S rarity (Epic in game) is where most of Acecraft’s roster lives. These are the pilots you’ll build your account around for months, and there are a lot of them now, from launch favorites like Elsa and Joey to newer arrivals like Wukong and Nepheria.
Here’s the full breakdown: every S pilot, what makes each one tick, who to chase first and how to actually get them.
Where S Fits in Acecraft’s Rarity Ladder
Acecraft pilots come in four rarities today:
- A (Excellent): the starting tier. Ekko, Amelia, Charlie, Ryan, Ironarm and Scott.
- S (Epic): the big middle of the roster, covered on this page.
- SS: added in June 2026 with Vincent, followed by Silvanna in September.
- SP: the newest tier, opened by Blazewing Ekko in August 2026 and joined by Drakuku in October.
SS and SP pilots sit above S, but they arrive one at a time through limited banners. For most players, a well-built S core is what clears content. Our SS grade pilots guide covers the tier above.
The Complete S Pilot Roster
| Pilot | Shot type | Element | Stunt (after absorbing pink projectiles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joey | Sharpshot | Sandstorm | Drill Assault: a high-speed drill that hits three times |
| Elsa | Sharpshot | Solaris | Frenzy Barrage: briefly enhanced, penetrating shots |
| Botto | Sharpshot | Nimbus | Power Shot: a bouncing basketball |
| Summer | Vanguard | Cyclone | Midnight Radiance: 2 tracking Mystic Stars |
| Asher | Crusher | Sandstorm | Disorderly Sillage: a piercing fragrant haze |
| Pris | Sharpshot | Cyclone | Predator Signal: a barrage of Tracking Missiles |
| Sylas | Crusher | Sandstorm | Small Hat, Big Surprise: 2 exploding Whimcaps |
| Vivienne | Sharpshot | Nimbus | Mirror’s Lure: 2 Crystal Mirrors firing Starlight Beams |
| Edith | Crusher | Solaris | Flame Matrix: Projectile Launchers that follow you |
| Leo | Vanguard | Cyclone | Rhythmic Beats: damage to enemies around him |
| Naomi | Crusher | Nimbus | Doodle Mayhem: an exploding brushstroke |
| Wukong | Sharpshot | Solaris | Mythic Legion: fur strands that become Doppelgangers |
| Nepheria | Sharpshot | Sandstorm | Crescent Reprisal: 3 penetrating Sandblades per absorb |
Newest S pilot: Spina, an S-Tier Vanguard, arrived on October 2, 2026 through her own Skyward Recruit, alongside SP pilot Drakuku. She is a retired hedgehog grandma who becomes a fierce protector when anyone threatens her little ones, and her Signature Wingman is Flame Totem. Her full kit is still fresh, so read her skill screen before you invest.
Oh, and the crossover pilots are S rarity too: Tom and Jerry from the Tom and Jerry collaboration, plus Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck from the Looney Tunes crossover. They were offered for limited windows, so you can only pick them up while their events run.
Who to Chase First
Your best bet is to pick by role, not by hype. Here’s how the standouts break down:
- Elsa (absorb specialist): both her Stunt and Passive feed on pink projectiles, and her Ultimate summons crossfiring flame guns that also clear bullets. Perfect for learning the core mechanic.
- Joey (all-rounder): his drill Stunt hits multiple times and his Ultimate turns him into a giant drill that clears projectiles. Easy to play well.
- Summer (Vanguard): her Ultimate turns her into a Crystal Apple with Invulnerability while she keeps firing. Great if you like playing up close.
- Sylas (Crusher): his Miracle Factory Ultimate deals screen-wide damage and clears projectiles, then keeps spawning Whimcaps.
- Wukong (Sharpshot): his Heavenshaker Ultimate deals screen-wide damage, then powers up his Main Cannon and Stunt in Great Sage mode.
(Pro tip: check the Bonds screen before you commit. Pilots who share a Bond, like Elsa and Pris or Joey and Leo, power each other up as Support Pilots once they reach 3 stars.) For the current power ranking, check out our Acecraft tier list.
How to Get S Pilots
Standard Pilot Recruit
The permanent banner holds all A pilots and some S pilots. Each recruit costs 300 Diamonds or 1 Recruit Ticket, and ten cost 3,000 Diamonds or 10 tickets. Every 10 draws guarantees an Excellent or higher pilot, which is a safety net for A pilots rather than an S guarantee.
Skyward Recruit
Limited S pilots like Pris, Sylas, Nepheria, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck arrived through their own Skyward Recruit banners, using Skyward Recruit Tickets or Diamonds. These banners also come with a Path of Growth that pays free rewards once you raise the pilot’s Amplification Level, plus the pilot’s Signature Wingman in Honk’s Depot.
Passes, Events and Codes
- Navigator Pass: unlocks at stage 1-2 and pays Skyward Recruit Tickets as you level it with weekly missions.
- Fest events: seasonal fests hand out Skyward Recruit Tickets and Recruit Tickets through sign-ins.
- Codes: our Acecraft codes page lists the ones that still work.
Want the full math on pulling? Our gacha guide covers pity and budgeting.
Building Your S Pilots
Pulling the pilot is step one. Head to the Amplify tab next: every pilot has six Amplify levels, and levels 1, 3 and 6 upgrade their abilities. Our pilot Amplification guide walks through it. Focus your Gold and EXP Soda on two or three S pilots rather than everyone you own.
S Grade Pilots FAQ
How many S pilots are in Acecraft?
Thirteen standard S pilots (Joey, Elsa, Botto, Summer, Asher, Pris, Sylas, Vivienne, Edith, Leo, Naomi, Wukong and Nepheria), plus crossover S pilots Tom, Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
Is S the highest rarity in Acecraft?
No. SS (Vincent, Silvanna) and SP (Blazewing Ekko, Drakuku) sit above S.
Who is the best S pilot for beginners?
Elsa or Joey. Both are straightforward Sharpshots, and Elsa teaches you to absorb pink projectiles.
Is Ekko an S pilot?
No. The starter Ekko is A rarity (Excellent). Blazewing Ekko, his August 2026 version, is SP.
Nailed it? Pick one S pilot that fits how you like to fly, pull with a plan, and pour your resources into them. A focused S core beats a scattered collection every time, and you’re winning the long game the moment you commit.
