As a long-time mecha aficionado, I‘ve reveled in Armored Core‘s fusion of strategic builds and high-octane battles since the PlayStation era. AC6 marks a triumphant return for this storied franchise, with next-gen visuals and crunch married to that nostalgic hardcore joy. And for veterans like myself, seeing the iconic Moonlight Sword back in the arsenal proves this is a true sequel staying true to what we love.
In this guide, I‘ll trace the legacy of this laser blade across FromSoft‘s catalogue, decode its stats/strengths in AC6, provide step-by-step instructions to obtain it, and even highlight some killer early-game builds to unleash its potential right away. There‘s no better way for new recruits to pay their respects while reminding old-timers why we stick around. So let‘s get right to it!
A Legacy Forged Across Generations
The Moonlight Sword‘s story begins back in 1994 with FromSoftware‘s inaugural title King‘s Field, essentially the progenitor of "Souls-like" RPG gameplay. Despite the primitive polygonal visuals, I still remember the hypnotic glow of that blade contrasted against dank castle walls. It immediately etched itself into memory.
From there the Moonlight Sword has persistently appeared across spiritual successors like Demon‘s Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, and even Sekiro – though often with slightly altered names/forms. But that iconic aquamarine laser edge is unmistakable.
And now here we are with Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Seeing the Moonlight Sword yet again feels akin to meeting an old friend. It carries this sense of history and prestige impossible to manufacture. I‘ve no doubt many fans feel the same, whether or not they recognize it consciously.
So what makes this weapon so special? Well yes, it kicks major ass on the battlefield. But more than that, it connects us fans to the foundations this esteemed developer was built on. It‘s a symbolic bridge between their past and future genius.
Few armaments in gaming can match that kind of legacy. Now let‘s explore why the Moonlight devastates the opposition in AC6 itself!
Moonlight Sword Stats and Analysis
In Armored Core 6, the legendary blade takes on the designation IA-CO1W2: MOONLIGHT. As expected, this Left Arm weapon unleashes destructive waves that overwhelm defenses through raw thermal energy.
Here are the key specs:
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Type | Light Wave Blade | |
| Attack Power | +615 | 22% boost over closest rival Hellfire v2 laser blade |
| Impact | +495 | 25% more impact force than Hellfire |
| Range | +280m | 10% longer reach than most laser blades |
| EN Drain | 544 EN | Hefty cost, but reasonable for damage output |
So right off the bat, we see the MOONLIGHT is a cut above basically every other Light Wave Blade for sheer damage capability. That extra 22% AP increase over the Hellfire v2 (the next strongest rival) is nothing to sneeze at!
This advantage only grows when you factor in the Moonlight‘s Impact force and reach as well. It outclasses competitors by solid margins in those areas. You can chip away enemy armor incredibly quickly even at long distances. I‘d compare this almost to having a high-powered sniper attachment!
Of course that brutality comes at an energy cost – 24% higher than the Hellfire‘s 440 EN draw. But I consider reasonable given the uptick in devastation. Especially with the right supplementary generator parts to compensate.
Now let‘s look at how the MOONLIGHT Sword affects overall AC performance:
| Armored Core Stat | Effect | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Boost Speed | – 13 | Minor mobility dip |
| Altitude Recovery | – 2 | Negligible change |
| QB Speed | – 7 | Slight pivoting reduction |
Well it‘s no surprise here – equipping a beastly laser blade on your Armored Core does slow things down a tad. The MOONLIGHT tacks on a good deal of weight at 2200 units (heavier than most back weapons). So seeing some downward shifts in speed/Handling makes sense.
However, I‘d qualify the changes as quite minor overall. The boost speed drop is somewhat noticeable, but AC builds emphasizing mobility rarely rely on laser blades anyway. You can counteract what does occur pretty easily via parts like high-output boosters.
And the QB/altitude metrics see barely any negative change – the MOONLIGHT‘s drawbacks mainly affect straight-line speed. Skilled pilots can plan around this limitation, and the payoff in damage often makes that trade-off practical.
Of course, the MOONLIGHT reveals its full wrath only after investing Crystal Parts to unlock Charge Wave and other advanced functions. But even base level, it outclasses the rest of its breed. And there‘s no substitute for simply bathing enemies with those iconic aquamarine lasers!
Okay, the history and numerical breakdown is great. But you no doubt want to know – how do I get this mythical sword for myself?? Glad you asked…
Location Overview – The Coral Convergence
Now I won‘t exaggerate – acquiring the Moonlight Sword is no cakewalk. You must reach Chapter 4 and unlock the critical story mission "Reach the Coral Convergence". This underwater enemy base offers tight claustrophobic corridors patrolled by sheer waves of security drones.
Here‘s a quick overview of getting to your prize:
- Battle through the base‘s surface perimeter and access the central lift. Descend while fending off ambush drones.
- Exit the lift and follow the main route right. Eliminate heavy Auto Cannons blocking the way.
- Advance down the zig-zagging hallway, using cover to avoid heavy laser fire.
- Enter the area below the Bridge. Multiple aerial recon drones and rolling Grinders to defeat.
- Clear out hostiles, then open the nearby container to claim the MOONLIGHT!
I fully understand the basic walkthrough doesn‘t do justice to the hazards involved. And make no mistake – actually surviving the hellish Convergence will test even seasoned mercenaries. Endless spawning mechanics, long sight lines, and relentless audio chaos make this a truly daunting crucible.
Here are some key tips that just might offer salvation:
- Pack long-range crowd control weapons like Pulse Rifles or Railguns to thin numbers
- Lay suppressing fire constantly to impede drone movements
- Keep an eye on your six – ambushes spawn frequently
- Don‘t neglect defenses! Stack armor & generators to counter laser barrage
- If ENC runs too low, retreat back a zone to recharge in safety
- Quicksave often so you don‘t lose progress!
I strongly advise attempting this foray only once your aggregates reach 8000+ and multiple 60+ weapons are unlocked. Anything less is sincerely asking for frustration. Have patience – build up your capabilities in early missions first.
Okay…if you successfully achieve victory over the Convergence gauntlet, the Moonlight is yours! Hopefully my guidance gives a better idea of what prepare for. Now let‘s get to the good stuff – kickass builds to absolutize this blade!
Dominating Early Builds to Unleash the Sword
Simply equipping the Moonlight Sword instantly raises your firepower potential. Yet new recruits may find handling the stat changes takes practice, while hardcore veterans seek ways to amplify strengths further.
To offer ideas for both camps, here are two lethal Armored Core frameworks able to unleash this weapon‘s sinister glory:
All-Purpose Rounded Build
For newcomer mercenaries adjusting to AC6, this straightforward build offers balanced mobility with enough equip load to harness the Moonlight.
- Head – LIGHTWEIGHT
- Core – STANDARD ARMOR mk2
- Arms – LOTOS2 x2
- Legs – RAVEN2
- Booster – JOUSTER2
- FCS – VALIANT
- Generator – VOLTAIC mk2
- Inside – Primal Armor
- Back Unit – Linear Rifle moderately upgraded
- Extension – Missile or Laser Blade for alternate damage
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Decent speed/handling | Mediocre defensive coverage |
| High stability air/ground | Struggles against heavy armor |
| Rounded stats to learn MOONLIGHT nuances | Requires frequent generator activation |
This templates gives a balance across metrics to grow accustomed to the MOONLIGHT‘s specialized offense in safer context. Support tools also help mitigate its weaknesses while adding secondary damage channels. Be prudent staying back from tanks and using cover until you grasp optimal firing time windows. Overall though, a solid springboard to elevate skills!
Max Damage Brawler
Veterans seeking utter devastation need look no further! This min-max design takes the MOONLIGHT‘s chaos to its utmost pinnacle:
- Head – OXIDEZ mk2
- Core – HEAVY DUTYbsite
- Arms – STORMBRINGER
- Legs – CIAS2
- Booster – JOUSTER mk3
- FCS – ARGUS w/ Gyro stabilizer
- Generator – CRAMOIS15000 mk2
- Inside – Primal Armor + Regenerator
- Back Unit – Heavy linear cannon w/ AP rounds
- Extension – Laser rifle or missiles to add flexibility
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Melts armor nearly instantly | Mediocre turning rate |
| Crushes groups of weaker enemies | Relies heavily on boost to evade |
| Revitalizes EN quickly during battles | Vulnerable to concentrated fire |
| Rewards highly aggressive play | Cannot attack while activating generator |
Here we capitalize on every facet of the MOONLIGHT‘s overwhelming offense at cost of most else. You become a literal cruise missile of sizzling blue energy, annihilating anything surviving initial laser impact with cannon blasts. This framework mandates playing offensively, using boost to constantly reposition for flanking while blasting away. Some finesse is still needed given just average defenses. But for sheer damage output, nothing compares!
The builds above just scratch the surface of MOONLIGHT‘s capabilities. I highly suggest newcomers start with the well-rounded profile for room to learn. Meanwhile vets can tweak the high-risk brawler towards their preferences. Or better yet, create wholly original LA loadouts tailored to the mission constraints!
No matter how you wield this storied blade, its legacy now lives on through your own AC heroics. Hope you‘ve enjoyed this intel – now get out there and honor that heritage, merc! Further guides available if you need additional fire support:
- Surmounting the Tricky Chapter 2 Mountain Siege
- Crushing the Chapter 4 Asymmetrical Warfare Gauntlet
- Loadout Tips to Counter Deadly Energy Drain Fields
Your feedback is greatly appreciated as well. Until next time, this is Raven Actual – signing off!
