Leveling a pilot to the cap feels like the finish line in Acecraft. It isn’t. Open any pilot and you’ll find two tabs, Upgrade and Amplify, and the second one is where a pilot really grows into their kit.
This guide walks through how Amplification is structured, what each step gives you, and how to spend your resources without regretting it a month from now. There’s no wrong way to approach this, but some ways are a lot cheaper than others.
What Pilot Amplification Is
Amplification is a second progression track for every pilot, separate from normal leveling. Leveling uses Gold and EXP Soda and raises base stats. Amplifying unlocks a set of six Amplify levels per pilot, shown as a ring of nodes around a big golden winding key on the Amplify tab.
The official update notes treat Amplification Level as a real milestone, too. Limited Skyward Recruit pilots like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pris and Sylas arrived with a Path of Growth reward track that pays out free rewards once you raise that pilot to the required Amplification Level.
The Six Amplify Levels
Every pilot follows the same rhythm: ability upgrades on levels 1, 3 and 6, with flat stat boosts on levels 2, 4 and 5. Here’s your checklist:
| Amplify level | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ability upgrade | First upgrade to the pilot’s signature mechanic, usually the Stunt or Passive |
| 2 | Amplify I | Percentage boost to ATK, HP and DEF |
| 3 | Ability upgrade II | Second, often bigger, change to the kit |
| 4 | Amplify II | Another ATK, HP and DEF boost |
| 5 | Amplify III | Another ATK, HP and DEF boost |
| 6 | Ability upgrade III | Final kit upgrade, and the pilot starts each battle with a full Ultimate |
The stat levels are nice. The ability levels are the ones that change how a pilot actually plays, and they’re the reason Amplification is worth slowing down for.
A Worked Example: Ekko
Ekko, the A rarity starter who joins you on day one, shows the pattern clearly. His Stunt, Spitfire, fires tracking flames after he absorbs pink projectiles.
- Amplify 1, Searing Ignition: Spitfire now sets enemies on fire, dealing damage every second.
- Amplify 3, Searing Ignition II: his Main Cannon hits burning enemies harder.
- Amplify 6, Searing Ignition III: flames hitting burning enemies can refund Ultimate Energy, and he opens every fight with his Ultimate ready.
See how the three ability steps build on each other? That’s typical. Each pilot’s Amplify line deepens the thing they already do, which is why it pays to actually play a pilot before investing in one. If absorbing still feels shaky, our pink projectile absorption guide helps, since most Stunts only fire when you absorb.
Who to Amplify First
Amplification resources are slow to come by, so the order matters more than anything. Take it at your own pace, but follow a plan.
- Amplify the pilots you actually fly. Collecting Amplify levels on a pilot who sits in the hangar does nothing for your clears.
- Pick a small core. Two or three main pilots with real Amplify levels beat ten pilots with one level each.
- Prioritize higher rarities for the long run. Pilots come in A (Excellent), S (Epic), SS and SP tiers. Your S and above pilots are the ones you’ll keep fielding late, so they deserve the deep investment. Our S grade pilots guide and SS grade pilots guide help you choose.
- Hit the ability levels first. If you have to stop, stopping on level 1 or 3 means you’ve banked an ability upgrade rather than just stats.
- Don’t ignore your A pilots early. In the first chapters your A grade pilots carry you, and Ekko’s Amplify line is a solid early boost.
Amplification and Limited Pilots
Don’t skip this one: limited pilots tie Amplification to event rewards. Each Skyward Recruit (Sylas, Pris, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, among others) has its own Path of Growth that rewards you for raising that pilot’s Amplification Level, plus packs with Skyward Recruit Tickets and Power Cubes. Power Cubes, for the record, are used in Honk’s Depot to recruit Signature Wingmen.
- Pity: every 10 draws on a pilot recruit guarantees an Excellent or higher pilot.
- Cost: a recruit costs 300 Diamonds, or 3,000 for ten.
- Take Your Time: if you’re F2P, pick one limited pilot per few months and push them deep rather than pulling a little on everyone. Our gacha guide and F2P guide cover budgeting.
Amplification, Wingmen and Support Pilots
Amplify levels don’t live in isolation. A pilot’s Signature Wingman often plays off the same mechanic their Amplify line improves; Sylas’s Whimsical Nook spawns the same Whimcaps his kit is built around. Once you add an Amplify ability level, revisit your Wingman in our Wingman guide.
Support Pilots stack on top. Once a pilot reaches 3 stars, they can be set as a Support Pilot and pilots who share a Bond trade Support Skills in battle. This random detail actually connects to the Bonds screen: the pairs you see there are the same ones that power each other up mid-flight.
Pilot Amplification FAQ
How many Amplify levels does each pilot have in Acecraft?
Six. Levels 1, 3 and 6 upgrade the pilot’s abilities, while levels 2, 4 and 5 boost ATK, HP and DEF.
What does Amplify level 6 give?
The final ability upgrade for that pilot, and the pilot starts every battle with a full Ultimate.
Is Amplification the same as leveling up?
No. Leveling uses Gold and EXP Soda on the Upgrade tab. Amplification is a separate track on the Amplify tab.
Which pilots should I amplify first?
The two or three pilots you use most, ideally S rarity or higher, and aim for the ability levels (1, 3 and 6) before stopping.
Checklist: pick your core, read every Amplify node before you confirm it, bank ability levels before stat levels, and claim the Path of Growth rewards on limited pilots. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and every Amplify level you add sticks with that pilot for good.
