J

	J
	General information
Classification	Human (Cultivater, formerly),; Phantasma Being (as in Mission 10: "Mechanized Memories", hinted)
Gender	Male
Age	40s
	Affiliation and military information
Affiliation	Reaper Squad
Occupation	Pilot
Rank	Commander
Craft	F21C Stork (SCHWAN A-448/C),; N-WGIX/v,; Reaper Squad-colored AC
Eras present	Verdict War
	Real world information
Appearances	Armored Core: Verdict Day,; Armored Core: Verdict Day Official Setting Documents Collection -the AFTER-
Voice actor	English: David Sobolov; Japanese: Johji Nakata

J is the Commander of the Reaper Squad. He is a Cultivater, which is an artificially grown soldier cloned from a pilot of notable skill. J rides a Reaper Squad-colored F21C Stork (specifically a SCHWAN A-488 / C type) to transport other Reaper Squad members in and out of battle.

Biography[]

Two years prior to the eve of the Verdict War^[3], J cripples the up-and-coming mercenary AC pilot Blue Magnolia in a battle, putting an abrupt halt to her promising career.^[3] The event is traumatic to the point that the normally composed Blue Magnolia would go into an uncharacteristic panic when she encounters another Reaper years later.^[4]

During the eve of the Verdict War, J and Reaper Squad act in the interests of The Foundation by eliminating skilled and talented AC pilots, as was the case with Blue Magnolia.

ACVD Mission06 J Image1 — J talks to Magnolia Curtis

Following the mass outbreak of rogue UNACs around the world, J and D secretly observe a battle at Karmat Base between a number of rogue Sirius Corporation UNACs and two Sirius Corporation-employed mercenaries: Erik and the infamous Storker Fatman's new partner, the "Lone Mercenary." When Erik is defeated, J decides that they are through gauging the Lone Mercenary's power so he orders D and Reaper Squad UNACs to aid the Lone Mercenary. Once all the rogue Sirius Corporation UNACs are wiped out, J identifies the mercenary's Operator, Magnolia Curtis, as Blue Magnolia and asks her if she has truly given up on being an AC pilot, questioning whether her continued presence on the battlefield in spite of her crippling was to be praised or pitied. Noting that it has been two years since he defeated her, he comments that she was not "chosen" but her partner, the Lone Mercenary might be. Reaper Squad then leaves the battlefield.^[3]

Fatman and the Lone Mercenary later take a job from Signs to eliminate unidentified weapons at Raziania Base; however, it is actually a trap by Reaper Squad. K, D, two Reaper Squad UNACs, and the new Reaper M (Magnolia Curtis) sequentially attack but are overcome by his strength. As M is pushed back, J asks if she has regained her former prowess. M determines that she is still out of practice, so J extracts her. J reveals that like the Lone Mercenary, Magnolia is another individual with the potential to destroy the current order; where the Lone Mercenary is "destined to burn all to ash," she has an "enduring will to fight." J tells them that he wants to know which of the two is "real," intending to kill that person — his "champion," as he puts it — because he is the Reaper. Fatman calls J insane, to which he replies, "And what is wrong with that?!," before leaving with M.^[5]

M and the Lone Mercenary have a final clash at ALG742-181 where the Lone Mercenary emerges victorious not only against her but also a number of unmanned weapons sent by the Foundation Man to eliminate him. To prove whose ideals are right, the Foundation Man challenges the Lone Mercenary to a duel.^[6] J sorties in the N-WGIX/v to be The Foundation Man's champion.

ACVD Mission10 J Image1 — The N-WGIX/v arrives at the battlefield

On J's way to the Dozur Desert for the clash, the Foundation Man proudly states that J will triumph thanks to both his combat experience and the N-WGIX/v. J deduces that the Foundation Man wants a world of perpetual conflict, a wish J shares, saying that he cannot live in the "world of order" built by the Three Forces. When the Foundation Man asks J if he abandoned his humanity to destroy said world of order, J replies that he can only live in the battlefield, to live as he pleases and die a senseless death. Now at the combat zone, J disengages the N-WGIX/v from its VOB unit and declares that war is part of his existence as he charges at the adversary before him, the Lone Mercenary.^[7]

ACVD Mission10 J Image2 — The leader of Reaper Squad is defeated

After some fighting, the N-WGIX/v is knocked back by the mercenary's might. The Foundation Man mockingly feigns shock at J's apparent defeat until the N-WGIX/v's begins transforming. After the Foundation Man rants about how mankind will destroy itself, J goads his opponent and resumes the battle. Ultimately, the Lone Mercenary is victorious. Fatman retrieves his partner as the N-WGIX/v breaks down and triggers a Kojima explosion.^[7]

Quotes[]

"Mission 06: Blue Magnolia"[]

Condition	English	Japanese	Audio
Third cutscene, fourth line	"We've seen enough, D. End this."	"D、ここは用済みだ、片付けろ。"	-
Fourth cutscene, second line	"Mission complete. Heading back."	"ミッション終了、帰還する。"	-
Fourth cutscene, fourth line	"Have you given up your blue AC for good, Magnolia Curtis? You can no longer fight, yet you stay on the battlefield. Does that deserve praise or pity?"	"あの青いACには、もう乗らんのか、マグノリア・カーチス。もはや戦えぬ身で、それでもまだ戦場に身を置く。見事と言うべきか、哀れと言うべきか。"	-
Fourth cutscene, sixth line	"It must be two years since I shot you down."	"もう2年前か。私が、お前を撃ったのは。"	-
Fourth cutscene, eighth line	"You were not chosen. But that mercenary? I wonder..."	"お前は選ばれなかった。そこの傭兵、そいつはどうだろうな。"	-

"Mission 08: Vendetta"[]

Condition	English	Japanese	Audio
Fifth cutscene, triggered once R.I.P. 3/M's AP drops to 50%	"Knocked the rust off yet, Magnolia?"	"少しは勘が取り戻せたか、マグノリア。"	-
Fifth cutscene, seventh line	"She was another who had potential. The power to destroy the current order. She was defeated, yet she survived to fight once more. One destined to burn all to ash. The other with an enduring will to fight. I want to know which is real. And when I have my champion, I will kill them. I am the Reaper after all."	"彼女も、その可能性を持つ一人だった。秩序を破壊する力、異分子。彼女は敗北した、しかしなお生き延びた。何もかもを焼き尽くす定め、そして、全てを捨ててなお、戦いを止めぬ執念。そのどちらが本物なのか、私は知りたい。そしてその本物を、私が殺す。私は死神だから。"	-
Fifth cutscene, ninth line	"And what is wrong with that?!"	"それの何が悪い。"	-

"Mission 10: Mechanized Memories"[]

Condition	English	Japanese	Audio
First cutscene, second line	"All good."	"良好だ。"	-
First cutscene, third line	"You seek a world of endless war and destruction. On that we can agree. The world of order built by the Three Forces is not one I can live in."	"貴様が欲するのは、果てなき戦いの世界。そして破滅。その意味では、我々の思惑は一致している。三大勢力によって作られる秩序など私の生きる世界ではない。"	-
First cutscene, fifth line	"There is no place for me other than the battlefield. To live as I please, and die a senseless death. That is who I am. Not a mere man of flesh. War is part of my existence."	"戦いの中にしか、私の存在する場はない。好きに生き、理不尽に死ぬ。それが私だ、肉体の有無ではない。戦いはいい。私には、それが必要なんだ。"	-
Second cutscene, second line	"Generator output climbing. Operation, pattern 2."	"ジェネレータ出力再上昇。オペレーション、パターン2。"	-
Second cutscene, fourth line	"Enough words. They are meaningless now. Show me what you can do."	"もういい、言葉など既に意味をなさない。見せてみろ、貴様の力。"	-

Craft[]

N-WGIX/v[]

The N-WGIX/v is a black humanoid machine given to J by the Foundation. It displays similarities to Economic War-era NEXTs such as Primal Armor, Kojima Technology-enhanced Over Boost, full flight capabilities, and Assault Armor. Unlike NEXTs, however, its Assault Armor expands slowly and immediately leaves the N-WGIX/v immobile for five seconds after detonation. N-WGIX/v's main weapons are KE high-speed missiles and two KE rifles. Its alternative load-out replaces the KE weaponry with dual laser blades. In terms of height, it towers over the Armored Cores of the Verdict War era.

The craft can also be equipped with a modified Vanguard Overed Boost (VOB) unit to quickly traverse terrains. Unlike VOBs made during the Economic War, this VOB pack is armed with a rapid fire linear cannon and can fire off a devastating assault cannon attack from its central thruster unit, known as the VTF cannon.

Story Mode[]

SCANDATA J N-WGIX SM — Scan Mode data for the Story Mode encounter

Armaments[]

Assault Armor
KE High-Speed Missiles, ATK 500
KE Rifles, ATK 1,400

Stats[]

AP: 100,000
KE Defense: 700
CE Defense: 3,000
TE Defense: 1,200

World Mode[]

SCANDATA J N-WGIX WM — Scan Mode data for the second phase of the Special Sortie battle

Armaments[]

Rapid-fire Linear Cannon (VOB)
VTF Cannon (VOB)
VTF Cannon Max Charge (VOB), ATK 30,000, ignores defense
Laser Blades (incorrectly identified in-game as "Physical Blades"), ATK 5,000

Stats[]

AP: 400,000
KE Defense: 700
CE Defense: 3,000
TE Defense: 1,200

AC[]

Armored Core: Verdict Day Official Setting Documents Collection -the AFTER- reveals that J piloted a Reaper Squad-colored AC when he defeated Blue Magnolia.

Grim Reaper

Classification: Armored Core

Assembly Type

Booster:
HB:

KE: 1412
CE: 223
TE: 435

Parts:

Head: HA-202^[2]
Core: CB-402^[2]
Arms: UTSUSEMI mdl.1^[2]
Legs: Le2L-B-V15^[2]

FCS: FA-215^[2]
Generator: Ge-D-G23^[2]
Booster: Bo-C-L13^[2]
Recon Unit: ASATORI mdl.1^[2]

Shoulder Unit: TOMOSHIBI mdl.2^[2]
R Arm Unit: AM/RFA-130^[2]

Power:

Rapid Fire:

Accuracy:

L Arm Unit: MURAKUMO mdl.1^[2]

Power: 6248

Rapid Fire: 1589

Accuracy:

Ultimate Weapon: -
R Bay Unit: -

Power: -

Rapid Fire: -

Accuracy: -

L Bay Unit: HATSUKARI mdl.2 (labelled in-text as "HASTUKARI mdl.2")^[2]

Power: -

Rapid Fire: -

Accuracy: -

Stats:

Total Weight: 4721
Stability: 1008
Recoil Resistance: 903
Turning Performance: 1028
Energy Recovery: 7235
Repair Cost: 153600

AP: 23875
Total Load: 3620
Loading Capacity: 5136
Total EN Consumption: 10295
EN Output: 17530

Paint[]

All:

Main: 0 0 0

Sub 1: 150 0 0

Sub 2: 0 0 0

Glow: 255

R ARM UNIT:

Main: 0 0 0

Sub 1: 0 0 0

Sub 2: 150 0 0

Glow: 255

Gameplay[]

J is an NPC in Armored Core: Verdict Day. In Story Mode, he appears in the cutscenes of "Mission 06: Blue Magnolia" and "Mission 08: Vendetta" piloting his F21C Stork to transport other Reaper Squad members. His last appearance is in "Mission 10: Mechanized Memories" where he pilots the N-WGIX/v and serves as the final boss of the game. Ultimate Weapons become available for purchase in the shop once J is defeated.

The N-WGIX/V is also one of the Unidentified Weapons bosses in the game's World Mode Special Sorties. Its territory is the Dozur Desert, the same place it is fought in Story Mode. For the first phase of the fight, the N-WGIX/v will fly around the map in a VOB pack to attack the player in strafing runs until it receives enough damage that it crash lands. In the second phase, it will use dual laser blades. Defeating it will award the player the Desert King achievement/trophy.

"Mechanized Memories" is J's boss theme. It is used in both "Mission 10: Mechanized Memories" and in the Special Sortie boss battle. The track is a remix of "Remember" from Armored Core: For Answer. If the ACVD Alternate Music Set DLC is set, then "Mission 10: Mechanized Memories" will instead play "Cosmos New Version", a remix of "Cosmos", another track from Armored Core: For Answer.

J is also used in Armored Core: Verdict Day DLC that give additional CPU voices — each based on Story Mode characters — to the game; J is included in the CPU Voice 3 and CPU Voice Complete Set 1 packs. In addition, both the Pilot 10 and Pilot Complete Set 2 DLCs add a super deformed-style N-WGIX/v pilot skin.

Strategy[]

The following information is "gray area" content — it may not be completely factual, and/or falls under YMMV territory.

Story Mode

The battle is divided into two parts. In both parts he is weak to KE weaponry. It's recommended to use a high-output tank with dual maximum damage autocannons, due to his mobility. also, it's recommended to have a partner with the same loadout. It IS possible to destroy it with dual Gatling guns on a lightweight AC, although it's significantly harder.

N-WGIX Assault Armor — J activating his craft's Assault Armor

During the first part he will go into a mid-range duel with the player, using a pair of KE weapons, one similar to a standard rifle, and the other similar to a sniper rifle. He also uses a KE missile system that is MUCH more dangerous then the rifles, and the system fires a small swarm of missiles (approximately 20-30 missiles). He is also protected by primal armor, which your weapons can't even penetrate, so don't bother wasting your ammo during this phase. This half of the battle is made possible by his tendency to try and boost-charge the player, and then activate his version of assault armor. The assault armor attack is ludicrously powerful, usually dealing a one-hit-kill on anything less armored then a heavy bipedal. However, this attack is also his weakness; it disables his primal armor and his recovery animation leaves him vulnerable for several seconds, leaving you free to shred his AP with autocannons, HEAT piles, physical blades, or a simple boost charge. Afterwards, he'll boost back and attempt to wear you down with his rifles and missiles until his primal armor reactivates. After taking a considerable amount of punishment, he recoils away, and then proceeds to boost his generator output to insane levels before resuming his attack.

In the second half, he stops trying to ram the player and using assault armor, and regains all of his health. He is no longer protected by primal armor, but this is countered by him being MUCH more aggressive, firing missiles near-constantly and dishing out a barrage of gunfire. Not to mention, the sheer amount of Kojima particles being generated around him slowly whittles down your AP. He will also constantly run away from you, making it difficult to hit him with close-range weapons like autocannons and shotguns. For this phase, it's recommended that you use dual rifles along with KE missiles.

World Mode

The battle is once again divided into two parts, but his fighting style is completely different from the story mission version. This time, N-WGIX/v will retain its VOB unit as it enters the combat field. In this form, the N-WGIX/v has three forms of attacks. The first is the linear cannon, which it will fire a forward barrage of as it approaches its target. The second is a follow up attack from the VTF cannon, which it will bombard the player with from its rear as it flies past them and causes a large splash explosion. The third and most dangerous attack is when it soars up into the air while firing a barrage from its linear cannon before charging up and shooting a concentrated laser from the VTF cannon, which will deal up to 30k AP damage regardless of defense. Because of how fast it's moving, it's impossible to get a lock on it. However, because it can only move in a straight line, its trajectory is predictable. Use a sniper cannon to attack him as he approaches; a few direct hits will destroy his VOB unit and the N-WGIX/v will crash to the ground, beginning the second phase and the real battle.

In its second phase, the N-WGIX/v is armed with dual laser blades and it will spread Kojima particles everywhere to inflict constant damage around itself. Its attack pattern is very aggressive, usually picking one player and relentlessly chasing them down while slashing at them with its blades, eliminating the team one at a time. Attempting to outrun the N-WGIX/v is nearly impossible, as it is much faster than you are, and the blades it swings can fire off waves similar to the blade beams seen in AC1-3. At this point it's simply a damage race; your team should converge on the N-WGIX/v and hit it with everything they've got. Having a full team of tanks specced out for TE defense will make this part of the battle much less painful — even better if they're all armed with dual autocannons. Compared to the other special sortie bosses, N-WGIX/v's defenses and AP are rather low, and a focused attack on it with high DPS KE weapons should be able to take it out before the entire team is eliminated.

Sniper Tank w/ Grind Blade

One strategy is using a high AP tank w/ good defenses. Equip dual max power sniper cannons (the ones with around 17k atk) and have a high crticial power generator. Do the mission solo so that black glint focuses only on you. Get in his line of fire and shoot at him with the sniper cannons. 4 shots should be enough for him to land. once he's in second stage, immediately charge up the grind blade and wait for him to get close. release the UW when he's close and enough and bingo, you just beat black grlint solo.

Gallery[]