Several missions in Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon feel like elaborate environmental puzzles. Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship is one such instance. The Strider mining ship dominates the desert in which it appears, and almost the entire mission takes place on top of the vessel. No one said being a mercenary on Rubicon is easy, after all. Players unfamiliar with the other AC games are in for a surprise with the size and power of the Strider. Thankfully, we’ve broken down everything there is to know about clearing the mission and beating this towering boss.
Armored Core 6 Mining Ship Mission Guide
Confronting the Strider for the first time can be overwhelming. ACs in Armored Core 6 aren’t exactly small, but this boss towers over even the largest of them. It’s a complicated boss to beat, but it can be done. To finish Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
Use Assault Boost To Reach Your Destination
The mission starts in the desert amidst a dust storm. Despite the obscured view, you can still make out the Strider. Use Assault Boost to reach the mission objective as fast as possible.
Avoid the Laser Fire
The Strider shoots incredibly powerful lasers that can shred even the toughest ACs, so be prepared to dodge the lasers in mid-air as you cross the desert.
Target the Leg
Once you get close, the mission target will shift to one of the Strider’s legs. It’s high above the ground, but you can reach it using the cliff. Attack and destroy the leg.
Head to Toward the Next Mission Targets
Destroying the leg causes the Strider to collapse. Climb it and make your way toward the new mission targets. Be mindful of the small turrets that will target you on the way. They don’t do much damage individually but can cost you valuable health over time.
Destroy Four Subgenerators
You must destroy four subgenerators to drop the Eye’s shield. There’s one on each side of the Strider, one on its underbelly, and one on its roof.
Position Yourself With Caution
Destroy them however you want, but be careful how you move because the Eye can hit you with lasers if you expose your AC to it.
How to Beat the Strider
After destroying the subgenerators and dropping the shield, turn your attention to the Eye itself. The damage you’ve already done reduced the boss’s health by 50%. Now, you just need to finish it off. Even with its shields down, that’s easier said than done, but you can beat the boss with the help of the following tips:
- The Eye shoots powerful laser beams, and it only takes a couple of shots to destroy most ACs. Stay vigilant: the Eye telegraphs its attacks with a charge-up animation. When you see it preparing to fire, either take cover or prepare to dodge.
- You can easily beat the boss by taking cover on one of the platforms on the side of the Strider, only popping your head up long enough to strike the Eye. Any medium to long-range weapon works well here.
- Alternatively, you can stay on the main platform with the Eye and attack it from close range, dodging out of the way whenever it attacks. Keep in mind, however, that it can only take damage from the front, not the armored portion behind it. Additionally, it can unleash a small missile barrage to harass you up close. This method is fast but risky.
- Once the Eye has been destroyed, the Strider will begin to collapse. Wait for a new mission indicator to pop up and tell you where to go, then Assault Boost to that location to end the mission. Move quickly because the collapsing Strider will destroy your AC if you don’t escape fast enough.
The skills you’ve developed through the destruction of the weaponized mining ship will be important in the missions to come in Armored Core 6. There’s no Battle Log to collect, so for now, it’s time to get out of the desert.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
