Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon First Boss [How To Defeat]

AH12: HC Helicopter opens up the battle with many attacks, making it difficult for you to survive. To be honest, I failed more than a couple of times when I was trying to defeat the first boss. I bring this guide to help you get through this intense boss battle.

The HC Helicopter features two miniguns at the far ends of the structure. It has two guided missile launchers at the sides that trace your movements until they hit you. Defeating the HC Helicopter can be frustrating, but notice its attack patterns before you move.

Attacking Moves

Understanding the boss’ attacking moves is an essential step to defeating them. Here is what happens:

1. As you access the last wreck, the AH12: HC Helicopter appears and starts firing the minigun.
2. The minigun bullets cause less damage but can damage your core, freeing your AC for two to three seconds.
3. In this window, you can’t block any incoming damage. Therefore, you must avoid it.
4. After the minigun phase, the first boss will release mini-rockets that come at you in four sets.
5. They will follow a curvature path and trace your movements like a hawk.
6. The best way to dodge them is to keep changing your movement patterns from up to down and left to right.
7. Players can master this by repeatedly using the boost and staying mid-air.

The last attack is the hardest one as it deals fatal damage.

1. The structures attached to the bottom of the helicopter will release eight rockets that hit the ground at once.
2. If you are not in mid-air, these rockets deal significant damage, draining roughly 30% to 40% of your AC’s health.
3. The only way to dodge these is to stay far from the ground and not get caught in the missile’s trajectory.

On a side note, I recommend constantly repositioning yourself, as the first boss will shoot rockets that track your AC. It is ideal to dodge the rockets and hit them back with a counter attack.

How To Defeat?

• You will receive three repair kits at the start of every mission. I recommend you save all the kits for the boss fight. 
• If repair kits are used during the mission, you can restart from the checkpoint to restore them.
• Monitor the AC’s health bar (AP) at the bottom left.
• In the first boss fight, you will start with 9080 AP if you do not customize your AC.

Here are my additional tips:

Don’t Touch The Ground

It is time players understand that staying on the ground during the first boss fight is to their disadvantage. All the attacks presented by the AH12: HC Helicopter will drain your health to a greater extent if you are not in mid-air.

Keep firing your right arm weapon with a magazine 18. Remember to aim lock on the weak parts of the helicopter before you start firing

Always Stay Close

Another key point to defeating the first boss is staying close to it. All the helicopter attacks are ranged, which will not benefit you if you are away from it. Stay close to the bottom side of the Helicopter while shooting your multi-lock missiles and right-arm gun.

Use Your Melee Weapon

Many players are initially unaware of their potent melee weapon’s ability to damage the first boss. Simply press the left mouse button for melee attacks, or console players can find their key bindings in the settings.

To effectively use melee weapon attacks, I suggest you use the boost to close in on the helicopter and deliver two consecutive melee swings.

This tactic significantly reduces the HC12 Helicopter’s health, giving you an advantage. Be mindful of the boss’s frequent position changes, staying close to it for melee attacks. Also, avoid the boss’s rockets and missiles, as they can damage your core and freeze you for a few seconds.

Utilize The Multi-Lock Feature

Due to the multi-lock attribute, your AC can release several missiles that will hit multiple opponents at once. Players can use this to damage the boss as it has more than one weak spot. Start by shooting your right arm weaponry that has 18 bullet magazines.

When it is reloading, use the missiles to hit the Helicopter. Follow this attack pattern by flying towards it and using the melee, making a perfect combination of attacks.

My Experience With The First Boss

I always find the first boss fights challenging, as they are a new experience for me, and it takes some time to get used to it. My biggest advice is to learn the opponent’s attacks before you initiate.

Like this, you will know what you are dealing with, so battle becomes easier. I hope you got through it by following this guide.

For more Armored Core 6 content, check out:

• Armored Core 6 Decisions.
• Armored Core 6 Best Build.
• Armored Core 6 All Missions.