ARMORED CORE 4

Data packs are 1-on-1 fights with Next units that you earn by completing chapters of the game. You'll have the ability to earn every data pack by the end of Chapter 4, though roughly half of the packs are earned by completing other packs.

As far as what to load out with - really, just find what works best for you. I prefer using the best grenade launcher available to punish them every time they touch ground, combined with homing missiles and a laser rifle. What you should bear in mind here is that, in the simulator, you are perfectly welcome to equip any parts you have the data for, even if you haven't bought them. Go crazy equipping stuff - just remember you can't jump back out to the mission/system menu without either loading up a schematic that has parts you've bought equipped... or buying all the parts you have on.

This is a solution to assist with completing all of the data packs for Armored Core 4. My plan was to go into each one individually but as I destroyed each one in a very similar fashion, there's no sense in repeating myself.

YOUR MECH:

Despised Icon over at the xbox360achievements.org forum has THE BEST builds for this game. All credit for the schematics goes to him and only him. As there isn't enough info on TA for this game, I'm going to copy the schematic and deliver it here. NOTE: ALL CREDIT GOES TO DESPISED ICON.

The Burn mechs:

There are two main mech schematics I would recommend for these achievements: The OGOTOS and the SIRIUS mechs. Follow the body build for both and just change up the weapons and save two individual schematics.

Body

Head: Salaux
Core: Salaux
Arms: Salaux
Legs: 047AN04 (Note: Do not equip anything but bi-ped legs)
FCS: Laura
Generator: GAN01-SS-G

Boosters

Main: MB107-POLARIS
Back: BB103-SCHEAT
Side: Holoferens or S02-001-EGA (Note: I had neither of these available and still managed without them)
Over: KB-Judith

Weapons

For the BurnOGOTOS:

R. Arm: ER-0200
L. Arm: ER-0200
R. Back: OGOTOS
L. Back: OGOTOS
Shoulder: None
R. Hangar: None
L. Hangar: None

For the BurnSIRIUS:

R. Arm: ER-0200
L. Arm: ER-0200
R. Back: HLC02-SIRIUS
L. Back: HLC02-SIRIUS
Shoulder: None
R. Hangar: None
L. Hangar: None

Stabilizers

Set to AUTO

FRS

Focus your points on the following:
EN Output
EN Capacity
Horizontal Thrust
Vertical Thrust
EN Attack
Primary Armor

This is your best bet for a quality mech that will destroy anything in its path. If you are having trouble with one, just switch to the other and see if that helps. If you find something that works better for you, by all means. Alter to your heart's content, but these two are what I used and they worked like a charm.

THE SIMULATOR:

I have owned this game for over 4 years now and I just found the Simulator two days ago (April 3rd, 2011). That is how much information is not provided to you when you fire this game up. After a little research, I began the slog towards these achievements and by using the BurnOGOTO and BurnSIRIUS mechs, I breezed through them.

I'm not going to go through individual mechs and their abilities but be weary of a few of the following pieces of information:

1) Rush: Not just an awesome band!

The best time to hurt the opponent is in the beginning. Normally the opposing mech won't be zipping around and strafing you like crazy so barrel towards them from an elevated position and throw both of your OGOTOS or SIRIUS cannons at them! The OGOTOS, if hit perfectly, will knock half their HP down in one blast. The SIRIUS cannons will damage them quite a bit too but with better accuracy and less chance for a dodge.

2) Watch the HP metre

There is a read-out of the enemy's HP in the middle-right-hand side of the screen. Constantly watch to see if your technique and method is actually working by doing quick glances over whenever you have a moment. Once you have the mech down to under 10,000, you can keep doing what you're doing or switch to a faster arm weapon and finish them off.

3) Get down to their level

You'll find that the boost rates of these enemies are usually 2-5 seconds in the air and then on the ground for most of the time. Use your elevation and prolonged EN capacity to get the upper hand but sometimes you'll need to fight head-on on ground level. You'll take some damage, of course, but they'll take more with well-placed SIRIUS shots.

4) Switch hit

Both mech schematics will eliminate every one of these enemies. The real question is: how many tries will it take? I was stuck on 5 of these data packs with one enemy left so I switched my OGOTOS out for my SIRIUS mech and easily defeated them all. Don't be afraid to spend the massive wads of credits on upgrading and different weapons if you want, too.

5) No obstructions

Unless you enjoy taking cover, I found a clear battlefield was ideal for these wars. Simulator Map A is the third map from the top and provides no cover whatsoever. Use your speed and elevation as an advantage rather than cover.

6) Armored Core 4: Thy Name is Frustration

Keep calm and carry on. This phrase is not going to be easy to handle but it is pretty important. If you are stuck on a mech, move to a different data pack and clear up a few easy chumps to boost the confidence. After unlocking three my first day, I was stuck my second day. I handed a few bosses their asses and then cleared 9 straight. The GS and TA points are well worth the effort!

That's about all I can really tell you without going in-depth into each enemy (which isn't going to happen because I am so done with this part of the game.) Feel free to shoot me a message if you need any more help.