| |
| IE-09: HELIANTHUS | |
| General information | |
| Classification | Autonomous Grinder Wheel |
| Manufacturer | Rubicon Research Institute |
| Affiliation | Rubicon Research Institute |
| Conflicts present | Coral War |
| Real world information | |
| Appearances | ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON |
The IE-09: HELIANTHUS machine is an Enemy Unit in ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, manufactured by the Rubicon Research Institute. Referred to as "Autonomous Grinder Wheels" by Ayre, they are evidently leftover construction automatons from the Institute's heyday, likely used for heavy mining and construction operations across Institute City.
After the Fires of Ibis destroyed Rubicon 3, these machines have been left to fester and rot away, yet they remain fully intact, being fueled by the Coral that now swells inside Institute City, allowing them to remain functional on stable energy for over 50 years. They are likely under the control of that very same Coral, which is now ordering these machines to attack any who dare approach the convergence point at the center of the city.
As mining machines, their main method of attacking revolves around spinning and violently ramming into the player at high speeds, but they also have a few other weapons to use to assault their foes. Across their bodies are small holes, which release volleys of slow, high-homing missiles at targets, which can quickly overwhelm and do serious damage to an AC if fighting multiple HELIANTHUS machines at once. Their final attack involves them drifting at an enemy to expose their flank, charging up energy in their hollow cores, then blasting it out in a massive gouge of flame, igniting the ground and anything in their path.
Armament[]
- Sawblades
- Missile Launchers
- Flamethrower
Gameplay[]
The HELIANTHUS is only encountered in two missions. The non-alternate version of "Reach the Coral Convergence," as well as the NG++ mission "Escort the Weaponized Mining Ship," where they are encountered alongside 4 Institute C-Weapon MTs, which are fought in squads of two.
A squadron of 4 of them are found on Reach the Coral Convergence, guarding a hidden part chest containing the IA-C01W2: MOONLIGHT.
These machines are extremely deadly and are often encountered in large groups, making fighting them a difficult task. One potential solution is their vulnerability to missiles. Due to their predictable and often straight-forward movement, missiles often have a very easy time locking on and following these machines, even if they miss on the initial pass.
Gallery[]
.png "HELIANTHUS (6).png (3.1 MB)")
.png "HELIANTHUS (4).png (3.37 MB)")
.png "HELIANTHUS (5).png (3.25 MB)")
.png "HELIANTHUS (1).png (2.48 MB)")
Trivia[]
- The Helianthus is the scientific name for the Common Sunflower. This is likely in reference to how the machine looks when viewed from the side, which very much resembles the flower it gets its name from.[1]
- These enemies are a likely nod to the Bonewheel Skeleton enemies found throughout From Software's Dark Souls franchise.
- HELIANTHUS machines are powered by Coral generators, yet do not produce a Coral explosion when destroyed, unlike other C-weapons.