Acecraft adds a new pilot roughly every month, and every launch follows the same script: a teaser on the official socials, a dedicated recruit banner, a Signature Wingman in Honk’s Depot and a week of players arguing about tier placement. Once you see the pattern, new pilots stop being impulse pulls and become planned purchases.
Let me break this down for you: who arrived recently, how each pilot can be unlocked, and what to do the day one lands on your roster. Current as of the October 2026 update that added SP pilot Drakuku.
The Newest Pilot: Drakuku (SP)
Drakuku is the latest SP arrival. The official notes describe him as an aloof, mysterious vampire prince who rises from the ashes of Evernight Clockwork Island, vowing to restore the ancient bat dynasty. Lore nerds, this one’s for you: he’s the sole heir to the Evernight bat royal line, and Acecraft introduced him as an “uninvited guest” in Cloudia. His recruit opened on October 2, 2026.
- Rarity: SP, the newest top tier (alongside Blazewing Ekko).
- Shot type: Crusher, per the official SP-Tier Crusher skills preview.
- How to get him: a limited-time Special Recruit that uses Overdrive Tickets. It ran from October 2 until October 31, 2026 according to the App Store event listing, so watch the official channels for a rerun.
- Extras: the event also hands out Power Cubes, and Crimson Scout is available in Honk’s Depot during the event.
Also New: Spina (S)
Drakuku didn’t arrive alone. Spina, an S-Tier Vanguard, landed the same day in her own Skyward Recruit. She’s a retired hedgehog grandma who turns into a fierce protector the moment anyone threatens her little ones, and her Signature Wingman, Flame Totem, sits in Honk’s Depot next to Drakuku’s Crimson Scout.
Every Recent Pilot at a Glance
The math doesn’t lie: the release pace picked up sharply in 2026, and the top end of the rarity ladder grew twice. Here’s the recent history straight from the official update notes.
| Pilot | Rarity | Version | Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drakuku | SP | October 2026 update | October 2, 2026 (recruit) |
| Spina | S | October 2026 update | October 2, 2026 (recruit) |
| Silvanna | SS | 1.3.135 | September 4, 2026 |
| Blazewing Ekko | SP | 1.3.133 | August 13, 2026 |
| Nepheria | S | 1.3.131 | July 10, 2026 |
| Vincent (first SS) | SS | 1.3.126 | June 11, 2026 |
| Leo | S | 1.3.119 | March 24, 2026 |
| Vivienne | S | 1.3.115 | January 26, 2026 |
| Sylas | S | 1.3.91 | December 24, 2025 |
| Pris | S | 1.3.89 | November 26, 2025 |
| Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck | S | 1.3.85 | October 21, 2025 |
Plot twist: there is no B rarity anymore. Today’s tiers are A (Excellent), S (Epic), SS and SP. For deep dives, see our SS grade pilots guide and S grade pilots guide.
Every Way to Get New Pilots
Featured Recruits
Most debuts get their own exclusive recruit. Skyward Recruit has been the usual route, using Skyward Recruit Tickets or Diamonds, and every 10 draws guarantees an Excellent or higher pilot. Some launches use a different ticket: Drakuku’s Special Recruit runs on Overdrive Tickets. Always check which ticket a banner takes before you spend anything.
Standard Recruiting
Recruiting opens after you clear 15 Adventure stages. A single pull costs 300 Diamonds and a ten pull costs 3,000, so saving for full ten pulls is the efficient play. Our gacha guide covers the details.
Passes and Events
- Navigator Pass: weekly missions earn Pass EXP and rewards. One season’s rewards included A pilot Ryan and Skyward Recruit Tickets.
- Path of Growth: once a featured pilot reaches the required Amplification Level, you can claim free rewards from Path of Growth. Our pilot amplification guide explains how levels work.
- Festivals: event sign-ins regularly hand out Skyward Recruit Tickets, Recruit Tickets and Diamonds, which is the best free fuel for the next banner.
- Gift codes: new codes often appear with pilot launches. Check our Acecraft codes page.
Signature Wingmen: The Hidden Half of a Launch
Here’s the thing most guides won’t tell you: many featured pilots come with a Signature Wingman that gains extra effects when that pilot equips it. Pris’s Deadly Lily, for example, enters an overload mode that summons two lily flowers. Sylas’s Whimsical Nook spawns exploding Whimcaps. These usually show up in Honk’s Depot during the launch window.
Element still matters for every Wingman: an Epic Wingman of the same element as your pilot gives +25% Base Attributes. The Wingman guide has the full breakdown.
What to Do the Day You Pull One
- Read the kit first. Main Cannon, Stunt, Passive and Ultimate are all on the pilot screen. Upgrade materials spent on a kit you misread don’t come back.
- Test at base level. A few stages tell you more about fit than any tier list.
- Check the Bonds. Pilots at 3 Stars who share a Bond lend each other Support Skills, so a new pilot can raise the value of someone you already own.
- Match the element. Pair the new pilot with a same-element Epic Wingman before judging their damage.
- Commit or move on. Focus resources on a small core of pilots with clear roles rather than levelling everyone a little.
Hot Take: rarity is not the same as value. A fully built A or S pilot beats a fresh SP pull that has no investment behind it. Check the Acecraft tier list before you chase every new banner.
New Pilots FAQ
Who is the newest pilot in Acecraft?
Drakuku, an SP-Tier Crusher whose Special Recruit opened on October 2, 2026. S-Tier Vanguard Spina arrived the same day through Skyward Recruit.
How do I get Drakuku?
Through his limited-time Special Recruit, which uses Overdrive Tickets and ran until October 31, 2026 according to the App Store event listing. Watch the official channels for a rerun.
How often does Acecraft release new pilots?
Roughly once a month in 2026, usually with a featured recruit, a Signature Wingman and themed events.
What rarities do pilots have?
A (Excellent), S (Epic), SS and SP. There is no B rarity in the current game.
Actually Do This: follow the official channels, stockpile tickets between launches, and spend only on the pilots that fill a real gap in your roster. The devs will keep releasing new pilots. Your Diamonds are the limited resource.
