One of the toughest challenges in Armored Core 6 is unlocking S Ranks for all missions. Doing so unlocks “The Perfect Mercenary” achievement/trophy. Several factors work together to grade how well you complete a mission, though there are no set requirements.
Set criteria determine whether or not you get an S Rank in your missions, but none are guaranteed to do so in Armored Core 6. That means you cannot expect to have an S Rank every time by following the same course of action.
Certain activities, some of which carry more weight than others, can only increase your chances of unlocking an S rank. It is all about your performance in that mission. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to achieve the coveted S Rank in Armored Core 6.
1. Complete missions in one life (no checkpoints)
You only get one chance (or one life) to complete a mission for an S Rank in Armored Core 6. If you restart your game from a checkpoint, you will ruin your S-Rank chances for that playthrough. However, you can restart a mission from the beginning at any point.
2. Complete missions as quickly as possible
If there is one foremost way to get an S Rank in a mission, it is to complete missions as quickly as possible in Armored Core 6. The less time you take to complete a mission, the higher the chance of getting an S Rank.
A viable tip here is to simply ignore enemies and rush for objectives if you are playing a mission to unlock its S Rank.
Some missions, for example, actually allow you to push past enemies without defeating them. Do not waste time on such engagements. Only complete your objectives.
3. Save your ammo
Conserving your ammo is one of several ways to get an S Rank in your current mission in Armored Core 6. However, it is also the least effective way to guarantee your S-Rank chances.
The only problem is that Armored Core 6 does not mention how much ammo you can use or should save. The only thing to know here is that you must use as little ammo as possible to increase your S-Rank chances. You may as well rely on your melee weapons.
Remember that you can confirm how much ammo you use in a mission through the mission-end summary. That should give you an idea of how much ammo you need to conserve the next time.
4. Make use of Blade weapons
Use blade weapons, as they don’t consume ammo. This removes the need to conserve ammo. Just get your hand on a blade weapon and let it rip. Get to close quarters, equip your pulse armor, and kill enemies quickly. With proper practice and techniques, you’ll get an S-Rank in no time.
5. Avoid taking damage
While grinding for an S-Rank, you have certain limiters set on you in Armored Core 6. One of them is minimum damage. You must ensure that you take as little damage as possible during your gameplay.
You will get the results at the end of a mission. There, you will see “repair costs.” The lower the repair costs, the higher your chances of getting an S-Rank.
6. Construct an Optimal AC build
Every AC build is different, and it has different traits. Some are faster, some stronger, and some more agile than others. So, optimize your AC build for that particular mission. Choosing the right build for that mission is a key factor. Always remember to pick your ACs according to your Mission requirements.
7. Use Pulse Armor
Pulse armor is a core that envelops you in a shield. This helps you negate enemy damage. When activated the shield looks like a bubble surrounding you. This lets you attack, move, and defend at the same time.
If you have not mastered Dodge yet, this would be your best bet at getting an S Rank early on in Armored Core 6. It is possible but difficult.
8. Make liberal use of Boost Kick
The boost kick is an exceptionally useful mechanic that allows you to easily defeat larger enemies. If done right, this move can even knock enemies off ledges, further helping you conserve your ammo and achieve that highly sought-after S rank in Armored Core 6.
The Boost Kick can also evade/escape enemies in a pinch. Simply use Boost Kick, and while your enemies are staggered, escape the area to continue with the mission. Often, killing enemies isn’t required for an S rank, and escaping is the smarter choice.
Other conditions
You must complete bonus objectives in certain missions to get an S Rank in Armored Core 6. For some missions, you’ll have to defeat bosses. For others, you will have to gather combat logs for fallen enemies. So, they vary from mission to mission. Make sure to check your mission logs for all the important details.
These rules will apply to your mission independently. Sometimes, you need to be fast. Sometimes, you’ll need to survive with your health above a certain percentage. Sometimes, not wasting your bullets will do the trick. These conditions can occur at the same time as well.
