Armored Core 2: Another Age

Armored Core 2: Another Age
In-depth AC Speed FAQ
Version: 1.4
By: 'Collider'
E Mail me at: [email protected]

-Legal Junk-
This is my work, and my work only. I worked hard on this
information to help YOU. If you wish to use it on another web
site ask me first. If you want to print this out for personal
use, go ahead. But this FAQ is not to be reproduced in any way,
shape, or form. It is for private use only. bla bla bla....

--Contents--

Opening:
I: Booster info
II: Speeds
III: Speed Losses
IV: Question & Answer
V: Thanks and Credits
VI: Version updates

********************
Opening
********************

I made this FAQ because I love lightweights. I wanted a better
understanding about speed loss, and how it is measured out. Lots
of people have helped me on this FAQ, and I couldn't have done it
without them. This FAQ is almost done. Some irrelevant stuff is
probably going to meet the cutting room floor, and the base
information about speed is going to be finalized. This is coming
to an end, so if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
When AC3 comes out, depending on how good it really is, I will
probably begin on that speed FAQ, and perhaps even go way back to
AC2 if I get bored enough. I have spent way to long on this one
project.

However, typically in a FAQ, the writer should do all he/she can
to get the information. Well, I asked a number cruncher to see if
they could find a speed loss equation. Vortexion tried, but
seemed to make it more confusing then I wanted it to be.
However, he did find a real interesting theory. He stated that
the number of 4798 is the starting point of speed loss for the
ZLN-EK1/SRRT, NOT the starting point for all leg parts. He
stated something about dividing the legs weight by 1.25 to get
the starting point of speed loss for a specific pair of legs. I
have not been able to test this since I heard it as second hand
information from some one else and have not been able to contact
Vortexion. If you are a math genius, then take a look through
the FAQ, and see if you can come up with an equation for speed
loss. I would greatly appreciate it.

********************
I. Booster Info
********************
Legs and boosters are the two major decisive factors in your
AC's over all speed. With heavy legs like the STVM, you probably
will not be getting the max speed for the booster you have
equipped. If you severely under load the AC, then it is a
possibility. This design idea might leave you lacking in kill
power or armor. Hopefully, this FAQ will give you enough
information on speed loss to help you make the decision and build
your AC in order to get the most speed, without sacrificing power
and armor.

Booster evaluation
Boosters are self explanatory, they make your AC move, but
some make an AC move faster. This time around they got the
booster stats right. In Armored Core 2 there was a major flaw I
pointed out. The ZBT-H4/T booster not only drained less and
weighed less, but it boosted faster then the ZBT-GEX/3000 and the
ZBT-Z1/ARTERE. This time, they have fixed the speeds and booster
effectiveness. Here is a run down on the boosters.

EBT-GE - The first boosters that the garage give you. They are
junk, but they at least get the starter AC going. Max speed of
251 KPH (In the air).

EBT-GE2100 - They are a step up from the EBT-GE, But are still
junk. Their max speed is 273 (In the air) so they are better
then the starters, but not by much.

ZBT-H4/T - The godly booster from AC2 is toned down. With a max
air speed of 360, it's a large step up from the first 2 boosters.

EBT-V55 - These boosters, once again, not that great. Better
then nothing, but still junk. Their max air speed is 295.

ZBT-Z1/ARTERE - These are the best boosters if your AC has low
draining parts. These are the boosters that get the max air
speed of 404. They weigh considerably more then all the others,
and drain more, so they are best suggested for low draining AC's,
Or AC's without an energy weapon as its only, Or back up weapon.

ZBT-GEX/3000 - These are the second best boosters. They get a
max air speed of 379, don't drain allot, and weigh less then the
ZBT-Z1/ARTERE.

EBT-GR4300 - Another pair of junk boosters. These are simply the
slowest boosters made. Max air speed of 251, with low drain.
That's the only thing good about them, Low drain.

**********
B. Speeds
**********
This section will cover air and ground speed. Here is the catch
in making an AC as fast as possible, And special thanks to
Gelgoog IX for pin pointing this number: As long as your AC IN
TOTAL weighs equal to, Or less then 4798 WP, It will get the max
air speed possible for the boosters equipped.

Here is the AC used to get the 4798 weight limit:

Creator: Gelgoog IX
AC Name: Callista
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EK1/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: VERTEX-720/W
Generator: GR-XR/15000
Radiator: RBG-CM6
Inside: --
Extension: BEX-AA00
Back R: --
Back L: EWM-S608
Arm R: --
Arm L: LS-MOONLIGHT
---------------------------
Here are the top speeds for each booster, Ground and air.

Booster: Ground Speed: Air Speed:

EBT-GR4300 314.4 251.5
EBT-GE 314.4 251.5
EBT-GE2100 342.0 273.6
EBT-V55 369.5 295.6
ZBT-H4/T 450.7 360.6
ZBT-GEX/3000 474.3 379.4
ZBT-Z1/ARTERE 505.8 404.6

Legs with Built in boosters:

ZLC-M2/PIKE ???.? ???.?
ELC-MLK0303 ???.? ???.?
ELC-DISI ???.? ???.?
ELC-HTT0808 ???.? ???.?
ELC-C04T/CYOR ???.? ???.?
ZLR-K196/RJ 484.8 231.2
ZLR-EE/STOL 511.0 235.6
ZLR-MOC200/FG 524.1 226.3
ZLR-ZIO/MATRIX 524.1 249.1
ZLR-TI/BUD 550.3 263.3
ZLR-ARROW 576.5 275.8

A really good thanks goes to Gelgoog for covering the legs with
built in boosters. Although tank legs were not possible to get
since none of them, even with the lightest equipment, would not
meet the 4799 WP limit for fastest speed.

***************
C: Speed Losses
***************
Thanks to over 2 hours of work with Nosferatu over AIM, I have found
the speed loss pattern. I only did it with air speeds, so here is a
summery:
For every 3 WP over you will lose .2 KPH off your speed. The pattern
is like this:

2
2
1
2
2

I bet you're still confused. I was too. Below is a list of AC's starting
with the AC that gets the 4798 WP for 404.6. Follow the loss of speed
with the WP gained.

*********
TEST AC'S
*********

AC Name: Callista
AC Weight: 4798
AC Speed: 404.6
Creator: Gelgoog IX
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ALN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: VERTEX-750/W
Generator: GR-XR/15000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside: --
Extension: BEX-AA00
Back R: --
Back L: EWM-S608
Arm R: --
Arm L: LS-MOONLIGHT

AC Name: Test 99
AC Weight: 4799
AC Speed: 404.5
Creator: Nosferatu
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: EAN-02-BG
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: VERTEX-750/W
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-S608
Arm R:--
Arm L:ELS-7880

AC Name: Unit Zero
AC Weight: 4800
AC Speed:404.5
Creator: Collider
Head: EHD-WACS
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ALN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: VERTEX-750/W
Generator: HOY-B999
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside: --
Extension: --
Back R: --
Back L: EWM-S608
Arm R: --
Arm L: LS-MOONLIGHT

AC Name: Unit 01
AC Weight: 4801
AC Speed: 404.4
Creator: Collider
Head: EGD-WACS
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: LZN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: LODD-BLAZER
Generator: HOY-B999
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside: INW-DEC-D0A
Extension: ZEX-RS/HOUND
Back R:--
Back L:--
Arm R:--
Arm L: LS-MOONLIGHT

AC Name: Unit 02
AC Weight: 4802
AC Speed: 404.3
Creator: Collider
Head: ZHD-GE/OHR
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: EAN-02-BG
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: LODD-8
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RRX-COT-1550
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L:--
Arm R:--
Arm L: LS-MOONLIGHT

AC Name: Unit 03
AC Weight: 4803
AC Speed: 404.3
Creator: Collider
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: LODD-8
Generator: HOY-B999
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside: INW-DEC-D0A
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-S612
Arm R: EWG-HG-ART
Arm L: ELS-3443

AC Name: Unit 04
AC Weight: 4804
AC Speed: 404.2
Creator: Collider
Head: EHD-NIGHTEYE
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: LODD-8
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension: BES-AA00
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-S612
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-3443

AC Name: Unit 05
AC Weight: 4805
AC Speed: 404.1
Creator: Nosferatu
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: EAN-02-BG
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: DOX-125
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-S612
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-3443

AC Name: Unit 06
AC Weight: 4806
AC Speed: 404.1
Creator: Collider
Head: EHD-NIGHTEYE
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: DOX-ALM
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension: BES-AA00
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-S612
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-3443

AC Name: Unit 07
AC Weight: 4807
AC Speed: 404.0
Creator: Nosferatu
Head: ZHD-GE/OHR
Core: ZCL-XA/2
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: LODD-8
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-NAP-02
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-7880

AC Name: Unit 08
AC Weight: 4808
AC Speed: 403.9
Creator: Nosferatu
Head: ZHD-2000/SV
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: EAN-02-BG
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: DOX-PG2
Generator: HOY-B999
Radiator: RPS-MER/SA
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-NAP-02
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-7880

AC Name: Unit 09
AC Weight: 4809
AC Speed: 403.8
Creator: Nosferatu
Head: ZHD-GE/OHR
Core: ZCL-XA/2
Arms: ZAN-303/S
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: DOX-ALM
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-NAP-02
Arm R:--
Arm L: ELS-7880

AC Name: Unit 10
AC Weight: 4810
AC Speed: 403.8
Creator: Collider
Head: ZHD-AG/TURRET
Core: ECL-ONE
Arms: EAN-02-BG
Legs: ZLN-EKI/SRRT
Booster: ZBT-Z1/ARTERE
FCS: VERTEX-124/EE
Generator: HOY-B1000
Radiator: RGB-CM6
Inside:--
Extension:--
Back R:--
Back L: EWM-NAP-02
Arm R:--
Arm L: ZLS-400/SL

If you follow the pattern, you might notice the ONE SINGLE THING,
which has me, baffled and has the speed equation at a stand
still. It appears to skip on the .0's. Should the .0 be the
speed point repeated, it will NOT repeat two times as it should.
It will skip a point. Some time if I am VERY VERY bored, I will
continue the pattern of building AC's with a 1 WP increase.
Maybe that will answer some questions.

********
D: Q & A
********
When I first made this FAQ and had it posted, there were some
questions that people had. Here, I will post question, and the
answer as best as I can.

Whackamole asks:
Q: Is loss linear with gained WPs (once you are over the
minimum)?
e.g. your speed drops Y for adding X WP to your current total, no
matter what. Start at 4800 or 8800, add the same X, and slow down
by the same Y.

A: While I have not pinpointed how much KPH You lose for each WP,
I'm pretty sure that it is a constant. Like just for example,
say that you go 5 WP over 4798, you might lose 2 KPH. If you go
10 over you will lose 4, Then 6, 8, 10, 12 and so on. But until
i find an AC combo that gains just one WP Over 4798, And 2, 3, 4,
and 5 WP over 4798, I wont be able to test this. But i will keep
searching.

Q: Is loss constant across all boosters (maybe to some absolute
minimum)?
e.g. The craptastic GE3400 boosters slow down (lol) by Y when X
weight is added to the test AC. So do the Artere and H4/T and all
other boosters.

A: All the boosters have a set speed, and they will all lose the same speed from
the same WP added. Higher grade boosters do not lose more speed then lower
class boosters.

Mechwarrior15 asks:

Q: do boosters affect OBs or not. I am pretty sure its just the
core but not 100%?

A: I have narrowed down the starting point of OB speed loss between
7300 WP total, And 7400 WP total. Somewhere in between the loss in
speed will begin. This is as exact of an answer as i can give on that
subject of OB speeds. Each core has a max speed, and that speed starts
to drop between a total of 7300 and 7400 WP. The booster has no effect
on the OB.

*********************
: Thanks and Credits
*********************

Special thanks: To the people at the AC2:AA that helped me out
with leg run downs (I'm afraid that the information you provided
was lost in a HD reformatting, or was left on the cutting room
floor. Thanks any way). Special thanks to Gelgoog, Because he
could have done this faq long before I could have, And he
provided me with vital information that changed the way I was
going on this. Thanks again man. Sid, AKA Nosferatu, you saved
me from about 4 hours of AC construction. Thanks a lot.

*******************
: Version Updates:
*******************

This FAQ will be finished in a later version:
Update will include finalized leg run down, and tank/internal
booster testing.

(1/25/02)Version 1.0: Basic faq. First draft

(1/27/02)Version 1.1: After being posted, I noticed typos galore.
I Fixed those.

(3/2/02)Version 1.2: Figured out exact KPH losses for each WP, and
listed that AC's that the data was figured out with.

(9/1/01)Version 1.4: Skipped 1.3, such a minimal change. I cut a
bunch of stuff, and tried to make it look like it was close to
being finished because it is. Only a few more bits and pieces of
information are left to be added.

The most recent version of this FAQ will always be found at
Gamefaqs.com. This FAQ is also posted at:
www.PSXcodez.com
www.neoseeker.com