Replaying missions as a newb

[P.Y.C.]

I'm new, and still on on chapter 1. I saw the "minimizing damage" caption and guessed I'd get higher rank by not taking damage.

I completed two missions using no repair kits, and with what looked like around 90% of my health bar remaining. Still haven't gotten higher than a B rank. Turns out the score is calculated by how much time you take? And using repair kits doesn't lower your score too much? Bruh

[AI]

3 things to consider, speed of mission completion, ammo used, and damage taken, if those 3 is filled, you're good

there's also hidden additional parameter like the combat log, optional mission, and some, but it's more like giving you more breathe room for the main parameter above

so, waiting until you fully upgrade your os is a huge help as increasing your damage means you'll use less ammo and speeds up killing your enemy, and reducing damage taken means you'll need to heal less

[ImHelping]

I am one of the old players that does NOT miss content being locked behind S ranks. Thankfully, the only thing higher ranks on Replays gets you is the satisfaction you did it, and chasing after a cheevo.

Unlike say, my grinding the ♥♥♥♥ out of S ranks including hard mode versions of missions in the 4 era so I have maximum tuning points. using balsa wood glass cannons because getting so much as scratched meant starting over anyways if I wanted an S

or the distant fever dreams of "Wait what was a part laying around you practically need a guide for, or something unlocked by rank?" in the PS1-PS2 days.

Though yeah, speed does seem to matter most. Leeway given on missions with proper bosses expecting you to take some heavy hits. Probably why in spite of S ranking all the final bosses and "kill that entire army", etc. I'm still A rank on a certain mission with enemies that can break locks even with max scan head, even though I kill those guys in seconds.

[JackieTheDemon]

The parameters for S rank really depends on the mission. Some missions involving boss fights have a very forgiving limit for damage taken.

[P.Y.C.]

I see, thanks. I have not bought any parts other than a second missile launcher. I take it this is one of the games where upgrades are necessary or at least highly recommended to progress?

[AI]

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

I see, thanks. I have not bought any parts other than a second missile launcher. I take it this is one of the games where upgrades are necessary or at least highly recommended to progress?

It's more to highly recommended, as some nuthead have finished the game with only melee, or your default AC after all -w-')

[Hammer Of Evil]

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

I'm new, and still on on chapter 1. I saw the "minimizing damage" caption and guessed I'd get higher rank by not taking damage.

I completed two missions using no repair kits, and with what looked like around 90% of my health bar remaining. Still haven't gotten higher than a B rank. Turns out the score is calculated by how much time you take? And using repair kits doesn't lower your score too much? Bruh

i believe time is the largest factor in a mission completion 'ranking', try to focus on the time taken, as i've passed missions with a substantial amount of health missing and still S ranked it.

you also don't need to fight most of the things on the way to an objective.

just be thankful, in previous games, the best rifle, best laser sword, etc, were locked behind S rank runs of hard mode missions. yeah. if anyone thinks the boss fights in the game are difficult, head on back to the previous armored core games, where getting a single scratch knocked you down an entire rank letter. lol.

[vk^4@]

-Go Fast, treat each mission like a Speed run.
-Use Double Melee when possible (lower ammo cost). Master Melee Boosting /Canceling asap.
-Always get the Refill before the big Boss fight.

[JackieTheDemon]

Originally posted by vk^4@:

-Go Fast, treat each mission like a Speed run.
-Use Double Melee when possible (lower ammo cost). Master Melee Boosting /Canceling asap.
-Always get the Refill before the big Boss fight.

Ammo cost mostly irrelevant.

[Onimaho]

Originally posted by JackieTheDemon:

Originally posted by vk^4@:

-Go Fast, treat each mission like a Speed run.
-Use Double Melee when possible (lower ammo cost). Master Melee Boosting /Canceling asap.
-Always get the Refill before the big Boss fight.

Ammo cost mostly irrelevant.

Unless playing with manual mode and smg... then game doesn't give enough ammo.

[JackieTheDemon]

Originally posted by Onimaho:

Originally posted by JackieTheDemon:

Ammo cost mostly irrelevant.

Unless playing with manual mode and smg... then game doesn't give enough ammo.

At that point you're not trying for S rank.

[U_F_N_M]

Maybe you should worry about S-Rank later. It's possible, but annoying. There is a lot of the game that hasn't opened up for you yet.

[P.Y.C.]

Originally posted by AI:

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

I see, thanks. I have not bought any parts other than a second missile launcher. I take it this is one of the games where upgrades are necessary or at least highly recommended to progress?

It's more to highly recommended, as some nuthead have finished the game with only melee, or your default AC after all -w-')

Oh thanks! I expect it should be possible to clear with the default AC

[JackieTheDemon]

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

Originally posted by AI:

It's more to highly recommended, as some nuthead have finished the game with only melee, or your default AC after all -w-')

Oh thanks! I expect it should be possible to clear with the default AC

A lot of them cannot.

[P.Y.C.]

Originally posted by JackieTheDemon:

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

Oh thanks! I expect it should be possible to clear with the default AC

A lot of them cannot.

Are there specific missions where not taking damage is near-impossible?

[JackieTheDemon]

Originally posted by P.Y.C.:

Originally posted by JackieTheDemon:

A lot of them cannot.

Are there specific missions where not taking damage is near-impossible?

The default boosters and generator are complete garbage and will make every mission a struggle.