modes in the Lobby
Don’t mix up Co-Pilot with the other event buttons. Golden Apple Rush, added in July 2026, is competitive, not co-op: you race against 5 other pilots for Victory Stars and climb ranks. Rogue Riders is another limited-time mode that has appeared in the lobby in 2026. Check the event page in-game for its current rules before you jump in.
Acecraft Co-Pilot Mode FAQ
Is Acecraft multiplayer?
Yes. Acecraft is a 2-player co-op shoot ’em up, and Co-Pilot Mode lets you team up with a friend to clear stages and bosses together in real time.
How do you unlock co-op in Acecraft?
Clear Adventure stage 2-3. Older guides say 4-2, but the current official requirement for the Co-Pilot event is stage 2-3.
Is Co-Pilot Mode always available?
No. It runs as a limited-time event with rotating themes like Mirror of Nightmares and the ice-themed winter event. Check Events in the lobby to see if it’s live.
What rewards does Co-Pilot Mode give?
Recruit Tickets, Gold, EXP and Diamonds from clears and event Missions. The Recruit Tickets alone make it worth playing every time it’s live.
Who is the best pilot for co-op?
Pris is a top pick thanks to her Tracking Missiles and a Zone Eraser orb that blocks projectiles for both players. Pair her with a partner on a control or support pilot.
GG: clear 2-3, grab a partner at your level, split your roles, stagger your Ultimates and farm those Recruit Tickets while the event is live. Do this. Thank me later. Still learning the basics? Our beginner guide gets you co-op ready.
