Gearing Up: A Passionate Pilot‘s Guide to Armored Core 6 Parts

As a lifelong Armored Core fan, I live for tweaking and customizing my mech builds. The right set of parts can make or break your success in any given operation. But with so many options in Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, choosing the best gear for your machine can get overwhelming.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be breaking down all the critical mech components based on extensive battlefield experience. You‘ll learn key stats to consider, top parts recommendations, and how to adapt builds to excel on missions. Time to gear up and dominate the next contract, pilot!

Understanding Mech Parts

Your Armored Core (AC) chassis comprises multiple parts covering major areas like movement, defense, and weapon systems. Carefully selecting each component allows you to create a specialized mech tuned for specific combat roles. The key categories are:

Head: Mounted armor that protects critical systems and piloting cockpits. Heavier heads have more armor but reduce mobility.

Core: Central structure housing the generator, boosters, and primary armor. Cores make up a large portion of your mech‘s mass and defense.

Arms: Weapon hardpoints and chassis extensions that allow equipping firearms, blades, etc. Check load limits before picking weapons.

Legs: Responsible for ground movement and provide speed/agility attributes. Choose between bipedal, quad, tank treads or other options.

Booster: Back-mounted thruster units that enable jumping, flight and aerial mobility. More thrust increases airtime and speed.

FCS: Onboard fire control system that tracks targets and improves weapon accuracy. Advanced systems acquire locks faster.

Generator: Internal powerplant supplying electricity to all mech parts and combat systems. Higher output enables more frequent boosting.

Balancing these systems is key – overloading armor will make you a slow, lumbering target. Too many weapons without enough generator power leads to quick shutdowns. As a veteran pilot, I‘ll highlight ideal parts combos that maximize capability.

Picking the Right Head

Heads are your first line of defense, protecting critical vision systems, weapon controls and the all-important pilot body. High armor heads can absorb major punishment, allowing you to keep fighting despite the odds. I always favor durability which has saved my skin countless times!

That said, the extra protection comes at a mobility cost. Thick armor adds weight which hampers movement speed and turn rates. You‘ll also guzzle more energy maneuvering a heavy mech which drains your core faster. It‘s about finding the right balance for your needs.

Here are some top head recommendations:

Durability Focused

Mobility Focused

I suggest the HD-011 MELANDER for heavy assaults where you advance slowly under fire. Meanwhile the VP-44S gives nice flexibility for skirmishing. There are no outright "best" heads – customize based on the contract and your combat style.

Holding it Together With Cores

If heads protect vital systems, then cores ARE the vital systems! This central structure mounts critical components like generators, boosters and ammunition feeds. It also comprises a large portion of total chassis armor, second only to legs.

I always splurge on cores since a compromised structure means the whole mech fails. You want something with high armor, decent generator output and not crazy heavy. Mobility is less important for cores since they rarely take direct weapons fire. Prioritize ruggedness above all else!

While low armor cores like the Nachtrieher 40E work, they rupture easily under concentrated fire. This instantly drops shields and weapons power across your mech. Again, don‘t skimp on survivability for the sake of bigger guns!

Choosing Weapons Platforms With Arms

If cores form the heart of your mech, then arms represent the fists! Mech arms serve the dual purpose of structural chassis extensions plus mounting hardpoints for weapons, blades and other gear. I consider them the primary offensive component.

Besides armor stats, key things to evaluate are load limits, firearm bonuses and weight/energy costs. Load limits indicate how much mass arms can equip before performance drops. Any weapons beyond this threshold may fire and maneuver sluggishly.

Firearm bonuses improve either back or side mounted weapon damage by percentages. Match the bonus to your intended gun locations for extra devastation! Some bonuses even reduce weight/energy of certain weapons decreasing the load burden.

And as always, keep sight of overall mobility impacts. Arms hanging bristling with guns and missiles may look imposing but drastically slow you down. Save ultra heavy weapons for faction defensive missions where speed doesn‘t matter as much.

Here are some favorite Arm choices offering versatility:

General Purpose

Heavily Armed

These selections offer a blueprint but feel free to test alternatives that match your style. Mix and match arms for asymmetry – why limit yourself? Now to turn these platforms into real weapons of war!

Choosing the Right Legs to Carry the Load

While Arms represent striking implements, legs fulfill the crucial role of actually bringing those weapons to bear! Having the right legs for your chassis and tactics is absolutely vital. I can‘t stress enough how critical mobility is for survival.

Key leg stats cover armor points, load limits, walking/boosting speed and turning rates. Light, agile designs excel at evasion and repositioning over open ground. Meanwhile heavy treads sacrifice agility for stability under heavy loads on rough terrain.

Besides stats, also consider physical configurations like reverse joints for restricted spaces or quad formats for lingering shots. Tank treads enable non-stop boosting critical on expansive battlefields. Know your mission constraints before dropping!

Here are some of my favorite all-around leg kit:

Skirmishing

Brawling

Legs complementary your tactics are mandatory – I‘ve lost track of fellow pilots done in by poor mobility choices. Whether you dash in and out or stick toe-to-toe, having the right legs makes all the difference!

Boosters: Your Wings in Battle

While legs empower ground maneuvers, boosters grant true freedom of movement via flight! These back-mounted thruster packs rapidly convert generator power into scorching bursts of speed and altitude. Nothing compares to raining missiles down upon hapless targets below…

Naturally, raw output factors big in booster choice. Higher thrust and energy reserves equate to longer airtime and faster velocity changes. The ability to quickly reorient mid-flight also matters for dodging fire. As a rule, stack the biggest booster you can without compromising mobility.

Strike the right balance and you‘ll dance literal circles around opponents. Here are some excellent all-around options:

I suggest tuning boosters to your combat air style – bombers need power while dogfighters prioritize agility. And never forget spare energy capacity in case you need to quickly dodge missile barrages! Those things hurt.

Locking On Faster With Fire Control

While boosters and legs empower movement, fire control systems (FCS) sharpen your offense by quickly locking weaponry onto targets. Advanced FCS algorithms, sensors and computers acquire fast locks across various engagement envelopes. This enables you to track evasive enemies and unleash guns, blades and missiles at the perfect moments.

The key specs cover target acquisition ranges plus lock times. Long range FCS reliably paint faraway targets for artillery and sniping even under ECM. Short range systems enable fast transitions between multiple opponents swarming your position. There are also dedicated close combat and counter-ECM modules if enemies employ lots of interference.

I lean towards balance setups effective across all distances. Some recommendations:

Dialing in your FCS compliments any combat style. Accelerating target locks means landing more shots for faster kills. It also helps avoid wasting precious ammunition trying to manually acquire fast, erratic opponents. Survivability goes hand in hand with precision!

Powering the Beast With Generators

Raw stats are meaningless without sufficient electrical power to utilize them! In an AC that responsibility falls to generators which supply the juice necessary for every mech function. Weapons charging, missile reloading, boost dodging and even limb movement all drain generator EN reserves. Bigger powerplants enable longer sustained operation before depleting your combat endurance.

The downside to heavy generators is…more weight hampering mobility! Again it comes down to balance – oversized generators allow nonstop boosting and shooting but limit your ability to evade. I typically match generator output to my weaponssweet spot while retaining enough for defenses and maneuvering.

Here are some well-rounded generators offering versatility:

Getting generator pairing right transforms your AC from lumbering weapons platform to a true force of nature. The key is understanding your combat endurance needs then installing a plant tuned to match. Never stop moving and shooting!

Adapting Parts to Mission Demands

While having a personalized mech is awesome, fixed single-role builds eventually hit limitations on the mercs battlefield. The dynamic, changing nature of contracts means you must retain flexibility to swap gear based on mission objectives. Certain parts like tank treads or missile pods work great in some contexts but fail miserably in others.

Successful pilots carefully study operational constraints outlined by employers then review spaces beforehand. This allows identifying must-have capabilities so you can prep appropriate customizations. Maybe dense forests require quad legs for stability while city assaults mandate dense armor against ambushes. Airborne sorties instead emphasize flight systems.

I rotate parts between drops to better match battlefield conditions and exploit weaknesses. Some examples of context-driven loadouts:

• Forest/Jungle – Quad legs for uneven terrain; high thrust vertical flight; gatling guns to penetrate brush
• Urban Combat – Heavy armor against ambushes; precision burst weapons ideal in close spaces
• Desert – Tank treads to handle sandy dunes; large caliber rifles for long ranges
• Beach Landing – Waterproofing; extra missile payload; blade for up close amphibious threats
• High Altitude – Overcharged generator and boosters; long range missiles to capitalize on height

Take time before missions to consider potential challenges then come equipped for the realities you’ll face. Having flexibility with swappable parts saves pilots that lack the foresight.

Configuring Builds Around Playstyles

While adapting mechs to environments matters, truly skilled pilots tailor builds around their combat strong suits. Personal playstyles naturally gravitate towards specialized offensive and defensive tactics. Enhancing these innate pilot tendencies using custom parts is absolutely vital for maximizing scores.

For example, patient long view players do best with high power boosters and generators backing extended range loadouts. Meanwhile reckless infighters want amplified mobility and targeting to unleash devastating CQC weapons like shotguns or laser blades. Building around preferences pays major dividends towards mastering your niche.

Here are some archetype examples highlighting ideal part combinations:

Sniper

• Linear rifle or artillery cannon
• Advanced long range FCS with ECM
• Minimal armor for stealth
• Powerful single shot boosters

Skirmisher

• Machine gun or Gatling combo
• Quick boost recharge rate
• Lightweight head and legs
• High mobility arms

Brawler

• Heavy proxy armor plating
• Electrified blade on right arm
• Overcharged generator and FCS optimizing for close combat locks

Heavy Weapons Specialist

• Quad missile racks and howitzer cannons
• Expanded arms load limits
• Tank treads provide stable firing platform

Think about your natural tendencies, strengths and preferences. Then embrace them fully using complimentary customization for peak combat fluidity. You might be amazed what changing just a few parts does for overall battle rhythm and synchronization!

Tactical Considerations For Parts

Even with perfectly customized builds, many rookie pilots drop in feeling invincible only to quickly suffer defeat. Merely equipping fancy gear doesn‘t guarantee success – you must leverage parts tactically to exploit maximum capability. Otherwise why bother customizing at all?

Here are some key tactical considerations:

Mobility – Boost often and keep repositioning, even with heavy builds! Never stay still for long.
Terrain – Use covers for stability firing platforms and breaking lockons. Dominate high grounds.
Cool Downs – Monitor weapons, boosts, ECM and ammunition. Know your limits!
Energy – Frequently generate EN using legs while moving around. Drop drained parts to reduce consumption. Toggle shields when not under fire to allow recharging.
Resupply – Make use of field ammo and repair caches scattered at objectives or dead ACs. These top off armor, missiles, health and EN.
Adapting – When low on ammo, rely on blades. Out of blades, kite and survive with hit and run guns. Retreat if being overwhelmed.

Following these tips help you capitalize on the expenses of top shelf gear. Parts chosen solely for stats quickly waste potential without smart moment to moment decision making. Think, move and fight tactically!

Matching parts to environments, playstyles and tactics transforms you from rookie to veteran ace. Customization gives flexibility to handle diverse battlespaces that would overwhelm fixed single role builds. This guide just skims the surface of mastery – keep testing new configurations and dominating those contracts, pilot!