Veteran Raven and Armored Core expert here. In my experience, the key to success in Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon lies in customizing the right build for your mech by carefully selecting parts that enhance your combat style. The choices you make early on lay the foundation to dominate missions as opposition ramps up.
This comprehensive guide will break down top-tier components to target for your AC during the first 10-15 hours. I‘ll explain in-depth their standout capabilities to help you hit the ground running.
Finding The Optimal Balance of Stats
Every part factors into the complex balancing act of your mech‘s overall capabilities. While heavier gear can exponentially raise firepower, it hampers mobility. Lightweight components ensure remarkable responsiveness and speed but force compromises on protection and damage dealing potential.
As an Armored Core veteran having played extensively since the PS1 era, my number one tip for newcomers is to avoid extremes early on. Do not fully optimize a particular stat yet at the expense of others. With the right blend, you gain flexibility to discover which role you enjoy most – lightning-fast scout, tenacious tank, glass cannon barrage specialist, and more.
Ideally for early game, aim for:
- Well-rounded defenses to take some hits while dishing damage
- Decent firepower fulfilling your combat style
- Retain mobility for evasion without overly bulky gear
The following sections offer my in-depth breakdown on stellar components for each area.
Dominating Firepower: Weaponry With High Impact
Weapons make up your mech‘s entire offense between the right and left arm mounts. Their capabilities play a huge role in not just damage output but also combat functionality.
For example, a plasma rifle has a vastly different play style compared to dual arm blades despite both delivering devastating blows. Ammo capacity, firing speeds, area coverage, reload times, range and more all factor into their combat flow.
Right Arm: Automatic and Charged Rifles
The right arm typically houses rapid fire automatic weapons or piercing sniper-style chargers:
| Weapon | Damage Type | Rate of Fire | Mag Size | AP per Shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-J-200 RANSETSU-RF (Burst Rifle) | Kinetic | 900 RPM | 200 | High |
| LR-036 CURTIS (Linear Rifle) | Plasma | Semi-Auto Charge | 4 | Very High |
For newcomers, I strongly recommend the MA-J-200 RANSETSU-RF burst rifle. It strikes the perfect balance of damage per hit, large magazine size, good range, and controllable fire rate. These traits give flexibility to handle all situations.
Veterans seeking harder hitting kinetic charges will appreciate the LR-036 CURTIS (Linear Rifle). Timing its charges unleashes railgun-like plasma blasts that rip through multiple enemies. Small ammo count balances immense per-hit damage.
Both options excel as primary right arm weapons early on. Pick based on playstyle preference between rapid fire vs precision timing.
Left Arm: Area Blasts or Defensive Shield
The left arm tends to be heavier ordnance like bazookas, shotguns, and Gatling guns bringing overwhelming close-range firepower at the cost of bulk:
| Weapon | Damage Type | Fire Mode | AOE Blast |
|---|---|---|---|
| DF-BA-06 XUAN-GE (Bazooka) | High Explosive | Single Shot | 8m Radius |
| SI-24: SU-Q5 (Pulse Shield) | Protective Barrier | Generates Shield | Blocks Attacks |
The raw devastation of the DF-BA-06 XUAN-GE bazooka clears groups when surrounded, or inflict massive damage on larger targets like enemy AC‘s. Just be mindful of its slow reload.
However for early game survival, I strongly recommend equipping the SI-24: SU-Q5 shield instead. Having 60 degrees of protection to absorb damage while maneuvering with your main gun makes a world of difference. You can always swap back to heavy weapons later once skills improve.
This balance of offense and defense has served me well in early missions. Both options remain relevant for dozens of hours.
Right Back Unit: Keep Your Distance With Missiles
Back mounted secondary weapons bring vital versatility to engage enemies from afar that your main armaments cannot.
Missile launchers remain excellent options throughout the game. Their indirect fire ability is crucial for avoiding counterattacks by breaking line of sight after firing.
A favorite efficient damage dealer is the BML-G1/P03VTC-08 (Vertical Missile Launcher):
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Salvo Size | 8 Micro Missiles |
| Tracking | Able to bend mid flight |
| Ideal Targets | All sizes, effective vs groups |
A salvo of 8 mini missiles Offer both saturated area damage from multiple impacts while also homing in on targets. Great for softening up larger mechs.
Left Back Unit: Layer Defenses With Additional Shield
Doubling up on defensive countermeasures never hurts to wade into the fray. Adding another SI-24: SU-Q5 shield to the left back gives a second damage absorption buffer before your main health pool takes damage.
But missile launchers work well here too. I tend to run twin missile launchers once frontline fighting skills improve later on.
Core and Head Guide Offensive Power
These central components influence weapon capabilities along with mech responsiveness:
| Part | Benefit | 考虑 |
|---|---|---|
| BD-011 MELANDER (Core) | Strong Attack Boost | Decent Mobility Retention |
| NACHTREIHER/44E (Head) | Faster Shield Recharge | Enhances Arm/Weapon Accuracy |
I recommend the BD-011 MELANDER core early on. It significantly amplifies offensive power without being overburdened. While heavier alternatives like the DF-BD-08 TIAN-QIANG exist, mobility remains too crucial at this stage.
For head options, the NACHTREIHER/44E stands out for improving weapon stabilization and quicker shield regeneration — perfect for surviving while dishing damage. These two choices nicely enhance fighting capabilities all around.
Arms and Legs For Balanced Mobility
Limb components determine ground movement fluency along with equip load limits before hindered.
Newer players often overlook these, but upgrading legs for example can make a world of difference in avoiding attacks you would have otherwise tanked.
For early game versatility, the AR-011 MELANDER arms and LG-011 MELANDER legs are well rounded options:
| Choice | Speed Rating | Equip Load Limit |
|---|---|---|
| AR-011 MELANDER (Arms) | ★★★☆☆ | 5 Tons |
| LG-011 MELANDER (Legs) | ★★★☆☆ | 5 Tons |
Their well-balanced stats help retain responsiveness for evasion while supporting around 5 tons of weapons, adequate to equip some hard hitters without major speed loss.
Veterans seeking to push heavier loadouts can consider the LG-022T BORNEMISSZA tank legs with its whopping 10 ton capacity despite mobility drawbacks.
Support Gear For Enhanced Combat Performance
Beyond weapons and defenses, various supplemental AC systems play pivotal roles:
- Boosters enable jumping and air dashes essential for evasion
- FCS assists aiming accuracy, especially at a distance
- Generators supply power for all your mounted gear
Having the right support equipment enhances survivability while leveraging offensive firepower:
| Part | Benefit |
|---|---|
| **ALULA/21E Boosters** | Highly Responsive Dashes |
| **FCS-G2/P05** | Improves Mid to Long Range Hit Rate |
| **DF-GN-06 Generator** | High Starting Energy Capacity |
I prioritize mobility with my ALULA/21E boosters early game. Unlocked for free during training, their improved dash control really amplifies evasion reaction times.
The FCS-G2/P05 helps push weapon accuracy and effectiveness for the inevitable long distance engagements. This keeps you competitive at range against enemy AC‘s and tanks.
Lastly the DF-GN-06 generator provides a solid starting energy supply to fuel the various equipped systems, though other adequate options exists too.
With the fundamentals covered, here are some complete early game builds I‘ve had great success with to aim for:
Swift Generalist: Priotitizing Mobility
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| MA-J-200 Burst Rifle + SI-24 Shield | Primary Offense + Defense |
| BML-G1/P03 Missile Launcher | Ranged Damage |
| ALULA/21E Boosters | Evasion Maneuvers |
With agile boosters, lightweight arms, responsive rifle and shield for protection, it handles beautifully. Missiles soften targets before closing in for the kill. Fantastic skirmishing build to dip in and out of confrontations.
Ranged Onslaught: Heavy Firepower Focus
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| LR-036 Charged Rifle + DF-BA-06 Bazooka | Devastating Firepower |
| Twin Missile Launchers | Indirect Bombardment |
| DF-BD-08 TIAN-QIANG Core | Maximizes Offensive Power |
Stacking high damage weapons atop tank legs with a pure power core makes short work of missions. Tons of long range firepower overwhelms before enemies can even get close. Watch that weight limit!
Balanced Setup: Tradeoff Blend
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| MA-J-200 Rifle + SI-24 Shield | Flexible Offense + Defense |
| BD-011 MELANDER Core | Retains Mobility With Good Firepower |
| AR/LG-011 MELANDER Limbs | Capable Speed + Equip Load Limit |
A setup with this blend of capabilities remains extremely effective even late game. I constantly come back to refine versions this flexible design fitting any combat scenario.
Optimizing an Armored Core machine is a complex balancing act, but very satisfying once you assemble the right components that match your preferred combat style. Starting with reasonable firepower, defenses and mobility lays the foundation.
Use this guide to help identify and upgrade to parts that excel early on. Keep sortieing out on missions to build experience and resources towards specialized builds. Soon you’ll be customizing specialized, devastating AC’s dominating the battlefield!
Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below! Happy hunting out there.
