How to unlock the Arena in Armored Core 6

Trying to unlock the Arena in Armored Core 6? From Software’s latest instalment into the mech battling series has brought back a host of features from previous games. Among them, of course, is the Arena – a staple gamemode of the series.

But you won’t start the game with the mode unlocked. So how do you get into it? Here, we’ll go over how you can unlock the Arena in Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon, so you can start climbing through the ranks. You may find you’ll need to try some different loadouts – if you aren’t too sure on how to get parts in Armored Core 6 yet, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Unlocking the Arena in Fires of Rubicon

To unlock the Arena in Armored Core 6, you need to progress through sortie missions in the game. Once you’ve completed a sufficient number of missions in chapter 1, you’ll unlock the mode. For us, this was a data retrieval mission following Operation Wallclimber – but completing the “Investigate BAWS Arsenal” mission should also unlock the game mode.

This will unlock the Arena. In your first playthrough, you’ll be able to take on 29 opponents in this mode. Not all 29 are avialable at once though – you’ll unlock each new batch of fighters for each rank after completing significant progress in the main campaign. Missions like Watchpoint, Ocean Crossing and the attack on the Old Spaceport will open up new arena ranks.

Coming back for a second playthrough on New Game Plus unlocks an additional 12 opponents to face off against in combat. Finally, a third playthrough will unlock three new opponents, each effectively a boss fight. Any NG+ modes after this though won’t unlock further bosses for the arena.

What is Arena mode?

For those new to the series, Arena mode is a special mode in which you compete in duels against other mechs to earn credits and prestige. In Armored Core 6, the mode is framed as a simulation series that allows mercs to test their skills against other independent ACs.

Winning a match earns you some credits and other rewards. But it also allows you to climb the rankings, which reflect the skill and title of your mercenary. For each rank, you’ll need to defeat multiple opponents one after another. This begins with three opponents at Rank F, and grows from here. The last opponent of each rank will usually be particularly difficult. Beat them though, and you’ll rank up.

The Arena ranks in Armored Core 6 are:

• Rank F – The lowest rank. These ACs are easy targets to dispatch.
• Rank E – Opponents here are a bit tougher, making better use of movement and armaments to put pressure on you.
• Rank D – A significant step up in quality. These opponents boast more robust AC designs, and will make use of abilities like Assault Armor and Pulse Armor.
• Rank C – This is where opponents begin to get tougher. Enemies here have well designed ACs that can fulfil specialised niches that require learning and redesign to overcome.
• Rank B – The start of the upper echelons. Opponents here require significant skill and dedication to beat. They are effectively on par with mid-tier bosses, such as Sulla.
• Rank A – These are the truly exceptional fighters. AC builds here will be optimised, punishing and aggressive, requiring skill and precision to overcome.
• Rank S – The deadliest opponents you can find. These pilots are at the top of their game, and demand serious dedication, strategy and skill to defeat.

What do you get from Arena mode?

Arena mode isn’t all about glory and prestige, you earn a few different things from it as well. When beating an opponent in the arena, you’ll earn:

• Their AC’s unique decal, which you can use on your own AC designs.
• Credits, starting at 35,000 per win at Rank F and climbing from there.
• OST chips. You can use these to upgrade your mech’s Operating System, unlocking new features like Assault Armour or manual targeting, or getting damage boosts to different weapon types.

That covers everything you’ll need to unlock the Arena in Armored Core 6, as well as all the details of what the mode offers. It’s a great way to train your skill too, as you’ll need to be at the top of your game to beat bosses like the Smart Cleaner or Balteus If you still find yourself in need of some advice, we can help.

How long is Arena mode in Armored Core 6?

Arena mode will take you from Rank F to Rank S.

Is Arena in Armored Core 6 mode hard?

The difficulty of Arena mode gradually increases as you take on more challenging opponents to earn better ranks. Rank F opponents are quite easy to beat, while Rank B for example are much harder.