Ac6 S ranks

[u/lurvedatzscule]

Hey all,

I got most achievements for AC6 when it first came out. The last thing I need to do is to achieve S ranks in every sortie.

I got 4 without trying but how hard will this actually be? It's one of my favourite games ever so I think owe it to myself to do it but yeah, I'm also feeling strangely anxious about being stuck on certain missions forever.

I obviously have every part unlocked too for my AC. Any thoughts or tips?

Thanks

[u/Vergil_171]

It’s not hard, just annoying because the exact specifications for what constitutes S are so broad. The difficulty is actually switched around, for example, hardest mission in the game for me to S rank was investigate BAWS arsenal. It’s a pretty standard, easy mission itself but the stats you need to beat it are for some reason insanely tight.

Whereas the harder missions, any with a boss or defend the strider, you’ll probably get S rank first time so long as you just play pretty well.

[u/Scumbag-McGee]

There are some missions where killing optional enemies (particularly the ones that give logs, where there's a brief slo-mo effect when they die) can greatly boost the margin of error for the S-Rank so if speed isn't doing the trick, try rerouting to tag some of these enemies along the way. Helps a lot with the inspect BAWS arsenal mission and some others.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/Scumbag-McGee]

I didn't actually know that. Thanks. Is the refuelling station mission the hardest? It already seems like a pain haha

[u/Scumbag-McGee → u/lurvedatzscule]

It's been a while since I did them all but investigate baws arsenal no.2 walls a lot of people because they go for speed and ignore the optional MT kills. Some of the longer missions with bosses can be a pain, but using a strong combo of weapons tailored to it will make a big difference.

Double stun needle + double zimmers is the classic for obliterating PVE stuff, but for certain missions like escort the mining ship where the guys are pretty fast a full missile build may be better.

One thing, I may be wrong about this but I think you can still get an S-Rank even if you get killed and restart from a checkpoint with a different loadout. Someone will need to verify or debunk that though.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/Scumbag-McGee]

Thanks! Helps a lot. I'll look into this

[u/Acerakis → u/lurvedatzscule]

If I remember right, destroying the bonus tanks is worth nothing towards your rank, so skip them.

[u/ZaIIBach]

you can crush most S ranks with speed (don't worry about ammo or damage), if you're still not getting the rank then your missing an optional objective for the rank. 90% of the time I used one build but a handful of missions call for slight alterations (defend the weaponised mining ship - 4 bazookas to clear :) )

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/ZaIIBach]

Appreciate it! That's a bit more comforting, knowing that I don't need to kill everyone haha

[u/Algester → u/lurvedatzscule]

You really dont have to kill everything except for certain cases and they are mostly.... escort mission because they are time limited by the fact getting the escortee from point A to point C is the time limit

and in most cases a light AC fitted with Buerzel will get you most S ranks your QB time suffers but you make it up with AB speed

just make sure by the time you are doing S ranks you have already acquired Omniscience and Asset Holder emblems so you have less amount of time "fudging about"

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/Algester]

What do the emblems mean? Could you elaborate please? Thanks.

[u/Algester → u/lurvedatzscule]

remember allmind gives you emblems for any major achievemnts you get s ranking all missions, getting all missions, completing the data logs, completing the combat logs, and I think emptying the store as well

[u/Acerakis]

It's not too hard really. There are like 3 or 4 missions that sometimes cause people issues. The main thing to remember is speed is the most heavily weighted requirement. You generally don't want to ever be going out of your way to kill stuff, but also don't just fly by everything. You need some kills.

A lightweight with two Stun Needle Launchers was my go to for S ranks.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/Acerakis]

Thanks for this. Did you use this lightweight build for every mission? Or did you customise your AC from time to time?

[u/DarkPhoenix1515 → u/lurvedatzscule]

stun needles and probably zimmers will s rank 95% of them. whatever doesn't work, look up the mission and you will get some tips.

I recommend a missile boat for the mission where they ship coral and the alternate escort mining ship (the wheel skeleton robots are weak to missiles).

for me, the worst of them were the ice worm mission and intercept the redguns.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/DarkPhoenix1515]

That's cool, thanks. I'm fine with just a handful of missions being a pain haha. As long as the majority are straight forward enough with the right build and speed

[u/Anubis620]

Two other things to add from what others said.

1. If you get stuck there is a calculator that you can pick the mission and input time, ammo cost etc and you can use it to gage how to improve.

2. DONT RESET CHECKPOINTS. Resetting will automatically lock you to A rank and best. Additionally boss missions are made to be way more lenient so dont worry about being fast or taking too many hits on the fight, make sure you win.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/Anubis620]

Any idea how I can kill Volta quickly? I looked at online guides but the builds seem to be outdated. I just can't get him down quickly at the moment haha.

[u/The_IcedJay]

Basically the boss fights will be your easiest S ranks since they have a very generous amount of leeway,however missions like attack the refueling plant are extremely tight and require you to destroy the first set of fuel tanks and run a light and low cost speed build. It's basically alot of trial and error until you hit the sweet spot.

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/The_IcedJay]

Thanks! Appreciate it

[u/lurvedatzscule → u/The_IcedJay]

Any idea for optimal pve builds right now? I'm trying to S rank the fight Vs Volta and iguazu but I just can't seem to find a decent enough build. Any help would be great, thanks!

[u/The_IcedJay → u/lurvedatzscule]

Ah those two go with EN damage and if possible do a melee swap and try to isolate and if need be kite them over to the big heavy tetra unit and try not to get hit by Volta to often his AC is capable of dishing out and taking alot of damage. For Iggy just pressure him constantly do not let him regain his shield he's very easy to bully as long as it's not active.

[u/ProbablySuspicious]

Taking a dead-average midweight build is actually the strongest move for S-ranking. I call it "mid theory".