Armored Core

The game uses a third-person combat view as players guide an AC through bases, cities, and wastelands while fighting enemy machines, defenses, and bosses. Before each sortie, parts, weapons, boosters, and armor can be freely combined, with weight, energy usage, lock-on behavior, and repair costs all affecting performance. Progress is mission-based: clearing jobs earns money, which is then used to upgrade or rebuild the machine for the next assignment.

Raven

The mercenary identity adopted by the player, representing an independent AC pilot.

Strung

One of the notable rival pilots associated with the game's mercenary conflict.

Master of Arena

A title tied to the series' competitive pilot culture, reflected in the game's worldbuilding.

Keep the AC mobile and energy-efficient early on instead of overloading it with heavy armor. Adjust weapons to match mission targets: tracking-friendly weapons help against agile enemies, while high-damage arms are better for armored foes. Watch repair and ammo costs carefully, since net mission profit often matters more than the listed reward.

Tips and tricks

• Do not rush into expensive parts at the start; first build a stable feel for movement and lock-on.
• Keep one loadout for close range and another for long range to handle different mission types.
• Judge missions by net profit after repair costs, not just by the reward amount.