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| "Underground Exploration - Depth 1" | |
| General information | |
| Client | Arquebus Corporation |
| Stage | Watchpoint Alpha - Depth 1 |
| Reward | AC Part, COAM |
| Music | "Watchpoint Alpha" |
| Real world information | |
| Game | ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON |
"Underground Exploration - Depth 1" is the first mission in Chapter 4 of ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON.
In-game information[]
Combat zone: Watchpoint Alpha - Depth 1 Objective: Infiltrate Facility / Destroy Target
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Objectives[]
- Reach the end of Depth 1
- Destroy the NEPENTHES artillery platform
Walkthrough[]
The first descent is not very combat-heavy. First, activate the elevator, and after a few seconds: the system will lock the elevator, and a few PCA MTs will appear. Dispatch them, then manually move down the elevator shaft. Shortly after, the main opposition of this mission appears: AB08: NEPENTHES.
Nepenthes is a massive, static 6-barreled laser cannon that regularly shoots up the elevator shaft, in an attempt to shoot down intruders. It has an audible charging sound and the AC's computer will ping if they're preparing to fire, as if a heavy weapon is leveled at them. NEPENTHES can track the player with unerring accuracy, making it next-to-impossible to dodge, and each hit is a guaranteed ACS stagger, with just 3 direct hits being typically enough to kill even the most heavily armored of ACs.
To avoid this, the player must used the walkways and arches located down the elevator shaft, as NEPENTHES' lasers cannot penetrate or destroy them. Due to the lasers being extremely deadly, they must properly time their descent, and must not be caught in the open once the cannon starts shooting, while covering as much distance as possible. To do this, stay in cover until NEPENTHES starts shooting, count 5 shots, and be ready to jump the instant after the sixth. Once you hear NEPENTHES starts charging; do not push your luck; land in the nearest walkway and repeat this process until your reach the bottom.
Half-way through, NEPENTHES will starts shooting plasma missile barrages at the player, right after it finises a 6-shot salvo. These are not particularly damaging, and can be rendered largely inconsequential with a modest amount of AC energy resistance.
Near the lower parts of the elevator shaft, two PCA MTs are stationed there, and are armed with long-range laser cannons. They are not a particularly huge threat, but it is recommended to take them down as they might induce ACS stagger in the most inopportune of moments and leave you vulnerable in the open.
Once the bottom is reached, NEPENTHES has no defenses, simply shoot the cannon's neck and its destroyed, then conclude the mission.
Collectibles[]
- AC Parts:
Dialogue[]
| Condition | English | Japanese | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briefing | Handler Walter: Here's the job, 621. You'll be going into that underground facility— Watchpoint Alpha. I managed to talk Arquebus into letting us lead their survey. They jumped at the chance to use an independent mercenary as their canary. Balam has already barged in, taking several Redguns and MT squads. Seems they want to be ready for a run-in with Arquebus's new firepower. You'll start by descending through Depth 1, a vertical chamber sector. It's likely you'll meet resistance from autonomous defenses left by the PCA... The worst of them is lurking at the bottom: NEPENTHES, an energy weapon platform. ...Heard on the grapevine that it already turned half of Balam's forces to ash. Don't want to end up like Balam, after all. Tread carefully. | - | - |
| Sortie | Ayre: ...Watchpoint Alpha. My brothers and sisters...they're deep inside. | - | - |
| Introductory cutscene | Handler Walter: 621. You ready? You'll be going down deep, and there's no guarantee you'll come back. Still... You're the only one who can do this. I'm counting on you to reach the Coral. | - | - |
| Mission start | Handler Walter: Commence mission. Access the elevator and take it down. | - | - |
| Stalling | Handler Walter: What are you doing, 621? Access the elevator and take it down. | - | - |
| Descending the elevator | Enforcement System: Intruder detected. Threat level unknown. Defense Phase 1.0. Commencing termination. Ayre: The defense system has activated. It's got eyes on you—fight back. Handler Walter: ...The elevator's locked out. Ayre: We have no choice but to jump. Let's go, Raven. |
- | - |
| Descending Depth 1 | Ayre: Watch out—below you! That's NEPENTHES... and it's clearly a force to be reckoned with. | - | - |
| Depth 1 partition closes | Handler Walter: Wait—the partition's moving! Ayre: I'm picking up enemy signals nearby! Enforcement System: Containing intruder. Commencing termination. |
- | - |
| Eliminating half of autonomous ambushers | Enforcement System: Assigning intruder threat level. Threat level 4... 6... Level 6: Resistant to termination. Preparing for Defense Phase 1.5. | - | - |
| Eliminating autonomous ambushers | Handler Walter: ...You're clear. I'll find a way to get that partition open. Stand by for now, 621. Ayre: ...Over there. I've sent you a marker. |
- | - |
| Stalling | Ayre: NEPENTHES... It's named after an extinct genus of plants. They were rather unusual... You should look into them sometime, Raven. | - | - |
| Further stalling | Ayre: ...Raven, we should keep moving. I've marked the point you should access. That should open the way for us. | - | - |
| Activating access point | Handler Walter: Did you find an access point? Good job sniffing that out... Enforcement System: Unauthorized access detected. Transitioning to Phase 1.5. |
- | - |
| Descending Depth 1 | Ayre: It's changed its combat routine, Raven. Watch out for those plasma missiles. | - | - |
| Autonomous MT snipers hone in on player | Handler Walter: It's tracking you, 621! Ayre: Evasive action! |
- | - |
| Approaching NEPENTHES | Handler Walter: You've got it in your sights now, 621. ...Just need to get a little closer. | - | - |
| Arriving at NEPENTHES | Handler Walter: ...You're up close now, 621. Destroy the target. Ayre: Raven—it'll be easier to immobilize if you aim for the neck joint. |
- | - |
| NEPENTHES' AP falls below 50% | Enforcement System: NEPENTHES sustaining damage. Overriding Depth 1 defense plan. | - | - |
| Destroying NEPENTHES | Ayre: The NEPENTHES artillery platform is silent. Handler Walter: Confirmed—target destroyed. Mission accomplished. Ayre: Let's rest while we can, Raven. We've got a long road ahead of us. |
- | - |
| Debriefing | COM: No new messages. | - | - |
Gallery[]
