Controller Agents are special ACs seen in Armored Core 3.
Two Controller Agents seen in Infiltrate Layered Hub.
Overview[]
Appearing in various missions throughout Layered, Controller Agents are seemingly unmanned ACs commanded by the Controller itself. They began to appear just as Crest was preparing to finish off Union, dealing heavy damage to both sides. These units started attacking all of the corporations indiscriminately, damaging Layered. Although outwardly similar to regular ACs, it is noted by the Raven's Operator Laine Meyers, that they reached a level of performance greatly surpassing the common AC.
Different versions of the Agents are seen throughout the game, but they all have the same basic color and carry the Controller's emblem as well. They also share the same head and core parts. After the Controller is destroyed, it is assumed that any remaining units shut down and remained inactive.
List of ACs[]
Defend Ruglen Lab[]
The Controller AC that attacks Fragile in Ruglen Laboratory.
The very first Controller Agent is found during an incident at Ruglen Laboratory. It is a middleweight equipped with very powerful weaponry which includes a laser rifle, laser blade, a back grenade launcher and an orbit cannon. This combined with an EO core allow for it to take on multiple opponents with ease. Because the consorts provided are part of the story, you may lose both Fragile and Cold Heart if you are not fast enough in destroying it.
Defend Ruglen Lab - Controller AC Parts
- Head: MHD-MM/003
- Core: MCM-MX/002
- Arms: MAL-GALE
- Legs: MLM-MM/ORDER
- Booster: CBT-FLEET
- Back Unit R: CWC-GNS-15
- Back Unit L: MWC-OC/15
- Arm Unit R: MWG-XCB/75
- Arm Unit L: MLB-LS/003
Defend Energy Reactor[]
The Controller AC that appears to have infiltrated the Union Energy Reactor.
Another Controller Agent is found during the incident at the Energy Reactor. It is a middleweight AC equipped with powerful weaponry that includes laser cannon arms, a back pulse cannon and a back large rocket. With the addition of an EO core, it is able to hold its own in a confined space.
Defend Energy Reactor - Controller AC Parts
- Head: MHD-MM/003
- Core: MCM-MX/002
- Arms: MAW-DLC/POWER
- Legs: MLF-MX/KNOT
- Booster: MBT-OX/E9
- Back Unit R: CWR-HECTO
- Back Unit L: MWC-XP/75
- Arm Unit R: None
- Arm Unit L: None
Infiltrate Layered Hub[]
These two ACs serve as the final boss, of sorts, for Armored Core 3. Both of them feature the OP-INTENSIFY optional part and this makes them rather deadly opponents. However the room itself provides a lot of cover and with powerful weapons, coupled with the fact that both use entry-level boosters, both of them can fall rather easily.
Controller AC #1
Parts (Agent 1)[]
- Head: MHD-MM/003
- Core: MCM-MX/002
- Arms: CAL-44-EAS
- Legs: MLL-MX/EDGE
- Booster: CBT-01-UN4
- Back Unit R: MM-AD/20
- Back Unit L: MWC-OC/15
- Arm Unit R: MWG-XCW/90
- Arm Unit L: CLB-LS-2551
Parts (Agent 2)[]
Controller AC #2.
- Head: MHD-MM/003
- Core: MCM-MX/002
- Arms: CAM-11-SOL
- Legs: CLH-STIFF
- Booster: CBT-01-UN4
- Back Unit R: MWX-MX/STRING
- Back Unit L: MWX-MX/STRING
- Arm Unit R: CWGG-GR-12
- Arm Unit L: CES-ES-0101
Strategy[]
For the Controller AC in the Ruglen Lab, this one would pose a challenge for starters and it's not advised to kill it if the player isn't assured of their abilities. Otherwise, they will have to be on their toes. This AC, as one would expect, is tough and has OP-INTENSIFY which allows it to fire its grenade launchers while moving, adding further is its use of powerful energy weapons such as its laser rifle and orbit cannons. The unit is also adept in blade combat, making it a dangerous enemy. Making matters worse is that this unit is fought in a confined space. Even with support received from Cold Heart and Fragile, neither of them are a match for this AC. Using rapid fire weapons would be key to taking it down, namely machine guns. Slow-firing weapons aren't recommended as the unit is quite mobile and has the affinity to dodge. It's also not advised to engage in blade combat with it as it does use a fast blade and will use it when it has the chance.
For the Controller AC in the energy reactor, this AC is also another tough nut to crack. Its most dangerous weapons are its laser cannon weapon arms which can strip off AP very quickly, this is further bolstered by the unit's EO core. In addition to those, it also has a rapid fire pulse cannon and large rockets, both of which are also fairly dangerous. The way to go about beating it would be to try and outmaneuver it as it has rather limited mobility. Weapon arms like its own work well against it as it also has limited durability.
For the 2 Controller ACs in the Layered Hub, both are surprisingly less difficult to deal with than the previous two. Although they do pack higher end weaponry, they use entry-level boosters and as such their mobility is hampered. The heavy AC will usually keep at a distance shooting its grenade rifle or energy cannon, while the lighter unit will fly continually and pepper you with laser rifle fire or orbit cannons. Since there are many pillars on the level, they can be used as cover and the elevated terrain also helps to avoid attacks strategically. There's no fixed strategy as to who to go after first, but just be sure that when you're engaged only one is actively targeting you, or you'll be taking constant fire from both. As they are relatively easier to fight than the other 2, any weapon is usable on them, so long as the player still has enough ammo (or a blade) to reach and destroy the Controller's core in the backroom after downing the 2 Controller ACs.
Trivia[]
- Similar versions appear in Armored Core: Silent Line called Big Whites and are later shown to be under the command of IBIS, the controller of the second Layered. These units differ in that they have entirely custom weapons and parts that cannot be acquired by the player and also demonstrated surprising mobility for their size.
Gallery[]
