Quadruped UNACs
Armored Core: Verdict Day introduces a new AI system called UNAC (UNmanned Armored Cores), which plays an important role in both the story and multiplayer modes.
UNACs, controlled from the core by a type of computer known as "Formula Brain", are a technology that has recently been developed. They are considered to be equal in skill to average human-piloted ACs and are used to supplement them.
Models[]
- EGF Assault Tetrapod
- Sirius Reverse-Joint
- Sirius Lightweight
- Foundation Support Model
- Reaper Support Model 1
- Reaper Support Model 2
Gameplay[]
In-game information[]
VoW Archive 11: UNACs[]
An autonomous control system for ACs furnished by the Foundation. Also used to describe the unmanned ACs themselves. Comprised of a physical unit installed in the core and the base program "Formula Brain" built into it.
By adapting the autonomous control technology previously limited to a very small subsection of specialized weapons to work with ACs, the mainstay of modenr combat, the Foundation became a focus of attention overnight. Today, this technology is the Foundation's core product, and is used heavily by all three factions. While UNACs are capable of a wide variety of user-customized combat behaviors, those used by the three factions most commonly employ simple tactics shared by large, unified squads, relying on strength in numbers over clever strategy. Photo credit: VoW |
Multiplayer[]
In multiplayer, UNACs' battle tactics and battlefield behavior can be fine-tuned through the use of different chips. These chips allow the UNACs' engagement range, weapon usage, speed, line of sight, and other aspects to be modified according to the players' desires.
If a player is in the operator seat, no actual players need be on the battlefield; UNACs can be simultaneously deployed, up to taking all 4 player slots as long as a human player acts as operator, and can then dictate objectives and spot specific enemies for each UNAC.
Singleplayer[]
In single player, UNACS serve as "Elite Mooks"; fairly dangerous, although easily destroyed as long as caution is taken. In the middle of the campaign, UNACs everywhere start going out of control, and are usually used in flocks.
- They generally use very cheap parts, meaning that they have unusually low defenses and AP Count, so are fairly easy to dispatch.
- they also use cheap weapons, so they cause relatively low damage.
- They have low intelligence, although they do have a satisfactory path finding. If avoided for a while, they tend to group together, making it either a lot easier to take them out in one blow, or a lot easier to get swarmed by them.
Enemy NPCs[]
Hostile UNACs encountered by the player during Story Missions:
EGF Assault UNAC[]
Like all story-based UNAC's, these units are constructed from a low-cost configuration. However, unlike the others, these UNACs are considered the most dangerous in the campaign. Out of all the UNAC's fought in the story mode, the tetrapods deployed by the EGF in the earlier parts of the game have the highest AP, defenses, and (overall) attack power. They are moderately quick tetrapod ACs armed with a pair of battle rifles.
Encounters[]
During Story Mission 3 the player is attacked by four of these UNACs once he has defeated a small company of R34-GG-GOLEMs; however, Reaper One K attempts contact with the player, making sure that they reach the building she is stationed upon from which she will obliterate the enemies with her powerful sniper cannon.
Parts[]
- Head: Hd-U-C37
- Core: Co-G-F11
- Arms: Ar-M-W17
- Legs: UKIFUNE mdl.1
- FCS: USUGUMO mdl.2?
- Generator: GA-319?
- Booster: ASAGAO mdl.1?
- Recon. Unit: None
- R. Main Weapon: AM/BRA-125 (damage CE 1300)
- L. Main Weapon: Au-C-B07 (damage CE 1600)
- Shoulder unit: None
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
Defense stats[]
- KE: 791
- CE: 3101
- TE: 791
Sirius Reverse Joint UNAC[]
A yellow and blue mid-heavy reverse joint AC designed for aerial combats. It is armed with an high-instantaneous-velocity rifle and an high-capacity rifle.
Encounters[]
During Story mission 5, the player has to support the escape of a Sirius Stork helicopter. During the cut-scenes, however, the Stork is shot down and it lands in a bad way; just when Fatman drops the player's AC in order to save the crew from a group of incoming A84-Hellkites. During the ensuing battle, the Sirius forces send four reverse legged UNACs to help the player to defeat the enemy forces. Once there are no enemies left, the optical lights of the UNACs turn from green to red and, unexpectedly, they attack the player; while their operator wonders why they are gone out of control.
Parts[]
- Head: HA-202
- Core: CB-116
- Arms: AC-129
- Legs: FUJIBAKAMA mdl.1
- FCS: FA-108?
- Generator: GA-108?
- Boosters: ASAGAO mdl.2?
- Recon Unit: None
- R. Main Weapon: AM/RFB-215
- L. Main Weapon: ISONOKAMI mdl.2
- Shoulder unit: None
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
Foundation's Support UNAC[]
A grey, middleweight biped AC with average defense in all areas. It's equipped with an high capacity rifle and an advanced version laser rifle.
Encounters[]
This UNAC is encountered as an ally at the beginning of Story Mission 04 when the player accept a secret contract. During the cutscenes, Fatman's Stork arrives in the battlefield where you can immediately see a massive weapon (To-605). The Foundation's Leader tells Maggy about a "challenge": the Raven must fight the To-605, but to make the battle less unequal, he gives him three of these UNACs. Despite their number, they're useless, and at least one of them is typically destroyed by the automatic weapon, mainly because they've been tampered with beforehand so they don't work as a team; also they fire even when they haven't locked-on something.
Parts[]
- Head: HE-119
- Core: MATSUKAZE mdl.1
- Arms: Ar-M-W17
- Legs: L2MA-227
- FCS: FA-108?
- Generator: Ge-D-P10?
- Boosters: Bo-C-H11?
- Recon Unit: RA-103?
- R. Main Weapon: MURASAKI mdl.2
- L. Main Weapon: ISONOKAMI mdl.2
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
- Shoulder Unit: None
Sirius Biped Support UNAC[]
A weak, light blue, biped UNAC used by the Sirius Corporation as a support unit. It is armed with an high capacity, rapid fire pistol as well as a weak TE machinegun. It is composed of a standard TE-resistant head and KE core, arms and legs. It can be easily dispatched, just be sure to not be trapped in a corner or to have too many of them around you, as their combined firepower will hurt you seriously, or even kill you (e.g. Erik).
Encounters[]
This UNAC appears during Story Mission 6 and it's the only enemy, although it comes in several waves.
During the mission you are joined by Erik (AC: Thor's Hammer) and your task is to eliminate all the out-of-control UNACs. After a short time Erik is defeated and knocked down by a UNAC (although he manages to survive). Then the Reaper Squad arrives on the battlefield; the battle team is composed of Reaper Two: D (heavy assault tank) and three customized Reaper UNACs (see below). They help the player to obliterate the enemies; then, once the battle has ended, the Reaper Squad Leader (who is presumably piloting D's Stork) reveals himself to the player and he talks to Maggy, stating that it was he who defeated her two years before, and teases her to resume piloting and join them.
Parts[]
- Head: HD-210
- Core: CB-402
- Arms: Ar-P-C28
- Legs: L2LB-215
- FCS: FA-108?
- Generator: Ge-D-P10?
- Boosters: Bo-C-H11? (One of the Bo-C High Power Boosters, distinctive of their rounded nozzles)
- Recon. Unit: None (Recon units were never used)
- R. Main Weapon: YAMABUKI mdl.1
- L. Main Weapon: AKIGIRI mdl.2
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
- Shoulder Unit: None
Reaper Customized Assault UNAC[]
A fast and agile biped AC armed with a standard ARAGANE (mod.2) battle rifle and a Au-M-R31 pulse gun.
Encounters[]
This UNAC is encountered as an ally during Story Mission 6 after Thor's Hammer (Erik) is shot down by a group of out-of-control Sirius UNAC (see Sirius Biped Support UNAC above). Reaper Two: D is deployed with three of these UNACs in order to assist the player to eliminate the enemies. Reaper UNACs can easily outmatch the Sirius units, while D's AC is able to obliterate them with its firepower, so you can stay at the border of the battlefield and let them have at it.
Parts[]
- Head: HE-119
- Core: MATSUKAZE mdl.1
- Arms: Ar-M-W17
- Legs: L2MA-227
- FCS: FA-215? (Can shoot at a longer range than most other UNAC's)
- Generator: Ge-D-P10? (Needs confirmation)
- Boosters: Bo-C-H11? (Needs confirmation, but is one of the Bo-C High Power Boosters)
- Recon Unit: None?
- R. Main Weapon: ARAGANE mdl.2
- L. Main Weapon: Au-M-R31
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
- Shoulder Unit: None
Reaper Customized Support UNAC[]
Essentially the same model of UNAC used by the Reaper Squad in Story Mission 06 -- a fast, mobile medium bipedal. However, these units have had some upgrades: they are more aggressive, faster and use a high-ammo gatling gun instead of a pulse gun.
Encounters[]
This UNAC is encountered as an additional enemy during Story Mission 8 after R.I.P1/K (K) is shot down by the player. Reaper Two: D is deployed with two of these UNACs in order to eliminate the player. These Reaper UNACs are more dangerous than their previous counterparts, and will actively attack you while D holds your attention. The gatling gun equipped on them is weak but holds a high-ammo count, so beware of their battle rifle if you chose to go with a mobile AC lacking CE defense. It is recommended to bring a high-level UNAC or a mercenary with you on this mission.
Parts[]
- Head: HE-119
- Core: MATSUKAZE mdl.1
- Arms: Ar-M-W17
- Legs: L2MA-227
- FCS: FA-215?
- Generator: Ge-D-P10?
- Boosters: Bo-C-H11? (Needs confirmation, but is definitely one of the Bo-C High Power Boosters)
- Recon Unit: None
- R. Main Weapon: ARAGANE mdl.2
- L. Main Weapon: AM/GGA-115
- R. Bay Unit: None
- L. Bay Unit: None
- Shoulder Unit: None
The following information is "gray area" content — it may not be completely factual, and/or falls under YMMV territory.
Categories
UNACs can fall under many categories.
Individual Support UNACs
For solo players, a common archetype is the Individual Support UNAC, or ISUNAC, serving to complement an individual player's specific style. This can be accomplished by supplementing defenses that the player's AC doesn't have, or by having an opposite attack range, such as having a Light-wieght Bipedal Sniper supporting close-range Tanks and Heavy Bipedals.
Tag-Team UNACs
Following the same principal as the ISUNAC, TUNACs are found only on player matches allowing 3v3 or more. TUNACs are built to work in tandem, often made in two different archetypes: Decoy/Destroyer and Twins. TUNACs are meant as interdictor units and are better off with their owners being in the pilot seat, with a third player on the battlefield. TUNACs will not help the third player as a programming default unless specified by the operator.
Decoy/Destroyers
Decoy/Destroyers or DDs are UNACs constructed with one, heavier unit meant as a damage sponge, whilst the second stays at range, taking advantage of its personal meat shield to pierce armor with High-Damage weapons such as sniper-rifles. Decoys must not be underestimated, as well-built decoys can often shred lighter units by themselves.
Twins
Twin Units are dual mechs which are in principle the same frame or type with Identical weapons and Operating Systems. The nuance for these mechs lies in there Operating Systems: Each OS is built as a mirror, as they attack in the same pattern but on opposite sides, coordinating attacks through automatic settings, often confusing individual opponents and quickly dispatching enemies with terrifying haste.
LUNACs
A play on words with lunacy, LUNACs are squads of 4 UNACs with one operator dictating movements. Only "Architects" of great skill and intelligence can properly build squads of 4 independent UNACs that can rival 4 real players, ergo the term lunacy. Often poorly built, LUNACs will not pose too much threat to a single serious pilot, however, even poorly built LUNACs with incredible OS design can defeat even the strongest of player teams.
Trivia[]
- The term "Formula Brain" is a reference to Armored Core: Formula Front.