Illegal Entry




Operation Wallclimber




Contact




Ocean Crossing




A New Threat



See "M23: Attack the Old Spaceport" video under the S-rank Playlist sections.

Ayre and the Coral




Into Unknown Territory



See "M29: Underground Exploration – Depth 3" video under the S-rank Playlist sections.

Re-education



See "M32A: Reach the Coral Convergence" video under the S-rank Playlist sections.

MIA



See "M35C++: MIA" video under the S-rank Playlist sections.

The Floating City



See "M34: Take the Uninhabited Floating City" video under the S-rank Playlist sections.

Stargazer
Cleared all missions.


There are 59 unique missions that you can unlock with a minimum of 3 playthroughs. Just make sure to pick whatever you want for your first run (NG), then pick the opposite/unfinished missions for NG+. Then, during NG++, focus on NG++ only missions. In the S-Rank playlists below, all those NG++ only missions have ++ at the end of their mission number (E.g. M10B++: Obstruct the Mandatory Inspection).

The Perfect Mercenary
Cleared all missions with an S Rank rating.


See the S-Rank playlists below.

Getting S-ranks in missions mostly requires speed. Conserving ammo and minimizing damage taken is helpful, but comes second to clearing objectives with a sense of urgency. Here I'll post S-rank mission videos (plus context when applicable). If I don't have any videos for certain missions for any reason, I'll get permission from someone to share their footage.


I suggest equipping the LR-306 CURTIS (obtained from the Beginner Training 2) for the mission so you don't have to wait for your melee cooldown to one-shot the Artillery Installations.




You'll shave off a bit of time if you scale the wall of ice on the left past the frozen lake.

The + indicates that this mission is only availble in NG+ and above. Accepting the RLF's proposal in this mission will lead to other NG+ missions. I suggest accepting it ASAP.
I didn't upgrade anything except for a new shoulder missile and the parts given to you for completing (training) Intermediate Support 1 available after clearing M07 for the first time. To save time while bee-lining the STRIDER as it fires the laser, you can sidestep during assault boost. If you are having trouble timing this dodge then just sidestep regularly outside of it.

You'll want to start shooting the STRIDER's legs from under it as shooting the legs from the back does not deal any damage. Once it's down you can scale up the side and start with the left sub-generator so that you can do a loop upwards as you take care of all of them. There's 1 on each side and then 1 at the bottom and top. Just watch out for the eye's spread attack that activates while you're scaling the sides of the STRIDER.

Finally, after finishing the generators, take cover and then proceed to assault boost your way to melee the eye as you missile spam and shoot your main gun. It's very easy to dodge the eye laser at point blank if you at least got the Booster and Generator freebies from training missions.

I used Earshots because the blast radius can kill 2 Helianthus for the price of 1 cannon shell.
When descending the first area, aim high so that you get as much freefall as possible. This will reduce the amount of rockets you have to dodge. After crossing the pit, keep low until ready to jump up the other side and take out the Gatling Cannons.

After taking out the cannons, weave your way through the right side into the cluster of buildings for cover. Close the gap to the wall and use the jump pad to get elevation take out the turrets to the left and right of the BAWS Tetrapod MT. After this point, everything else before the boss is quick and simple. Save your melee weapon in the first room so you can take out 3 generic MTs that enter together.

As for the boss, I really only came in with the same body parts (plus training upgrades) and the only upgrades I purchased up to this point were a bazooka and the first shoulder missile upgrade. While you have ally support, keep sidestepping behind the boss to stagger it with 2 heavy hits such as your blade and a bazooka shot. If you hit hard and fast enough, you'll get a few free seconds of V4 helping out before he mentions retreating at around 40-50%. When it's just you and the boss, it gets a bit trickier but without upgraded mobility, the best way to get behind the boss is to anticipate its dash and follow it halfway so you can close the gap faster and shoot behind it. I chose to use a bazooka alongside the blade because it allows me to focus on dodging as I work on closing the distance.

Very simple mission. Just keep in mind that the second last wreckage spawns a pesky enemy MT so it's better to leave that one for last before you ascend up the cave for the final combat log.

The + indicates that this mission is only availble in NG+ and above. This mission is tied to choosing Accept during the mission M06B+: Attack the Dam Complex (ALT).
If you use a Bazooka for this mission, either set up a faster AC (to compensate score-wise for expensive ammo) or be thrifty with your extra ammo. Connecting with the energy blade and bazooka should be more than enough to kill everything except for the final melee mini-boss. There's no need to waste shoulder missiles for these stealth MTs and potentially lower your score in the process.

This mission is tied to picking the decision-mission Escort the Weaponized Mining Ship.
If you wanna use Songbirds as shoulder weapons, I suggest fighting Sulla under/around the bridge to limit his verticality. Don't worry about connecting with your arm weapons, just use those to force Sulla to waste evasions as you try and land cannon shots. A lot of your damage will come from Assault Kicks to follow up during Stagger. The same thing applies when fighting Balteus. My attack rotation against Balteus: 2x Songbirds whenever you think you have a shot, (plasma gun then assault boost to kick) and repeat as many times until your next shoulder cannon attack(s).

This mission is tied to picking the decision-mission Escort the Weaponized Mining Ship.

Pile Bunker (PB) ftw. If you want the S-rank for this mission, don't be too close or too far from the boss when you unload the double Songbirds. If you are around the same distance as I am when attacking, it will immediately stagger the boss. From there, just open with an assault kick to close in (make sure you don't hit the boss' hands), a charged PB, charged Laser Shotgun, double SB again, and charged PB again for maximum stagger damage. I use the Laser Shotgun because the charge attack doesn't have a cooldown AND only costs 1 more ammo for more damage. Don't waste too much ammo on the mini-bosses that come before. Assault Kick and PB when you can. So far, this is the first mission I've encountered wherein clear time, ammo consumption, and health are somewhat strict.


The + indicates that this mission is only availble in NG+ and above. This mission is tied to choosing Accept during the mission M06B+: Attack the Dam Complex (ALT).

Kill the combat log enemy (armored tetrapod) on the way to the 2nd/3rd survey beacon to help with the S-rank.

A few important notes may be helpful for the S-rank:

• Kill the LT just before the bridge.
  
• Destroy 3 sets of fuel tanks.
  
• 2x Combat Log Targets
  
• Fight the boss duo in a tight area

Bring something to cancel out pulse defenses since V.VII keeps deploying shields.

This mission is tied to choosing Accept during the mission M06B+: Attack the Dam Complex (ALT).

Selecting 'Intercept the Corporate Forces' will set you on the path to The Fires of Raven ending.


Selecting 'Eliminate “Cinder” Carla' will set you on the path to Liberator of Rubicon ending.


This path/ending is only availble on NG++ and beyond. To get this ending, make sure to select any NG++ missions. Assuming you've done all available missions between your first 2 runs, then NG++ missions should become available without issues. Basically, pick whichever missions you want in NG and then pick the opposite of those choices in NG+. You can verify which missions you've taken before by checking the Replay Missions option under Sortie. The NG++ replacement/decision missions are:

• CH1: Obstruct the Mandatory Inspection
  
• CH2: Stop the Secret Data Breach
  
• CH3: Coral Export Denial
  
• CH4: Eliminate V.III

Additionally, these ALT missions automatically take place during the same NG++ playthrough:

• CH1: Attack the Watchpoint (Sulla will ambush you with some Stealth MTs)
  
• CH3: Survey the Uninhabited Floating City (Thumb Dolmayan replaces the boss)
  
• CH4: Reach the Coral Convergence (V.II Snail and G5 Iguazu replace the boss)

With all of the above missions completed, you should be locked into the Alea lacta Est ending. You'll experience a different CH5 (no Escape & Take the Uninhabited Floating City missions).

The Fires of Raven
Reached ending: “The Fires of Raven.”


In Chapter 5, after completing Take the Uninhabited Floating City, select:

Intercept the Corporate Forces → Breach the Kármán Line → Shut Down the Closure Satellites

Liberator of Rubicon
Reached ending: “Liberator of Rubicon.”


In Chapter 5, after completing Take the Uninhabited Floating City, select:

Eliminate “Cinder” Carla → Destroy the Drive Block → Bring Down the Xylem

Alea lacta Est
Reached ending: “Alea lacta Est.”


If you took all the NG++ missions (up to the end of Chapter 4) labeled in the playlists above, Chapter 5 will automatically set you on the path to the Alea lacta Est ending.

MIA → Regain Control of the Xylem → Coral Release

Hardware Engineer
Assembled an AC.


Graphic Designer
Changed the coloration of your AC.


Software Engineer
Upgraded your AC’s OS.


Expansion Collector
Obtained all Core Expansions.


Tuning Expert
Performed all OS upgrades.


By the time you've nearly completed your NG++ playthrough (and the analysis arena), you'll have enough OST Chips to buy out and max every OS upgrade. Make sure you clear all available arena battles as they come (especially before completing the Chapter 5 endings).

For all achievements under this category, I suggest referring to Magnus' guide (linked with permission) to locate all the necessary collectibles with ease: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3028875675
Please note:

• There are way more Data Logs than needed for the Data Log Collector achievement.
  
• In the guide above, Combat Logs are listed under each mission (if applicable).
  
• Finally, obtaining all parts requires a minimum of a) NG++ clear (3rd ending included) to get everything from the shop, and b) completing all arena battles (analysis tab included).

Combat Log Collector
Obtained all combat logs.


Data Log Collector
Obtained ten data logs.


External Parts Collector
Obtained all frame parts.


Internal Parts Collector
Obtained all inner parts.


Weapon Collector
Obtained all weapon parts.


Asset Holder
Obtained all parts.


If you have any issues getting this achievement, sell any Melander part and purchase it again.

Training Complete
Cleared all training programs.


Testing Complete
Cleared all combat aptitude evaluation programs in the Arena.


Make sure to complete all of the available battles before finishing Chapter 5.
Ranks E&F:Ranks C&D:Ranks A&B:Rank S:
Master of Arena
Cleared all Arena programs.


The following battles unlock 3 at a time as you progress through NG+ for a total of 9 battles. To ensure minimal speedbumps when pursuing other endings, make sure to complete all of these arena battles or else you may need to replay a "non-Alea lacta Est" playthrough to unlock them again.
These last 3 battles unlock 1 at a time as you progress through NG++. As mentioned previously, make sure you clear all 3 battles before concluding your Alea lacta Est playthrough.

Armored Core
Acquired all trophies.

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