Paper Tiger

Paper Tiger
Campaign Mission 04 Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (JP)
Other Names	Papier-mâché Tiger (張り子の虎)
Mission Order
Previous	Enter Dision
Next	Broken Truce (UPEO (II) Arc) or Soldier of Fortune (General Resource (I) Arc)
Mission Details
Focus	Air-to-ground
Objectives	Destroy Neucom ships amassing at Megafloat.
Character	Nemo
Focus	Air-to-air
Objectives	Eliminate remaining hostiles.
Character	Nemo

Paper Tiger is the fourth mission of the original Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere. This mission is the first in which players can influence the story by changing which story arc they take part in, separating into the UPEO (II) and General Resource (I) Arcs.

Description

"Suddenly, information came that Neucom's mobile fleet was gathering at the mobile marine city of Megafloat. In order to avoid a military confrontation between Neucom and General Resource, the situation had to be resolved as soon as possible. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to take advantage of Neucom's lack of offensive readiness, the SARF members sortied to the mobile city of Megafloat."

― Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere - Namco Official Guide Book

Briefing

Neucom is amassing its naval fleet at its mobile marine city Megafloat. Strike Neucom before preparations are complete! It should be noted that not only are there numerous civilian facilities of Megafloat, but also civilian ships in the harbor sectors. In executing the operation, you are to absolutely avoid damaging them!

Objectives

The mission's primary targets are the Neucom vessels near Megafloat: one Convoy ship, one Warship and a Carrier. There are also several AA Guns and SAMs on Megafloat itself, as well as R-101s and R-201s in the skies.

If the player destroys all of the ships within 2 minutes and 59 seconds, a squadron of two R-101s and two R-201s will spawn as targets, and must be shot down to complete the mission, achieving Mission Accomplished.

If the player destroys the ships after 2 minutes and 59 seconds have passed, the mission will end and the player will achieve Mission Over.

After the mission, Dision offers Nemo a place at General Resource. The player can choose to follow him, beginning the General Resource (I) Arc, or turn away and follow Fiona, beginning the UPEO (II) Arc.

Enemy Lists

Standard Units

		Unit	Count	Notes
Initial		Carrier GUN MSSL	1 2 1
		Convoy GUN	1 1
		Warship GUN	1 2
		MSSL	4
		GUN	4
		R-101 Delphinus 1	2
		R-201 Asterozoa	2
		Facilities	4
		Transport	2
Mission Update		R-101 Delphinus 1	2
		R-201 Asterozoa	2

Ranks

• A: 23+ enemies destroyed.
• B: 19-22 enemies destroyed.
• C: 18 or less enemies destroyed.
• D: Mission update is not triggered.

Debriefing

Follows Dision: N/A

Doesn't Follow Dision: Neucom's fleet has withdrawn due to the ceasefire. Thanks to this treaty, combat should stop for now.

Trivia

• ”Paper tiger” is an expression that refers to a thing that appears powerful at the first glance but upon close examination is actually ineffectual or weak. The phrase was famously used by the Chinese leader Mao Zedong.