Merlon

This article is about an in-game mission. For the in-universe event, see Operation Dynamo.

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Merlon
Cipher and Pixy flying over the Schayne Plains
Campaign Mission 08 Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Mission Order
Previous	Bastion
Next	Sword of Annihilation
Mission Details
Focus	Varies (A) Alpha Air-to-Ground (B) Beta Air-to-Air Air-to-Ground (C) Theta Air-to-Air
Objectives	Destroy all TGTs.
Time Limit	20 minutes
Character	Cipher
Focus	Escape
Objectives	Cross the Return Line in the south.
Character	Cipher

"Hey Cipher, you hear me? Just look at the view. There's not much difference between those countries from up here."

― Larry Foulke

"Merlon" is the eighth campaign mission in Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. The player must assist the Allied Forces in destroying and capturing two South Belkan military camps. Upon completing the mission objective, Excalibur makes its first introduction after the end of Bastion hinted at its existence.

Briefing

Belka's second line of defense stretches across the Schayne Plains in the central region of southern Belka. Centred on two antiaircraft camps, this line blocks our refueling unit's air route, and is already delaying our military plans. This operation will consist of attacks on enemy ground troops, and engagements with enemy fighters. There will be three squadrons in total. You can decide which one to accompany. Alpha Team will be responsible for destroying enemy ground ordnance. Beta Team's job will be to eliminate air resistance, and destroying enemy ground ordnance. Theta Team will eliminate air resistance. Escort Allied transport craft after each mission is completed. That is all.

Mission Descriptions

• (A) Alpha
• (B) Beta
• (C) Theta

(A) Alpha

Objectives

Alpha's objective is to wipe out the defenses in the northwestern anti-air base. The player must destroy FLAK GUNs, SAMs, and AA GUNs marked as TGTs. There are many more defenses and ground facilities at the base, but they are not mission important.

Once the player neutralizes the base, a group of allied transports will arrive. Excalibur will shoot them all down with a laser, and the player must escape to the south by crossing the Return Line. The player must avoid Excalibur's lasers by flying slowly and using the radar to anticipate the attack radius. The player will complete the mission upon crossing the Return Line.

Enemy Lists

The following enemy lists are taken from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Perfect Guide Book.

Standard Units

	Unit	Points	Count	Difficulty	Other Notes
	FLAK GUN	150	2
	SAM	120	5
	AA GUN	100	4
	TANK	150	7
	SAM	120	4
	AA GUN	100	6
	GUNBOAT	100	3
	CONTAINER	300	2
	BARRACKS	250	3
	FUEL TANK	200	2
	TENT S	150	3
	WATCH TOWER	100	1

Special Units

Main article: Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War/Aces

	AR #	Unit	Points	Campaign Completed	Minimum Difficulty	Ace Style	Notes
	055	EA-6B "Artist"	1050	✔	Normal
	056	F-1 "Biene"	800		Very Easy
	057	F-2A "Strom"	1370		Ace

S Rank

Earning an S rank on Alpha requires completing the mission in 10 minutes or less.

Debriefing

The mission objectives were achieved, but only through great sacrifices on our side due to enemy laser ordnance. Still, the best defense is offense. We're counting on you to help lead us to victory.

(B) Beta

Objectives

Beta's objective is to wipe out the defenses in the northeastern anti-air base. The player must destroy SAMs and AA GUNs marked as TGT, as well as J35Js marked as TGT defending the base. There are many more defenses and ground facilities at the base, as well as other planes and gunboats, but they are not mission important.

Once the player destroys all TGTs, a group of allied transports will arrive. Excalibur will shoot them all down with a laser, and the player must escape to the south by crossing the Return Line. The player must avoid Excalibur's lasers by flying slowly and using the radar to anticipate the attack radius. The player will complete the mission upon crossing the Return Line.

Enemy Lists

The following enemy lists are taken from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Perfect Guide Book.

Standard Units

	Unit	Points	Count	Difficulty	Other Notes
	J35J	220	5
	J35J	220	2×2
	J35J	220	2×2
	AV-8B	340	2
	SAM	120	6
	AA GUN	100	2
	TANK	150	5
	SAM	120	2
	AA GUN	100	2
	GUNBOAT	100	4
	APC	100	5
	CTRL.TOWER	500	1
	HANGAR	300	3
	CONTAINER	300	1
	BARRACKS	250	2
	FUEL TANK	200	2
	WATCH TOWER	100	1

Special Units

Main article: Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War/Aces

	AR #	Unit	Points	Campaign Completed	Minimum Difficulty	Ace Style	Notes
	058	J35J "Zugvogel"	780	✔	Normal
	059	F-20A "Falter"	820		Very Easy
	060	JAS-39C "Quelle"	1280		Ace

S Rank

Earning an S rank on Beta requires completing the mission in 11 minutes or less.

Debriefing

The mission objectives were achieved, but only after sustaining heavy losses from enemy laser ordnance. A war without honor can only result in massacre. You have fought nobly and deserve to be praised.

(C) Theta

Objectives

Theta's objective is to wipe out Belka's fighters defending the area. The fighters are spread out around the map and usually fly in pairs. They are the only enemy units, and the player must shoot them all down.

After the player shoots down five enemy planes, three MiG-29As will appear and chase down a friendly F-20A, who will call for help. The player has two minutes to shoot down the three MiGs to save the F-20A; if they do so, the Ace Style gauge will receive a boost towards Knight. If two minutes pass and the MiGs shoot down the F-20A, the player's Ace Style gauge will receive a boost towards Mercenary.

Once the player shoots down all enemy fighters, a group of allied transports will arrive. Excalibur will shoot them all down with a laser, and the player must escape to the south by crossing the Return Line. The player must avoid Excalibur's lasers by flying slowly and using the radar to anticipate the attack radius. The player will complete the mission upon crossing the Return Line.

Enemy Lists

The following enemy lists are taken from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Perfect Guide Book.

Standard Units

	Unit	Points	Count	Difficulty	Other Notes
	F/A-18C	340	4
	F/A-18C	260	2	Very Easy/Easy
		340	2	Normal/Hard
		430	2	Expert/Ace
	F/A-18C	340	2
	F/A-18C	340	2
	MiG-29A	320	2
	MiG-29A	240	2	Very Easy/Easy
		320	2	Normal/Hard
		400	2	Expert/Ace
	MiG-29A	320	3
	MiG-29A	320	1
	MiG-29A	240	2	Very Easy/Easy
		320	2	Normal/Hard
		400	2	Expert/Ace
	AV-8B	340	1

Special Units

Main article: Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War/Aces

	AR #	Unit	Points	Campaign Completed	Minimum Difficulty	Ace Style	Notes
	061	MiG-29A "Flamingo"	900	✔	Normal
	062	F/A-18C "Kolibri"	840		Very Easy
	063	Typhoon "Woge"	1550		Ace

S Rank

Earning an S rank on Theta requires completing the mission in 12 minutes or less.

Debriefing

The mission objectives were achieved, but our forces were dealt a heavy blow by enemy laser ordnance. Our country must put an end to this war. If not, I fear the war will put an end to us.

Etymology

The mission's name is a reference to medieval architecture. Merlons are solid, upright sections of battlements situated between two crenels, or openings. Archers could hide from enemy fire behind merlons and shoot through crenels.

As described in the mission briefing, Belka's second line of defense in this mission is situated between two anti-aircraft camps. Therefore, Belka's line of defense is a merlon, and the anti-aircraft camps are the two crenels it sits between.