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Slow and heavy leg types offer higher carrying capacity and improved armor, so it can be hard to justify running something lighter. Yet the flashy movement and high jumps of reverse-joint legs may do just that. Unlike tanks, tetras, and standard bipeds, reverse-joint builds are all about maximizing mobility. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is as difficult as it is beautiful, so getting top value from this unusual equipment won’t be easy. This build is all about balancing speed and offensive capability without sacrificing too much AP. That’s what makes it the best reverse-joint build in the game.
L-Arm and R-Arm – SG-027 Zimmerman
Running dual Zimmermans is already a meme in the AC community, but there’s a good reason these shotguns became so popular. What they lack in speed they make up for in strength. That’s typical of a shotgun. What makes the Zimmerman unique is their extended range, allowing them to be used at medium as well as close range. Burning through ammo too fast is always a risk, but that’s typically only an issue on prolonged missions. For everything else, the Zimmermans are perfect.
L-Back – Earshot
Like most heavy weapons of its kind, the Earshot grenade cannon forces reverse-joint ACs to stand still in order to fire. Doing so even for a couple of seconds is a risky proposition in some of the game’s tensest battles, but the Earshot makes up for that downside. With a staggeringly high Attack Power and damage radius, the Earshot makes short work of everything it comes into contact with. Whether that’s a crowd of MTs or another player in PvP, a couple of well-placed Earshot blasts will seal the deal.
R-Back – BML-G1/P20MLT-04
The BML-G1/P20MLT-04 missile launcher is a basic model. It launches four missiles at a time and is capable of multi-lock, making it a great pick for dealing with crowds. These missiles are great for landing unexpected hits on the enemy and building up strain. Between them and the Zimmermans, it’s possible to stagger bosses and the other players in an instant before opening fire with the Earshot. Its utility in story mode, the Arena, and the Nest makes this missile launcher a great pick for the best reverse-joint build.
Head – 20-081 Mind Alpha
The 20-081 Mind Alpha head is a great all-around pick. Unlike the Earshot and other specialized equipment that are meant to do one or two jobs well, the 20-081 is a sound choice for most situations. With a healthy balance of AP, Attitude Stability, and System Recovery, this stylish head does good work in most situations. Though there are better specialist pieces, there’s arguably no better head to serve as a jack-of-all-trades in this build.
Arms – Nachtreiher/46E
The Nachtreiher/46E arms are lightweight and mobile. While it’s tempting to just slap on whatever has the highest AP, that’s not the point of reverse-joint builds. Loadouts like this one are designed for mobility, Quick Boosts, and jumping. The Nachtreiher arms give the player reasonable AP and fantastic Firearm Specialization while keeping weight to a minimum. That’s the kind of compromise that earns this part a place in the best reverse-joint build.
Core – EL-TC-10 Firmeza
The EL-TC-10 Firmeza continues the jack-of-all-trades ideal. Its AP leaves much to be desired, but in Generator Output Adjustment and other vital stats, it performs well. One reason that reverse-joint builds tend to only thrive in the hands of experienced pilots is that making mistakes with them is costly. PvP opponents equipped with heavy-duty tanks and tetras can tear through light and medium armor in seconds if the player isn’t careful. Despite that risk, the Firmeza’s solid stats can get the job done if they’re wielded properly.
Legs – 06-042 Mind Beta
Every piece of equipment in Armored Core 6 has its pros and cons, but there’s an argument for the 06-042 being the best reverse-joints in the game. There are lighter and heavier builds possible with this kind of build, but the Mind Beta legs find a happy middle ground. They’re fast and flexible enough to let the player keep up with other reverse-joints and airborne tetras in PvP. They can also help the player take a beating from some of the game’s nastier bosses.
Booster – Buerzel/21D
Unlike the Earshot cannon and missiles, Zimmermans like to get up close and personal. Since those dual shotguns are the star of this build, it makes sense to equip a booster designed to get the player close fast. There are better choices for Quick Boosts and other stats, but when it comes to using Assault Boost to get in an enemy’s face, the Buerzel/21D is the right choice. Pair this booster with Zimmermans, and you have the makings of the best reverse-joint build in Armored Core 6.
FCS – FC-006 Abbot
The FC-oo6 Abbot puts all of its eggs in the Close-Range Assist basket. Its mid-range performance is so-so, and at long range, it’s effectively useless. The point of the build is getting close to your enemy and unleashing your shotguns, however. For that, the FC-006 Abbot is perfect. This specialized FCS will help the players land enough shotgun blasts to stagger their enemies. When that’s done, the Earshot cannon will help finish the job.
Core Expansion – Terminal Armor
There’s a persuasive argument for every Core Expansion in the game. Yet for many pilots and new players in particular, there’s nothing better than Terminal Armor. This last-chance OST upgrade spares the AC from blows that would otherwise destroy it. Clinging to life with a single AP while deploying a powerful shield is hard to overvalue. The best reverse-joint build doesn’t have the DPS to maximize this part’s potential, but it proves invaluable in many fights.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
