Armored Core VI’s first balance update has arrived, and in addition to buffing a number of underused weapons, has “adjusted” some of the attacks of the game’s most infamous bosses.
Patch 1.02 takes aim at three bosses in From Software’s mech action game. The chapter 1 boss AAP07: Balteus, the chapter 2 boss IA-13: Sea Spider, and the chapter 4 boss IB-01: CEL240. According to the patch notes, each has had “certain attacks” tweaked in some form, presumably to be less punishing, though in usual From Software style what specifically has changed will be up to players to dive in and discover.
Balteus and IB-01: CEL240 in particular have earned quite a reputation as being some of the most challenging bosses in Armored Core VI. Balteus marks the first real challenge new players come up against that may require them to mix up their AC design and strategy in order to emerge victorious. Conversely, IB-01: CEL240, despite not being the final boss of Armored Core VI, certainly feels like it. The fast-moving mech dishes out massive, punishing attacks that can easily destroy players if they make a mistake, and much like Malenia in Elden Ring (which From Software also had to adjust to be less difficult), has an equally challenging second phase, complete with an entirely new HP bar.