Compared to Armored Core 4 the Nexts in are much quicker. The quick boost thruster consumption appears to have been reduced and this causes quite a few of the AI to move very quickly and very erratically. Tried and true methods that brought down Nexts in Armored Core 4 do not always work, such as the ever potent HLC02-Sirius. The developers have compensated for this by giving placers the back chain guns GAN-01-SS-GC obtained by following the Collarred story line. Combined with the INBLUE FCS, which has the highest lock speed, and rapid quick boost techniques to stay close, you can easily destroy almost any Next. Unfortunately this is not available until after the Defeat White Glint and Defend Line Ark missions, which are very difficult without these chain guns on your back. Very few Nexts utilize aerial combat techniques; mainly Fragile, White Glint, Ambient, Stasis, Old King, and Unsung. Also, laser blades can use lock on now making it easy for Nexts to target you with their blades. Shinkai is the most dangerous and is found in the Defend Arteria Cranium (final mission for Collared) and can very quickly take you down to size using homing strikes from the 07-Moonlight.