TeamBRG | Armored Core 6

AC6 Gear Progression Guide: What to buy first?

AC6 Gear Progression Guide. What components to buy first in each chapter for a well-balanced AC!

The goal of this here guide is to help you with Armored Core 6 Gear Progression - and learning what to buy first and why.

First of all each segment will have a working baseline AC build that can beat "anything". It's a general purpose setup you can easily shift around. I will also make weapon recommendations for basic use - but feel free to experiment and expand your arsenal.

Finally, remember it is FREE TO EXPERIMENT. You lose no money by selling back to the shop!

Logically, it's best to separate gear progression by chapter. Another great resource to use alongside this is our AC6 Walkthrough

AC6 Chapter 1: Gear Progression

See: AC6 CH1 Walkthrough

Your first step is to fill out your weapon arsenal and get rid of your blank L-Back slot.

R-Arm Unit MA-J-200 Ransetsu-RF: This rifle will serve as your baseline weapon. It's a flexible main weapon you can easily beat the entire Chapter 1 with if you like.

L-Back Unit?: Any weapon you like. I don't like shields so just buy any missile launcher in the meantime. This initially has NOTHING EQUIPPED so this is a big upgrade. You get a free one later on.

Sword? Stick to default. You can try the upgraded sword later on but I really really like the default one better!

From here we upgrade the "default" gear that sucks, into some usable pieces.

Head HD-011 MELANDER: Cheap basic head upgrade.

FCS FCS-G2/P10SLT: This is a great all around FCS that has OK scored for all ranges.

Arms NACHTREIHER/46E: This arm has max "firearm proficiency"... seems good?

Core BD-011 MELANDER: Cheap basic core upgrade.

Legs LG-011 MELANDER: Cheap basic Leg upgrade.

R-Back Unit? At some point you want to upgrade your default missile launcher. There are many options here, so try out whichever missile launcher you like. The 8x missile is what I chose for now.

You get some amazing upgrades from the Training Missions as well!

Booster ALULA/21E: Free and decent. What else do I need to say.

Generator VP-20S: Free and decent. What else do I need to say.

L-Back Unit BML-G1/PO1VTC-04: a FREE L-Back weapon thats pretty good.

CH1 Gear Progression Notes

We got a few goals here that we complete. First and foremost we get rid of all the default gear. Replace those sucky parts with decent ones.

The MELANDER set with NECHTREIHER arms is a solid baseline going forward.

CH1 Weapon Recommendations

The Ransetsu Burst Rifle and your default Sword are my go-to weapon pair, and my baseline recommendation.

The back weapons? Nothing specific for me to recommend, but I used double Missile Launchers .

HI-16: GU-Q1 Pulse Gun: The best weapon to dual wield right now, but I specifically recommend to buy at least one of these for the CH1 Boss, and to counter Pulse Shields.

AC6 Chapter 2: Gear Progression

See: AC6 CH2 Walkthrough

Chapter 2 Gear is all about weapons. There's no pressing need to upgrade your mech just yet! But you will soon!

First, I want to discuss double Gatling Guns. This setup is IN MY OPINION, a crutch. It is without doubt in my personal "banned" tier, and should only be used if you're absolutely desperate. I can write all day about how it's IMO unfair, but try it out for yourself. With certain tanky setups, double gatling essentially turns every fight into a DPS race that you cannot lose. Buy it, try it, use it, ban it. My personal thoughts can be summed up as this: It makes many fights more unexciting and "samey".

  • FCS FCS-G2/P05: I don't know if this was available in CH1, but pick this up now.
  • SG-027 ZIMMERMAN: This shotgun is godlike. It quickly became my default weapon. Even if you prefer another playstyle, this is great to have. Buy 2x when you can.
  • SONGBIRDS: This shoulder mounted grenade cannon is another mainstay. Your go-to source of extreme burst damage to slower targets, or a means to deal massive stagger damage when attempting to stagger quick targets with MG's. Buy 2x when you can.

    • After this you have a few other weapon goals to improve your flex aresenal.

  • Double Machine Guns: You want a pair for when you need 'em. MA-E-21 ETSUJIN is great for this, but there are many other valid options.

    • From here you want to improve your missile options

  • Powerful, Flexible Missiles: Later on in CH2 (or early CH3?) you'll unlock the good 'ol "10x" BML-G2/P05MLT-10. This not only serves as a good general purpose missile - but since its "frontal fire" you can use it for direct damage on staggered enemies. You can use the 6x Dual if this isn't available yet.
  • Anti-agile AC Missiles: Another setup you want in your bag. You'll eventually want to own many types. The good ones right now are the Split (BML-G2/P16SPL-08), or Homing (BML-G3/P04ACT-01). These are your go-to's to help against fast enemies.

    • CH2 Gear Progression Notes

    Weapons. A bunch of weapons to give you many options to face any type of enemy. SONGBIRDS and ZIMMERMANS are top prio. Then MG's, and finally Missiles.

    Again, feel free to experiment there are MANY viable options. These are just generally good weapons that can be used in many scenarios. An example would be the PILE BUNKER weapon, which I cannot really recommend to the population at large, but makes me feel great when pulling it off in its niche use cases.

    AC6 Chapter 3: Gear Progression

    See: AC6 CH3 Walkthrough

    IT'S TIME TO BECOME A TANK! Or more specifically, have the option to be one. Your "body parts" are sorely in need of an upgrade at this point, and it's the perfect time to do so. There aren't any "MUST HAVE WEAPONS" at CH3, IMO.

    Sell your "old" armor to try and get the LEG/HEAD/CORE pieces ASAP.

  • Legs EL-TL-11 FORTALEZA: The "small" tank legs. These are incredibly OP and are great for general purposes. Can carry a ton, and is still very very mobile.
  • AH-J 124 Basho: Great all-around head.
  • DF-BD-08 TIAN-QIANG: Ultra tanky body!
  • Arms - same as before: The NACHTREIHER/46E still pulls its weight until now.

    • The above setup with your other older parts can support almost any loadout - while still being mobile and tanky. Of course, there are outliers, in which case you'll probably need to buy extra parts like a new Generator for super heavy energy builds.

    Weapons in CH3? There are a few weapons here that stand out.

    • DF-MG-02 CHANG-CHEN Machine Gun: a much more "fair" version of the Gatling Gun, this is the best MG for a while.
    • VE-67LLA: The laser lance is a super good melee weapon option. It's much easier to use with a speedy stab and dash with its "stun".
    • IA-C01W2: MOONLIGHT : The Moonlight is an incredibly powerful "sword" that fires a beam with each slash. I think it's pretty much in the "banned" tier - but you can makethat decision yourself. You get this as a secret part in a treasure chest in the final CH3 mission.
    • RF-025 SCUDDER Assault Rifle: An unpopular weapon type but I can see its uses.
    • BML-G2/P05MLT-10: The "10x" Missile. I forgot wether this unlocks in CH2 or CH3 but this is a reminder to pick it up.

    From here you have some "optional" buys.

    RC-2000 SPRING CHICKEN: Great reverse leg for when you need to jump high or be agile. I specifically recommend this leg for the CH3 Final Boss, but has many uses all-around.

    Bipedal?: BASHO or TIAN-QIANG. If you really want a Bipedal, I suppose you just use whatever can carry your setup.

    CH3 Gear Progression Notes

    It's all about the body parts in CH3. There are loads of interesting weapons that get unlocked here, but only few I can truly recommend. Depends on playstyle I suppose? If you haven't picked up the 10x Missile, do it now

    AC6 Chapter 4: Gear Progression

    See: AC6 CH4 Walkthrough

    An absolute S-tier weapon that you get in the tail end of CH3 (so I just placed it in CH4) the VE-60SNA Stun Needle Launcher is a godly weapon. While it staggers enemies a decent rate, it shines in dealing EXTREME DAMAGE TO STAGGERED ENEMIES. It's slow firing, but very rewarding when it connects. It's not uncommon to just shoot this at only staggered enemies.

    The "fast tank" legs should accomodate any build you like to try, and is your default leg going forward.

    Lots of decent upgrades here - both to your armor and weapons.

  • Head Kasuar/44Z: Pretty much a direct upgrade. Minor loss to defense. You'll get a few decent head pieces here as well.
  • Generator VP-20C: A solid upgrade if your setups weight allows it. Good to have!
  • FCS? At this point you should have a small collection depending on how you want to play. Short, Mid, or Long. Your FCS should depend on your current setup!

    • Weapons in CH4? Many interesting weapons yet again but here are the more notable ones.

  • "Shotgun Shoulder" - SB-033M MORLEY: Great shoulder Bazooka that's like SONGBIRDS, but fires in a spread! Great for countering fast AC's. 2x.
  • Dual Homing Missile BML-G3/P05ACT-02: Bordering between "cheesy" and "fair", due to its long lockon and underwhelming damage potential. But, it does have its purposes and there's skill in timing the impact with your other weapons! 2x
  • As always, seek to expand your arsenal with weapon pairings that support your playstyle. My recommendations are obviously somewhat biased to my own style, but I feel like they're great general recommendations.

    • AC6 Chapter 5: Gear Progression

    See: AC6 CH5 Walkthrough

    The "fast tank" legs should accomodate any build you like to try, and is your default leg going forward.

    Specifically for the first mission, and if you're into long range I recommend buying these:

    • Great LONG RANGE Rifles - VE-66LRA, VE-66LRB: Can never go wrong with a good rifle option. Buy one of each! Useful for first mission.
    • FCS VE-21A: Long-range FCS for first mission use (and long range setups)
    • FASAN/60E Back Plasma Cannon: AN incredibly powerful shoulder mounter laser weapon. It has, imo, the highest potential single shot damage when charged up. I forgot if this unlocks at CH4 or 5.

    Aside from that, the main thing I noticed was good Headgear

    • Head VE-44B: This is the best overall head for me IMO for first playthrough. Also, Ephemera.

    Chapter 5 is short, and by this time you should have most of the tools you need to beat the game. Depending on what you missions you chose, you may be up against one of the most challenging bosses yet...

    AC6 NG+: Gear Progression

    IN PROGRESS


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