Checklists
How creative can you get with your first free checklist?
Destroy the Drive Block
Since you had the gall to Eliminate "Cinder" Carla in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon Chapter 5, now you have to go all-in on trying to save Rubicon from destruction. Since she and Chatty locked down Xylem's systems, you have to destroy the generators within the massive ship's drive block to shut it down before it crashes into the Coral extractor and destroys everything. Thankfully, you've got one friend left: Ayre.
Follow our walkthrough to save the day.
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Destroy the Drive Block Best Build
You have a lot of options to go with here and varied enemy types. The big concerns are the Smart Cleaner from Infiltrate Grid 086 and later, a new version of the BALTEUS from Attack the Watchpoint, except now it's piloted by V.II Snail. The overall combat strategies from both encounters are the same here, so it's probably best to mix up your build for the final fight.
Start out with a medium-weight bipedal build with dual Bazookas and SONGBIRDS, if only for how easy that makes the Smart Cleaner fight. Assault Armor will also be pretty handy throughout this mission, particularly against the bosses.
When it comes to the ARQUEBUS BALTEUS, the FORTALEZA smaller tank treads are the best way to go. And you'll want a lot more laser, plasma, and pulse weaponry to break down that shield. We went with the Stun Needle Launcher and Pulse Cannon.
Destroy the Drive Block Walkthrough
As you move forward with your buddy Rusty, watch out for the purple plasma cannon in the distance. Hug the wall to the left as you head towards your target marker into the Xylem. Clear out each of the rooms on the left side one by one, hitting the two generators there as you go.
All the while, a plasma cannon from afar will blast at you while you inch your way forward. You'll eventually have to take it down before you're able to move deeper inside the ship to find two more generators.
Before you can, you both encounter a repaired Smart Cleaner.
Once it's down, Ayre will report over the comms that Arquebus is sending its fleet to attack. Rusty leaves to head them off while you continue alone through a winding path of machinery with some mechs and small, flying machinery. Taking care of the remaining two generators is rather straightforward, which primes the engines to blow.
Before you can get clear, however, you're attacked by the BALTEUS machine you no doubt remember as the challenging boss at the end of Chapter 1's Attack the Watchpoint. This time, however, it's piloted by V.II Snail!
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This is definitely one of the more challenging fights in the game, but it's by no means the worst. It's a wide-open battle arena with no obstacles, so there's no cover for either of you. Your biggest obstacle, just as before, is breaking through the overshield and staggering the boss. We found some measure of success brute forcing it with dual Gatling guns and Stun Needle Launchers just like the Ayre fight. Since this is a much bigger target, this method is far easier to execute here.
In theory, you could emphasize Pulse, Plasma, and Laser weapons to burn through the shields. We wouldn't advise any kind of melee weapon unless you're keen on the Pile Bunker for stagger damage.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to keep your distance because this version of BALTEUS still has the Assault Armor pulse explosion.
When the battle's over, you hear that something may have happened to your pal Rusty. This doesn't bode well, but it's on to Bring Down the Xylem.
