Armored Core 6 Players Navigate the Stages of Grief as New Patch Buffs Most Weapons but Nerfs Beloved Shotgun and Grenade Cannon

The era of Zimmerman shotguns and Songbirds grenade cannons takes a hit.

It was only a matter of time.

Ever since Armored Core 6 players started wielding Zimmerman shotguns paired with Songbirds grenade cannons, it was clear that their dominance would draw scrutiny from FromSoftware. In the wake of the September patch, where the Zimmerman remained untouched, the community playfully memed about its invulnerability. However, that era has come to an end with patch 1.03.1, which brings substantial buffs to numerous weapons and mecha parts while applying specific nerfs to AC6’s most potent firearms.

FromSoftware recognized that certain weapon types were underperforming and opted for comprehensive enhancements. For instance, four bazookas now boast increased projectile speed and quicker reload times. Additionally, four handguns have gained increased ammunition capacity, making them more appealing options for extended missions.

Many other weapons received similar treatment, benefiting from augmented ammo counts, reduced reload durations, or faster charge attacks. Nevertheless, a select few weapons experienced nerfs, particularly the cherished Zimmerman shotgun and the Songbirds grenade cannon. Here’s the patch notes’ verbatim text:

SHOTGUN “SG-027 ZIMMERMAN”: Decreased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact/Direct Hit Adjustment

GRENADE CANNON “SONGBIRDS”: Decreased Attack Power/Impact/Accumulative Impact. Rounds now explode upon reaching their Effective Range, even if they don’t make contact.

Armored Core 6 players eagerly embraced the new patch to discern the precise alterations. Reddit user UmbraBliss thoughtfully juxtaposed the new statistics alongside images of each weapon to facilitate comprehension.

The Zimmerman shotgun suffered an 11% damage reduction and a more significant 26% impact reduction (which fills an enemy’s stagger gauge).

The Songbirds grenade cannon received a comparable blow, with a roughly 13% decrease in damage and a 12% impact nerf. Both weapons also saw reductions in their accumulative impact, affecting how long their stagger damage lingers on an enemy while not accumulating further damage.

Another popular back weapon, the Stun Needle Launcher, endured a substantial 30% damage cut.

Given the community’s meme-laden reaction to the previous patch, which spared the Zimmerman from the anticipated nerf, one can infer how it has been received this time.

Nevertheless, the patch features numerous substantial buffs. Grenade launcher rounds now detonate at their maximum range, even if they don’t make contact, potentially making them more effective for aerial combat. Several charging rifles now charge significantly faster, and numerous missiles exhibit improved target guidance.

Of particular significance for mech configurations are the almost universal enhancements to head, arm, core, leg, and booster parts. The key takeaway is reduced recoil across the board, resulting in mechs being more resistant to staggering and recovering more swiftly. Moreover, they will achieve higher jumps and greater altitude through improved upward thrust from boosters.

Several adjustments are designed to create more pronounced distinctions between different AC build types, such as granting reverse-joint mechs a superior ability to perform kicks:

• Adjusted Attitude Recovery rate according to Total Weight. ACS Strain now dissipates much faster on lighter ACs, and slightly slower on heavier ACs.

• Decreased Boost Kick attack range for Tetrapod legs.

• Decreased Impact/Accumulative Impact dealt by Boost Kick from all leg types except Reverse Joint.

For the complete patch notes, you can visit Steam, and the Armored Core subreddit provides additional insights from players celebrating most of the changes while bidding a heartfelt farewell to their beloved shotguns.