The Moloch Desert

For the location, see Moloch Desert.

This article is about an in-game mission. For the in-universe event, see Battle of the Moloch Desert.

The Moloch Desert
Campaign Mission 11 Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Other Names	Hollow Victory Victory Darkens in the Wilderness
Mission Order
Previous	Ragno Fortress
Next	Weapons of Mass Destruction
Mission Details
Focus	Air-to-Air Air-to-Ground
Objectives	Complete two operations.
Time Limit	30 minutes
Character	Talisman
Focus	Air-to-Air
Objectives	Shoot down Strigon Team.
Time Limit	30 minutes
Character	Talisman

"The Stovies don't have a chance. We've got 'em outnumbered."

― Emmerian soldier

"The Moloch Desert" is the eleventh campaign mission in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation. The player must assist their allies in destroying Estovakia's final line of defense in the Moloch Desert.

Briefing

I'll be relaying orders to you from now on. Estovakia's remaining forces are starting to gather near Moloch Desert, in east Anea. They're combining all of their forces in an attempt to stop us from recapturing Gracemeria. This operation will involve a very intense siege battle. Once the enemy's line of defense is ruined, chase them down. If you let them escape, they're going to fortify their defenses around Gracemeria. I know you must be chompin' at the bit to get going, but taking out the enemy here pretty much guarantees us victory. We'll make it back to Gracemeria alive! All of us! Engage!

Objectives

Initial

The player will have four operations to participate in, and they must complete two operations in order to advance the mission.

Garuda and Hammerhead squadrons

(A) Tank Battalion Support

Warlock will assault Estovakia's line of defense in the northern part of the desert, including a large number of tanks, pillboxes, and long-range artillery. A squadron of four A-10As will also attempt to destroy Warlock. The player must deal massive damage to these ground forces and shoot down the A-10As.

(B) Airfield Recapture

Quox and Sky Kid will attempt to capture an airfield south of the river. They're blocked by a group of tanks, and a large number of Tornado GR.4s stationed at the airfield will attempt to destroy Quox. The player must destroy all tanks and Tornadoes, as well as three AC-130s and a couple of ground positions.

(C) Bomber Defense/Command Assault

Hammerhead Squadron will attempt a bombing run on the enemy field command. Two antennas, one north and one south of the base, must be destroyed first. After that, a small number of ground TGTs at the command HQ must be destroyed, but they are defended by a large group of SAMs and flak guns. These surface-to-air defenses, as well as squadrons of Mirage 2000-5s and Rafale Ms, will shoot down Hammerhead if the player doesn't complete this operation in time or defend Hammerhead.

(D) Electronic Support Aircraft Defense

Snake Pit and Windhover Squadron will be engaged with Estovakian Rafale Ms and F-22A Raptors. The player must shoot them all down to protect Snake Pit.

After the player completes any one operation, an armed hovercraft unit will appear in the center of the map and split to engage the player's allies, but they do not pose a threat and are not necessary to destroy for the mission.

Mission Update

After completing two operations, the Estovakians will begin to retreat. After 50 seconds pass, six members of Strigon Team will appear and engage the player. Despite being given an evacuation order from AWACS Ghost Eye, the player must assist Shamrock and shoot down all six Strigon planes. Once all six have been shot down, the mission is completed.

Enemy Lists

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S Rank

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Earning an S rank on this mission requires earning an average rank of S on the individual operations and the Mission Update. The S rank requirements for each stage are as follows:

• Operation A: 12,300+ points
• Operation B: 13,700+ points
• Operation C: 13,800+ points
• Operation D: 11,500+ points
• Mission Update: 8,800+ points

Debriefing

According to intelligence from our department of national safety, Estovakia has a scorched earth policy in mind for Gracemeria. They plan to use weapons of mass destruction to completely and indiscriminately annihilate our capital city. If we keep advancing at this pace, the Estovakians are sure to destroy our capital. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have ordered us to temporarily halt the advance of all forces. This order is part of a high-level strategy. This temporary order of cease fire was an unavoidable action for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Emmerians, we cannot excuse this outrageous and inhuman threat posed by Estovakia. By continuing on with the mission, you have defied a direct order, and will be suspended for it. You are forbidden from flying in battle starting from 1600 hours today, and all combat mission qualifications will be revoked. Any action beyond going to your own barracks from that time on will be strictly limited. I've lost a lot of respect for you after pulling this stunt. Return to your barracks and wait for further instructions. That is all.

Enemy units marked as TGT usually must be destroyed to advance the mission. The TGT text is always in red, except if the player changes this in Ace Combat 7.