As an avid Armored Core fan, I‘ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Armored Core 6 for years. Now that it‘s finally here, I‘ve spent countless hours experimenting with different part combinations to create the ultimate mech builds.
In this guide, I‘ll be breaking down the best parts in Armored Core 6 across all categories, ranging from weapons to legs and cores. I‘ll also provide tips on how to utilize these parts effectively based on my experience with previous Armored Core games.
Overview of Armored Core 6 Parts System
For newcomers unfamiliar with the series, I‘ll briefly explain how the parts system works in Armored Core. Your mech, called an Armored Core (AC), is made up of interchangeable parts across 10 categories:
- Weapons (Arms): Mounted on the shoulders, these are your main means of offense. You can equip a weapon in each shoulder.
- Back Units: Mounted on the back, these are supplemental weapons/shields that provide additional offensive or defensive capabilities.
- Head: Determines sensor and targeting capabilities. Better heads allow you to detect enemies from further away.
- Core (Torso): The central component of your AC which determines defense, energy capacity, and more.
- Arms: Forearm parts that determine melee attack power, weapon handling, equipped weight limit etc.
- Legs: Vital for mobility, different legs specialize in speed, boosting, or defense.
- Generator: Responsible for supplying energy to power all your parts and weapons.
- FCS (Fire Control System): Controls long range weapon accuracy and missile firing support.
- Booster: Provides short quick bursts of speed and mobility during battles.
Now let‘s get into the best parts across all these categories in Armored Core 6 and how you can use them to build a dominating mech.
Best Weapons – Maximum Firepower
Since weapons make up your main offensive capacity, choosing the right ones is crucial. I will be covering the top 2 energy and solid shell weapons respectively for both the Arms and Back Units.
High Damage Kinetic Weapons
Rapid Ignition Assault Rifle 09 (RIAR-09)
- Fires small explosive rounds at an insane rate of 5/sec
- Inflicts knockback on targets making it harder for them to return fire
- Low per bullet damage but extremely high DPS capability
- High capacity magazine with fast reload
- Best used against lighter armor enemies and boss weak points
This is the highest DPS kinetic weapon in AC6, perfect for shredding apart lightly armored targets. Against agile enemies, the knockback effect will make it harder for them to strike back giving you a critical edge.
However, the low per bullet damage means you must land sustained fire to inflict major damage. But when used correctly, the RIAR-09 dominates the battlefield.
Intelligent Automatic Shotgun (IAS-44)
- Fires a powerful spread of plasma bolts in close range
- Extreme damage against medium and heavy armor
- Slow firing rate but delivers massive damage per shot
- Very heavy with a hefty reload time
- Deadly against slow tanky enemies or in close quarters
The IAS-44 is the hardest hitting kinetic shotgun Armored Core 6, ideally suited for demolishing heavily armored enemies. Its plasma bolts rip though tough armor with ease.
And thanks to its spread shot, you don‘t need to be too accurate. Just get in close and unleash its devastating firepower. It does have some hefty drawbacks with its weight and firing/reload rates so make sure to pair it with mobility enhancing leg parts.
High Impact Energy Weapons
VF Laser Cannon v2
- Fires an extremely powerful charged beam shot
- Massive damage against all types of enemies
- Slow firing rate but almost always critical hits
- Very heavy weight
- Complements high mobility loadouts nicely
This upgraded version of the fan favorite laser cannon delivers some of the highest potential damage per shot in all of AC6. A single well-placed blast is enough to slice though multiple enemies.
Its sheer power and weight means it performs best on agile Armored Core builds. Slow mechs will find it hard to effectively position for the perfect shot.
Plasma Storm Emitter 52 (PSE-52)
- Unleashes a literal storm of plasma orbs
- Fires over 50 plasma balls per second
- Very high sustained DPS
- Limited effective range (~400 meters)
- High energy consumption
The PSE-52 should be in every close range brawler‘s arsenal. At close to mid range, no other weapon can match its complete area suppression capability. The plasma storm will instantly vaporize incoming missiles and lighter enemies.
Its high energy draw means generator choice is key. But the sheer offensive power makes this a top choice for any heavily armed and armored Armored Core builds. The plasma storm will eliminate most threats before they can retaliate.
Devastating Back Units – Offense & Defense
Back units act as supplemental weapons to diversify your offensive options. Additionally they can be used as defensive countermeasures as well.
Here are the top back units for weapon focused and defense focused roles respectively.
MIRV-06 Multiple Independent Rocket Volley System
- Fires a horizontal barrage of small guided missiles
- Missiles independently track and home in on targets
- Absolutely devastating against groups of enemies
- Large blast radius means easier to hit targets
- Missiles reload automatically over time
The MIRV-06 essentially turns your AC into a mobile missile platform. Few enemies can survive the onslaught of multiple guided warheads homing in on them, especially lighter armor ones.
This is perfect for dealing with pesky small enemies like helicopters that are harder to hit with conventional weapons. And the automatic reload means there is no pause between volleys.
APS-52 Automated Protection Suite
- Generates an energy shield to block incoming fire
- Allows shield regeneration during downtimes
- Very effective against missile barrages
- Quickly recharges for repeated use
- Significantly bolsters defense capabilities
For prioritizing defense, the APS-52 is my top pick. Having both an emergency shield to block fatal shots plus regenerating shield for repeated skirmishes gives a major boost in survivability during intense battles.
And since missiles are extremely deadly in Armored Core, the APS-52‘s anti-missile specialty ensures you aren‘t taken down prematurely. For more balanced or support oriented team builds, the defensive coverage from APS-52 is invaluable.
Optimal Heads – Enhanced Systems & Sensors
Heads contain the main sensors and assistance systems for your AC. Here are heads optimized for high offensive and defensive builds respectively.
05-ORLANDO
- Medium scoped cannon for supplementary fire
- Advanced sensors provide very long lock-on range
- Clear notifications for weapon readiness
- Solid protection against sensor jamming
- Excellent for ranged assault builds
For dedicated long range combatants, the 05-ORLANDO is perfectly suited. You can detect enemies from over 1000m away giving ample time to plan the engagement.
And with notifications for weapon readiness and reload statuses, you will have complete clarity on your combat state at all times. The integrated scope gives some extra firepower as well making this the perfect head for snipers.
DS-HARDSIGHT IX
- Heavy duty armored shielding to block head shots
- Doubles as radar absorber against guided missiles
- Automated chaff and flares to divert locked missiles
- Withstand multiple consecutive hits before failure
- Hardens assault oriented frontline builds
If you want to plunge directly into the thick of battle, the DS HARDSIGHT IX will keep your systems functioning under heavy fire. Both bullets and missiles will have a much harder time critically damaging your AC.
This allows more aggressive play by mitigating likely sources of failure. The radar absorbing properties also make your AC harder to track when utilizing hit and run tactics.
Vital Cores – Balance Mobility & Protection
Cores form the central base of your AC where all components mount onto. Choosing one tailored for your intended combat style is crucial.
Here I present a well-balanced general purpose core and a heavy defense specialized core.
IZANAGI FRAME
- Well balanced stats across all attributes
- Good missile and kinetic damage resistance
- Above average energy and heat management
- Solid equipment weight capacity
- Standard mid-line mount points for flexibility
Probably the most popular core amongst veteran AC pilots, the IZANAGI FRAME is perfectly suited for newer players as well. It has no significant strengths or weaknesses allowing you to equip a highly flexible array of parts.
You can build anything from a sniper to brawler without needing to compensate for any stat deficiencies. While the jack-of-all trades nature limits min-maxing potential, it certainly simplifies the building process.
YAMI SHIELD Frame
- Absolutely massive boost to all damage resistances
- 25% higher equipment weight capacity
- Advanced heat dissipation system
- Integrated missile countermeasures
- Purpose built for extreme heavy armor builds
Boasting some of the highest defense stats in Armored Core 6, the YAMI SHIELD Frame turns your AC into a veritable flying tank. With reinforced armor and integrated missile jammers, survivability sees a major boost.
The main tradeoff is slightly lower mobility. But the sheer durability increase more than makes up for it in sustained combat performance. This allows you to shrug off attacks as you dominate the battlefield.
Top Arms – Carrying Capacity & Control
Arm parts directly determine what weapons you can wield effectively. Heavier weapons require arms with higher equip limits. I have highlighted arms geared towards equipment loadout and precision.
Type-30 Anchor Arms
- Weight limit of 18 tons per arm
- Numerous weapon mount points
- Over 20% boost to carrying capacity
- Advanced targeting assistance software
- Specifically designed for very heavy loadouts
These industrial grade workhorse arms can equip truly fearsome Armored Core builds. You can stack on the weapons without compromising on mobility.
And thanks to multiple weapon mounts, you aren‘t limited in loadout options either. Back these with actuator enhancing legs and few enemies will be able to match your AC‘s combat effectiveness.
GHOST Control Frames
- Neurologically activated for extreme precision
- Direct arm weapon sync for stability
- Reduces arm weapon noise by 35%
- In-built vibration compensation
- Specialty arms for sniping specialists
Neuro-control technology gives AC pilots unprecedented weapon control and finesse. Guiding heavy weapons becomes as effortless as pointing your fingers.
This allows pinpoint accurate fire even during rapid maneuvering or with heavy recoiling weapons. If you plan for specialized long range engagements, the GHOST arms are perfectly suited.
Premium Legs – Mobility & Support
Legs make up key aspects of mobility and maneuverability during combat. Here I present the fastest set of legs and the ultimate support oriented set.
HERMES Boost Frames
- Adds auxiliary booster output for blinding speed
- 25% faster boost recharge
- Integrated G-force and inertial regulators
- Low stance profile for harder targeting
- Allows unparalleled mobility in battle
Capable of outrageous top speeds crossing 1000 kmph, the HERMES legs enable breakneck velocity on demand. You will be able to literally blitz around the battlefield outpacing enemy targeting systems.
And thanks to advanced internal stabilization, you won‘t have to struggle with debilitating G forces either allowing comfortable high speed traversal. The ultimate legs for relentless assault fighters.
ATLAS Reinforced Frames
- Massive boost to equipment weight capacity
- Additional arm mounts for expanded loadouts
- Built-in kinetic and missile defense layer
- Numerous quick repair nano-gel injectors
- Purpose built leg armor for frontline fighters
While the HERMES legs maximize speed, the ATLAS legs focus on maximizing combat weapon systems capacity. You can stack on really heavy combinations of weapons across all equip points while retaining battle readiness.
And the integrated armor plus quick repair system significantly prolongs your combat operations timeline before requiring major overhauls. Specialty legs for players who love mixing extreme firepower with protection.
Best Generator – Top Choice
Generators supply energy for powering all your equipped AC parts and their systems. Larger energy draw requires generators with higher output.
HELION PLASMA Reactor
- Generates over 20% more output than other generators
- Advanced heat recycling system
- Hydrogen plasma fuel supply for very high efficiency
- Hardened shielding against system damage
- Reliably powers the most heavy duty Armored Cores
Simply put, the HELION PLASMA reactor can supply energy to the most weapon encumbered Armored Cores without strain or overheating issues. This means you never have to let up during combat.
It uses more advanced hydrogen plasma technology instead of traditional fuels explaining its much higher energy density within a compact form factor. If you wish to push the limits of firepower, this generator is a must.
Recommended FCS – Accuracy & Control
The Fire Control System governs the efficacy of your long range weaponry. This is my top FCS pick for missile domination in Armored Core 6.
R-37X SHADOWBOX
- Automated threat assessment and target allocation
- Controls up to 12 independent missiles
- Advanced LIDAR tracking for missiles
- Actively jams and confuses enemy sensors
- The ultimate battlefield missile command suite
The sheer missile spam capability of the SHADOWBOX FCS gives you complete area denial potency. It allows simultaneous tracking and guidance of up to 12 missiles tearing through multiple threats quickly.
And the integrated sensor jamming means enemies will be much less likely to hit your AC allowing long term dominance. The missile swarm enabled by this FCS makes short work of groups of opponents.
Best Booster – Rapid Movement Burst
Boosters provide quick bursts of mobility for enhanced evasiveness during combat. It complements legs for agility focused builds.
EOS Ultra-Vector Thruster
- Produces an outrageous 18Gs of acceleration
- Low energy consumption during boost
- Integral vector nozzles for multi-directional thrust
- Hardened heat resistant power conduits
- The ultimate booster for high mobility techniques
The extreme performance specs of the EOS booster enables next level dodging and evasion maneuvers. You can dash, strafe and boost while returning fire keeping enemies frustrated.
Combined with agile leg builds like the HERMES, very few opponents will be able to get a clear lock before needing to reposition again. For pilots who love utilizing mobility for offense, this is the perfect booster.
Conclusion
With the variety of exceptional parts highlighted here, you can equip some seriously menacing Armored Core builds in AC6. Prioritize offensive firepower with kinetic and energy weapons paired with devastating back mounted missile systems.
Or field near impenetrable dynamic tanks with defensive countermeasures backed by heavy armor across critical components. Even specialized designs for long range fire support or unrelenting high speed assaults are achievable.
At its core, the joy of Armored Core games has always been customizing and experimenting with different combinations of parts. So use this guide as a starting point while you discover your own favorites during gameplay.
Now get out there and start dominating the battlefield with your personalized mechanical avatar! This is just the beginning for newer pilots in Armored Core 6 while veterans can look forward to revisiting the nostalgia and fun of the enduring franchise with the added depth of next generation capability.
