The first mission in the game is proving to be a challenge to many new to the Armored Core series. So here’s a bit of advice to help you through.
The first mission works as a basic tutorial for the game, which is then followed up by optional tutorials later on.
However, the main blocker people seem to be having is with the first boss you encounter.
Like the prior enemies you face in the mission, the first boss is there to teach you something about the game, specifically how you can “stagger” larger enemies.
This is not a new feature to the Armored Core series, but Armored Core VI leans into it more and shows you the stagger status of an enemy upfront.
In that, the increasing yellow bar at the top of your target reticule shows you how much you have staggered an enemy. When it maxes out, it flashes red and you can use this stun window to impart greater amounts of damage.
The starting armored core you are given only has a rifle, missile pack and a laser blade. So how can you possibly take out the first boss with just that?
Use Your Laser Blade
This is the weapon that will stagger the boss the most, and also do a great deal of damage once it is stunned. You need to pace your laser blade swipes though, as there is a cooldown in terms of its usage. The starting laser blade also gives you two good swipes. My advice is to use the laser blade as soon as the boss fight starts, which will increase the stagger bar a good amount and then follow up with you rifle and missiles to fully stun it. Then follow up with two more laser blade swipes.
Stay Airborne
Your handler, Walter, does tell you to keep airborne and this is good advice. If you stay on the ground you will get pummeled. In the air, you can dodge missiles and other weapons fire. You will need to manage your energy bar at the bottom of the screen though. So time your descent once the energy is maxed out, normally when the boss is flying away from you, and then boost up in the air again to swipe at it with your laser blade.
Use Cover And Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Two things here; use the cover on the ground when you need to refill your energy bar. They will help shield you when the boss is firing everything at you. In addition, you need to make sure the boss is kept fairly central in the battle area. You don’t want it going out of bounds when you stun it.
It’s a fun boss fight, once you get how it works. It will also help you take on larger enemies later on, like the BAWS tetrapods and other bosses. You need to also keep an eye on your own stagger gauge, as you don’t want to be left open in a heated fight later on in the game.
I’ve also done a playthrough of the first mission (shown below) to help you see how the flow of the boss fight works.
Armored Core VI is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Feel free to also check out my review.
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