In recent years novel finite element techniques have been developed for capturing strain localization. Thier objective is to minimize mesh sensitivity of numerical solutions in the presence of destabilizing material effects due to stiffness degradation, strength softening and loss of associativity. In the context of localization analysis two computational features are examined to study the effect of arc-length control and of enhanced finite elements in the form of the incompatible QM6-element. This element formulation captures discontinuities due to strain localization and thus reduces mesh locking due to directional bias.