The Element Trial is where Acecraft stops asking whether you can dodge and starts asking whether you actually built your roster. Each trial is a themed boss challenge with its own schedule, score milestones and difficulty ladder, and the players who prepare for it pull ahead fast.
Here’s the full breakdown of how the mode works as of the October 2026 update that added SP pilot Drakuku, how scoring and Blitz fit together, and how to squeeze more points out of every attempt.
How to Unlock the Element Trial
Clear Adventure stage 4-9 and the Element Trial opens up. That is early enough that most players reach it in their first sessions, and late enough that you will already have a couple of pilots to choose from. Head to the mode buttons around Start in the lobby to find it.
Oh, and do not panic if your first look at the higher difficulties is a wall of huge power numbers. The mode is built to grow with your account, so the top tiers are long term goals, not day one targets.
The Four Elemental Trials
Acecraft has four elements: Solaris, Sandstorm, Cyclone and Nimbus. The trials are themed on them, each with its own boss card in the trial list. Each trial only opens on set days of the week, so the list shows a countdown on any trial that is currently closed.
- Sandstorm Trial: opens on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Other trials: check the card in the trial list. A closed trial shows its open days and a timer to the next opening.
- Attempts: the trial card shows your remaining attempts, so check it before you plan a farming session.
(Pro tip: since trials open on different days, a pilot for each element pays off. One strong main cannot cover the whole week.)
Difficulties, Scores and Milestones
Every trial has a ladder of difficulties. Each one shows your best score as a Record, a recommended power number, and a bar of five score milestones. Hit a milestone and its reward is yours. Here is what the Sandstorm Trial ladder looks like from Difficulty 3 upward:
| Difficulty | Milestones | Recommended power |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty 3 | 2K, 6K, 10K, 14K, 20K | Lower than Difficulty 4 |
| Difficulty 4 | 3K, 9K, 15K, 21K, 30K | 166,636 |
| Difficulty 5 | 4K, 12K, 20K, 28K, 40K | 443,170 |
| Difficulty 6 | 5K, 15K, 25K, 35K, 50K | 664,755 |
See the pattern? Milestones climb steadily with each difficulty, but the recommended power jumps much harder. Difficulty 6 asks for roughly four times the power of Difficulty 4. Your best bet is to max out the milestones on the highest difficulty you can comfortably clear before you start throwing yourself at the next one.
Using Blitz
Each difficulty has a Blitz button (the fast forward icon) next to Enter. Blitz lets you collect the rewards without flying the stage again, which turns old difficulties into quick daily income. Fly the hard one manually to push your Record, then Blitz the rest. Nailed it?
Building a Team for the Trial
This is the part most players skip, and it is where most of the free power hides.
- Step 1, pick the pilot: bring your strongest pilot, and if you have a decent option in the trial’s element, give it a run. Different pilots handle different boss patterns better.
- Step 2, match the Wingman: an Epic Wingman on a pilot of the same element gives +25% Base Attributes. That is a free stat boost just for checking an icon. Our element matching guide covers it in detail.
- Step 3, upgrade before you push: permanent upgrades from the Modify system and your gear raise your power number, which is what the recommended power on each difficulty is measuring.
- Step 4, check the attempts: do not burn an attempt on a difficulty you have no chance to clear. Your call, but power gaps rarely close mid run.
Score More Points Per Run
Score decides your milestones, so every extra point counts. These habits help the most.
- Absorb pink projectiles: lift your finger and your plane stops to soak up pink shots, charging your Stunt. Holding your finger down moves and auto fires. Learning when to let go is the biggest skill jump in the game. See our pink projectile guide.
- Save your Ultimate for the boss: burning it on small enemies wastes damage you need when the boss is exposed.
- Pick attachments with the boss in mind: mid run attachment choices shape your damage. Our attachments guide explains which ones stack well.
- Learn one boss at a time: each trial boss has its own patterns. Fly the same trial a few times and the patterns stop being surprises.
(Pro tip: if a boss keeps catching you with the same attack, swap to a pilot with a wider spread for that trial. A different main cannon can make a pattern much easier to handle.)
Weekly Element Trial Routine
- Check the schedule: look at which trials are open today before you plan your session.
- Push one difficulty: fly the highest difficulty you can clear and chase the next milestone on your Record.
- Blitz the rest: collect the easier difficulties with Blitz to save time.
- Fold it into your dailies: run it alongside Quick Patrol and Nemeses’ Return. Our daily challenges guide has the full routine, and the Realm Trial guide covers the other trial mode.
Acecraft Element Trial FAQ
How do I unlock the Element Trial in Acecraft?
Clear Adventure stage 4-9. The mode then appears among the mode buttons around Start in the lobby.
What days is the Sandstorm Trial open?
The Sandstorm Trial opens on Wednesday and Saturday. Other trials show their open days and a countdown on their card.
What does Blitz do in the Element Trial?
Blitz collects a difficulty’s rewards without flying the stage again. Use it on difficulties you have already handled to save time.
Does element matching matter in the Element Trial?
Yes. An Epic Wingman on a pilot of the same element gives +25% Base Attributes, which helps you reach higher score milestones.
What are the four elements in Acecraft?
Solaris, Sandstorm, Cyclone and Nimbus. Each Element Trial is themed on one of them.
Your Next Move: check which trial is open today, match your Wingman, and push your Record on one difficulty. Do that every time a trial opens and you’re winning, one milestone at a time.
