Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon can be as difficult as it is unpredictable. A vast amount of weaponry and frames are available early on in chapter one between all the missions and arena battles, so it can be rough trying to get a strong sense of a build around this time.
Some might prefer a very light build where they’re zipping around the battlefield utilizing hit-and-run tactics, or instead would rather utilize their AC’s bulk and become a living tank. Without further ado, here are a few builds that will put any early-game AC pilots ahead of the game.
8 Quad Buster
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R-Arm Unit:
MA-J-200 Rantetsu-RF -
L-Arm Unit:
DF-GR-07 GOU-CHEN -
R-Back Unit:
VP-60LCS -
L-Back Unit:
SONGBIRDS -
Head:
HD-011 MELANDER -
Core:
DF-BD-08 TIAN-QIANG -
Arms:
04-101 MIND ALPHA -
Legs:
VP-424 -
Booster:
BST-G2/P04 -
FCS
: FCS-G2/P10SLT -
Generator:
DF-GN-06 MING-TANG
The Quad Buster build specializes in land and air superiority by utilizing the tetrapod legs’ ability to absorb charge weapons’ kickback. Stay in the air as much as possible with this build and destroy multiple enemies at once or keep other ACs at bay.
After landing, use the tank-like features to overwhelm the opponent with close-range area-of-effect firepower. This build withers down opponents from a distance and annihilates them at close range.
7 Death From Above
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R-Arm Unit:
MA-T-222 KYORAI -
L-Arm Unit:
DF-GR-07
GOU-CHEN -
R-Back Unit:
MG-014 LUDLOW -
L-Back Unit:
BML-G2/P16SPL-08 -
Head:
EL-TH-10 FIRMEZA -
Core:
VP-40S -
Arms:
04-101 MIND ALPHA -
Legs:
VP-424 -
Booster:
BST-G1/P10 -
FCS:
FCS-G1/P01 -
Generator:
VP-20D
Death From Above is a tetrapod build that specializes in a constant stream of damage from the air. It is also a lighter build, so it can stay in the air a bit longer than the Quad Buster.
This build ensures any ground units will be covered in a constant stream of flames and artillery, so pilots can be sure to keep a literal upper hand in any encounter. Swapping the back units for energy weapons can work as well at the pilot’s discretion.
6 Blitz
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R-Arm Unit:
SG-026 HALDEMAN -
L-Arm Unit:
DF-GA-08 HU-BEN -
R-Back Unit:
BML-G1/P03VTC-08 -
L-Back Unit:
Vvc-770LB -
Head:
HD-011 MELANDER -
Core:
VP-40S -
Arms:
VP-46S -
Legs:
DF-LG-08 TIAN-QIANG -
Booster:
BST-G2/P04 -
FCS:
FC-006 ABBOT -
Generator:
DF-GN-06 MING-TANG
Ready to get up close and personal? Blitz is a medium-weight bipedal build that is modeled to dish out as much damage as it can absorb face-to-face.
It keeps pace at a close-to-mid range using a barrage of shotgun shells and minigun bullets, alongside missiles, to melt the opponent’s AP limit. Once they’re in the red, swap to the Vvc-770LB to deal some serious damage.
5 Double Trigger Blitz
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R-Arm Unit:
MG-014 LUDLOW -
L-Arm Unit:
MG-014 LUDLOW -
R-Back Unit:
BML-G2/P05MLT-10 -
L-Back Unit:
HI-32: BU-TT/A -
Head:
NACHTREIHER/44E -
Core:
NACHTREIHER/40E -
Arms:
04-101 MIND ALPHA -
Legs:
NACHTREIHER/42E -
Booster:
ALULA/21E -
FCS:
FCS-G2/P10SLT -
Generator:
VP-20S
Looking for something like Blitz but just a bit faster? Double Trigger Blitz is the build for any pilot quick on their feet. Sturdy arms complement a light body to form a hit-and-run style of fighting.
Melt the opponent’s AP limit with dual LUDLOWs and keep the heat up with a rain of missiles from the BML-G2/P05MLT-10, then finish the job with a few swipes from the HI-32: BU-TT/A melee weapon.
For best results, fire the missiles while dodging behind the enemy to trap them in a swarm of missiles while they’re being hit by the LUDLOWs.
4 Tank Buster
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R-Arm Unit:
DF-BA-06 XUAN-GE -
L-Arm Unit:
DF-DA-08 HU-BEN -
R-Back Unit:
BML-G2/P05MLT-10 -
L-Back Unit:
SONGBIRDS -
Head:
HD-011 MELANDER -
Core:
DF-BD-08 TIAN-QUIANG -
Arms:
DF-AR-09 TIAN-LAO -
Legs:
LG-022T BORNEMISSZA -
Booster:
N/A -
FCS:
FCS-G1/P01 -
Generator:
DF-GN-06 MING-TANG
On the other hand, pilots can opt to obtain one of the heaviest builds available in chapter one, Tank Buster. This tank build utilizes high AP and heavy artillery to overwhelm leagues of ground forces at the cost of speed.
This build can take a serious beating while dishing out a staggering amount of damage. The heaviest weapons a pilot can find can be implemented in this build, so don’t hold back when putting gear on this machine. With a high load and EN load capacity, this tank is a certified beast on the battlefield.
3 Tank Of The Future
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R-Arm Unit:
VP-66LR -
L-Arm Unit:
VP-66LS -
R-Back Unit:
VP-60LCS -
L-Back Unit:
Vvc-703pm -
Head:
DF-HD-08 TIAN-QIANG -
Core:
DF-DB-08 TIAN-QIANG -
Arms:
AR-011 MELANDER -
Legs:
LG-022T BORNEMISSZA -
Booster:
N/A -
FCS:
FCS-G1/P01 -
Generator:
VP-20D
Some pilots fancy more high-tech equipment, which is everything the Tank Of The Future build is. Laser-loving pilots can find the ultimate AC in this build, featuring energy weapons that pack a serious punch when fully charged.
A Laser rifle, shotgun, an even bigger laser rifle, and a plasma missile launcher come together to keep opponents at bay and make them think twice before making their next move. Make the battlefield yours by showing your enemies the might of the future.
2 Hopper Barrage
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R-Arm Unit:
VP-66LH -
L-Arm Unit:
MG-014 LUDLOW -
R-Back Unit:
BML-G2/P05MLT-10 -
L-Back Unit:
BML-G3/P04ACT-01 -
Head:
EL-TH-10 FIRMEZA -
Core:
EL-TC-10 FIRMEZA -
Arms:
AR-011 MELANDER -
Legs:
KASUAR/42Z -
Booster:
ALULA/21E -
FCS:
FCS-G2/P10SLT -
Generator:
VP-20S
In contrast with the similar specs of the Double Trigger Blitz, this reverse-jointed AC titled Hopper Barrage is less about hit-and-run tactics and focuses on trapping the enemy with a constant stream of weaponry.
Use the 10-cell missile launcher in tandem with the homing missile launcher to keep enemies constantly dodging, and melting their boost. The laser handgun alongside the LUDLOW melts the enemy’s AP limit, so this build is all about exhausting the enemy. Utilize the reverse-joint’s power to quickly push forward or back depending on the AC’s ammo rate.
1 Grand Striker
-
R-Arm Unit:
SG-026 HALDEMAN -
L-Arm Unit:
Vvc-770LB -
R-Back Unit:
VP-66LS -
L-Back Unit:
SONGBIRDS -
Head:
VP-44S -
Core:
VP-40S -
Arms:
AR-011 MELANDER -
Legs:
VP-422 -
Booster:
ALULA/21E -
FCS:
FCS-G2/P10SLT -
Generator:
VP-20S
This medium-weight Grand Striker build gives pilots who love to pack a punch their time to shine. Switch out the Haldeman shotgun and laser shotgun with each other for maximum ammo and reload optimization. Combo these with the melee weapon and SONGBIRDS to seal the enemy’s fate.
Constant shotgun and explosive damage coupled with the long range of the Vvc-770LB makes this AC dangerous to get close to. With so many builds at hand, bosses will surely not stand a chance against these ACs. As Handler Walter says, “Show them you’re worth the credits, 621.”