Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best gaming gadgets
  • New Games 2026
  • Arc Raiders
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
A close up on Valentina, one of the characters in Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era
Strategy Games 11 things I wish I knew before playing Heroes Olden Era
Helldivers 2 democratic detonation warbond page
Third Person Shooters Best Helldivers 2 Warbonds to buy first and tier list ranking all 21 of them
The protagonist of GTA 4 holding his hand out in front of a Diner
Grand Theft Auto All GTA 4 cheats for weapons, cars, and more
Pragmata Unknown Signal Big Cabin in Hidden Chamber
Action Games How to unlock Pragmata Unknown Signal and get all the rewards
Crimson Desert: Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
RPGs The ultimate Crimson Desert guide for exploring Pywel
Arc Raiders bespoke
Third Person Shooters Best Arc Raiders weapons and meta tier list (May 2026)
starfield money
RPGs Starfield money glitches, farming credits, and how to get fast cash
Starfield Terran Armada
RPGs How to start the Starfield Terran Armada DLC and Incursions explained
Arc Raiders turbine
Third Person Shooters How to find and kill Arc Turbines in Arc Raiders
Hidden Bunker entrance in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Hidden Bunker event guide for Arc Raiders
Furtive Meetings secret locations in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Best skills in Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders blueprints
Third Person Shooters How to get all Blueprints in Arc Raiders
Pragmata Lunatic difficulty option on main menu featuring Hugh and Diana
Action Games How to unlock Lunatic difficulty in Pragmata
Marathon Cryo Archive shooting enemy runner with BRRT
FPS Games Basic guide and tips for running Cryo Archive in Marathon
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Strategy
  3. Armored Core V

Armored Core V beginners guide

Guides
By Jeff McAllister published 4 April 2012

Easy tips and tricks to get you started before reading the manual

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Sorties and Combat

The Combat Mode Overview

Combat mode is the regular view that you have of the game. It would make sense that this is the mode you always want to be in, but it’s not. Combat mode should only be used when you are about to enter or are in combat. All other times, you should be in scan mode. Combat mode gives you plenty of information to take in at once, but while you are zipping about in your AC, should really focus mainly on your health and the boost gauge to make sure you don’t get stuck out in the open with no juice left. There are ammo gauges, recon unit gauges, and enemy numbers all displayed, but it’s not as complicated it seems once you get a little deeper into it.

1: This top left quarter of your reticle is the ammo amount of the weapon currently equipped in your left hand. As you burn through your ammo, the line will get shorter and the numbers that appear just inside the quarter will appear and also start to count down, giving a more precise count of your ammo.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Avowed screenshot depicting combat with a corrupted plague bear, the protagonist wielding a sword and a magical spellbook 11 Avowed tips and tricks for beginners in the Living Lands
  • Monster Hunter Rise tips 11 Monster Hunter Rise tips to know before you hunt
  • Marathon player shooting at enemy vandal and triage runners Here are 15 Marathon tips and tricks for new players

2: This top right quarter of your reticle is the ammo amount of the weapon currently equipped in your right hand. Just like the meter to the left of it, it will slowly start to diminish the more ammo you got through. There will also be a number value that appears to give a more precise number of rounds you have remaining.

3: This lower left quarter of the reticle is your health meter. The number at the top of it gives a more precise count of your AP, but when you see the quarter reticle start to go red, you know you’re in trouble.

4: This lower right quarter of the reticle is the Boost Meter. As you use your boost maneuvers, it will deplete; much more quickly while using Glide Boost than High Boost.

5: This is the lock-on reticle that will appear when you are close enough to an enemy. When the box appears, it will give you the enemy’s name as well as its current AP status.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

6: Not shown in the image, but when you fire at an enemy and hit them, a green box saying “HIT” will appear here. If you are using a weapon that they are resistant to, it will then say “INEFFECTIVE HIT” to let you know that you need to switch up your weapons to do more damage.

Scan Mode Overview

Scan mode is one of the most important things a new AC pilot should get use to using, however keep in mind that you cannot use your weapons while in this mode. Aside from that, it gives you all the info you need to get the upper hand on a battle before it even begins. It will also allow you to recharge your energy multiple times faster than in just regular combat mode. When you first enter a battle, switch to scan mode and then pop out a recon drone. Once it is out and you see where the enemy is, place them in your cross hairs and you will see the scan meter in the center fill. Depending on your head choice will determine how long this takes. Once it is fully scanned, pull RT/R2 to pull up the screen of information for that particular enemy and see what its weaknesses are. Switch to that particular weapon and go to town on it.

You may like
  • Avowed screenshot depicting combat with a corrupted plague bear, the protagonist wielding a sword and a magical spellbook 11 Avowed tips and tricks for beginners in the Living Lands
  • Monster Hunter Rise tips 11 Monster Hunter Rise tips to know before you hunt
  • Marathon player shooting at enemy vandal and triage runners Here are 15 Marathon tips and tricks for new players

Scan HUD

1: This is your AP (Armor Points). Just think of it as your hit points. As long as you have points here, your AC will still be rolling. You can see this on the regular HUD as well, but it’s much more noticeable here.

2: This is your energy generator meter. Each time you use your Weapons, High Boost or Boost Glide, this will deplete. When you are in scan mode, it will replenish at a much quicker rate than it will in combat mode. Always be in scan mode when you are not in combat to keep your energy building.

3: This is the amount of ammo you have in your Left Arm weapons.

4: This is the amount of ammo you have in your shoulder unit.

5: This is the amount of ammo you have remaining in your weapons located on your right arm. The top number is the Right Arm while the bottom number is the Right Bay Unit

6: This is the number of Recon Units you have remaining. If you do not have a recon unit equipped, this will always read zero.

7: When you scan an enemy, you will get a barrage of information on your screen. This is where the enemy’s name appears so you know who you are locked on to.

8: The set of numbers located in this box are that particular enemy’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall AP. The lower the number, the weaker they are to that particular type of damage (KE, CE, or TE).

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

Current page: Page 3

Prev Page Page 2 Next Page Page 4
CATEGORIES
PlayStation Xbox Platforms
Jeff McAllister
Freelance Writer

Jeff McAllister is a freelance journalist who has contributed to GamesRadar+ over the years. You'll typically find his byline associated with deep-dive guides that are designed to help you scoop up collectibles and find hidden treasures in some of the biggest action and RPG games out there. Be sure to give Jeff a thanks in the comments while you're completing all of those tricky Achievements and Trophies.

Read more
Avowed screenshot depicting combat with a corrupted plague bear, the protagonist wielding a sword and a magical spellbook
Action RPGs 11 Avowed tips and tricks for beginners in the Living Lands
 
 
Monster Hunter Rise tips
Monster Hunter 11 Monster Hunter Rise tips to know before you hunt
 
 
Marathon player shooting at enemy vandal and triage runners
FPS Games Here are 15 Marathon tips and tricks for new players
 
 
Helldivers 2 helldiver charging up quasar cannon to fire at automaton gunship flying in the air
Third Person Shooters Tips and tricks for surviving Cyberstan in Helldivers 2 and the best loadouts to bring
 
 
Pragmata Diana hacking in the Shelter with her arm outstretched
Action Games 12 Pragmata tips and tricks for new players
 
 
Games 15 essential Metro Exodus tips to know before you play
 
 
Latest in Strategy
Screenshot of a Clone Trooper shooting their gun from Star Wars: Zero Company
Strategy Games New Star Wars game from XCOM veterans gets an age rating ahead of Summer Games Fest
 
 
Kill Team: Terror on Devlan Red Terror model against a dark background
Tabletop Gaming If you think you're good at Warhammer, Kill Team Terror on Devlan will truly test your mettle
 
 
A sunset over a landscape made up of hexagon tiles
Strategy Games After 3 years of work, GTA 4 dev's sandbox game hits Steam
 
 
Hatshepsut in Civilization 7
Strategy Games Civilization 7's failures are Take-Two boss's "responsibility"
 
 
Two 40K units in promotional art for Warhammer 40K Tacticus.
Strategy Games All active Warhammer 40K Tacticus codes (May 2026)
 
 
A phoenix swoops over a dying faun on a battlefield, from the Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era opening cinematic movie
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era "broke even on development costs in just one day"
 
 
Latest in Guides
Tiger mounts in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to tame Tiger mounts in Crimson Desert
 
 
Stafford decides whether to send a warning or SOS in Directive 8020
Horror Games Should you choose warn or hope in Directive 8020?
 
 
A close up of Norm Carter in a spacesuit in Directive 8020
Horror Games All Directive 8020 Episodes and how long to beat them
 
 
Diablo 4 Chronicles of Creation
Diablo All Diablo 4 Chronicles of Creation and Weathered Shrine locations
 
 
Raptor mounts in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to find and tame Raptors in Crimson Desert
 
 
Kuku Bird mount in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to unlock the Leaping Kuku Bird in Crimson Desert
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 character Henry wounded
    1
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Henry actor recorded voice lines just to prevent you from cheating
  2. 2
    Hideo Kojima is glad all his Death Stranding 2 children have fans, even if Higgs has more
  3. 3
    Persona boss says it out loud: turn-based RPGs never left
  4. 4
    ConcernedApe spends 5 days a week on Haunted Chocolatier and 2 on Stardew Valley
  5. 5
    ConcernedApe says future Stardew Valley update might let you cheat on your spouse

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...