Plan and optimize your Armored Core 6 builds with detailed stat tracking
Build Statistics
Core Parts
Weapons & Systems
Build Summary
Build Performance
About AC6 Build Calculator
Build Optimization
This calculator helps you plan your Armored Core 6 builds by tracking part compatibility, weight distribution, and performance metrics.
- Calculate total weight and energy load
- Compare different part combinations
- Visualize build performance with charts
- Optimize for specific playstyles
Build Strategies
Different build types excel in various combat scenarios:
- Lightweight: High mobility, hit-and-run tactics
- Balanced: Versatile for multiple situations
- Heavy: Maximum firepower and defense
- Specialized: Optimized for specific missions
Tips for Effective Builds
Balance your AC’s weight with its boost capabilities. Overloading your AC will reduce mobility, while being too light may sacrifice firepower and defense. Experiment with different combinations to find what works for your playstyle.
Mastering Armored Core 6’s Build System with the AC6 Build Calculator
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon continues FromSoftware’s legacy of deep, complex customization systems that reward strategic planning and optimization. The AC6 Build Calculator is an essential tool for pilots looking to create the perfect Armored Core for any mission or combat scenario.
This comprehensive guide will explore the intricate mechanics of AC customization, from weight distribution and energy management to weapon compatibility and specialized builds. Whether you’re a Raven returning to the series or a new pilot taking your first steps on Rubicon, understanding how to effectively use build calculators will dramatically enhance your combat effectiveness and enjoyment of the game.
Understanding Armored Core 6’s Customization System
Armored Core 6 features one of the most complex and rewarding customization systems in mech games. Every component of your AC affects its performance, and understanding these relationships is key to creating effective builds.
Core Components of an AC Build
Every Armored Core consists of several key components that must work in harmony:
- Core – The central frame that determines overall durability and energy capacity
- Arms – Affects weapon accuracy and melee capability
- Legs – Determines mobility type and carry capacity
- Head – Provides scanning capabilities and system recovery
- Generator – Powers all systems and determines energy recharge
- Boosters – Controls mobility and evasion capabilities
- FCS – Fire Control System that determines targeting performance
The Importance of Weight Distribution
Weight management is crucial in AC6. Exceeding your leg capacity severely impacts mobility, while being too light can leave you vulnerable to stagger.
Performance Impact of Weight-to-Capacity Ratio
The AC6 Build Calculator: Features and Functionality
The AC6 Build Calculator helps pilots plan, optimize, and theorycraft their Armored Core configurations without the need for in-game trial and error.
Key Calculation Parameters
The calculator processes numerous variables to provide accurate performance predictions:
Total Weight = Σ(Part Weights) + Σ(Weapon Weights) + Ammunition Weight
Energy Load = Σ(Part EN Consumption) + Σ(Weapon EN Consumption)
Weight Ratio = Total Weight ÷ Leg Load Capacity
Performance Metrics Calculated
The calculator provides detailed metrics for build evaluation:
- Boost speed and quick boost performance
- Stability and anti-stagger capabilities
- Energy efficiency and recharge rates
- Weapon compatibility and firing stability
- Defensive capabilities against various damage types
Energy Management Balance for Different Playstyles
Part Compatibility and Synergy Systems
Not all AC parts work well together. Understanding compatibility and synergy is crucial for creating effective builds.
Manufacturer Compatibility
Different manufacturers specialize in specific design philosophies that affect part synergy:
| Manufacturer | Specialization | Strengths | Weaknesses | Compatible With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arquebus | Energy Weapons | High EN efficiency, precision | Lower durability, expensive | BAWS, Elcano |
| Balam | Heavy Assault | High durability, firepower | Poor mobility, high weight | RaD, Furlong |
| RaD | Custom Solutions | Versatility, unique effects | Specialized, niche applications | All manufacturers |
| Elcano | Lightweight Frames | Excellent mobility, efficiency | Low durability, limited capacity | Arquebus, RaD |
| Furlong | Ballistic Weapons | High impact, ammunition variety | Poor energy weapons synergy | Balam, RaD |
Hidden Synergy Bonuses
Certain part combinations provide hidden bonuses that aren’t immediately apparent:
Synergy Bonus = Base Stat × (1 + Compatibility Modifier)
Compatibility modifiers range from -0.1 to +0.2 depending on part combinations
Manufacturer Compatibility Matrix
Weight Distribution and Mobility Calculations
Proper weight management is the foundation of any effective AC build. The relationship between weight, mobility, and stability is complex but crucial to understand.
Weight Classifications
AC builds are generally categorized by their weight class, which determines their core gameplay style:
- Lightweight (Under 40,000 weight units) – High mobility, low durability
- Middleweight (40,000-75,000 weight units) – Balanced approach
- Heavyweight (75,000-110,000 weight units) – High durability, limited mobility
- Super Heavy (Over 110,000 weight units) – Extreme firepower, very slow
Mobility Calculations
Mobility is affected by multiple factors beyond just weight:
Boost Speed = Base Boost × (1 – Weight Penalty) + Booster Bonus
Quick Boost Cooldown = Base Cooldown × (1 + Weight Penalty) – Booster Efficiency
Weight Penalty is calculated based on the ratio of current weight to maximum capacity
Mobility vs. Weight Ratio for Different Leg Types
Energy Management and Generator Optimization
Effective energy management separates adequate builds from exceptional ones. The generator is the heart of your AC’s power system.
Generator Types and Specializations
Different generator types cater to specific playstyles and weapon loadouts:
| Generator Type | Energy Output | Recharge Rate | Capacity | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Versatile builds, beginners |
| High-Capacity | Moderate | Slow | Very High | Energy weapon specialists |
| Rapid-Charge | Low-Moderate | Very Fast | Low | Mobile builds, quick boost spam |
| High-Output | Very High | Slow | High | Heavy energy weapons, tank builds |
| Efficient | Low | Fast | Moderate | Sustained operations, sniper builds |
Energy Load Calculations
Managing your energy load is crucial for maintaining combat effectiveness:
Energy Efficiency = Generator Output ÷ Total EN Load
Safe Operation Range: Energy Efficiency ≥ 1.2
Critical Overload: Energy Efficiency ≤ 0.8
Generator Performance Across Different Energy Loads
Weapon Systems and Optimal Loadouts
Weapon selection and arrangement can make or break an AC build. Understanding weapon types, ranges, and synergies is essential.
Weapon Classification System
AC6 features a diverse arsenal categorized by damage type and function:
- Kinetic – Physical projectiles with high impact
- Energy – EN-based weapons with special properties
- Explosive – Area-of-effect damage with stagger potential
- Melee – Close-quarters high-damage weapons
- Support – Defensive and utility systems
Optimal Range Calculations
Each weapon has optimal range parameters that affect its effectiveness:
Effective Damage = Base Damage × Range Modifier × FCS Accuracy
Range Modifier = 1 – (|Actual Range – Optimal Range| ÷ Optimal Range)
Damage Falloff Across Different Weapon Types
Specialized Build Archetypes and Strategies
Successful pilots often specialize their ACs for specific combat roles. Understanding these archetypes helps in creating focused, effective builds.
Common Build Archetypes
These established archetypes provide solid foundations for various playstyles:
Lightweight Skirmisher
High mobility build focused on hit-and-run tactics
- Optimal Weight: 25,000-35,000
- Key Parts: Light legs, rapid-charge generator
- Weapons: Melee + high-impact ranged
Heavy Assault
Slow but powerful build with high durability
- Optimal Weight: 80,000-100,000
- Key Parts: Tank legs, high-output generator
- Weapons: High-damage ballistic/explosive
Energy Specialist
Focused on energy weapons with high EN management
- Optimal Weight: 45,000-65,000
- Key Parts: EN-efficient core, high-capacity generator
- Weapons: Laser/plasma weapons
Sniper/Artillery
Long-range specialist with high single-shot damage
- Optimal Weight: 50,000-70,000
- Key Parts: Stable legs, long-range FCS
- Weapons: Sniper rifles, missile systems
Performance Comparison of Build Archetypes
Advanced Optimization Techniques
Beyond basic part selection, advanced techniques can fine-tune your AC for peak performance.
Weight Distribution Optimization
Strategic weight placement can improve stability and mobility beyond simple weight reduction:
Stability Bonus = 1 – (|Center of Mass Offset| ÷ Maximum Offset)
Center of Mass Offset is calculated based on weight distribution across parts
Specialized Counter-Building
Creating builds specifically designed to counter popular meta builds can provide a significant advantage:
- Anti-lightweight: High-accuracy weapons with tracking
- Anti-heavy: High-impact weapons with stagger potential
- Anti-energy: High energy defense with kinetic weapons
Conclusion
The AC6 Build Calculator is an indispensable tool for any pilot serious about mastering Armored Core 6’s deep customization system. By understanding the complex relationships between parts, stats, and performance metrics, you can create ACs that excel in any combat scenario.
Remember that while calculators provide valuable data and optimization suggestions, personal playstyle and adaptability are equally important. Use the AC6 Build Calculator as a foundation for experimentation and refinement, not as a replacement for developing your own piloting skills and strategic thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions About AC6 Builds
While there’s no single “most important” stat, Energy Efficiency and Weight Ratio are foundational metrics that affect nearly all aspects of your AC’s performance. Maintaining an Energy Efficiency above 1.2 and a Weight Ratio below 0.8 ensures your AC can function effectively without severe penalties to mobility or energy recovery. Beyond these basics, prioritize stats that align with your intended playstyle—boost speed for mobile builds, stability for heavy builds, etc.
Manufacturer compatibility provides modest but meaningful bonuses that can add up significantly in optimized builds. While mixing manufacturers won’t make a build completely ineffective, sticking with compatible manufacturers can provide 5-15% improvements in key areas like energy efficiency, weight distribution, or weapon performance. For competitive play, these bonuses are often worth pursuing, but for casual or campaign play, personal preference and part availability may be more important factors.
For a truly balanced build that can handle various situations, aim for the middleweight range of 45,000-65,000 weight units. This weight range typically allows for reasonable mobility while maintaining enough durability and firepower to engage different enemy types effectively. Lightweight builds (under 40,000) sacrifice too much durability for general use, while heavyweight builds (over 75,000) struggle with mobility requirements in many missions.
Effective counter-building requires understanding enemy weaknesses. Against fast, lightweight enemies: use high-tracking weapons and area denial tools. Against heavy, tanky enemies: focus on high-impact weapons that can stagger them. Against energy-focused builds: equip high energy defense parts and use kinetic weapons. The AC6 Build Calculator can help simulate these matchups by showing how your build’s stats compare to common enemy types.
Energy weapon builds require careful energy management. Prioritize generators with high capacity and decent recharge rates. Use energy-efficient cores and avoid unnecessary energy-draining parts. Consider mixing one kinetic weapon to use when your energy is low. The most effective strategy is burst firing rather than sustained fire, allowing your energy to recover between volleys. The AC6 Build Calculator’s energy simulation feature can help optimize your firing patterns for maximum efficiency.
The FCS is critically important as it directly affects your weapon accuracy and lock-on capabilities. Different FCS units specialize in different range brackets and target types. Close-range FCS options provide faster lock-ons for melee and shotgun builds, while long-range FCS units improve accuracy for sniper and missile builds. Mid-range FCS offers versatility for balanced approaches. Always match your FCS to your primary engagement range and weapon types for optimal performance.
While specialized builds typically perform better in their designated roles, effective hybrid builds are possible with careful planning. The key is to identify complementary specializations rather than contradictory ones. For example, a mobile energy weapon build combines lightweight mobility with energy weapon efficiency effectively. However, attempting to combine extreme specializations (like super heavy weight with high mobility) generally leads to compromised performance in both areas. The AC6 Build Calculator can help identify viable hybrid combinations by simulating their performance metrics.
Regular revision is key to maintaining an effective AC. Revisit your build after unlocking significant new parts, when facing new enemy types that counter your current setup, or when your playstyle evolves. Many pilots create several specialized builds for different mission types rather than trying to create one “perfect” build for all situations. The AC6 Build Calculator’s save and compare features make it easy to maintain multiple optimized builds for different purposes.