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- How Do I Unlock OS Tuning?
In Armored Core 6, you can make a number of adjustments to improve your AC, but most of these improvements come with a cost. Sure, maybe you want to improve your targeting accuracy at long range, which you do by changing your FCS, but in the process, you make your accuracy at short range far worse. However, OS Chips are the exception to this rule, as they improve your AC without coming without being accompanied by any downsides.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about OS Tuning. This will include the benefit of each OS upgrade as well as list the cost of each level of each OS Chip upgrade. If you have a question about OS Tuning, this guide will answer it.
How Do I Unlock OS Tuning?
The OS Tuning menu is unlocked once you complete the Retrieve Combat Logs mission near the end of the first chapter.
Where Do I Get OST Chips?
OST Chips are the currency used to purchase OS Upgrades. You are able to obtain them by completing arena battles. Once you first unlock the OS Tuning option, you will only be able to complete the Rank F Arena Battles, but as you finish more of the game, higher levels will become available. The higher the rank of the AC you fight in the Arena, the more OST Chips they will provide.
OS System Unlock
These OS unlocks will grant you an ability. There is no need to pick or choose, if you unlock an ability you will always have access to it.
|
Name Of OS Chip |
OST Cost |
|
Boost Kick |
1 |
|
Weapon Bay |
2 |
|
Weight Control |
3 |
|
Manual Aiming |
2 |
|
Quick Turn |
1 |
Boost Kick
The boost kick ability will allow you to perform a melee attack out of your Assault Boost. You perform this attack by pressing the Assault Boost button while engaged in an Assault Boost. The kick does a moderate amount of damage, but it is more effective at Attitude damage, which means that it can be useful for staggering enemies. You can follow up certain attacks with the Boost Kick, which makes it a helpful, though not essential, ability to have access to.
Weapon Bay
This will allow you to turn your shoulder weapon slot into another primary weapon which you can switch to on the fly. This gives you a little more flexibility when designing your AC, but will also limit your ability to unload all four weapons simultaneously.
Weight Control
The weight control ability is extremely interesting. When you have the weight control ability unlocked you can go over the weight limit, which will slow your AC down, but only a smidgen past where it would be otherwise. So, if your AC’s legs are meant for a lightweight build, and you use this ability to equip a heavy shoulder cannon, then since your AC will still have a relatively low weight they will still be quite quick. Better yet, if you want to pick up your speed, you can purge that cannon mid-combat!
Manual Aiming
Manual Aiming is what it says it is. Instead of locking onto your opponents, you will have free control over the reticle. This can be useful during missions where there are enemies that you cannot lock onto mixed with enemies that you can lock onto, as it will help you to freely choose your target without the game forcing you to target lock-on capable opponent, but that is a pretty niche scenario. When all is said and done, this is an option that most players will probably choose to do without, but some players will probably find that it suits them nicely.
Quick Turn
While it may not be flashy, the quick turn allows you to suddenly spin your AC around, which can be utterly invaluable when fighting fast foes who shoot right past you. This ability only costs a single OST Chip and is a no-brainer.
OS Core Expansions
If you have ever wondered what that expansion slot is for, this is your answer. You will be able to equip one of these armor systems, which will engage a temporary force field in one shape or another. Unlike other OS Upgrades, you will only be able to choose to have one of these active at a time.
|
Name Of OS Chip |
OST Cost – Level 1 |
OST Cost – Level 2 |
OST Cost – Level 3 |
|
Assault Armor |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
Pulse Protection |
2 |
5 |
N/A |
|
Pulse Armor |
3 |
5 |
N/A |
|
Terminal Armor |
5 |
N/A |
N/A |
Assault Armor
This turns your pulse into an attack. The field you create with this armor will destroy projectiles, but its primary purpose is to create a force field that will deal continuous damage to your opponent when they are in contact with it.
Pulse Protection
This does the same thing as the Assault Armor but instead of the force field dealing sustained damage to the enemy, it shields you from the enemy’s attacks. Meaning that you can engage your Pulse Protection armor and then open fire on your foes while your Pulse Protection shield blocks all incoming projectiles. For ranged builds, it is hard to argue with the effectiveness of this expansion.
Pulse Armor
Pulse Armor is a lot like Pulse Protection, but instead of needing to stay in the same spot, the armor will move with you. It will also mitigate all damage, including melee attack damage. This makes it the better option for close combat encounters. However, it also doesn’t last as long and won’t mitigate as much damage.
Terminal Armor
Terminal Armor will give you the ability to survive a death-dealing blow. While this sounds huge, it will leave your AP at 1. Ultimately, the only instance in which this is likely to save you is when you and your foe land simultaneous killing blows. We think the other three armor options are, at the end of the day, better choices.
OS Attack Control
These OS Upgrades couldn’t be simpler. The higher your level in each, the more damage you will deal with the respective weapon type.
|
Name Of OS Chip |
OST Cost – Level 1 |
OST Cost – Level 2 |
OST Cost – Level 3 |
OST Cost – Level 4 |
OST Cost – Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kinetic Weapons – Fire Control Tuning |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Explosive Weapons – Fuse Control Tuning |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Energy Weapons – Output Control Tuning |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Melee Weapons – Drive Control Tuning |
3 |
5 |
7 |
N/A |
N/A |
Kinetic Weapons – Fire Control Tuning
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3% |
6% |
9% |
12% |
15% |
This will enhance your standard ammunition, such as most shotguns and assault rifles.
Explosive Weapons – Fuse Control Tuning
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3% |
6% |
9% |
12% |
15% |
This will enhance your bazookas, missiles, and flamethrowers.
Energy Weapons – Output Control Tuning
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3% |
6% |
9% |
12% |
15% |
This will enhance your plasma and laser-centric weapons.
This OS upgrade will not affect energy-based melee weapons.
Melee Weapons – Drive Control Tuning 
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
5% |
10% |
15% |
This will enhance your swords, chainsaws, whips, and batons.
OS Damage Control
|
Name Of OS Chip |
OST Cost – Level 1 |
OST Cost – Level 2 |
OST Cost – Level 3 |
OST Cost – Level 4 |
OST Cost – Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Direct Hit Modifier – Damage Tuning |
4 |
6 |
8 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Access Speed – Optimization |
2 |
4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ACS – Dynamic Deflection Control Tuning |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Repair Kits – Optimization |
3 |
5 |
8 |
10 |
N/A |
Outside of the Access Speed OS Upgrade, these are the upgrades that you are going to want to give the most attention to as they approve your base performance across the board. It is hard to emphasize how much more resilient an AC that takes 15 percent less damage, and heals for an additional 2000 AP whenever they use a Repair Kit, is.
Direct Hit Modifier – Damage Tuning
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
5% |
10% |
15% |
The more you invest in this OS, the more damage you will deal to a staggered opponent. Since a great deal of the damage you will do in Armored Core 6 will be dealt to a staggered enemy, this is an incredibly powerful upgrade.
Access Speed – Optimization
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
|---|---|
|
+50% |
+100% |
This OS will decrease the amount of time it takes to scan a downed AC, open a door, or interact with a terminal. It doesn’t hurt to have it, but it is really an essential upgrade.
ACS – Dynamic Deflection Control Tuning
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3% |
6% |
9% |
12% |
15% |
The more you invest in this OS, the less damage you will take. This is easily one of the most potent upgrades in the game.
Repair Kits – Optimization
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+500 AP |
+1000 AP |
+1500 AP |
+2000 AP |
Each level will increase the amount of AP your Repair Kits heal. This is incredibly potent!