Ace Combat 8 How to Barrel Roll
Barrel rolls in Ace Combat 8 are performed manually rather than through a dedicated maneuver button. The key is using Expert Controls, which gives you independent control over your aircraft's roll and pitch instead of automatically turning when you move the stick left or right.
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How to Barrel Roll
Why You Need Expert Controls
Barrel Roll Inputs
Barrel Roll vs. Aileron Roll
Why Your Barrel Roll Isn't Working
How to Barrel Roll in Ace Combat 8
To perform a barrel roll in Ace Combat 8, switch your Flight Controls to Expert, gain some altitude, then combine an upward pitch with a left or right roll. Keep both inputs applied as the aircraft travels through the corkscrew and release them as you come back around to level flight.
Barrel Roll
1. Use Expert Controls
2. Fly level with enough altitude
3. Pitch the aircraft upward
4. Roll left or right while maintaining pitch
5. Add a small amount of rudder in the direction of the roll if needed
6. Continue through the corkscrew
7. Level the aircraft as you complete the rotation
The important part is combining pitch and roll. Simply rolling left or right spins the aircraft around its own axis, but it does not create the larger corkscrew flight path of a proper barrel roll.
If you're learning Ace Combat 8's flight model in general, my Ace Combat 8 tips and tricks covers several other controls and mechanics worth getting comfortable with during the campaign.
Why You Need Expert Controls
Expert Controls are what make a proper barrel roll possible in Ace Combat 8.
Under Expert Controls, left and right stick movement rolls the aircraft while up and down controls pitch. That lets you combine the two movements and manually guide the aircraft through the maneuver.
Normal Controls simplify turning and do not give you the same independent roll control, so trying to reproduce the maneuver there will not behave the same way.
This is also worth learning if you want to move into Ace Combat 8's more advanced flying. Barrel rolls are separate from post-stall maneuvers, but both depend on understanding what your aircraft is actually doing rather than relying entirely on simplified steering. My Ace Combat 8 PSM guide covers Post-Stall Maneuvers separately.
Ace Combat 8 Barrel Roll Inputs
For a right barrel roll on controller, begin by pitching upward and then roll the aircraft to the right while continuing to hold some pitch.
You can also add right rudder to help guide the aircraft around the turn. For a left barrel roll, simply reverse those inputs.
Right Barrel Roll
Pitch Up + Roll Right
Optional: add Right Rudder to help shape the turn
Left Barrel Roll
Pitch Up + Roll Left
Optional: add Left Rudder to help shape the turn
You do not need to slam every input to its maximum. A more controlled roll while maintaining pitch produces a wider and more recognizable corkscrew, while an aggressive roll input can turn the maneuver into something closer to a simple axial roll.
Barrel Roll vs. Aileron Roll
A barrel roll and a basic roll are not quite the same maneuver.
If you keep flying forward and simply roll the aircraft 360 degrees around its longitudinal axis, you've effectively performed an aileron roll. Your aircraft rotates, but its overall flight path remains relatively straight.
A barrel roll adds pitch so the entire aircraft travels around a corkscrew-shaped path. Imagine flying around the inside edge of a giant barrel rather than simply spinning in place.
That difference is why pitch matters so much. If the maneuver looks like your aircraft is only rotating while continuing straight ahead, add more pitch rather than simply increasing your roll input.
Why Your Barrel Roll Isn't Working
If you cannot get a barrel roll to work, first check your Flight Controls. Expert Controls are the most important requirement because they let you control roll independently.
If you're already using Expert but your aircraft is simply spinning, you're probably using too much roll without enough pitch. Pull the nose upward while beginning the roll so your actual flight path starts moving around the corkscrew.
If you're losing control or hitting the ground halfway through, practice higher up. Barrel rolls move the aircraft through more vertical space than a simple axial roll, so starting close to the terrain gives you very little room to recover.
Your aircraft also matters. Some planes respond much faster to roll and pitch inputs than others. If you want something more maneuverable, my Ace Combat 8 best planes guide covers the strongest dogfighters and general-purpose aircraft.
You can also sharpen aircraft handling through parts. My Ace Combat 8 best parts guide covers upgrades such as Superior Maneuverability and the individual pitch, roll, and yaw improvements.
In Short
Use Expert Controls → pitch up → roll left or right → maintain both inputs through the corkscrew → level out as you complete the rotation.
