| |
| "Reach the Coral Convergence" | |
| General information | |
| Client | Handler Walter |
| Stage | Institute City |
| Reward | AC Parts, Combat Logs, COAM, Data Logs |
| Music | "Make Things Right," "Coral Guardian" Alt Mission: "Pulling Strings," "Clockwork Hostility" |
| Real world information | |
| Game | ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON |
"Reach the Coral Convergence" is a mission in Chapter 4 of ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. It is the final mission of the chapter.
In-game information[]
Combat zone: Institute City Objective: Reach Destination/Destroy Enemy ACs |
Objectives[]
- Defeat V.VI Maeterlinck/G3 Wu Huahai
- Secure the area
- Reach the Coral convergence
- Destroy the Ibis Series CEL 240
Alternate
- Defeat V.VI Maeterlinck/G3 Wu Huahai
- Secure the area
- Eliminate V.II Snail
- Eliminate V.II Snail/G5 Iguazu
Walkthrough[]
The mission begins with the player perched atop a crumbling highway in Institute City. (The "The Fires of Ibis" data log can be found by turning immediately left and is atop the tall ruined building.) Handler Walter directs them to attack the Arquebus Corporation MT squad led by V.VI Maeterlinck and G3 Wu Huahai that is attempting to advance into the city. The Arquebus force is locked in battle with multiple autonomous Institute MTs. The player can charge in immediately, or wait and let the battle play out, as usually only the ACs will be left standing and most or all of the MTs will be wiped out. Either way, all hostile forces in the area must be destroyed to progress, so bring a build that can handle two ACs at once. When the area is clear, a checkpoint will trigger. In the back of the area, on the roof of a small building, is a Part Container that will unlock IA-C01W3: AURORA when accessed.
Next, continue through the city to the second objective, the Vascular Plant. There is a large basin with a suspension bridge along the way. All enemies there, which include a total of nine HELIANTHUS and two Coral Drone MTs, can be avoided, but destroying them is required to complete LOGHUNT. There is also a second Part Container at the bottom of the far side of the bridge that holds IA-C01W2: MOONLIGHT, but is guarded by four of the HELIANTHUS units. The "STK Sketch" data log is found from the right of the parts container, guarded by the two Coral Drone MTs.
Once past the bridge area, keep moving to the waypoint, where there is another checkpoint and a Supply Sherpa. All enemies along the way can be ignored or bypassed by traveling along the tops of the skyscrapers on the left side. After resupplying, descend into the crater at the base of the Vascular Plant, where the Coral Convergence is located.
The player must now confront the mission's main boss, IB-01: CEL 240, an agile machine with a litany of fast, powerful attacks that inflict Coral damage. The battle is divided into two phases, and the second phase will only begin when CEL 240's AP is fully depleted once. CEL 240 relies mostly on ranged attacks and will usually try to distance itself from the player before striking. Its speed makes it a challenge to keep up with, but it is easily staggered by close-range and melee attacks. If adopting a more cautious, long-range strategy, it is advisable to assemble a fast-moving AC build and equip it with dual VE-60SNA stun needle launchers, since they are a reliable source of accumulative impact and burst damage. When CEL 240's first phase is defeated, back away from the wreckage before it revives for the second phase, and concentrate on dodging its initial attacks as it is impervious to damage until its AP bar reappears. CEL 240's second phase increases the tempo of its attacks and reveals a new signature move: it will enter a flight mode with a laser glide wing and dive at the player repeatedly. Fortunately, the same strategies used against CEL 240's first phase are still effective, the only thing the player needs to be wary of is dodging and keeping their AP up. Staggering CEL 240 as often as possible is essential to victory in this battle, not just for the opportunity to inflict greater damage on it, but to interrupt and minimize its relentless offense.
The mission concludes when CEL 240's second phase is destroyed. Be aware that Reach the Coral Convergence will immediately segue into a cinematic, as V.II Snail capturing 621 with a stun needle and shuts down in the process for re-education and then the first mission of Chapter 5, "Escape," skipping the usual return to the Garage until the mission has been completed.
Alternate[]
On NG++, if the player has previously completed the mission "Eliminate V.III," an alternate version of Reach the Coral Convergence is made available that sets up the "Alea Iacta Est" ending. After the battle with V.VI Maeterlinck and G3 Wu Huahai, ALLMIND will jam the player's comms link with Handler Walter and redirect them to find and eliminate V.II Snail. Follow the provided waypoints into a nearby sewer system, where V.II Snail is hiding in a cistern with four MTs. A checkpoint is flagged upon entering the cistern.
Destroy Snail's bodyguards quickly to focus on Snail himself. Snail uses a heavyweight AC very much built for slugging it out in close-quarters, with his laser lance being the biggest threat since there is not a lot of distance or cover to put between him to make it ineffective.
After a while G5 Iguazu will soon interrupt and attack both the player and Snail. His AC has received several upgrades that makes him more dangerous than previous encounters, but still generally lacks the true firepower needed to be a threat to an experienced pilot. While Iguazu's presence does complicate the duel between you and Snail, all combatants in this encounter are hostile to each other, and the fight basically devolves into a free-for-all. Due to Snail being realistically the biggest of the threats, a good strategy is to wait for him to turn his attention to Iguazu, then skate around and take pot shots at him as both of them fight it out. In either case, whoever is left will be likely be too exhausted to keep fighting, and will be an easy finish from here on.
Once both hostile ACs have been destroyed, the mission is completed.
Collectibles[]
- Data Logs:
- Image Data: STK Sketch
- Video Record: The Fires of Ibis
- LOGHUNT:
- G3 Wu Huahai (Gold)
- V.VI Maeterlinck (Gold)
- 9 HELIANTHUS (Bronze)
- 2 Coral Drone MTs (Silver)
- AC Parts:
Dialogue[]
| Condition | English | Japanese | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briefing | Handler Walter: You saw the ruins. Institute City... The mausoleum of the sinners who caused the Fires of Ibis. The Coral's right there. Waiting... Arquebus had ordered us to discontinue the survey and hand things over to their own AC squad. 621. We're done with the corporations. Wipe out the Arquebus AC squad and get to the Coral first. When this job is over... I'll tell you about the last of my friend's requests. | - | - |
| Sortie | Handler Walter: ...621. From here on out, I... ...Never mind. Just trust your instincts. | - | - |
| Introductory cutscene | Ayre: Their voices are so close now... This... This is my home... | - | - |
| Mission start | Handler Walter: Commence mission. Ayre: ...Let's go, Raven. V.VI Maeterlinck: V.II Snail, come in. Requesting backup. We have insufficient force to ensure success. G3 Wu Huahai: These Institute relics are such pests! Ayre: That's the Arquebus AC squad. ...Isn't that one with the Redguns? Handler Walter: Looks like the drones are keeping them busy. |
- | - |
| Engaged by V.VI Maeterlinck | V.VI Maeterlinck: The independent mercenary! V.II Snail, come in. The raven has landed. Requesting backup. G3 Wu Huahai: Decided to ignore Arquebus's orders, did you? I was just getting bored of cleaning up trash. I am Wu Huahai... Prepare to die! |
- | - |
| Engaged by G3 Wu Huahai | G3 Wu Huahai: Oho... You're Raven, the independent mercenary. Decided to ignore Arquebus's orders, did you? I was just getting bored of cleaning up trash. I am Wu Huahai... Prepare to die! V.VI Maeterlinck: V.II Snail, come in. The raven has landed. Requesting backup. |
- | - |
| V.VI Maeterlinck uses repair kit | V.VI Maeterlinck: This is...too risky! Commander! V.II Snail! Please, come in! This is Maeterlinck! Requesting backup! | - | - |
| G3 Wu Huahai uses repair kit | G3 Wu Huahai: Balam was a sinking ship. But Arquebus's star is on the rise. And me... I'll be well rewarded when I bring them your head on a silver platter. Yes... I smell opportunity! | - | - |
| Eliminating V.VI Maeterlinck | V.VI Maeterlinck: Please... Snail... Come in... Handler Walter: The Vespers left her for dead... That wasn't pretty. G3 Wu Huahai: Then the credit shall be all mine. What a fabulous opportunity! |
- | - |
| Eliminating G3 Wu Huahai | G3 Wu Huahai: Did I...misread the signs? Ayre: He was right to bet against Balam, but his luck had run out already. V.VI Maeterlinck: V.II Snail, come in. Friendly AC down. Requesting backup! |
- | - |
| Player AC destroyed by V.VI Maeterlinck | V.VI Maeterlinck: This is Maeterlinck. The raven has been exterminated. Withdrawing request for backup. My apologies for the disturbance, V.II. | - | - |
| Player AC destroyed by G3 Wu Huahai | G3 Wu Huahai: Opportunity called, and I answered. And now...my brand will take me to the top of the Vespers. | - | - |
| Arquebus AC squad eliminated (MTs remain) | Ayre: ...The Arquebus AC squad has been eliminated. Handler Walter: Secure the area, 621. |
- | - |
| Eliminating remaining MTs | Handler Walter: Looks like you're clear. ...Keep moving. | - | - |
| Arquebus AC squad eliminated (No MTs remain) | Ayre: ...The Arquebus AC squad has been eliminated. Handler Walter: That should buy us more time. ...Move out. |
- | - |
| Overlooking bridge | Handler Walter: ...The Vascular Plant. It's still here... Ayre: He must mean that gigantic structure in the distance... |
- | - |
| Engaged by HELIANTHUS on the bridge | Ayre: Enemy detected! An autonomous grinder wheel...?! | - | - |
| Eliminating HELIANTHUS on the bridge | Ayre: That machine was running on stable energy for half a century... Perhaps it should be no surprise... that humanity so desires Coral. | - | - |
| Engaging HELIANTHUS machines under the bridge | Handler Walter: ...Arquebus must be tracking us by now. Hurry, 621. | - | - |
| Approaching closer to the Coral convergence | Handler Walter: Readings are off the chart. You're close. Ayre: My brothers and sisters' voices are stronger than ever now. It's like...they're calling to us. |
- | - |
| Nearing the Coral convergence | Handler Walter: The response is getting stronger. We're nearly there, 621. | - | - |
| Arriving at the Coral convergence | Ayre: <gasp> This lake... It's all... Handler Walter: ...Here we are, 621. Arquebus will be here soon. ...Investigate before they arrive. |
- | - |
| Cutscene upon reaching the Coral convergence | Handler Walter: The Coral's rising... It's building up faster than I'd expected. Ayre: Raven. I knew Walter was— Handler Walter: Wait! Something's coming! Ayre: Unidentified machine, overhead! A response... It's a C-Weapon! Handler Walter: The Ibis Series... Still functional. Get ready, 621. One more job for you! |
- | - |
| Following end of previous cutscene | Ayre: This isn't like the C-Weapons you've encountered so far. It's not just powered by Coral... I think it's controlled by Coral too! Handler Walter: ...Listen up, 621. The Ibis Series are no ordinary weapons. They're designed to prevent Coral disasters... A security measure to keep Rubicon safe. And now their original masters are long gone. Destroy it before it destroys you! |
- | - |
| CEL 240's AP falls to ~50% | Ayre: It's taking damage, Raven! We won't get many chances to land a direct hit. But I know you can find a way! | - | - |
| CEL 240's AP falls to ~30% | Handler Walter: Keep it up, 621! It can't take much more of this! | - | - |
| Player AP below ~30% | Ayre: Raven, we're in danger! Handler Walter: Focus, 621! You have to focus! |
- | - |
| Player AC destroyed | Handler Walter: 621...! Damn it... Not like this! | - | - |
| Defeating CEL 240 | Ayre: Enemy Coral response...silent. Handler Walter: ...Wait! It's coming back! Ayre: It's reactivating! Handler Walter: Is this what the Ibis series is truly capable of?! Ayre: It's resonating with the ambient Coral... drawing power from its environment. It won't stop until we destroy its generator! |
- | - |
| CEL 240's AP falls to ~50% (Phase 2) | Ayre: Enemy has taken significant damage! ...I'm picking up a powerful ambient resonance. It bears an imperative...to protect the Coral... | - | - |
| CEL 240's AP falls to ~30% (Phase 2) | Handler Walter: You've nearly got it, 621! You're the only one who can finish the job! | - | - |
| Player AP below ~30% (Phase 2) | Handler Walter: ...You can take it, 621! Ayre: Just a little more... Focus, Raven! |
- | - |
| Eliminating CEL 240 | Ayre: Enemy generator compromised! Handler Walter: It's gonna blow! Get out of there, 621! |
- | - |
| Cutscene following defeating CEL 240 | Handler Walter: ...Is it over, 621? Ayre: The Coral resonance... It's fading. The machine's resolve, inherited from its creators... Voices from the past... fading into— Handler Walter: Hnh?! No! 621, MOVE! Ayre: Raven?! You're losing control! Handler Walter: Damn it, they were one step ahead of— Target neutralized. Yes... Yes. I left the subject alive as instructed. ...Only a fool would try to outfox Arquebus. V.II Snail: I'll see that the unruly dog is punished and brought to heel. Oh, and of course... Let's not forget the hound's master, either. |
- | - |
| Post-mission cinematic | Arquebus seized control of the Coral... ...and its occupying forces swiftly commandeered the entirety of Institute City. There, they discovered a wealth of forgotten relics. Among them, experimental weapons that the Institute kept secret, fearing they were beyond human control... A group of C-weapons bearing the name of the Central Coral Control System... The Ibis Series. Arquebus also claimed a towering Coral siphon, abandoned since the Fires—the Vascular Plant. Now, they toil to repair the Plant and extend its reach beyond Rubicon's atmosphere. The Liberation Front no longer had the power to stop them... and the fires of war continued to smolder as the end drew near. | - | - |
Alternate[]
| Condition | English | Japanese | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arquebus AC squad eliminated (No MTs remain) | Ayre: ...The Arquebus AC squad has been eliminated. Handler Walter: That should buy us some— |
- | - |
| Arquebus AC squad eliminated (MTs remain) | Ayre: ...The Arquebus AC squad has been eliminated. Handler Walter: Secure the area, 621. |
- | - |
| Eliminating remaining MTs | Handler Walter: Looks like you're clear. ...Keep moving. | - | - |
| - | ALLMIND: Switching to encoded channels. Augmented human C4-621—Raven. V.II Snail intends to dispose of you once your utility is spent. Proceed blindly and you will find yourself a prisoner of the corporations. We will transmit his coordinates. Eliminate him. ALLMIND will handle the rest. Ayre: ...Let's go, Raven. |
- | - |
| - | Handler Walter: 621, do you...me? The line's.......ting out... ALLMIND: Handler Walter... Another hindrance to the project. Leave him to us. |
- | - |
| Spotted by Arquebus MT Squad | Arquebus MT Squad Member: Hnh? That's the independent mercenary— Wait... Something's up. Are we being jammed? The signal's— | - | - |
| Approaching V.II Snail's location | V.II Snail: ...Both ACs were destroyed, but all is proceeding as planned. Yes... Yes, of course. That's what the independent mercenary is for. | - | - |
| Eavesdropping on V.II Snail | Ayre: Confirmed—it's V.II Snail. We're clear to ambush him. V.II Snail: What's going on with our comms...? Change the frequency. We will report to HQ later. This had better not be one of that handler's tricks... |
- | - |
| Ambushing V.II Snail | V.II Snail: Gah?! Ayre: Target ambushed! Make it count! |
- | - |
| Spotted by V.II Snail | V.II Snail: Hnh?! Who goes there! Ayre: We've been spotted! |
- | - |
| Discovered by V.II Snail | V.II Snail: Wait... That radio noise.... Who goes there! Ayre: We've been spotted! |
- | - |
| - | V.II Snail: The independent mercenary... Raven! Leave it to a mutt to sniff me out... But how did you find me? ...I'll pick your AC's wreck for answers. | - | - |
| V.II Snail uses first repair kit | G5 Iguazu: There you are! Just like they said... You're gonna die, freelancer! Ayre: <gasp> Additional hostile signature! That AC... It's G5 Iguazu! V.II Snail: Balam...? What are you doing here?! G5 Iguazu: You! The guy from the Ice Worm mission with a stick up his ass! It's my lucky day... I don't like YOU either. I'll kill the both of you! V.II Snail: Rabid dogs. You'll die together! G5 Iguazu: I'm nobody's dog! |
- | - |
| G5 Iguazu uses repair kit | G5 Iguazu: Ngh... That damn noise again...! Freelancer—you're doing this, aren't you?! Make it stop... Make it— It's inside my head! You're all laughing at me, aren't you?! | - | - |
| V.II Snail uses second repair kit (G5 Iguazu alive) | V.II Snail: Legacy augmentation... You disgust me. Derelict and decaying at the very core of your being. You know this. (...Ah, and you're not the only one. No wonder I felt so nauseated.) | - | - |
| Eliminating G5 Iguazu | G5 Iguazu: How are you...different... Ayre: G5... Iguazu down. |
- | - |
| Eliminating V.II Snail | V.II Snail: Impossible...! How could I fail?! Ayre: V.II Snail down. |
- | - |
| Player AC destroyed by G5 Iguazu | G5 Iguazu: Dead! Dead! You're finally dead! That noise... My... My head... | - | - |
| Player AC destroyed by V.II Snail | V.II Snail: ....You dogs disgust me. Both products of poor masters... | - | - |
| Eliminating both ACs | Ayre: We did it... ALLMIND: Augmented human C4-621—Raven. Well done. Now, you are one with us. Welcome to ALLMIND. |
- | - |
| Debriefing | COM: No new messages. Ayre: We've received a message from ALLMIND. It sounds like they want to bring you under their protection as part of the Coral Release project. Let's hear them out. |
- | - |
Gallery[]
