Armored Core 6: How to beat EC-0840 Smart Cleaner

EC-0840 Smart Cleaner is the boss you’ll encounter during Chapter 2 Mission 12 of Armored Core 6. It is hard-hitting and coughs out literal lava that can melt your AC. So, here’s how to beat the EC-0840 Smart Cleaner in Armored Core 6. 

Most bosses in Armored Core 6 are relentless, humbling you by constantly moving and hurling insufferable amounts of bullets and missiles. Every mission will force you to tinker with your mech, by swapping weapons and body parts, all the while maintaining your capacity like EN Shortfall.

Then there is EC-0840 Smart Cleaner in Armored Core 6, a slow but powerful enemy that wants to sweep you clean with its smelting-hot arms, which are literally metal shredders.

It is, however, very irritating because it likes eating bullets and no effects breach him other than stagger. So here’s how you can beat EC-0840 Smart Cleaner in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.

Armored Core 6 boss guide for EC-0840 Smart Cleaner

The only way to beat Smart Cleaner in Armored Core 6 is by hitting one of its two weak spots: the top of its head where it spews molten lava, or the red rectangular vent in front. Hitting in either of those spots will build up the stagger meter, and once you hit enough, it will be staggered, giving you a brief moment to attack. 

The build you’ll need will depend on the spot you feel most comfortable hitting it. If you want to go for smokestack, Tetra legs are recommended as they allow you to hover for a long time, and if you plan on hitting right at the vent, any legs other than Tanks will work. 

Most builds will find more comfort hitting at the vent because you can keep distance between you and the boss, which means you can virtually avoid all of its attacks. Other than that, build-wise, weapon choices like vertical missiles, rocket launchers, gatlings, and even shotguns will make it relatively easy. Gatling guns are probably the easiest and best to use, they’re pretty universal elsewhere in Armored Core 6 too.

Here’s what your typical rotation will look like:

1. The boss often starts with a clap attack right at the start; just jump high and you’ll avoid it.
2. Quick Boost to put distance between you and the boss.
3. Lock onto his vent at the front.
4. Fire your shots, and make sure your bullets hit.
5. The boss will eventually be staggered, after that go all guns blazing.
6. Rinse and repeat.

If you continue to needlessly shoot, however, you may run out of bullets and have to clean the machine with your hands.

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You can also hit the smokestack above, but the boss will often puke lava, which can be hard to avoid for some. Unless using Tetrapods, it can be difficult to fight at short distances with the smokestacks, especially as you have to aim inside the smokestack and can miss a few shots.

Regardless, you’ll have to manage your bullets. A melee weapon isn’t a bad choice since there is no ammo cap for them, but they’re most effective when the boss is staggered; otherwise, you run the risk of being swept by the Smart Cleaner. 

That’s all about the Smart Cleaner, for more on Armored Core 6, check out:

Will Armored Core 6 have crossplay? | Will Armored Core 6 be on Nintendo Switch? | Will Armored Core 6 be on Steam Deck? | Armored Core 6 PC requirements | How to preload Armored Core 6 | Is Armored Core 6 coming to Xbox Game Pass? | Armored Core 6 all editions & prices | Armored Core 6 release date | All Armored Core 6 leg types explained | How to Stagger enemies in Armored Core 6