AA22: HEAVY CAVALRY

	AA22: HEAVY CAVALRY
	General information
Classification	Special Craft, CAVALRY Units
Manufacturer	Planetary Closure Administration, Arquebus Advanced Development Division
Affiliation	PCA, Arquebus Corporation
Conflicts present	Coral War
	Real world information
Appearances	ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON

The AA22: HEAVY CAVALRY is an Enemy Class in ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. More commonly known as "HC", these humanoid mechs are combat machines built by the Planetary Closure Administration for use by their Enforcement Squads. They possess combat capability that is meant to far and away exceed that of a standard Armored Core, possessing state-of-the-art weaponry and defenses. They are the newest and most dangerous addition to the PCA's arsenal.

The HC has a number of different variants with different armaments encountered throughout the game, including a new variant created by the Arquebus Advanced Development Division after the PCA are expelled from Rubicon 3. The main armament shared by all of them is their powerful Pulse Shield located on the left arm. It's a shield so large it looks like it could function as a solid-shield, instead it emits a powerful pulse field that protects the HC from all fire from the front. It can also charge the pulse shield and rush forward to perform a powerful shield bash.

Variants[]

Enforcement Officer Spec[]

This variant is likely to be the first HC encountered by the player, and features a number of weapons designed to aid it at mid-range combat. Its primary weapon consists of a powerful laser rifle in its right hand, alongside its pulse shield in the left. It's accompanied by two large missile launchers, one on each shoulder, which it uses to consistently pelt its foe from mid-range alongside its rifle, while it keeps itself safe with its shield.

The rifle can be charged, making for a powerful single shot. However, this leaves the HC open for a brief moment, making it vulnerable. This HC is only encountered on the mission "Eliminate the Enforcement Squads."

Senior Officer Spec[]

This variant is easily the more dangerous of the two PCA variants, and features weapons focused on fast and brutal close quarters combat. Its main weapon is a powerful double-sided laser blade, capable of cutting off half of the players AP in a single swipe. It has a number of moves utilizing this blade, including fast swiping combos and powerful charged attacks, all with impressive range. As an auxiliary for ranged combat, it features twin Pulse Guns, one on each shoulder, which it uses on distant opponents, or to close in for the kill.

This HC is encountered in two missions, "Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech," where it is seen docked in a hangar for maintenance before attacking the player, and "Attack the Old Space Port," where it dives into battle alongside a High-Mobility LC.

Arquebus Remodel[]

A new variant developed by Arquebus Advanced Development Division, this version of the HC has a number of powerful attacks at its disposal. Its main armament is a powerful plasma rifle in its right hand, which it uses similar to the Enforcement Officer Spec. The difference being its plasma rounds creating area-of-effect bubbles when they land, making it harder to dodge its attacks. Its charged moves also do not leave it open to attack, and the charge itself is both faster and has a much quicker bullet velocity, making it harder to dodge. This weapon is backed up by its requisite pulse shield, and 2 "smart" vertical plasma missile launchers, which lock onto their target mid-air before flying towards them at high speeds.

Its most devastating new trick, however, is its new octagonal pulse shield. This pulse shield has the ability to form the energy around the shield into a point, which it uses similar to a lance, flying towards its desired target at breakneck speeds, doing incredibly high damage on contact.

This variant is encountered as a mid-boss during the mission "Intercept the Corporate Forces," where it makes an attempt at stopping the player before they can get to "Chatty" Stick.

Armament[]

Pulse Shield (Enforcement Officer, Senior Officer)
Pulse Shield Lance (Arquebus)
2x Missile Launchers (Enforcement Officer)
2x Pulse Guns (Senior Officer)
2x Vertical Plasma Missile Launchers (Arquebus)
Laser Rifle (Enforcement Officer)
Twin-Sided Laser Blade (Senior Officer)
Plasma Rifle (Arquebus)

Gameplay[]

This unit is featured as either the boss or mid-boss in a number of missions. The PCA variants are fought during the missions "Eliminate the Enforcement Squads," "Prevent Corporate Salvage of New Tech," where it is seen docked in a hangar for maintenance before attacking, and "Attack the Old Space Port."

The Arqeubus HC is seen as the midboss of the mission ""Intercept the Corporate Force," sporting a sleek black paint-scheme.