Armored Core 6 (VI) has 3 Endings: The Fires of Raven, Liberator of Rubicon, Alea lacta Est. You can only unlock one Ending per playthrough. One of them is exclusive to New Game++ in the third playthrough. This means in order to get all 3 Endings you will need 3 full playthroughs.
This guide outlines the optimal route to get all Endings. By following this you will unlock all missions too.
What Affects Endings in Armored Core VI?
Which ending you get depends on which missions you play. At certain points you get to choose between “Decision Missions”. These will cancel out each other, playing one “Decision Mission” makes the other “Decision Mission” unavailable until the next playthrough.
Decision Missions are marked by an icon in the top right corner like this:
They also say “Decision” in the mission description like this:
In the first playthrough always pick the first mission (top), in second playthrough always pick the opposite (bottom), in third playthrough pick the new Missions. After beating the story once it will automatically restart the game in New Game+. The “Alea lacta Est” Ending is exclusive to New Game++, during the third playthrough you will play for the enemy faction and see some completely new missions.
Ending 1: The Fires of Raven
Play the following Decision Missions:
- Chapter 3 – Mission 21: Eliminate the Enforcement Squads [DECISION]
- Chapter 4 – Mission 31: Intercept the Redguns [DECISION]
- Chapter 5 – Mission 37: Intercept the Corporate Forces [DECISION]
Then you get the Ending Missions: Breach the Kármán Line > Shut Down the Closure Satellites.
Ending 2: Liberator of Rubicon
Play the following Decision Missions:
- Chapter 1 – [ALT] Mission 06: Attack the Dam Complex = after destroying the 2nd generator choose the screen prompt “REFUSE” ( ). You will then proceed with mission objectives normally and not turn hostile on your allies. [NEW GAME+ EXCLUSIVE] [ALT MISSION] [DECISION]
- Chapter 3 – Mission 19: Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech [NEW GAME+ EXCLUSIVE] [DECISION]
- Chapter 3 – Mission 22: Destroy the Special Forces Craft [DECISION]
- Chapter 4 – Mission 32: Ambush the Vespers [DECISION]
- Chapter 5 – Mission 38: Eliminate “Cinder” Carla [DECISION]
Then you get the Ending Missions: Destroy the Drive Block > Bring Down the Xylem.
The New Game+ choices only apply if you are going for this on the second playthrough. The Ending can also be obtained on the first playthrough by picking Mission 38: Eliminate “Cinder” Carla in Chapter 5.
Ending 3: Alea lacta Est
In New Game++ (third playthrough) pick the following choices:
- Chapter 1 – [ALT] Mission 06: Attack the Dam Complex – after destroying the 2nd generator choose the screen prompt “ACCEPT” ( ). You will then have to defeat your allies. [NEW GAME+/++ EXCLUSIVE] [ALT MISSION] [DECISION]
- Chapter 3 – Mission 19: Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech [DECISION]
- Chapter 3 – Mission 21: Eliminate the Enforcement Squads [DECISION]
- Chapter 4 – Mission 26-B: Coral Export Denial [DECISION]
- Chapter 4 – Finish Arena, last opponent is unlocked after Mission 29: Underground Exploration (needed for Parts, the last 3 arena bosses become unavailable after finishing this playthrough)
- Chapter 4 – Mission 33-B: Eliminate V.III [NEW GAME++ EXCLUSIVE] [DECISION]
Then you get the Ending Missions: MIA > Regain Control of the Xylem > Coral Release.
In New Game++ you play from the perspective of the opposing faction and the story will be different. This Ending is exclusive to New Game++ and cannot be earned on the first or second playthrough.
Other Notes:
- By following the exact decisions outlined above you will also unlock ALL Missions and the “Stargazer” trophy / achievement. If you make other choices it’s possible you will miss out on some missions and would need a fourth playthrough (see All Missions List should you be missing something after the third playthrough).
- For each playthrough you have to replay the entire game through regular Mission Select under Sortie > Missions. Don’t use “Replay Mission” because it doesn’t save your choices. The first mission is automatically skipped in NG+ / NG++.
- Finishing one playthrough automatically starts the next playthrough. Previously chosen missions stay unlocked permanently on subsequent playthroughs through the “Replay Mission” Menu. It’s impossible to unlock all missions in one playthrough because they cancel out each other or are exclusive to NG+ / NG++. At minimum you need 3 playthroughs to unlock everything.
For everything else needed to obtain 100% completion refer to Armored Core VI Strategy Guide.
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