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| "Underground Exploration - Depth 2" | |
| General information | |
| Client | Arquebus Corporation |
| Stage | Watchpoint Alpha - Depth 2 |
| Reward | AC Parts, Battle Logs, COAM, Data Logs |
| Music | "Watchpoint Alpha," "Clockwork Hostility" |
| Real world information | |
| Game | ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON |
"Underground Exploration - Depth 2" is a Chapter 4 mission in ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. It is the next mission after completing "Underground Exploration - Depth 1."
In-game Information[]
Combat zone: Watchpoint Alpha - Depth 2 Objective: Reach Destination
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Objectives[]
- Reach the end of Depth 2
- Defeat G5 Iguazu
- Reach the end of Depth 2
- Destroy the autonomous defense weapon ENFORCER
Alternate
- Reach the end of Depth 2
- Defeat the independent mercenary Coldcall
- Reach the end of Depth 2
- Destroy the autonomous defense weapon ENFORCER
Walkthrough[]
The mission will start fairly simple, the player will have to make their way deeper into the Watchpoint. After encountering PCA autonomous mechs, the player will be faced with a locked partition, prompting the need to find a control panel to restore power to the area. The control panel can be found by descending a vertical shaft to the room on the side, leading to a trivial ambush by four Balam MTs. To the left of the control panel and elevator is the "STV Sketch (3)" data log.
Moving past the locked partition will lead to a heat exchanger section with G5 Iguazu poised to attack the player. HEAD BRINGER is a fairly easy AC to combat, with the only main threats being Iguazu's LR-036 CURTIS and ASSAULT ARMOR. However, the room itself contains numerous obstacles which can get in the way of the player and complicate the encounter. G5 Iguazu will use two repair kits in the encounter, and there is no checkpoint prior.
A Supply Sherpa will be dispatched after the encounter, be sure to make use of it before proceeding deeper in Depth 2. Shortly after leaving the heat exchanger section, the AAP03: ENFORCER will be encountered in its defense mode. It will quickly leap to the other side of the chasm and begin harassing the player with missiles and a laser cannon. The laser cannon fires in intervals of two, the player can make use of cover on the left side of the chasm to avoid its laser cannon. Atop the structure reachable by the vertical catapult will be the "Professor Nagai's Log (1)" data log.
Chasing after the ENFORCER will prompt it to retreat and lock a partition behind it, leading to once again having to seek a control panel. On the room to the right from the locked partition will contain two PCA autonomous MTs marked by the LOGHUNT program and the IA-C01B: GILLS AC part.
The player will need to seek a ventilation duct outside to reach the control panel. Exiting the interior section and looking down towards the right will lead the player to the ventilation duct. Inside the ventilation system will prompt ambushes from AM01: REPAIRERs, be wary of the electrical variants. Using the vertical catapult will reveal the IA-C01A: EPHEMERA AC part.
Inside the control room, several PCA autonomous mechs lie inert until activating the control panel, but can be dispatched before accessing the control panel. The player can take an elevator to the upper section, and another Supply Sherpa is provided after entering through the unlocked partition.
AAP03: ENFORCER[]
The AAP03: ENFORCER is an AI-controlled prototype developed by the PCA which will transform to Termination Mode upon the player entering the final chamber of Depth 2. It is equipped with a laser cannon (which doubles as a laser melee), pulse gun, missile launcher, and a pulse shield. Its first act is to immediately shoot the player with a laser beam, which can be dodged with careful timing or mitigated with a shield.
The ENFORCER poses a considerable threat in both close and long range as its right arm can transform between a laser cannon and melee at a moment's notice, though its laser melee is arguably more dangerous as it becomes impossible to dodge if the player suffers an ACS overload; particularly disastrous if the ENFORCER performs a full three-hit combo. Do not neglect the ENFORCER's pulse gun as it can rapidly diminish the player's AP and ACS, but can be evaded by strafing around the ENFORCER.
However, the ENFORCER presents itself as a largely open target when it does not have its pulse shield up and is vulnerable to the player blitzing the ENFORCER with high damaging and high impact (ACS damage) weaponry. Bringing a pulse weapon to counter its pulse shield is unnecessary as it seldom uses it throughout the fight compared to its other armaments.
The ENFORCER will move to its second phase once its health is brought to around 50% and will have a new repertoire of attacks. The most threatening of new attacks are primarily from its laser melee, including an AOE ground slam, laser lance attacks, and a charged attack of the laser lance which functions as a grab attack. Its ground slam is telegraphed and can be avoided by getting airborne and several of its new laser melee attacks can be evaded by quickboosting either backwards to get clear of the blade or towards the ENFORCER to have it over-swing and miss the player (in the case of laser lance attacks, carefully timing a quickboost to the side).
Alternate[]
An Alternate version of this mission exists where instead of G5 Iguazu, the player will duel Coldcall, who has been hired by Iguazu to eliminate the player. The "STV Sketch (5)" data log will also appear in the room where they are fought. Unlike with Iguazu, Coldcall will initially appear from the entrance to the room where the player entered from. DEADSLED is generally more threatening than HEAD BRINGER, notably possessing reverse-joint legs that can deliver potent kicks and a WUERGER/66E which has a devastating charged attack, in addition to also possessing ASSAULT ARMOR like HEAD BRINGER. After dispatching Coldcall, the rest of the mission will otherwise proceed the same way.
To unlock this version of the mission, players must have chosen the Rubicon Liberation Front's offer in the alternate version of "Attack the Dam Complex," which subsequently also unlocks the "Stop the Secret Data Breach" mission.
Collectibles[]
- Data Logs:
- Image Data: STV Sketch (3)
- Image Data: STV Sketch (5) (NG+ mission variant)
- Text Data: Professor Nagai's Log (1)
- LOGHUNT:
- G5 Iguazu (Gold)
- Coldcall (Platinum, NG+ mission variant)
- 2 Autonomous MTs (Bronze)
- AC Parts:
- IA-C01B: GILLS
- IA-C01A: EPHEMERA
- 012 MELANDER C3 (On mission completion; no pre-order bonus)
Dialogue[]
| Condition | English | Japanese | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briefing | Handler Walter: Here comes the follow-up, 621. You're going to be exploring Depth 2. The sector's made up of a sprawling rail network designed to transport resources. It'll be a complex route... with a lot of blind spots. Be ready for close-quarters combat. Ayre: Raven, there's something you should know. I've obtained the comms log from the Balam squad that went in before you. It looks like they have another mission here, and it's not part of their survey. Guard mechs won't be the only threat. Balam's agenda is just as dangerous. |
- | - |
| Sortie | Handler Walter: ...Just so you know, 621, my radar won't be able to reach the lower Depths. You'll have to trust your eyes and ears. | - | - |
| Mission start | Ayre: Let's go, Raven. This is where the survey begins in earnest. | - | - |
| Accessing locked partition | Ayre: According to the structural drawings, the route continues past this partition. Looks like the power's out. Let's find a way to bring it back online. | - | - |
| Descending into vertical shaft | Ayre: An ambush! Balam MT Squad Member (1): Been waiting for you, Raven! Balam MT Squad Member (2): You're gonna die, traitor! Handler Walter: ...Sounds like you found Balam's MTs. Eliminate them, 621. |
- | - |
| Eliminating Balam MTs | Balam MT Squad Member (2): Damn you, Arquebus... | - | - |
| Approaching control panel | Ayre: Control panel identified. This should get the power back online. | - | - |
| Power is restored | Ayre: The elevator's back online, too. Let's take it back up to the upper level. | - | - |
| Approaching previously locked partition | Ayre: The partition should open now. See if you can get access. | - | - |
| Approaching heat exchanger section | Ayre: The heat exchanger section's up ahead. This is around where the comms log for Balam's advance squad cuts off. | - | - |
| Entering heat exchanger section | G5 Iguazu: Been waiting for you...freelancer! Ayre: That AC... It's HEAD BRINGER. G5 Iguazu. G5 Iguazu: You're my ticket back above ground... Let me tell you, I am sick and tired of this pit... It'll all be over once your sorry ass is dead! |
- | - |
| G5 Iguazu uses first repair kit | G5 Iguazu: Ngh...! My ears... Not now...! That quack messed me up...! | - | - |
| G5 Iguazu uses second repair kit | G5 Iguazu: Learned some new tricks, huh?! I know you're laughing at me... What makes YOU so special, freelancer?! | - | - |
| Player AC destroyed | G5 Iguazu: Heh! Who's laughing now?! You're not so special, freelancer... | - | - |
| G5 Iguazu defeated | G5 Iguazu: This isn't... This isn't over...! Next time, I swear I'll... Ayre: ...Confirmed. G5 Iguazu down. Being trapped down here... It's dangerous. |
- | - |
| Encountering the ENFORCER | Enforcement System: Defense program, Phase 2.0. Intruder identified. Threat level: 7. Ayre: What was that...? |
- | - |
| Closing distance between ENFORCER | Ayre: Raven, watch out! ...That weapon must be guarding this Depth. I'll see what data I can find. | - | - |
| Cornering the ENFORCER | Enforcement System: Defense program, Phase 2.5. Intruder proximity to critical sector confirmed. | - | - |
| Accessing locked partition | Ayre: ...Looks like we're not far from the terminus. Let's find the control room. We'll hack the systems and get the partitions open. | - | - |
| - | Ayre: The elevator's been shut down. The control room must be below. | - | - |
| Retracing back to open chasm | Ayre: ...Raven, let's look for a ventilation duct. We're underground—there must be one somewhere. | - | - |
| Loitering | Ayre: We're in the second Depth... How far do you think we are from the surface? Rubicon still has its share of secrets... I learned that from being with you. | - | - |
| Scaling the side of the chasm | Ayre: Coral has an instinct to gather together... and it seems I am no exception. I feel...a growing urge to move forward. | - | - |
| Approaching ventilation duct | Ayre: Ventilation duct identified. Looks like it's connected to the control room. | - | - |
| Entering control room (ENFORCER provoked) | Ayre: We're in the control room. Now, let's find an access point. | - | - |
| Entering control room (ENFORCER avoided) | Enforcement System: Defense program, Phase 2.5. Intruder proximity to critical sector confirmed. Ayre: Looks like the partitions on the upper level have closed. Let's find the access point and lift the lockdown. |
- | - |
| Approaching control panel | Ayre: There, that's the control panel. | - | - |
| Activated control panel | Ayre: I've forced the partitions and the elevators back online. The defense system is onto us, but we should be able to proceed. | - | - |
| Riding elevator to upper section | Handler Walter: Seems like smooth sailing, 621. As if you hardly need help from me. When'd you get so good at exploring? | - | - |
| Approaching end of Depth 2 | Ayre: I expect that defense weapon will be waiting for us. Be careful, Raven. | - | - |
| Cutscene upon entering final chamber of Depth 2 | Enforcement System: Intruder detected in closed sector. Defense program, Phase 3.0. Switching to Termination Mode. Terminating target. | - | - |
| Following previous cutscene | Ayre: Enemy analysis complete. That's the ENFORCER, an AI-controlled prototype developed by the PCA. It was designed to defend key Watchpoint sectors, and eliminate any intruders... Whatever they're hiding down here, they wanted it to stay hidden. | - | - |
| Player AP falls below ~40% | Ayre: Evasive maneuvers, Raven! | - | - |
| ENFORCER's AP falls to ~50% | Enforcement System: Phase 3.5, Pattern E. Releasing output limiters. Reconfiguring energy draw and maximum values for all actuators. Terminating intruder. | - | - |
| ENFORCER's AP falls to ~30% | Enforcement System: Threat level 7... 8... Verdict: Threat...to priority closure... | - | - |
| Player AP falls below ~40% | Ayre: Raven, you're the only one who can complete this survey. Walter believes in you...and so do I. | - | - |
| Player AC destroyed | Enforcement System: Termination complete. Resetting defense phase. | - | - |
| ENFORCER destroyed | Ayre: Confirmed. Enemy unit is silent. ...Walter should have some data on the next sector. Let's take a break for now, Raven. | - | - |
| Debriefing | COM: No new messages. | - | - |
Alternate[]
| Condition | English | Japanese | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering heat exchanger section | Ayre: It seems...we're alone. <gasp> Raven, ambush! Coldcall: You must be Raven... Yes, you do seem rather extraordinary. Ayre: ...Independent mercenary, Coldcall. AC, DEADSLED. It seems he's a black-market contract killer. Coldcall: Well. Nothing personal—this is just business. |
- | - |
| Coldcall uses first repair kit | Coldcall: I see why poor Iguazu couldn't beat you. Why he abandoned his Redgun pride and succumbed to his frustrations... Ah, what a pity. You shouldn't have been so hard on the poor lad. | - | - |
| Coldcall uses second repair kit | Coldcall: Ah, is that your game...? I'd hoped to carry your body back in one piece and deposit it at the lad's feet... But it seems things won't be so easy. | - | - |
| Player AC destroyed | Coldcall: Dead, are we? I hope the lad got what he wanted. | - | - |
| Coldcall defeated | Coldcall: ...Ah, it comes... The inevitable... Ayre: ...AC, DEADSLED destroyed. Coldcall won't be a danger to you anymore. Iguazu... He even tried sending an assassin after you... |
- | - |
| Debriefing (New Game++) | COM: No new messages. Registration number Rb23, callsign Raven. Your records have been updated. ... Ayre: Sorry, Raven. It's just me. I wanted to let you know that some strange new data has been added to the Arena's Integration Program. Why don't we go and have a look? |
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Gallery[]
