IB-C03: HAL 826 Gameplay | 51-201 W (Handler Walter) | Armored Core VI

Armored Core 6 | IB-C03: HAL 826 gameplay | Handler Walter
アーモッド・コー・シクス・アイビー・シージアロースリー・エーチアーエル・エートトゥーシクス・ゲーンプレー

Coral, Coral everywhere, yet not enough to burn. This gameplay showcase will give you an idea of how the preset AC IB-C03: HAL 826 plays in Armored Core VI, at least in PvE, through a mixture of missions and Arena battles.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Arena: δ-3 Ayre - ECHO
01:34 - Destroy the Special Forces Craft
03:40 - Defend the Dam Complex
07:45 - Intercept the Corporate Forces
16:29 - Arena: δ-1 51-101 R - STEEL HAZE ORTUS
18:00 - Shut Down the Closure Satellites

IB-C03: HAL 826 is a member of the "Ibis series", a select group of war machines built by the Rubicon Research Institute to stave off a Coral Collapse should it ever come to pass. IB-C03 was unique in many ways: it was the only member of the Ibis series to not be automated, it was the only one to require a pilot, and it was the only member that was an Armored Core.

51-201 W is a secret program developed by ALLMIND to research the capabilities of the IB-C03 and its only known pilot: Handler Walter. Considering Walter to be the greatest threat to their plans, ALLMIND uses the simulation to prepare for what it considers a necessary showdown.

The preset AC IB-C03: HAL 826 shown in the video is unlocked by defeating δ-2 51-201 W in the Analysis Arena, available from your third playthrough onwards, having completed both previous endings. -

Hoo boy, a toughie. There's no denying the awesome firepower of the IB-C03, which can burn through just about anything it can get its hands on. The strength of its weapons (I believe) is boosted by the NGI 000 generator, while also boosting the strength of the NGI-028 Coral shield, making it one of the best bulwarks of damage in the game. These strengths more or less offset its average mobility for a middleweight AC.

The problems lie in application: this is a hard mech to play well. All three weapons have charged versions ( two in the case of the WLT 011) which require significant finesse to use properly but is necessary to achieve the full potential of the IB-C03. Coupled with the unique yet difficult playstyle of the Coral generators "all or nothing" approach and you'll start off by running out of energy at the worst possible times.

Ultimately, this AC lives up to its rep as a final boss enemy, with some of the highest damage output of anything in the game. But it will require a fair amount of practice to achieve those heights consistently. A solid recommendation, but not for beginners.

| This is by no means a "guide" to show you how to play the AC; I'm sure there are far better players than me who can do more with these mechs. I just want to show off some cool mechs in the style of @bansheent-d Armored Core For Answer videos.

| Recorded on PS5. Played on Patch 1.02. (NOTE: In order to see a preset AC in the Assembly or Paint tabs of the garage: make sure to first enter the Paint tab, saying "Yes" to removing the edit lock. Then back out of the Paint tab, making sure to "Discard" changes and not save. Now, re-enter the Paint tab and you can see the exact colours of the preset AC! (however, decals will not transfer over.))