| |
| Hustler One / Nine-Ball | |
| General information | |
| Classification | AI |
| Gender | None (Technically), Male (as Hustler One), Female (as Lana Nielsen) |
| Affiliation and military information | |
| Affiliation | None |
| Occupation | Raven |
| Rank | 1 |
| Real world information | |
| Appearances | Armored Core Armored Core: Master of Arena Armored Core 2: Another Age Armored Core Nexus Armored Core Nine Breaker |
The pilot of the AC, Nine-Ball, he has been the top-ranked Raven in the Arena since its inception. Not much is known about this figure, as few Ravens are willing to challenge him and he rarely accepts missions. One fact though remains undisputed - he is a force to be reckoned with and displays few, if any, weaknesses. Serving as the main antagonist of Armored Core: Master of Arena, it was he who killed The Raven's family and as a result of this, the Raven joined the Ravens' Nest in order to take his revenge.
In truth, Hustler One is merely the designation given to a super-advanced AI as revealed in Armored Core: Master of Arena.
Biography
Armored Core
AC Nine-Ball
Nine-Ball and Hustler One are the top in the rankings as the Raven starts with Raven's Nest. As with Master of the Arena, this is merely an advanced combat AI. Several times later in the game, the AI sets traps in an attempt to kill the Raven, but his skill and tenacity see him though. In the game's final mission Destroy Floating Mines, the AI (presumably in control of Raven's Nest) gives the Raven a mission in Raven's Nest HQ itself. The mission is a trap, and the Raven eventually faces two Nine-Balls (guardians of the AI). He destroys them both along with the parent AI. Although it is never explicitly stated, it is hinted that the AI controlling the Nine-Balls and the Nest manipulated the war between Chrome and Murakumo with the intent for both to be destroyed and set traps to kill the Raven (due to his/her strength) in order to ensure its superiority and create peace.
Armored Core: Master of Arena
Nine-Ball and its pilot, Hustler One, are the main goal of the game as the reigning champion of the Arena as well as the main antagonist according to The Raven, whose family was killed by Nine-Ball. Thus, The Raven enters the Ravens' Nest in order to eliminate the man responsible for their murder. Its pilot, Hustler One is simply an advanced combat AI and its AC, Nine-Ball is being mass produced. Its purpose is later revealed and can be best described as being similar to The Controller in that it was created to allow humanity to continue existing; in fact, much of the infrastructure, the organizations (Ravens' Nest, the corporations), as well as the conflict between them were created and manipulated by this AI. Despite this, The Raven manages to defeat Hustler One and becomes the #1 Raven in the Arena, and is given the title Nine Breaker. The Raven, Leos Klein, would later become the main antagonist of Armored Core 2. His pilot description is "The strongest undefeated Raven, he is both feared and sought after by those ranked below him.". He appears in the mission Eliminate Fugitive and is fought in the mission Defend Laboratory, Eliminate Intruders and finally in Enter Factory.
Armored Core 2: Another Age
Nine-Ball and its Nine-Ball Seraph version makes a cameo appearance as one of the extra enemies The Raven can fight against after completing the main game. The first time it is encountered, it is in its normal AC form; before fighting him, it is revealed that it has just crushed two top ranking ACs. It says nothing, but The Raven's Operator tells The Raven that the model is old, but to be careful. In Nine-Ball Seraph's battle at The Lost Field, it begins the fight saying "Target Verified. Commencing Hostilities." The line said by the first Nine-Ball Seraph in Armored Core: Master of Arena. However, the opponent's name is "???".
Armored Core: Nexus
In the final mission of Armored Core: Nexus "Prevent Weapon Activation", The Raven faces an incarnation of Nine-Ball. The Japanese version is referred to as "???" so whether or not this truly was Armored Core: Nexus' incarnation of the famed Nine-Ball is up for debate. However, the official name for this unit is the Prototype Pulverizer.
Armored Core: Nine Breaker
This version was built by an anonymous figure who based its AI around the skills of the Raven that defeated the original Hustler One in order to train the best of the best for certain situations should the need arise. Much like its Armored Core: Master of Arena form, it displays unusual abilities: Its linear rifle can fire three shots in a row (the grenade launcher can fire two shots in a row) with much faster intervals.
Armored Core: Last Raven
A VR opponent, Code: Crimson pilots the AC Baby's Breath which uses the exact same color scheme and parts (save for the booster) as the Armored Core: Ninebreaker incarnation of Nine-Ball. Unlike its Armored Core: Nine Breaker counterpart, it does not display the same special abilities.
Armored Core: Brave New World
Nine-Ball Seraph is seen fighting AC Victoria in the novel. It is unknown how or why Nine-Ball Seraph appears in the novel but it is one of the few known units to appear as a cameo appearance, along with the TYPE-LAHIRE and 04-ALICIA.
References in Other Games
Armored Core 2
One of the first Ravens faced in the arena battle mode, Hustler Two, uses an AC called Eight Ball. The pilot claims to be a descendant of Hustler One, but considering both his poor fighting skills and the truth behind Hustler One's identity, this is highly unlikely.
The AC he uses, Eight Ball, is similarly designed to the original, a middle-weight biped painted red, except with much poorer weapons and parts.
Armored Core 3
Hover MT seen in Armored Core 3
The Fiend NB MTs encountered during a couple of missions bear a striking similarity to Nine-Ball Seraph. They are red, with the same booster style. They have a dual missile launcher, and a pulse rifle. They are quite weak, but work well as a team. The best chance to look at them is during the Destroy Escaping MT mission.
Armored Core Nexus
Nine-Ball's Emblem can be unlocked on the Nexus Revolution disc, by getting an A or S rank on Episode 4 missions.
Silent Line: Armored Core
Shatter and Zero share a rivalry similar to Leos Klein and Nine Ball.
Armored Core: For Answer
In Armored Core: For Answer, Nine Ball's emblem is unlocked for achieving S rank on all missions on normal difficulty.
Another Century's Episode R
Nine-Ball in Another Century's Episode R
Nine-Ball Seraph appears as the second to last boss of Another Century's Episode R, under the command of the original character, Winter One. It shows up after the first phase of the ACE Core is defeated during the third playthrough the game. However, the player can unlock it for use in one Extra mission after every mission in the game sans the Extra ones have been completed. In this mission, the player's objective is to destroy a thousand suits with no allies. It is one of the most powerful mechas in the game, easily on the same tier as the Hi-Nu Gundam.
This version has been heavily updated from its original frame, featuring large wing-like binders on its shoulders, longer arms, larger thrusters capable of unfolding when boosting at full power and gold accents added to the color scheme along with a more pointed core resembling that of an AALIYAH core. It retains its original arsenal from the original games, armed with machine guns in both its arms along with dual laser blades with wave blade functionality, missile launchers in its thrusters (both which consume the Tension gauge) and its flight mode. However, it is armed with a slew of new weapons and devices which use up the Tension gauge such as orbit cannons (one which functions similarly to Exceed Orbit and another which pursues other targets), and a force field akin to Primal Armor. It also has a new stealth ability which renders the machine invisible to all enemies for a period of time and is armed with a chargeable laser cannon in its abdomen that fires a concentrated beam capable of instantly tearing through most enemies. Its strongest attacks aside from the laser cannon is the ability to charge up the orbit cannons for a concentrated beam assault similar to the previous weapon and a Limited Burst wherein it charges towards a target, grabs and holds it up into the air where it deploys its orbit weapons to attack with a barrage of beam shots before ending the attack with its laser cannon.
As a boss it is supported in combat by several examples of black-colored "mass production" type, which is mostly the same except for a lower armor protection value that is similar to battleship-class enemies. Uniquely, it uses sound effects ripped directly from Armored Core 2: Another Age.
Quotes
Destroy Floating Mines
- Stop such foolishness...
- Resistance is futile.
- Your fate is sealed.
- Go back...it is not too late...
- ...What is your wish?
- ...Come no closer.
Enter Factory
- Why are all of you here?
- Why do you insist on interfering?
- The Corporation, the ACs, the Ravens' Nest...
- All of these were formed by me.
- For the sole purpose of recreating the world and humankind with it.
- That's the duty to which I've been entrusted
- Those who wield too much power...those who only bring chaos...they are simply not part of the program.
- I was created to protect mankind and this world. I intend to fulfill this task.
- Modifying program...final level...
- All system checks are complete.
- Combat mode is now engaged.
- Target verified, commencing hostilities!
AC
Nine-Ball (Armored Core/Armored Core: Master of Arena/Armored Core 2: Another Age)
Nine-Ball as seen in Armored Core: Master of Arena.
Though sporting slightly new looks with each game it appears in, Nine-Ball remains the same in terms of appearance: A middle-weight class AC sporting a red and black color scheme. Its emblem is a solid black circle with a golden-amber 9 super-imposed over it. Its weapons often consist of a laser blade, a pulse rifle, a small missile launcher, and a grenade launcher. Due to Human PLUS enhancements, Nine-Ball performs far better than most ACs encountered in the games it appears in as it can fire waves of energy from its blade and fire shoulder cannons without having to kneel. Also in Armored Core, Nine-Ball's Pulse Rifle, while using a normal model, is unique in that it fires in a rapid triple burst, ripping apart armor. This feature was removed from him in Master of Arena, but makes a return in his Armored Core 2: Another Age incarnation. The one appearing in Another Age also seems to have an improved core anti missile system.
Parts
- Head: HD-X1487
- Core: XCL-01
- Arms: AN-K1
- Legs: LN-1001B
- Generator: GBG-10000
- FCS: TRYX-QUAD
- Boosters: B-VR-33
- Back Weapon L: WC-GN230
- Back Weapon R: WM-S40/2
- Arm Weapon L: LS-2001
- Arm Weapon R: WG-XP2000
Nine-Ball Seraph (Armored Core: Master of Arena/Armored Core 2: Another Age)
Nine-Ball Seraph as it appears in Armored Core 2: Another Age
A heavily enhanced version of the Nine-Ball AC. Though classified as an AC unit, it uses completely exclusive parts that cannot be obtained at all by the player, but retains the same paint scheme. One of its prominent features are a pair of oversized compartments resembling giant thruster engines. They double as a dual-back weapon, firing large vertical missile volleys. Its arms contain machine guns and rapid fire laser cannon blasts (changed to Pulse attacks in Armored Core 2: Another Age due to that type of laser cannon no longer existing) as well as a MOONLIGHT colored laser blade in each arm with blade wave capability. The unit is capable of using the blades in quick succession, making it a deadly opponent up close. Added with its ability to transform into a Over Boost-like bird-mode, Nine-Ball Seraph is well-armored, nimble and deadly, striking fear into even Irregular Ravens.
Weapons
- Pulse Rifle/Cannon
- Vertical Missile Launcher (AC: MOA incarnation)
- Dual Missile Launcher (AC2:AA Incarnation)
- Dual Laser Blades
- Machine Guns/Chain Guns
Nine-Ball (Armored Core: Nexus)
The Nine-Ball unit activated within the Old Weapon Facility.
This version of Nine-Ball isn't an AC, but a Special Weapon similar in purpose to that of a Pulverizer. The Armored Core: Nexus version uses weapons similar to that of Nine-Ball Seraph. The model has fold down mechanism for it's head to allow access to its Grenade Launcher. It also retains the Vertical Missiles from MoA. The only changes to it's arsenal is that Nine-Ball now uses a Dual Pulse Rifle for a faster rate of fire, as well as a Plasma Rifle, a very powerful energy weapon.
The Japanese release of the game labeled the weapon simply "Unknown" (???), leaving it's status as an actual Nine-Ball unit in doubt. It is believed to be a prototype to the Pulverizer class of weapons that appear in Armored Core: Last Raven, the final game in the Universe of Armored Core 3.
Weapons
- Grenade Launcher
- Vertical Missile Launcher
- Dual Pulse Rifle
- Plasma Rifle
Baby's Breath (Armored Core: Ninebreaker and Armored Core: Last Raven)
This version of Nine-Ball appears in two games: Nine Breaker and Last Raven. Of them, the Last Raven, piloted by Code: Crimson, is standard but the Nine Breaker version is modified, much like the original Nine-Ball in Armored Core. The Linear Rifle fires in a three shot burst and the grenade launcher fires in a two shot burst, making it especially lethal as it is one of the many AC's in the late-third generation of Armored Core that uses OP-INTENSIFY upgrades, allowing it to fire said grenade launcher whilst moving.
Nine-Ball as seen in Armored Core: Nine Breaker.
Also, the core is an Exceed Orbit core, (EO wasn't introduced until Armored Core 3) which gives it some extra firepower. It is a lighter weight biped with okay Defense so it cannot take a beating in both of its versions.
Parts
- Head: YH12-MAYFLY
- Core: CR-C98E2
- Arms: A05-LANGUR
- Legs: CR-LH80S2
- Booster: B05-GULL (CR-B83TP in Last Raven)
- FCS: MIROKU
- Generator: CR-G91
- Radiator: ANANDA
- Back Unit R: MAGORAGA
- Back Unit L: CR-WB78GL
- Arm Unit R: CR-WR93RL
- Arm Unit L: CR-WL69LB
Trivia
- Nine-Ball's emblem can be unlocked in Armored Core: Nexus by achieving at least an A Rank in the 3 missions in chapter 2. Nine-Ball's 4th generation remastered emblem is also attainable in Armored Core: Nine Breaker by defeating the AC itself in the final training exercise.
- All parts of the original Nine-Ball as well as Human PLUS are obtainable in Armored Core, it is possible to recreate Nine-Ball into playable AC minus the Pulse Rifle rapid fire.
- Nine-Ball's supposed character illustration appears to be based off of Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of the Terminator.
- Nine-Ball has a battle theme named "9" since Armored Core: Master of Arena and also a remix in Armored Core: Nexus called "9 Memories" as well as "Nine -novem-" in Another Century's Episode: R.
- Nine-Ball's theme is also available as a new remix in Armored Core: Verdict Day as DLC Music, also named "9", despite Nine-Ball itself didn't appear there.
- Nine-Ball in the original Armored Core does not have its own theme however, instead it's the music from the first mission "Circulation".
- A blue Nine-Ball appears in the cover of Armored Core: Formula Front Extreme Battle. Unrelated to that, the Nine Breaker version of Nine-ball appears in game under the u-AC name NINE BREAKER; it features slightly different armaments.
- In the Armored Core: Master of Arena intro, Nine-Ball is shown kneeling to fire its grenade launcher, despite it being with Human PLUS capabilities.
- Armored Core V also has a potential reference to Nine-Ball in that the final Story Mission is Mission 09 and the difficulty is slated as being 9/10. The final boss, Chief in Exusia, is assumed to be an AI of some sort, and the sheer speed and firepower of this boss correlates to the difficulty players experienced when facing the original Nine-Ball. The boss has the ability to transform into a birdlike/jetlike form when using one of its attacks, and the Extra version of this boss encountered in Multiplayer Mode features a red and black paint scheme that almost certainly was intended to be reminiscent of Nine-Ball's Seraph form.
- Nine-Ball's name may be symbolic of immense skill. It's namesake, the pool game of nine-ball, is a rare example of a money game which is pure skill, containing no element of chance. Perfect play in nine-ball guarantees victory while giving your opponent no opportunity to stop you. This is further suggested by its pilot's name, Hustler One, "hustler" being a term for a highly-skilled pool player who hides their talent to exploit weaker players.
- The Original Nineball design heavily resembles Prototype Garland from Megazone 23
- The ACE: R incarnation of Nineball Seraph appears have been constructed through data accumulated from the various battles the various mechs have been in as it incorporates all of their tech in some form or another, which would explain its new weapons:
* The usage of stealth/EMP technology appears to be derived from the Arm Slaves' ECS from Full Metal Panic.
* The orbit cannons are a clear reference to the DRAGOONs and funnels used by Gundams that use a bit control system, specifically the Strike Freedom and Nu Gundams that appear in the game..
* Its new chest cannon could also be seen as having been taken from the Strike Freedom as an identical weapon is located in the same area.
* The presumed Primal Armor is the only one used by technology native to the protagonist/antagonist's world as it utilized by the original mech Alpha Heart.
Armored Core: For Answer
- Nine-Ball's emblem can be unlocked in Armored Core: For Answer after achieving an S rank In all missions on normal difficulty.
- In Armored Core: For Answer, White Glint's rank within Collared is No. 9, a possible reference to Nine-Ball considering that both ACs share a similar design and both possess above-average fighting ability.
Gundam References
- Nine-Ball's red color scheme may be a reference to Char Aznable from Gundam, who is a top rated pilot who usually colors his personal units red. The ability of the pulse rifle to fire in triple bursts may also be a take on the well known meme that Char's Zaku was three times faster than a normal one despite having the same outer appearance. In ACE: R, Nineball Seraph is equipped with orbit cannons, mirroring that of Char's final mobile suit, the Sazabi, which was equipped with funnels as a secondary weapon as well as a mega particle cannon in its chest.
- Nineball Seraph seems to be partially inspired by the titular ZZ Gundam mobile suit. Both are greatly enhanced versions of a previous model (NBS being derived from the original Nineball and ZZ being developed from Zeta Gundam and Prototype ZZ), both share similar arsenals with their missile launchers being located on their large thruster compartments and both have the ability to transform into a fighter mode and in ACE:R, Seraph also gains a very powerful laser cannon not unlike ZZ's High Mega Cannon. While only an AI, the pilot behind it is very old as is ZZ's pilot, Judau Ashta, who continues to pilot the suit even at the age of 80.
Gallery
