FromSoftware is known for having difficult bosses. From Sekiro to the Souls series, some of the most iconic and challenging boss fights in gaming are in FromSoft games. While the studio is best known for games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring today, FromSoftware also made a name for itself with the Armored Core series. Armored Core differs in gameplay from most of FromSoftware's recent titles. However, it shares one major aspect with its Soulsborne siblings. Armored Core has some intense and challenging boss fights.
The first boss fight in Armored Core comes at the end of the first mission when gamers face an AC Helicopter. While it can be difficult, it mainly serves to teach the player multiple ways to attack and defend against bosses and enemies. The second boss fight against the Juggernaut is slightly more difficult, but players have a partner with them for the first part of the fight. It isn't until the end of Chapter 1 that players will meet the first true boss of the game, Balteus. Despite the fact that players have finished several missions and faced a couple of bosses, Balteus tests what players have learned throughout those missions and boss fights. It can be an incredibly tough fight if players don't have an optimal build, and it will truly test what players have learned in the early tutorial missions.
What Is the Best Build for Balteus?
Unit Parts:
- R-Arm: HI-16: GU-Q1
- L-Arm: HI-32: BU-TT/A
- R-Back: Vvc-70VPM
- L-Back: BML-G1/P03VTC-08
This group of weapons will allow players to quickly break Balteus' shield and do a lot of damage once it has been broken. The HI-16: GU-Q1 is great for quickly destroying the shield. However, players will run out of ammo quickly if they fire it constantly, so they need to be deliberate with their shots to make sure they are hitting the shield. After the shield is broken, melee attacking with the HI-32: BU-TT/A can do a lot of damage and build the Impact meter, which works like the Posture bar in Sekiro's combat. It is also worth noting that the R-Back and L-Back weapons are interchangeable with each other based on personal preference.
Frame and Inner:
- Head: VP-44S
- Core: VP-40S
- Arms: NACHTREIHER/46E
- Legs: NACHTREIHER/42E
- Boosters: ALULA/21E
- FCS: FCS-G2/P05
- Generator: VP-20S
This build for the Frame and Inner parts of players' AC will provide them with a lightweight build that is excellent for moving quickly, limiting energy consumption, and dodging attacks. All of this will be necessary for the fight with Balteus. The boosters will allow players to maximize their dodges, and the legs and generator will help players take larger leaps into the air and stay boosted in the air longer. Plus, the FCS will help improve players' missiles and lock-on capabilities. Combined, this lightweight build focuses on fast movement, quick dodges, and breaking Balteus' shield.
What Is the Best Strategy for Balteus?
Balteus has a shield that prevents all damage to it. It will also launch a barrage of missiles that home in on players' locations, and it basically turns part of the boss fight into a mini-bullet hell game. Plus, it uses a single-shot target attack that it typically uses soon after the missile barrage. It can do some damage and cause the player's Impact gauge to increase rapidly, leading to them becoming staggered. On top of that, Balteus hits its second phase when its health drops below 50%, and at that point, the shield will also let out an explosive wave that will deal massive damage to the player's AC. After that happens, its attacks will become more aggressive, and it will add new attacks. Now, it will spray fire and attack with giant, flaming sword slashes.
The key to winning the fight is to stay mobile and in the air as much as possible. It is really easy to get overloaded with attacks and lose sight of Balteus while on the ground. Plus, staying above Balteus as much as possible can help dodge its attacks, land attacks on Balteus, and keep the player locked onto it. The key to dodging the missile barrage is to dodge toward the Balteus; this will help minimize the damage taken from the barrage. Players will be warned of a single-shot target attack with a beep from their AC, so as soon as they hear that, they should start dodging. The flaming sword attacks can be avoided by dodging up, down, side-to-side, or by staying out of range. In between dodging attacks, players should use the HI-16: GU-Q1 to take out its shield. After the shield is gone, players should start firing missiles to deal damage and raise its Impact meter; then, they should try to get in close to hit it with some melee attacks.
Players Must Have Precision When Fighting Balteus
As stated, the player's R-Arm weapon's ammo is quite limited, so they make sure not to waste any shots with it. It can be difficult to stagger Balteus before it puts its shield back up, so players should focus on doing damage while the shield is down. While staggering Balteus can be a great bonus, it can be dangerous to dwell on that method. Like many battles in Armored Core, it is best to keep moving and dodging as much as possible. As long as players are locked on, it helps to keep firing missiles to chip away at its shield, health, or Impact bar. If players stay mobile, master dodging the missile barrage and single-shot, and take out the shield, they will destroy Balteus.
Armored Core games encourage players to make upgrades and changes to their AC to counter new threats. Naturally, certain builds are better against certain enemies and bosses. Failing to experiment with new builds can be detrimental to the player's chances of success when fighting bosses, and Balteus is no exception. Balteus moves quickly, has difficult attacks to dodge, and has a shield that prevents all damage to it. While this build may be one of the optimal builds, it is not the only one. It is important to experiment and find out what works for the player. The important thing to remember is to pay attention to the enemies' attacks and movements and try to find a part that will help you counter them. Most bosses in the game will become much easier with the right build.