Apparently, Handguns are in and Zimmermans are out
Patch 1.31 of Armored Core 6 has landed like a missile barrage, and between unsurprising nerfs and long-awaited buffs, FromSoftware’s mech beatdown is suddenly a whole new game.
The update is now available on all platforms, and the patch notes’ headliner will come as no surprise to anyone who has played a single match of Armored Core 6 PvP. The infamous Zimmerman shotgun, which was so broken it completely messed up the game, has been nerfed. And by nerfed, I mean lower attack power, impact, accumulative impact, and direct hit damage. This gun is still effective, but it is no longer the game-changing beast it once was.
The update is now available on all platforms, and the headliner from the patch notes will come as no surprise to anyone who has played a single match of Armored Core 6 PvP. The infamous Zimmerman shotgun, which was so broken that it completely messed up the game, has been nerfed. And I mean seriously nerfed: lower attack power, impact, accumulative impact, and direct hit damage. This gun is still effective, but it is no longer the game-changing weapon it once was.
Other changes include faster projectile and reload speeds for several bazookas, improved damage and tracking for multiple missile launchers, and a much-needed buff for the small turret archetype. An honourable mention goes to the flamethrower, which was already a very good secret weapon and could become a true beast after its buff. Another notable nerf buried in the buffs is the popular Songbird rocket launcher, which has had its stats reduced across the board.
Furthermore, this patch improved the stealth of many explosive weapons: “Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they do not make contact.” This should make dealing meaningful damage with bazookas, grenades, and rockets much easier during Armored Core 6’s hectic dogfights.
To top it all off, dozens of AC parts have been rebalanced, with nearly all of the changes improving your mech’s stability, system recovery, and recoil control. A few top performers have been nerfed, but mechs should perform much better overall as a result of this update, from booster speeds to EN capacity. I can’t wait to get my build out of the garage and tune it up with these new specs.