Struggling to master the chaos of Armored Core 6? Instead of grinding through frustration, why not try the coolest strategy that transforms every boss fight from a nightmare into a breeze? Discover how smart movement, stagger tactics, and mech customization can turn you into an unstoppable force on the battlefield.
In a fit of desperation, I tried an audacious strategy that would unlock Armored Core 6 and make nearly every boss battle a breeze: I did the coolest thing possible.
It sounds simple, and yet, its efficacy is inarguable. I think the game – without verbalizing it – wants to force this epiphany. The two most difficult boss fights in Armored Core 6’s early hours (and arguably the entire game, excluding the final boss) are the tutorial’s XXXL helicopter and the already-infamous Balteus, and both can be more easily overcome when you take a similar “ADTCTP” (Always Do The Coolest Thing Possible) approach.
The HC Helicopter isn’t a helicopter so much as a warship, filling the bulk of your field of view. My initial strategy was to treat the industrial complex the chopper calls home as improvised cover, boosting from one building to the next, taking cheap shots when the enemy afforded me an opening. The strategy only dented the helicopter’s health bar before the ship’s payload of heavy weaponry turned my AC into a pile of glorified paperclips. Worse, it looked silly and wasn’t fun.
Then I remembered my mech had a sword. Fighting a death-machine nearly 10 times my size with a sword seemed ill-advised, but also – as someone who has watched their fair share of anime – cool as hell. So, I challenged a steel god to a melee duel, and reader, I won.
I’m ashamed of how long it took me to approach the Balteus fight with the same mix of courage, exhaustion, and taste for the dramatic. After a couple of hours testing new weapon combinations on the embodiment of frustration, getting obliterated by its wall of dozens of missiles, I tried the coolest thing possible. Whenever Balteus unloaded countless projectiles my way, I boosted at full speed right into the firestorm. Of course, it worked. Of course, the missiles detonated right behind me. Of course, the developers wanted me to try this all along.
“Do the coolest thing possible” doesn’t always mean “bull rush anything bigger than you.” Sometimes it means literally dunking rockets into a boss’ basketball hoop-shaped head. Other times “doing the coolest thing” means converting your mech into a slow, impenetrable tank and patiently rolling down factory corridors, delivering sin and punishment upon all you meet.
Armored Core 6 is, for me, the most welcoming of FromSoftware’s recent games. I think that’s because the creators get the obvious difference between this mecha fantasy and the masochistic ardor of Soulsbornes. In AC, you’re not a weakling human prepared to die. You’re the pilot of a mech with enough artillery to start your own nation. Don’t forget that and you’ll be just fine.
What’s the coolest thing I can do to master Armored Core 6 fast
The coolest and fastest way to master Armored Core 6 is to build and use a lightweight, high-mobility mech optimized for speed and energy efficiency. This build focuses on rapid movement, quick energy recharge, and melee combat with fast cooldown weapons like the laser dagger, allowing you to dodge attacks effectively and deal continuous damage. Mastering kick-spamming to cover distances and using target assist for boss fights further enhances survivability and combat efficiency. Additionally, managing your energy by dropping to the ground to recharge quickly is crucial to maintaining agility in battle. Experimenting with different weapons and leg types while upgrading OS tuning chips for energy weapon output and energy management will also give you a significant edge. This approach requires skill but rewards you with unmatched speed and control on the battlefield.
How can I use kick-spamming to cross tricky areas quickly
In Armored Core 6, you can use kick-spamming to cross tricky areas quickly by repeatedly using your mech’s kick attack to cover short bursts of distance rapidly. The kick has a surprisingly long reach and can be chained to propel your mech forward faster than normal walking or dashing, allowing you to bypass hazards or close gaps efficiently. To maximize this technique, time your kicks to maintain momentum and avoid interruptions, and combine it with energy management tactics like dropping to the ground to recharge quickly so you can keep spamming kicks without running out of energy. This method turns your kick into a mobility tool, not just an attack, letting you traverse difficult terrain or escape danger with style and speed.
