NEXTs were developed in secret by the corporations in preparation for the National Dismantlement War. Designed as the next generation Armored Core, NEXTs were designed with capabilities far and beyond surpassing that of their older cousins. They are equipped with cutting edge Kojima technology, including Primal Armor, Assault Armor, and extensive boost capabilities, such as Overboost and Quick Boost. Their armor is of higher quality, and thus the amount of AP they possess is greater than that of a Normal (7000-12000 for a Normal, 27000-61000 for a NEXT). On top of this, their weaponry is also of a higher grade, with many weapons capable of destroying Normals in a single shot.
NEXTs are also equipped with a revolutionary new piloting system, called Allegorical Manipulation System, which allows for astounding 1:1 lightning fast manipulation. This key difference also limits who can pilot NEXTs: only Lynx, who have a special psychic trait. Unlike previous generations, NEXTs come in production models, meaning that a Lynx could start off with a choice of different fully built NEXTs and choose later to customize it as they please.
Early Fourth Generation - Pre-AC4[]
Example of an early Fourth Generation Armored Core: laser rifle, Kojima cannon and Kojima blade.
Another example of an early Fourth Generation unit: quintuple gatling guns, mega Plasma cannon, and prototype Assault Armor. Quite possibly the first NEXT in existence and dwarfing all others in terms of height.
Preceding the the AC4 era Armored Core, these units are the first NEXT models in the AC4 Universe. They are the first units to contain the Kojima technology as well as other prototype designs, and also have the greatest variance in size; a first for an Armored Core series, these NEXTs are non-customizable and have a fixed set of parts and weapons. Despite being an older generation, these units are easily just as powerful, if not more so than mid Fourth Generation units; it is only in the latter half of the AC4 universe that the Fourth Generation NEXTs begin surpassing them. Due to their unstable and dangerous nature, this line of Armored Cores is discontinued soon after their creation. These machines would later be configured in Armored Core: For Answer to be entirely autonomous.
Mid-Fourth Generation - AC4[]
White Glint, an example of a mid Fourth Generation model complete with assault rifle, laser blade, and laser cannon.
By the time of Armored Core 4, there are two distinct classes of Armored Cores: Normals and NEXTs. The Fourth Generation of Armored Cores, called NEXTs, are the next step in Armored Core technology and represent experimentation into new territory. The Fourth Generation NEXT provided the following changes:
Allegorical Manipulation System - A highly advanced and sophisticated piloting system developed by Professor Jarnefeldt and Aspina, it gives Lynx's a very high degree of control over their NEXT. A special psychic trait is necessary for it to be used. The exact nature of the AMS is not understood, but the descriptions given by various characters throughout the game seem to suggest that it involves an actual mental link to the vehicle, rather than simply physically piloting the AC. The truth remains unclear as no NEXT's cockpit is ever shown to the player. A possible reason is that the pilot's brain is also linked to the NEXT's optical sensors, which would eliminate the need for a traditional cockpit altogether.
Kojima Generators - Presumably the new energy source for NEXTs, as opposed to whatever powers the standard Normal, Kojima generators use Kojima Particles, a highly radioactive and possibly artificial substance, to generate large amounts of energy. It is not known whether they do this through nuclear reaction or some other form of energy generation.
Primal Armor (PA) - Particle shielding achieved by "molding" Kojima Particles into an orb-shape. This would suggest that Kojima Particles are related in some manner to plasma, as plasma can be "molded" in a similar manner with magnetic fields. In any case, Primal Armor serves effectively as a second layer of defense for a NEXT. Without it, they are much weaker defensively and are easily destroyed.
Shoulder Weapons - The Fourth Generation name for extension weaponry, this now includes PA molders (which increases PA integrity and strength) and flares (which distract missiles), among other new additions.
Multiple Boosters - A huge leap in terms of mobility, NEXTs had many booster units all over the unit in order to not only help execute Quick Boost's in multiple directions, but also to move with greater precision. Previous Armored Cores only had a pair of main boosters located on the back of the core unit and one on each leg for limited turning ability. This addition gives the NEXT superior maneuverability and control in both ground and aerial combat.
The Fourth Generation NEXT greatly out-performs every other generation of Armored Core thanks to the addition of the AMS and Kojima generators, which amazingly increases the ACs' energy output; another key advantage was the removal of the red-zone of the generator; rather than shutting down entirely in the face of an energy shortage, a NEXT will simply momentarily cease energy-related functions in order to rapidly regain its energy stores, before moving on as if nothing had changed.
One notable change is that Armored Core parts are not individual but built from sets. For example the AALIYAH model of NEXT is built from parts based solely on AALIYAH based parts. A variant model, the ALICIA is named after its legs but is otherwise the same AALIYAH. Other NEXT designs are named differently from the "stock" based on a difference in arms. Most NEXTs pilots use a NEXT based on a specific part set but with customized AC weapons.
Also notable is the lack of a radiator system, clearing up more space to be used for weapons or heavier gear. Relatedly, NEXTs of the Fourth Generation seem to be able to carry a great deal more than previous generations of ACs.
Finally, the left arm weapon has been made completely interchangeable with the right. There is no difference between weapons in either arm, although both arms have weapons bought in their own categories still. Both weapons also have their own targeting, and the latency period between trigger-pull and actual firing has been removed for left-arm weapons.
Late Fourth Generation - ACFA[]
Stasis, an example of a Late Fourth Generation Armored Core NEXT: lightweight biped unit with assault rifle, laser bazooka, radar, and PM missiles.
Encompassing all NEXTs built the decade after the Lynx War, Late Fourth Generation models are considered to be the apex in the NEXT evolution. The ability to Quick Boost has been increased several fold with greater efficiency in terms of KP drain, energy output, and and overall mobility. The Late Fourth Generation also noted the transition from a ground based unit with limited flight time to a more efficient unit with potentially limitless aerial capabilities; whereas in previous generations, an AC would lose considerable speed when airborne, a NEXT actually gained from it to a large degree.
This gave NEXTs not only the advantage of an extra dimension of movement, but also greater overall flexibility and survival rates as it was far better suited to changing combat situations than Normal Armored Cores, which were limited to basic boosting and were essentially stuck to the ground. Weaponry has also advanced in terms of sheer quantity as well as firepower the refinement of Kojima weapons technology. Simply put, NEXT technology has been refined to the point of perfection, allowing these mechanized one man armies to take on enormous odds (Arms Forts and even armies) and still come out on top.
The Late Fourth Generation NEXTs brought forth the following changes:
Assault Armor - This innovation added a new offensive edge to the NEXT. Some Overed Boosters were equipped with the ability to unleash all of the AC's Kojima Particles at once in a large blast that deals massive damage to anything and everything around the NEXT. The power of the blast depended on the Overed Booster, but even the weaker Assault Armor generators could severely damage an enemy NEXT. The main downside of this attack is that by releasing all of a NEXT's Kojima Particles, it leaves them without their Primal Armor for a short period of time, leaving that NEXT extremely vulnerable to heavy arms fire.
Vanguard Overed Boost - NEXT-equipped, gigantic boost units that allow for tremendous forward propulsion. The VOB system was specifically developed in order to counter Arms Forts' incredible long-range firepower. A NEXT installed with the VOB system can hurtle towards an entrenched AF at thousands of kilometers an hour while simultaneously dodging incoming fire. Once the NEXT has reached the Arms Fort's perimeter, the VOB units are purged from the main body, leaving the pilot free to continue standard operations. The ability for a single soldier to slip through Arms Fort's defensive line is invaluable, but pilots must take care to avoid ALL enemy ordnance, as the unit is extremely fragile.
Weaknesses[]
Despite the new capabilities of the Fourth Generation Armored Core, in some instances NEXTs lacked features of older models. The first and foremost was the lack of a core-mounted anti-missile system. In older generations, most cores usually had a built in laser-like interception system which was capable of destroying missiles that came into range; this function had no cost and did not take any energy. This feature is entirely absent in NEXTs, which may be considered a minor design flaw. However, taking into account a NEXT's superior agility, shoulder-mounted flares and Primal Armor, core-mounted anti-missile systems were essentially supplanted in terms of function.
Another key shortfall is shown in "A Dark Night's March", in which it is shown that NEXTs also lack night vision capability, which is extremely odd, considering that most other units such as MTs, Normals, and even tanks had this piece of equipment, meaning that without support, a NEXT is essentially useless at night and much less effective during adverse weather conditions.
Another problem with NEXTs lies in their Primal Armor. When Primal Armor is active, a NEXT is nearly indestructible, but once the armor is gone, it will take a lot of damage from even small arms fire. Because of this, NEXTs need to rely on their superior mobility in order to avoid taking hits that would drain a lot of their Primal Armor, and must also be careful when using Assault Armor.
Aside from the lack of night vision, most of the older features missing from the NEXTs were so because of obsolescence, rather than design flaw. The lack of anti-missile systems were made up for primarily with Primal Armor and superior mobility, and in no way puts a NEXT at a disadvantage against any previous generation.
There is a unique NEXT in ACVD, known as the N-WGIX/v. It is piloted by J in the final mission of the game, Mission 10: "Mechanized Memories". The craft possesses Primal Armor, Kojima Technology-enhanced Overboost, and Assault Armor. Unlike NEXTs, however, its Assault Armor expands slowly and immediately leaves it immobile for five seconds after detonation. It can also be equipped with a modified Vanguard Overed Boost (VOB) unit to quickly traverse terrains. It is described as being a machine from the Last Age.
