Posting here since a bunch of Hexbearinians talked about playing the game.

Chapter 1 spoiler

What loadout do you use against Balteus?

I went with:

  • reverse joint legs
  • left: laser blade and plasma blade (weapon bay OS upgrade)
  • right: starter assult rifle and plasma gun (weapon bay)
  • FCS and thrusters that are unlocked in the training missions

My man Balteus is nutting and busting missiles everywhere. I found normal biped legs unplayable in this fight. Being airborne helps a lot against him plus his plasma shield makes you need to stick close to him. So I thought reverse joints were the only viable option here.

I didn't see much use out of the assault rifle. The plasma gun though seems essential for breaking the plasma shield. I used that plus the melee weapons to break the shield.

While selecting two melee weapons on the left side, I was a bit conflicted. It seemed mad but at the same time it made sense to me. My strategy then was to try and stay close to the enemy. Whittle down the shield with plasma gun and melee weapons. When the shield is about to go down, make sure melee weapons are ready. As soon as it goes down, dish out as much damage as possible with the melee weapons. Repeat.

For the second phase I ended up being lucky mostly. I was jumping around frantically and was somehow able to avoid most of the laser sword attacks.

Also here is a decal for Playstation players: Share ID M1DQU2Q3QKW4

  • MorelaakIsBack [comrade/them]
    ·
    1 year ago

    Alternate: it is doable with with an ultralight. Build the Schneider mech out of the shop, STOCK PULSE SWORD and your choice of main firearm. First phase STAY ON HIM. In fact, right as the fight starts, boost underneath him, the first volley of missiles will shatter on his own shield and you'll take no damage, plenty of time to get a charge swing of your sword in. When he's not firing salvos of missiles this guy likes to do a couple pirouettes over your head then take off in the opposite direction you are facing, don't get confused and STAY ON HIM. if you can keep close, he won't get a good angle to fire his main cannon, and the pulse sword chunks his shield. If you have two bays of the STARTER MISSILES equipped to the shoulders you can sometimes crack his shield before Balteus fires his second salvo. KEEP HIM STAGGERED, you can get him to phase two without a second shield sometimes if you are aggro enough (the SHOTGUN can really help with this, but you might find phase two to be a bit ridiculous with that short-range of a build)

    PHASE TWO: DONT GET HIT. you are a freaking mosquito and Balteus just broke out the blowtorches for your annoying ass. Between his main cannon, 2x the missiles per salvo, and those dang torches, if you catch stagger you are gonna have a bad time. Keep max distance, always hold some stamina in reserve, and when he swings for you (sometimes one big one, sometimes a combo, watch for it) dodge to his backside and get a swing in, the largest attack opportunity is after he does this biiiig area denial attack where he hovers in place and sprays fire everywhere, get good hits in on his shield here. Shield is popped and you are back to phase one tactics, pressure that damage, only watch out for a couple really sneaky things this guy does (point blank main cannon, boost away with the engines right in your face OW OUCH). You won't be able to get him in one shield pop after phase two (I'm sure it's possible but I couldn't) so get good damage in then reset.

    This is definitely not the easy way, but it sure is fun

    • loathsome dongeater@lemmygrad.ml
      ·
      1 year ago

      On the armored core subreddit, folks are saying tank legs with dual shotguns and dual lasers are good against him. Gonna try your suggestion and theirs.

      • invalidusernamelol [he/him]
        ·
        1 year ago

        I used the samurai biped legs, dual shoulder railguns, the plasma gun and the pulse sword. Used the pulse shield OS upgrade to give me a get out of jail free card.

        Still difficult with that build and phase 2 required some luck because my stamina was always down when the "Waves are Intensifying ™" and if you get hit with that blast you're basically insta killed because he immediately follows up with a one hit kill.