Calculate your mission ratings and track progress toward S-Rank completion in Armored Core 6.
Mission Progress Tracker
S-Rank Strategy Guide
Optimize Your AC Build
Use lightweight builds for speed or tank builds for damage reduction depending on mission requirements.
Learn Enemy Patterns
Memorize enemy attack patterns to avoid damage and identify optimal attack windows.
Use Assault Boost
Master Assault Boost to quickly traverse large areas and close distance with enemies.
Target Priority
Focus on mission-critical targets first, then eliminate additional enemies for bonus points.
This calculator provides estimates based on common S-Rank requirements in Armored Core 6. Actual mission rating criteria may vary. This tool is not affiliated with Bandai Namco or FromSoftware.
In the high-stakes world of Armored Core 6, where corporate warfare and mercenary contracts define the battlefield, achieving S-Rank status represents the pinnacle of pilot proficiency. The sophisticated S-Rank calculation system has transformed how Ravens approach missions, requiring not just combat excellence but strategic optimization across multiple performance metrics.
The complexity of Armored Core 6’s ranking system demands precise understanding of scoring algorithms, damage efficiency calculations, and mission-specific evaluation criteria. Mastering these calculations separates elite pilots from average mercenaries in the brutal corporate conflicts of Rubicon.
Understanding the S-Rank Scoring System
The S-Rank evaluation in Armored Core 6 represents a comprehensive assessment of mission performance, integrating multiple combat and efficiency metrics into a single ranking score. This sophisticated system rewards precision, speed, and resource management over brute force.
Core Ranking Components
S-Rank calculation incorporates four primary performance dimensions:
Mission Completion Time
Weighted assessment of mission duration compared to optimal completion benchmarks. Faster times contribute significantly to higher ranks.
35% Weight
Damage Taken
Evaluation of defensive performance and AP conservation. Minimal damage reception is crucial for S-Rank achievement.
25% Weight
Ammunition Efficiency
Cost-effectiveness analysis of ammunition expenditure relative to targets eliminated.
20% Weight
Bonus Objectives
Completion of secondary objectives and hidden mission parameters.
20% Weight
Ranking Thresholds and Requirements
Mission rankings follow specific scoring thresholds that determine final letter grades:
Ranking Score Thresholds
| Rank | Minimum Score | Performance Level | Reward Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Rank | 950+ points | Perfect Execution | 2.5x |
| A-Rank | 850-949 points | Excellent | 2.0x |
| B-Rank | 700-849 points | Good | 1.5x |
| C-Rank | 500-699 points | Average | 1.0x |
| D-Rank | 0-499 points | Poor | 0.5x |
S-Rank Calculation Methodology
Understanding the mathematical foundation of S-Rank calculations is essential for optimizing mission performance. The system employs sophisticated algorithms that balance multiple performance metrics.
Primary Scoring Formula
The core S-Rank calculation integrates all performance metrics into a unified score:
Total Score = (Time_Score × 0.35) + (Damage_Score × 0.25) + (Ammo_Score × 0.20) + (Bonus_Score × 0.20) Each component score is normalized against mission-specific benchmarks and optimal performance standards.
Time Score Calculation
Mission completion time follows an exponential decay scoring model:
Time Score Decay Rates by Mission Type
| Mission Type | Optimal Time | Score Halving Time | Max Time for S-Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault | 4:00 minutes | 8:00 minutes | 6:30 minutes |
| Defense | 6:00 minutes | 12:00 minutes | 9:45 minutes |
| Elimination | 5:00 minutes | 10:00 minutes | 8:15 minutes |
| Boss Battle | 3:00 minutes | 6:00 minutes | 4:45 minutes |
Damage Score Algorithm
Damage assessment uses a logarithmic scale that heavily penalizes significant AP loss:
Damage_Score = 1000 × (1 - log₁₀(1 + 9 × (Damage_Taken ÷ Max_AP)) ÷ 2) This formula ensures that taking more than 30% damage severely impacts S-Rank potential, while minimal damage maintains high scores.
Mission-Specific S-Rank Strategies
Different mission types require tailored approaches to maximize S-Rank potential. Understanding mission-specific evaluation criteria is crucial for optimal performance.
Assault Missions
Key Success Factors
- Aggressive target prioritization and route optimization
- Minimal engagement with non-essential enemies
- Efficient use of assault boost for rapid movement
- Precision strikes on critical objectives
Recommended Loadouts
Defense Missions
Defensive Strategies
Prioritize protecting objectives over enemy elimination. Use area denial weapons and positioning to control engagement zones.
Efficiency Metrics
Objective integrity (minimum 80% health), enemy wave clearance time, and defensive positioning efficiency.
Boss Encounters
Boss battles emphasize damage efficiency and pattern recognition:
Boss Battle S-Rank Requirements
| Boss Type | Time Limit | Max Damage | Ammo Efficiency | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balteus | 3:30 | 2000 AP | 85%+ | Shield break timing |
| Sea Spider | 4:15 | 2500 AP | 80%+ | Leg weak points |
| CEL 240 | 4:00 | 1800 AP | 90%+ | Dodge pattern mastery |
| Ayre | 5:00 | 2200 AP | 85%+ | Phase transition efficiency |
AC Loadout Optimization for S-Rank
Strategic Armored Core configuration is fundamental to S-Rank achievement. Different mission types demand specialized loadouts that balance firepower, mobility, and efficiency.
Weapon Selection Strategy
Optimal weapon choice varies by mission requirements and scoring priorities:
Weapon Efficiency Ratings for S-Rank
| Weapon Type | Damage/Weight | Ammo Cost Efficiency | Time Efficiency | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Rifles | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | General purpose, ammo efficiency |
| Plasma Weapons | 7/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | Ammo conservation missions |
| Shotguns | 9/10 | 6/10 | 9/10 | Speed runs, close quarters |
| Missile Systems | 6/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | Multi-target engagements |
| Energy Weapons | 7/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | Long missions, no ammo cost |
Frame Part Optimization
AC frame configuration directly impacts mobility, defense, and weapon efficiency:
Critical Loadout Considerations
- Weight impacts mobility and energy regeneration – crucial for time-based scoring
- AP allocation affects damage score – balance defense with mobility requirements
- Energy weapon builds eliminate ammo costs but require generator management
- Specialized builds often outperform balanced configurations for specific missions
Boost and Mobility Optimization
Movement efficiency significantly impacts time scores and damage avoidance:
Advanced S-Rank Techniques
Mastering advanced combat and movement techniques separates S-Rank pilots from average performers. These methods optimize scoring across all evaluation metrics.
Damage Optimization Strategies
Stagger Mechanics Mastery
Understanding and exploiting enemy stagger states dramatically improves damage efficiency and reduces engagement time.
- Impact weapon timing for maximum stagger buildup
- Damage window optimization during staggered states
- Stagger chain maintenance against multiple targets
Weapon Synergy Combinations
Strategic weapon pairing creates damage multipliers that exceed individual weapon performance:
Movement and Positioning
Advanced movement techniques significantly impact time scores and damage avoidance:
Advanced Movement Techniques
| Technique | Time Savings | Damage Reduction | Difficulty | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault Boost Canceling | 15-20% | 10% | High | Rapid engagement transitions |
| Quick Turn Positioning | 5-10% | 25% | Medium | Evasion and re-positioning |
| Vertical Space Utilization | 8-12% | 30% | Low | Height advantage and cover |
| Energy Management Cycling | 10-15% | 15% | High | Sustained mobility |
Mission-Specific S-Rank Challenges
Certain missions present unique challenges for S-Rank achievement. Understanding these mission-specific hurdles is crucial for developing effective strategies.
Time-Sensitive Operations
“Destroy the Transport Helicopters”
Extreme time pressure with multiple moving targets. Requires perfect route optimization and high-damage burst weapons.
“Intercept the Redguns”
Multiple AC engagements with limited time between spawns. Demands efficient target elimination and ammo conservation.
Damage Control Missions
Missions with strict damage limitations require perfect execution and evasion:
High-Damage Risk Missions
| Mission | Max Damage for S-Rank | Primary Threats | Recommended Approach | Critical Loadout Elements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Crossing | 1500 AP | Artillery, MT squads | Speed and evasion | Light frame, energy weapons |
| Attack the Dam Complex | 2000 AP | AC duel, reinforcements | Target priority | Stagger weapons, missiles |
| Defend the Old Spaceport | 1800 AP | Multiple ACs, artillery | Positioning, cover use | Medium build, rifles |
Common S-Rank Mistakes and Solutions
Many pilots struggle with consistent S-Rank achievement due to common strategic errors. Identifying and correcting these mistakes dramatically improves ranking performance.
Strategic Errors
Over-engagement with Minor Threats
Wasting time and resources on non-essential targets significantly impacts time and ammo scores. Solution: Develop target priority awareness and route efficiency.
Poor Loadout Flexibility
Using the same build for all missions ignores mission-specific requirements. Solution: Create specialized loadouts for different mission types and practice quick assembly.
Technical Execution Errors
Mechanical mistakes that consistently impact S-Rank potential:
Common Technical Mistakes and Impact
| Mistake | Time Impact | Damage Impact | Ammo Impact | Correction Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inefficient boosting | 15-25% loss | 10% increase | Minimal | Boost timing practice |
| Poor weapon switching | 5-10% loss | 20% increase | 15% waste | Weapon cycle drills |
| Target priority errors | 20-30% loss | 25% increase | 20% waste | Mission study and routing |
| Defensive positioning | 10% loss | 40% increase | 10% waste | Cover utilization practice |
Conclusion: Mastering the Raven’s Path to Excellence
Achieving consistent S-Rank performance in Armored Core 6 represents the culmination of strategic understanding, technical execution, and adaptive thinking. The sophisticated ranking system rewards pilots who master not just combat proficiency but mission efficiency across multiple dimensions.
The journey to S-Rank mastery transforms players from mere mercenaries into elite Ravens capable of optimizing every aspect of mission performance. This transformation requires dedication to understanding scoring algorithms, developing specialized loadouts, and refining movement and combat techniques to near-perfection.
As the corporate wars on Rubicon continue to evolve, the principles of S-Rank achievement remain constant: precision, efficiency, and adaptability. Mastery of these elements separates legendary pilots from the ranks of ordinary mercenaries, ensuring both corporate success and personal glory in the brutal conflicts that define the Armored Core experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair costs are indirectly factored into the damage score component of S-Rank calculations. While there’s no direct repair cost penalty, the damage taken that generates those costs significantly impacts your damage score. Missions where you take more than 30% of your total AP in damage will see substantial score reductions, making S-Rank increasingly difficult. Optimal S-Rank runs typically involve taking less than 15% total AP damage.
Armored Core 6 features a single difficulty setting for mission ranking, but mission conditions and enemy placements can change between playthroughs and story branches. The S-Rank requirements remain consistent regardless of narrative choices or mission variations. However, alternative mission routes may have different optimal times and damage thresholds based on enemy composition and objective placement.
OST chip tuning provides significant advantages for S-Rank attempts, particularly upgrades that enhance mobility, damage output, or defensive capabilities. Key upgrades include improved quick boost efficiency, assault boost enhancements, direct hit modifiers, and damage mitigation. While skilled pilots can achieve S-Ranks without full OST tuning, maximizing your chip allocation dramatically reduces the execution precision required for top rankings.
While technically possible to achieve S-Rank with any frame type, certain missions heavily favor specific configurations. Lightweight frames excel in time-sensitive missions where mobility is crucial, while tank builds may struggle with speed requirements but dominate in pure combat scenarios. Medium-weight bipedal frames typically offer the best balance for most missions. The key is adapting your frame to mission requirements rather than forcing a single build to work everywhere.
Bonus objectives contribute approximately 20% to your total S-Rank score and are essential for achieving maximum ranking. These can include destroying specific targets, completing secondary objectives, or finding hidden items. Missing bonus objectives typically caps your maximum potential score at around 800-850 points (A-Rank), making them mandatory for S-Rank achievement. Always research mission-specific bonus objectives before attempting S-Rank runs.
The most frequent cause of near-miss S-Rank attempts is unnecessary damage taken during the final segments of missions. Many pilots play perfectly until the last encounter, then become impatient and take preventable damage. Other common issues include inefficient route choices that waste 10-20 seconds, overuse of expensive ammunition on minor targets, and failing to utilize assault boost effectively for movement between objectives.
S-Rank requirements remain identical in New Game+ cycles. However, pilots have significant advantages including fully upgraded OST chips, access to all parts, and extensive mission knowledge. This makes S-Rank achievement considerably easier in subsequent playthroughs. Many pilots find it more efficient to complete initial playthroughs for story and part collection, then focus on S-Rank attempts in New Game+ with optimized loadouts and upgrades.
Certain missions present exceptional S-Rank challenges, typically those with multiple AC encounters, strict time limits, or complex bonus objectives. “Intercept the Redguns,” “Destroy the Ice Worm,” and “Coral Export Denial” are commonly cited as particularly demanding. These missions require near-perfect execution, specialized loadouts, and sometimes unconventional strategies. Studying video guides and practicing specific encounter sequences is recommended for these challenging S-Ranks.