Fans of mecha and robot-on-robot combat have enthralled themselves in the latest game from FormSoftware, Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon. The game brings the classic franchise into current generation consoles with a variety of new ways to build the perfect mech and take it into the vast universe that the game brings to the table both narratively and gameplay-wise. In a saga of exquisitely crafted games, FormSoftware has caught lightning in a bottle yet again as Armored Core 6 is a fun-to-play and challenging game with a myriad of options for the player.
Players who have already cut their way through the game's intense campaign will want to take their custom machines to PVP and see how they measure up to the competition. Armored Core 6 features player-versus-player combat, allowing them to use the machines that they perfectly tuned to conquer Rubicon. The multiplayer combat in Armored Core 6 is chaotic and fast-paced and a completely different animal from the in-game combat against bosses and AI pilots. Before dropping into 1v1 or 3v3 action, here are some tips for PVP in Armored Core 6.
8 Build With Versatility In Mind
It's easy to load a mech with the biggest and the baddest weapons available, but all that firepower may not translate to absolute victory as easily as some players may think. Fighting against thinking pilots can prove to be difficult with heavy weapons that are hard to aim against fast-moving targets or opponents with heavy armor.
When crafting a loadout for a machine, it is paramount that players have the right tool for any situation. A strong mech must be able to deal with long-range, short-range, close-range, and everything in between accordingly.
7 Always Keep Opponents In View
Because of the high-octane maneuvers available in Armored Core 6, it can be a challenging experience to keep targets in view and within lock-on range both in PVE and PVP. Losing sight of a target or even a single second can prove incredibly devastating as it leaves a blindspot to be taken advantage of.
Players should get used to their opponent's movements and how they like to engage in battle. Updating the look sensitivity on the controller can also go a long way in making sure that all positions are covered when engaging in battle.
6 Pick Your Core Expansion Wisely
There is a laundry list of modifications, upgrades, and installs available for machines in Armored Core 6, making for genuinely unique builds; however, it is essential that a machine be perfectly tuned when taking on PVP, as some system unlocks or Cores will not be as helpful as others.
The pulse expansion may not be as useful against opponents who can make judgment calls and keep themselves at a distance. At the same time, one's play style is a critical factor in making what doesn't work for others work for their machine.
5 Use The Opponent's Weapons Against Them
Within Armored Core 6, there are dozens of weapons that pack a punch or have a unique interaction that can leave a target in the dust or leave a pilot wide open for a counterattack. Players should always study the weapons of their own machine as well as their opponent's and know the pitfalls of both sides.
Being able to predict the bracing time of a heavy armament or the reload timing for a specific weapon can be a significant factor when facing off against rival pilots.
4 Find Your Own Sweet Spot
Positioning is very important in Armored Core 6 and can be the difference between landing a direct hit and dealing appropriate damage or missing the mark and barely scraping the paint of an opponent's mech.
Every weapon across the expansive roster available in the game has they specialized range, from shotguns to energy rifles. Finding the best possible range not just for a weapon but for the machine as a whole can make players more comfortable with the high-paced fighting in PVP.
3 Mobility Is Key
There are many styles of mechs and even more possible combinations in the game. When crafting a mech, players should always keep the maneuverability of the machine in mind. A slow, sluggish, and unresponsive machine stands no chance when facing off against well-crafted threats built with optimized intent.
Players should always make sure that their generators, body modifications, and thrusters are good installs so that their machine behaves the way they are supposed to.
2 Speed Is Always Important
Speed is a vital point in Armored Core 6, but speed is not always how fast a mech can move on the ground or in the air. Lock-on speed, reload speed, and stagger recovery are all important factors that can be the difference between winning and losing.
Parts and installations have more importance than any other game in the Armored Core franchise, and players should pay close attention to how their parts make their machines behave before taking them into PVP.
1 Tactics Over Aggression
The combat in Armored Core 6 is fast and hectic, filled with explosions, massive detonations, and numerous threats on the screen at one time. Pairing this with the need to keep up with an opponent, it is easy to bleed into the red zone by over-maneuvering and landing in a disadvantageous spot, thanks to overzealous boosting.
A healthy balance of thinking ahead and reacting quickly can ensure an edge in Armored Core 6's PVP that will go a long way from spamming all buttons and firing on all cylinders.
Armored Core 6: Fire Of Rubicon is available on PlayStation 6, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.