Armored Core 6 has been producing a lot of disruption around the Internet since its release, with newcomers and existing fans of the Armored Core franchise clashing over the supposed difficulty of the game. To begin with, this really does seem like a brutal, unforgiving game as it throws the most chaotic bosses at you, to which many fans of From Software's Souls games have been saying are much worse than what they have known. At first, I felt the game was quite difficult when it came to these fights, but the more I played and tested, familiarising myself with the weapons and parts to build my own AC, I realised much of this difficulty isn't really there. It's more a lack of knowledge of the game's potential builds and how to go about using them as an advantage.
I wanted to mix things up as I usually do when playing the game, testing what I can come up with and what works and what doesn't. This isn't my first rodeo with Balteus, and it also won't be my last. But I made a build with just pistols and some regular shoulder missiles and decided to see how they'd go up against just one of the bosses that are causing people to request refunds, or find the strongest possible builds to soak up the sheer damage output you're faced against.
With this build, I went for as much speed as I possibly could. Focusing on the parts that gave the most agility and flight time, allowing me to spend lengthy periods of time in the air and dodge without the need to constantly wait for energy regeneration. I honestly expected to get absolutely slammed with this build. I knew speed would work to my advantage, but the default missiles and pistols? I figured that would not even put a dent in his constant shields. I've already tested this build with Balteus, and this is actually one of the less clean runs I've had against him. But the only one I felt like recording.
This boss can be a bit unforgiving. Sometimes he's easy to dodge, sometimes he catches you with one hit, to which a combo follows and wipes your health, you can see it in the video. And it definitely had me a little spooked.
Dear God, this game is so fun sometimes. These challenges and unknown expectations going into fights is what makes it for me. Customising and constantly changing things, and taking advantage of the fact you can always go into a fight and learn something new from it. The pacing that changes as a result, the total mashing of keys that can come from managing the few cooldowns and endless necessary movements to minimise damage you take. I haven't had this much fun with a game in years. I've already managed to put in 25 hours... And it isn't stopping there.
▶️ 3Speak