Wingmen are one of the easiest power boosts in Acecraft, and also one of the most overlooked. A lot of players equip whatever dropped last and never think about it again… which leaves free stats and some genuinely fun pilot synergies sitting on the table.
Let’s walk through this together: how Wingmen work, how element matching boosts your stats, which Wingmen the community rates highest, and every Signature Wingman released so far. Everything is current as of the October 2026 update that added SP pilot Drakuku.
What Wingmen Do
Wingmen fly alongside your aircraft during stages and attack on their own pattern, on top of everything your pilot is doing. Each pilot can take two Wingmen, so that is two extra damage sources for every run.
- Attack pattern: every Wingman has its own attack, from forward barrages to tracking shots to summoned helpers.
- Base attributes: Wingmen also add to your stats, and this is where element matching comes in.
- Where to get them: Wingman Boxes, event rewards and passes, plus Honk’s Depot, where Signature Wingmen arrive alongside their pilot’s banner.
Element Matching: The Free Stat Boost
Pilots and Wingmen each belong to one of four elements: Solaris, Sandstorm, Cyclone and Nimbus. Equip an Epic Wingman of the same element as your pilot and that pilot gets +25% Base Attributes. A mismatched Wingman still fights; it just skips the bonus.
No Stress: you don’t need to memorize anything. The element badge sits on every pilot card and Wingman card, so a quick look before a run is all it takes. Our element matching guide has the full breakdown, and matching matters even more in the Element Trial.
Signature Wingmen: Built for One Pilot
Signature Wingmen are tied to one specific pilot. Equipped on that pilot, they unlock an extra effect built around the pilot’s kit. You can still use them on anyone else; you just lose the special interaction.
Okay but… this part is so good. Signature effects are not small. Pris’s Deadly Lily, for example, normally fires lasers forward, but on Pris the laser enters overload mode once its energy fills and summons two lily flowers to attack.
| Pilot | Signature Wingman | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Elsa | Hellrain | Rapid forward projectile barrage |
| Joey | Shuttle Drill | Charges forward on a cycle, damaging along its path |
| Botto | Bubble Launcher | Fires damaging bubbles forward |
| Bugs Bunny | Carrot Trick Express | Arrived with the Looney Tunes crossover |
| Daffy Duck | Fine Feathered Friends | Arrived with the Looney Tunes crossover |
| Pris | Deadly Lily | Forward lasers; overload mode and lily flowers on Pris |
| Sylas | Whimsical Nook | Spawns tracking Whimcaps that explode for area damage |
| Naomi | Wild Palette | Paint projectiles that explode on hit |
| Wukong | Morphing Vessel | Randomly becomes the Yin Yang Flask or the Mystic Fan to attack |
| Vincent | Stormcaller | Lightning strikes that create a pink projectile |
| Nepheria | Scarab Sentinel | Flies at the nearest enemy and attacks continuously |
| Blazewing Ekko | Mini Flyboy | Cannon levels with the pilot; its damage builds Rage Energy |
Honestly? Vincent’s Stormcaller might be the cleverest of the bunch. It creates pink projectiles for you to absorb, which feeds Vincent’s Stunt directly. That is a pilot and Wingman built to loop together.
The Best Wingmen to Chase
Community rankings are opinion, but a few Wingmen show up at the top again and again:
- Hellrain: an Epic Wingman widely rated among the best in the game, and a must for Elsa mains.
- Shuttle Drill: Joey’s signature and a strong Epic pick in general.
- Bubble Launcher: Botto’s signature with steady forward pressure.
- Mouse Exterminator: a highly rated pick that arrived in the Tom and Jerry era.
- Cannon Launcher and Magnetar: Excellent grade options that hold up surprisingly well while you hunt for Epics.
If you’re just starting out, a matched Excellent Wingman beats an unmatched Epic you can’t use well. Upgrade toward Epics over time.
How to Build Your Wingman Setup
- Match elements first. Two matched Wingmen on your main pilot before anything else.
- Grab your main’s signature when it shows up. Watch Honk’s Depot whenever your main’s banner runs. Our new pilots guide covers how those banners work.
- Focus on your main. Gear up the pilot you actually fly before spreading Wingmen across the roster. The Acecraft tier list can help you pick that main.
- Keep an eye on codes and events. Free resources from gift codes and events add up.
Common Wingman Mistakes
- Ignoring the element badge: the easiest stat boost in the game, skipped because nobody checked one icon.
- Leaving a slot empty: even a low grade Wingman adds an attack, so fill both slots from day one.
- Swapping mains constantly: every switch means rebuilding your Wingman pair, so settle on a main first.
Acecraft Wingman FAQ
How many Wingmen can a pilot equip?
Two. Both fly with your aircraft and attack on their own patterns during runs.
Does Wingman element matter?
Yes. An Epic Wingman matching your pilot’s element gives +25% Base Attributes. Mismatched Wingmen still attack but skip the bonus.
What is a Signature Wingman?
A Wingman tied to one pilot. On that pilot it unlocks an extra effect, like Deadly Lily’s overload mode on Pris.
Where do I get Signature Wingmen?
New Signature Wingmen arrive in Honk’s Depot alongside their pilot’s recruit banner, so check it whenever your main’s banner is live.
The Payoff: match your elements, grab your main’s signature when it drops, and give your Wingmen the same attention you give your pilot. It’s worth the effort, I promise. You’ve got this.
