Although FromSoftware’sArmored Core 6is a departure from theSoulsborneformula we’ve become familiar with, it still features the signature difficulty we’ve come to expect. The game is packed with boss battles that will leave even hardened players biting their nails, and multiple attempts are going to be a common occurrence.
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Nevertheless, overcoming these Herculean odds is what makes such games so rewarding. If you give these bosses any sort of opening, they will not only punish you but also test how thoroughly you understand the game. Based on their difficulty when you first encounter them, these are the toughest bosses in the game.
This list contains spoilers.
10AH12 HC: Helicopter
It’s almost a given that a FromSoft game will include an opening boss that is significantly harder than a good portion of the early game. The AH12 HC Helicopter is the Armored Core version of that.
You’ll encounter this boss in the very first mission, Chapter 1: Illegal Entry, and it serves to test your grasp of the core mechanics. If you’re coming from a Soulsborne title, not having I-frames is going to prove a huge culture shock, and the lack of customization at this point, coupled with its unrelenting attacks, will force you to take this game seriously.Using your surroundings to avoid the AH12 HC Helicopter’s attackswill be crucial to winning this fight.
9HA-T-102: Juggernaut
You can’t treat all bosses the same, and the defensive behemoth, the HA-T-102 Juggernaut, is meant to teach you just that. It has a strong front-mounted shield that deflects most attacks, challenging players to capitalize on momentary openings.
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This boss is first encountered in Chapter 1: Operation Wallclimber. Even though it’s an early-game boss, it’s certainly no cakewalk. Between its speed, shield, and area-denying attacks, it limits your options to go on the offensive, all while pelting you with attacks of its own.
8IB-07: Sol 644 (Handler Walter)
If you want to achieve the Liberator of Rubicon ending, the last boss you’ll have to overcome is none other than your erstwhile handler. Walter will be the last thing standing in your way in Chapter 5: Bring Down the Xylem, donning a truly ominous AC.
Equipped with an Ibis suit and coral weapons, Walter deals some serious damage, and can quickly shave off massive chunks of your AP. On the other hand, he also takes damage relatively easily, but like you, he can use AC Kits to restore his health.Bringing the right loadout against Walterwill go a long way in reducing this fight’s difficulty so that you’re able to focus a little more on its emotional impact.
7AAP03: Enforcer
An autonomous craft developed by the PCA,the AAP03 Enforcer is one of the most balanced bossesin the game. You’ll encounter it in Chapter 4: Underground Exploration – Depth 2, where it stands in the way of your search for the coral.
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The AAP03 Enforcer has tough armor that makes bullets ricochet off of it, a shield to mitigate attacks, pulse bursts to chip away at your AP, and hard-hitting melee combos. There are no obvious weaknesses to this boss, so the only way to overcome it is by getting good at the game.
6IA-13: Sea Spider
The first coral-powered mech you’ll encounter in the game; the Sea Spider is a troublesome boss to deal with. Its arsenal of coral-powered weaponry almost guarantees instant staggers, solearning the Sea Spider’s attack patternsis crucial.
You’ll encounter this boss in Chapter 2: Ocean Crossing, when it is unleashed by the PCA. It’s the first demonstration of the true power of coral, which up until this point, has only been hinted at. Taking this fight head-on is extremely satisfying, although there are ways to completely trivialize it by bringing the right build.
5AA22: Heavy Cavalry / PCA Warrant Officer
Although the HC/PCA Warrant Officer is more akin to a mini-boss, he can be more troublesome than some of the other bosses on this list. He wields a pulse shield that mitigates a lot of your attacks and a charged laser shot that is tricky to dodge. But what’s really frustrating about this fight is the lack of a checkpoint, which forces you to repeat the entire mission if you fail.
You’ll encounter this boss in Chapter 3: Eliminate the Enforcement Squads.Bringing the right weapons to combat the mobs and the Warrant Officer’s shieldwill be crucial in securing your victory.
4AAP07: Balteus
“Bullet-hell” Balteus became the face of Armored Core’s difficulty when clips of his insane missile barrage went viral online. Although he is an early game boss, encountered in Chapter 1: Attack the Watchpoint,Balteus will absolutely destroy players that don’t bring the right buildto the fight.
Balteus’ difficulty certainly scales with the limited customization you have access to in the early game, but his wide range of attacks, coupled with his pulse barrier, make this fight challenging all on its own. He forces players to really think about the strengths of each weapon and consider how they build their AC. And while it’s not often talked about, the background music for this fight really enhances the experience.
3IB-01 Cel 240
Cel 240 is one of the hardest bosses in the game, often referred to as theMaleniaof Armored Core. It is an autonomous craft belonging to the Ibis series, developed by the infamous Rubicon Research Institute.
You’ll encounter this boss in Chapter 4: Reach the Coral Convergence, as it stands guard in the lost city. It flies around at dizzying speeds, launching wide-range and long-range coral attacks with hardly a pause.Learning the Cel 240s attack patternand optimizing your build will go a long way in earning your victory.
Allmind can be considered the true last boss of Armored Core 6. It only appears in Chapter 5: Coral Release in New Game++, after you’ve gone through the game’s multiple endings. Having assimilated all the combat data you’ve provided, Allmind’s AC, Mind Alpha, can truly be considered the ultimate AC.
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This fight can be especially challenging because not only do you have to contend with a tough boss, but you will also have to juggle multiple ACs called on to assist it. This challenge will be a true test of your skill, but since it’s the final boss, you’ll have unlocked all the arsenal you need to overcome it.
1AAP07A: Arquebus Balteus
With how memorable Balteus is, seeing it once again in a new and improved form is a moment few players won’t forget. With Arquebus having seized control of the PCA’s resources, Balteus returns in Chapter 5: Destroy the Drive Block, now piloted by V.II Snail.
While you won’t have to suffer his bullet-hell barrage with this new version, his wide-sweeping energy and plasma attacks are their own beast to deal with. He still comes equipped with a pulse barrier, solearning Arquebus Balteus’ attack pattern and bringing the right buildis crucial to defeating him.
