'''Laser Blades''' are weapons that can be affixed to the arm units of Armored Cores. Blades usually fall into two categories; long and weak or short and strong,however, some exceptions do exist. Crafts that use Laser Blades are often designed for speed and quick turning, as they are required to close quarters against enemies who often use ranged weapons, often as the strongest laser blade with the longest reach.
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[[File:Laser_Blades.jpg|thumb|Active Laser Blades.]]'''Laser blades''' are energy weapons that can be affixed to the arm units of [[Armored Core]]s. Laser Blades usually fall into two categories: long and weak or short and strong. However, some exceptions do exist.
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The [[Moonlight]]seriesof Laser Blades servesasafixtureof the Armored Core Series, andhasappearedineverygametodate. Currently,as of ArmoredCore: ForAnswer,itsnewestformistheRayleonard-manufactured07-Moonlight.
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Until [[Armored Core 4]], Laser Blades could only be fixed to the left arm. Since Armored Core 4, laser blades have been capable of being equipped on both arms. This allows construction of NEXT designs with dual laser blades - a very lethal close combat combination.
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==Information==
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Until [[Armored Core 4]], Laser Blades could only be fixed to the left arm.
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Unlike conventional swords wielded by hand, laser blades in the ''Armored Core'' series are forearm attachments which project a stream of energy similar to lightsabers of the Star Wars franchise or beam sabers from the Gundam franchise. They deal moderate to high damage, and in Armored Core 4 and For Answer, are capable of cutting through Primal Armor with ease.
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When attacking with a laser blade, an AC dashes forward first before delivering a slash; the AC usually accelerates at a speed beyond the typical maximum speed. This, combined with slight target tracking to home in on the target, makes it easier to land a hit, unlike parry blades wherein an AC must "manually" close in to deliver a blow. The kind of slash performed depends on the type of legs of the slashing AC. Slashes range from the classic, horizontal slash to a forward stab, which sacrifices the homing ability a bit for even greater power.
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Some "laser blades" do not actually form a blade; instead, they create an energy wave projection which is thrown forward a good distance. This projection is called a blade wave, and can also be done with all laser blades provided the user has HUMAN-PLUS capabilities or the AC is equipped with OP-INTENSIFY.
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==Function==
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==History==
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Despite being a staple of Armored Cores, the laser blade actually precedes the AC design by many years. They were first found in the later days of Muscle Tracers, specifically around the time of the first Cored Muscle Tracer. They were considered high end weapons capable of dealing massive damage. With the birth of the Armored Core, they say lesser usage in MTs and became a staple of ACs. Laser blades have been used in every iteration of Armored Core and although the underlying mechanics behind them have changed over time, their overall high attack ability and portability have made them one of the most powerful and iconic weapons in Armored Core.
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==Use==
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Laser blades are all around great close quarter weapons that work well on almost all ACs. Because they are effective only at melee range, crafts that wield laser blades are often designed to be highly mobile to quickly close in on targets while avoiding enemy fire.
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As its name implies, the Laser Blade is a sword like laser weapon attached to the left arm (up until Armored Core 4 and For Answer) designed to deal moderate to high levels of damage in close quarters. They are often used to close the distance between the opponent or as a last resort weapon.
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The Laser Blade is unique in that it lasts for barely a second when activated, only long enough for an AC to make a sweeping striking, and fading almost immediately. All Laser Blades operate in this manner no matter how strong or weak they are.
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Another unique aspect of the Laser Blade is that when it is activated, the AC is automatically boosted forward a short distance, separating it completely from the parrying blade in terms of effectiveness; this acts as a form of "lock on" and makes the Laser Blade a reasonably accurate weapon when used correctly. Some Laser Blades also carry a "secondary" mode called wave blading, in which the blade launches a "wave" of energy that heads in the direction the blade is activated in. This increases its use from only short to medium range capablity.
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This ability was demonstrated in the first Armored Core after obtaining HUMAN-PLUS and in later games OP-INTENSIFY. By Last Raven, All Laser Blades share this function when boosting forward before using the Laser Blade. Armored Core 4 and For Answer does not have the wave blade function.
==List of Laser Blades==
==List of Laser Blades==
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[[File:Aul_moonlight.png|thumb|The MOONLIGHT as it appears in Armored Core 2]]
*In [[Armored Core: For Answer]], [[ORCA]]'s customized [[Arms Fort]] JET was shown to be able to use massive laser blades that swept around and could eliminate an NEXT in a single strike.
*The [[MOONLIGHT]] is one of the few weapons that has been in every single title without a name change; It boasts both impressive blade range and usually has the highest attack power.
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*[[File:MOONLIGHT_ACTIVE.jpg|thumb|The WL-MOONLIGHT activated.]]The MOONLIGHT series of Laser Blades serves as a fixture of the Armored Core Series, and has appeared in every game to date. Currently, as of Armored Core: For Answer, its newest form is the Rayleonard-manufactured 07-Moonlight. Moonlight blades are usually blue or purple and have both a high attack power, and a long range at a cost of heavy weight.
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*In the PSX games (and Armored Core 2), the laser blades are not listed in the immediate selection of weapons during combat. Also in the PSX games, the laser blades cannot be visibly seen on ACs since these models were directly installed inside the forearm instead of being attached to it like in the later games.
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*In Armored Core 3, Certain MT's were shown to equip laser blades as well, albeit weaker
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*In Armored Core:ForAnswer,anArmsFortproduced by ORCAwasshowntobeable to usemassivelaserbladesthatsweptaround and could eliminate an NEXT in a singlestrike.
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*[[Armored Core V]] has laser blades that are used by the hand instead of being attached to the wrist like in previous Armored Core games.
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[[Category:Equipment]]
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*Almost every single boss who used an AC utilized a laser blade (discounting the pulverizers, who had spear/sword like arms.)
*The MOONLIGHT is one of the few weapons that has been in every single title without a name change.
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[[Category:Glossary]]
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*Why the laser blade can only be used for a second or so is never explained, but it is inferred through gameplay that leaving it on for prolonged periods would drain energy massively.
Revision as of 11:23, 10 March 2018
Active Laser Blades.
Laser blades are energy weapons that can be affixed to the arm units of Armored Cores. Laser Blades usually fall into two categories: long and weak or short and strong. However, some exceptions do exist.
Until Armored Core 4, Laser Blades could only be fixed to the left arm. Since Armored Core 4, laser blades have been capable of being equipped on both arms. This allows construction of NEXT designs with dual laser blades - a very lethal close combat combination.
Unlike conventional swords wielded by hand, laser blades in the Armored Core series are forearm attachments which project a stream of energy similar to lightsabers of the Star Wars franchise or beam sabers from the Gundam franchise. They deal moderate to high damage, and in Armored Core 4 and For Answer, are capable of cutting through Primal Armor with ease.
When attacking with a laser blade, an AC dashes forward first before delivering a slash; the AC usually accelerates at a speed beyond the typical maximum speed. This, combined with slight target tracking to home in on the target, makes it easier to land a hit, unlike parry blades wherein an AC must "manually" close in to deliver a blow. The kind of slash performed depends on the type of legs of the slashing AC. Slashes range from the classic, horizontal slash to a forward stab, which sacrifices the homing ability a bit for even greater power.
Some "laser blades" do not actually form a blade; instead, they create an energy wave projection which is thrown forward a good distance. This projection is called a blade wave, and can also be done with all laser blades provided the user has HUMAN-PLUS capabilities or the AC is equipped with OP-INTENSIFY.
History
Despite being a staple of Armored Cores, the laser blade actually precedes the AC design by many years. They were first found in the later days of Muscle Tracers, specifically around the time of the first Cored Muscle Tracer. They were considered high end weapons capable of dealing massive damage. With the birth of the Armored Core, they say lesser usage in MTs and became a staple of ACs. Laser blades have been used in every iteration of Armored Core and although the underlying mechanics behind them have changed over time, their overall high attack ability and portability have made them one of the most powerful and iconic weapons in Armored Core.
Use
Laser blades are all around great close quarter weapons that work well on almost all ACs. Because they are effective only at melee range, crafts that wield laser blades are often designed to be highly mobile to quickly close in on targets while avoiding enemy fire.
In Armored Core: For Answer, ORCA's customized Arms Fort JET was shown to be able to use massive laser blades that swept around and could eliminate an NEXT in a single strike.
The MOONLIGHT is one of the few weapons that has been in every single title without a name change; It boasts both impressive blade range and usually has the highest attack power.
The WL-MOONLIGHT activated.
The MOONLIGHT series of Laser Blades serves as a fixture of the Armored Core Series, and has appeared in every game to date. Currently, as of Armored Core: For Answer, its newest form is the Rayleonard-manufactured 07-Moonlight. Moonlight blades are usually blue or purple and have both a high attack power, and a long range at a cost of heavy weight.
In the PSX games (and Armored Core 2), the laser blades are not listed in the immediate selection of weapons during combat. Also in the PSX games, the laser blades cannot be visibly seen on ACs since these models were directly installed inside the forearm instead of being attached to it like in the later games.
Armored Core V has laser blades that are used by the hand instead of being attached to the wrist like in previous Armored Core games.
