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In Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, it’s not enough to keep a weapon in both hands. ACs can carry two weapons on their back as well, and the player will need to do just that if they want to survive and thrive. Back equipment even includes the occasional shield and special tech, and the best builds make use of all of these. Getting through the campaign is hard enough, but putting together a great PvP build requires mastery of one’s equipment. Here is the best back equipment in Armored Core 6, in no particular order.
BML-G1/PO7VTC-12
The BML-G1 vertical missile launcher fires 12 missiles at once. Their vertical trajectory means most cover is useless against them, allowing the player to strike their enemies over barriers at will. Each missile does a significant amount of damage and impact, and with 12 in the air at once, it’s easy to stagger your enemy. Though the BML-G1 is a bulky piece of equipment, the extra weight is worth it. Dodging 12 missiles can be difficult even for talented players. Toss other attacks into the mix and it becomes all but impossible.
EULE-60D
The EULE-60D pulse shield launcher is a weird, dual-purpose item. The pulse shields launched by this weapon cancel incoming fire, allowing the player to create defensive barriers wherever they want on the battlefield. Best of all, touching a pulse shield causes major ACS strain, making it possible to stagger enemies with just the shield. Using the EULE-60D properly requires a high degree of skill. Players who can pull it off are rewarded with a tool that’s as effective a weapon as it is a shield.
IB-C03W4: NGI 028
The IB-C03W4 Coral shield uses Coral to generate a 360-degree barrier around the AC. Coral tech is notoriously energy-hungry, so if you’re fighting for every volt, you might want to consider a smaller shield. For players who want the best coverage possible, however, this coral shield is ideal. Excellent Damage Mitigation and Impact Dampening make a joke of incoming attacks, and the coral shield’s Deployment Range is unmatched. Shields are some of the toughest items in the game to use well, but this one makes their use as painless as possible.
WS-5001 Soup
Missile enthusiasts have a lot of great options in Armored Core 6, and it can be hard to decide what the best back equipment is for missile builds. There’s a great case to be made for the WS-5001 Soup. This scatter missile launcher fires salvos of 10 missiles at once. These projectiles don’t all strike at the same time, however, instead coming in three consecutive stages. This delay tends to mess with the timing of players’ dodges, making it a great choice for PvP. Even in the campaign and Arena, however, Soup provides excellent DPS.
Earshot
Players in search of something subtle and strategic might want to look elsewhere. For those who want top-notch firepower, however, the Earshot grenade cannon does everything right. The power and blast radius of this weapon are all but unmatched. Whether you’re trying to take down another player in the Nest or a gathering of MTs in story mode, the Earshot can get it done. That said, there are a few downsides to this weapon, including its high weight and low ammo capacity, so count your shots.
Songbirds
The Songbirds grenade cannon is a favorite amongst players in every mode of the game. These explosives are as straightforward as they are satisfying. Lighter than many heavy explosive back units, this grenade cannon sacrifices a bit of Attack Power in the name of portability. That means medium-weight ACs can equip one or even two of these without much trouble. Given the Songbirds’ power and impact potential, many players will want to do just that. Get used to seeing Songbirds in the Nest, because this grenade cannon is some of the best back equipment.
VE-60SNA
The VE-60SNA stun needle launcher is the key item required to defeat a certain boss in story mode. What’s amazing about this unique weapon is that the player can keep it after the fight and use it against any opponent they face. It’s incredibly heavy and cumbersome. In exchange, the VE-60SNA creates an electrical discharge at the point of impact. Combining high Attack Power and Impact, the stun needle launcher can bring even tanks to a stop in an instant.
WR-0999 Delivery Boy
The WR-0999 Delivery Boy might be the least aerodynamic back item in the game. Even so, it manages to rank amongst the best back equipment. This cluster missile launcher carpet bombs the target area with a number of small explosives. With only 20 Total Rounds, the player will need to make every shot count. That makes the Delivery Boy a poor choice for some story missions. Against bosses and players in PvP, however, its overwhelming Attack Power and Impact can win the player battles as soon as they begin. True to its name, the Delivery Boy will deliver the player win after win.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
