How to unlock PVP in Armored Core 6 (AC6)

Armored Core 6 provides a remarkably straightforward experience to players: be a big mech, and blow up other big mechs. The main story will give you plenty of tough challenges to content with, but what about a proper human opponent? Does Armored Core 6 have PvP?

Armored Core 6 does have PvP, which it calls NEST. To unlock NEST, you’ll have to finish Chapter 2 of the main story. Afterwards, you’ll trigger a short story sequence, and you’ll see a window pop up notifying you that you can access NEST. From there, you’ll have the option to enter PvP whenever you return to the garage after a mission.

As a reminder, console players will need their system’s respective online service subscription to access this mode. PlayStation players will need PlayStation Plus, and Xbox players will need Xbox Live (AKA Xbox Game Pass Core).

How long does it take to unlock NEST PvP in Armored Core 6?

Right off the bat, don’t expect to enter NEST in Armored Core 6 as soon as you start playing. Chapter 1 will take a decent chunk of time to get through, with a few strong bosses that can hold up players still learning the ropes. You’ll want to learn the ins and outs of the game’s mechanics, since brute forcing your way through won’t work. Not with your default build, at least.

However, Chapter 2 only consists of a few missions. You’ll face more bosses here too, but that’s the worst of it.

Overall, I’d estimate most players can get to PvP in about five hours. Armored Core veterans will get there much sooner, and I’m sure some speedrunner will probably clear the entire game in an hour by the time I finish writing this sentence. However, for the average gamer, I’d say expect a few hours to get there at least. Don’t rush, take some time to build your mech, and you’ll get to PvP when you’re ready.