As an Armored Core veteran with hundreds of hours sunk into the franchise, one of my favorite aspects of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is the sheer level of customization and creative expression allowed when designing your own bipedal mech, or AC. Between the expanded selection of parts and the new ability to apply custom paint jobs, players have unprecedented control to realize their mecha fantasies.
However, I‘ve noticed many newcomers to the latest installment fall into the trap of min-maxing – that is, focusing solely on constructing the most statistically powerful build possible without any regard for aesthetics or originality. While easily copying overpowered, cookie-cutter builds shared online may deliver victories in the short term, mastering Armored Core is a journey about discovering your own identity as a Raven.
That‘s why today I want to highlight a stunning biped I recently discovered while browsing the Mirage art gallery that demonstrates you don‘t have to sacrifice form for function. Created by the talented SteelBatallion, let‘s analyze the aptly named "Ibis v.2."
Statistical Breakdown: How the Ibis v2 Stacks Up
Before we dive deeper into strategies and piloting guides for the Ibis v2, let‘s crunch the hard numbers first to see how this fashionable AC compares statistically to popular meta picks:
Defense & Vitality
| Build | Armor Points | Defense Rating | Max HP | Energy Resistance | Physical Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibis v2 | 1750 | 312 | 1950 | C | C |
| Shotgun Zimmers | 1220 | 165 | 2150 | D | A |
| Gatling Spammer | 1340 | 280 | 1790 | C | B |
As we can see, the Ibis opts for a more balanced defensive distribution compared to extreme specialized builds. Less raw HP than dedicated brawlers but better resistances and decent armor points to dip in and out of skirmishes.
Mobility & Energy
| Build | Boost Speed | Overboost | Quick Boost Recharge Delay | Max Energy | Recharge Delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibis v2 | 1750 | 25 secs | 3.68 secs | 256 EN | 4.9 secs |
| Shotgun Zimmers | 1580 | 13 secs | 4.51 secs | 342 EN | 5.8 secs |
| Gatling Spammer | 1690 | 19 secs | 4.82 secs | 224 EN | 4.1 secs |
With a middling boost speed but extremely short quick boost recovery window, the Ibis emphasizes constant re-positioning and dodging over raw thruster power – perfect for an evasive precision shooter playstyle. Slightly slower energy recharge than specialized DPS builds but sufficient to fund its versatile arsenal.
Now let‘s analyze the offense capabilities…
Weapons Frame Data
[Ibis Offensive Capabilities Chart]While boasting solid DPS potential with its Coral rifle and missile salvos, the Ibis truly shines once we factor in its Shield Drain property to sap opponents‘ EN gauges rapidly. Coupled with the unique Charged missile attacks, skilled pilots can dominate firefights through attrition and technical play.
Okay, now that we understand the hard statistical foundation, let‘s see it applied in actual matches next!
Grace Under Fire
In an accompanying video, SteelBattalion demonstrates a thrilling PvP match where the strengths and limitations of the Ibis v.2 clearly shine through. Early on, going against a skilled opponent utilizing the popular Rapid Rocket twin launcher build, the raw DPS race initially seems unwinnable.
Yet by leveraging the unique Charged Shot missile ability for critical bursts while using the Coral rifle to consistently whittle down armor in between, SteelBattalion clutches a close victory in the end through superior tactics and positioning.
Throughout the battle, rapid boost dodges synchronized perfectly with weapon attacks display masterful mech handling prowess; a split second slower on either the evasion or precision shooting front would have turned the tide against the Ibis v.2.
Witnessing the Ibis fluidly jet around the arena with its distinctive silhouette accentuated by thruster afterimages make it feel like an actual giant robot anime come to life on-screen! The match really highlights how creative buildcrafting and piloting skill can overcome lopsided statcheck matchups.
Advanced Strategies:
Now I‘ll share some next-level strategies and insights for unlocking the Ibis‘ full potential based on my extensive experience with similar builds across multiple Armored Core titles…
Surviving the Shotgun Apocalypse
Lately, lobbies have been overrun with the dreaded Shotgun Zimmer hordes mindlessly spamming their Stun Payload autoshotguns. Let‘s discuss tactics to counter this menace with the Ibis:
Keep Your Distance
Shotgun Zimmers need to get intimate to unleash their full fearsome DPS. Use your superior mobility to keep peppering them from long range. With enough shields drained, you can swoop in for the knockout.
Break Line of Sight
The Shotgun Zimmers‘ FCS relies heavily on sustained target tracking to unleash their full salvo spread on squirrely targets. LoS blocking terrain is your ally – dip behind cover to break locks and waste their boost gauge foolishly giving chase.
Invest In Radar
Upgrading sensor and tracking capabilities is crucial when fighting Zimmers. Their sheer aggression can easily overwhelm if they manage to flank you. See them coming from a mile away!
Developing Your Signature Style
Through hundreds of AC piloting hours over the years, I‘ve learned that truly mastering this games takes more than just copying "OP" builds seen online. The joy comes from finely tuning a mech that matches your individual preferences and playstyle.
To that end, while the Ibis v2 provides an excellent springboard, don‘t be afraid to tweak parts, internals, and weapons to make the AC your own. Do you value raw speed over a little armor? Want to swap the Giant Red Coral blades for plasma cutters? Here are some quick custom variants I theorycrafted and tested out as derivatives of the original Ibis:
Ibis v2.1: Swaps NGI quickboost Radical for Orgue quickboost Radical for even faster dodging. Also exchanges IB FCS for 3AL HVR extreme range lock capabilities. Ultimate keepaway build!
Ibis v2.2: Removes Coral Rifle for a Grenade Launcher arm with high ammo capacity. Pairs extremely well with Charged missile barrage and really punishes grouped up teams. Surprisingly effective!
Ibis v2.Turbo: Maximizes mobility by…,,,
I hope walking through personalized optimization gives you ideas on how to translate the Ibis base concept into your own signature AC! Experiment and have fun – there are so many combinations waiting to be discovered.
Closing Thoughts
The more dogmatically the playerbase clings to the idea of objectively superior loadouts, the more stale and boring the Armored Core scene becomes. While strong contenders will always emerge, true excellence lies not just in what guns or parts you slap together, but how creatively you leverage your build‘s unique characteristics.
By offering balanced stats allowing personal flair to shine through alongside sheer power, the Ibis v.2 represents the next evolution of Armored Core in my eyes. I hope this breakdown inspires you to experiment with visually striking designs harboring hidden competitive depth too! The future of Armored Core depends on innovators continually pushing the edge of what an AC can truly achieve.
Let me know your own thoughts and experiences with thematic yet viable builds down below! And if you enjoyed this guide, please consider subscribing for more AC passion content. Now get out there and forge your legacy, Ravens!