8 Best Energy Weapons in Armored Core 6 (& How to Unlock Them)

Mech builds that revolve around Energy Weapons in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon fire lasers and plasma at their enemies to deal some of the best, consistent damage in the game. You can unlock energy weapons in the Parts Shop and other equipment by completing select missions. The strongest energy-based tools have high attack power, decent impact damage, and sometimes even multiple abilities.

Any energy weapon in Armored Core 6 may be purchased from the Part Shop in exchange for COAM, the main currency you earn from beating missions. One of the easiest ways to gain money is to replay missions that take little time to beat. As you get closer and closer to beating this mech-building action game, more missions and Arena matches will open up as sources to farm plenty of COAM.

Related: How Long It Takes To Beat Armored Core 6

8 VP-66LH Laser Handgun

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Training Mission Intermediate Support 2:
  “Reverse-Jointed ACs”

Rewarded from finishing an early Training Mission, this Laser Handgun might be one of the first energy weapons you come across in Armored Core 6. This lightweight gun fires a quick shot that deals above-average damage compared to other tools in early chapters. The Handgun can also shoot a rapid three blasts when the weapon is charged, making it a great tool to damage shields and stagger enemies.

7 VP-66LR Laser Rifle

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 7:
  “Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship”

Like the kinetic Linear Rifle, this Laser Rifle fires a single, highly accurate shot toward a target with a blue beam that deals above-average damage. With a charged shot that increases this destructive power further, this weapon is consistently reliable, with a rapid rate of fire compared to other energy guns. The PvP mode of Armored Core 6 is a fantastic place to use this Laser Rifle, which can keep up the pressure from long-range.

6 HI-16: GU-Q1 Pulse Gun

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 8:
  “Operation Wallclimber”

This Pulse Gun may seem unconventional, firing a series of rapid-fire bubbles made of plasma, but this weapon is essential against bosses that wield shields. Enemies like Balteus in Armored Core 6 have incredibly tough defenses through energy barriers, which this weapon is designed to take down. While its raw damage or impact may be small, it serves a specific purpose that other weapons don’t fulfill as well.

5 Vvc-70VPM Plasma Missile Launcher

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 7:
  “Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship”

Much like a Vertical Missile Launcher in Armored Core 6, this weapon shoots three plasma shots into the air before they come crashing down in an Area of Effect (AoE) of energy damage. The tracking on vertical missiles is harder for enemies to dodge, and the orbs of plasma linger to build damage when they hit. These traits combine to create a shoulder weapon that builds up stagger efficiently.

4 VP-66LS Laser Shotgun

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 11:
  “Attack the Watchpoint”

This Laser Shotgun accomplishes what you would expect, delivering devastating damage at close range with a spread of energy blasts. However, this weapon is different from a standard Shotgun when you hold down fire. Doing this creates a massive beam similar to the charged shot on most Laser Rifles, giving this weapon an unexpected utility at longer distances than you might expect in Armored Core 6.​​​​​​​

3 Vvc-760PR Plasma Rifle

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 7:
  “Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship”

Although a bit bulky, this Plasma Rifle combines the powerful AoE attacks of plasma shots with the accuracy of Rifles to make a weapon that shreds through an opponent’s stagger meter. Breaking shields quickly and sporting an above-average rate of fire, this energy weapon is a must-have on certain builds. Tanks and Tetrapods in Armored Core 6, in particular, can usually dual-wield this gun in either hand to dismantle some bosses.​​​​​​​

2 VP-60LCS Laser Cannon

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 7:
  “Destroy the Weaponized Mining Ship”

Shoulder-mounted weapons typically have long periods of recovery before being fired again, but this Laser Cannon does not share that restriction. Acting almost like a stronger Laser Rifle put on your mech’s back in Armored Core 6, the charged attack of this weapon does absurd damage. The ability to fire multiple shots before overheating makes this tool one of the best energy weapons by default.

1 FASAN/60E Plasma Cannon

• How to Unlock
  – Complete Mission 35:
  “Escape”

The best energy weapon in Armored Core 6 can only be found once you beat one of the last missions, making it a test of patience to acquire this tool. Holding the same properties that make the Laser Cannon good, this Plasma Cannon fires strong AoE blasts in place of singular bolts of energy. The charged shot with this shoulder part makes an explosion of damage nearly impossible for most enemies to escape.

Many energy weapons mentioned here have “upgraded” versions that could have more attack power, impact damage, or other qualities. However, it is worth noting that these expansions are designed for specific builds, contributing far more to your mech’s overall Weight and EN Load. The best energy weapons in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon are constantly strong without demanding a sacrifice of other parts you unlock.