Online Encounters 3

Sept 7, '09
Once more I was playing Armored Core: for Answer but this time it was with a purpose, unlike before when it was just for fun. I was taking an entry test to join an AC Clan called Rayleonard. The clan is named after one of the in-game companies and thats because of thier ruled. The only mech body they use is the Rayleonard design called Aaliyah. Boosters, Lock-on chip, weapons, everything is the players choice except for the Head, Core, Arms, and Legs which must be Aaliyah. These guys believe in fair fights, never exploit glitches, and good sportsmanship. Sounded like my kind of Clan so I messaged them saying I wanted to join and today was my entry test. To get in I simply had to make my own Aaliyah mech and impress my opponent by winning or just overall being a good player. I had already built an Aaliyah mech called Reluctance. I named it that because when I used it against others the match would usually end very quickly so I didn't feel like using it much, hence Reluctance. He used the Aaliyah frame(as I had to in order to join) which is a mid-weight, extremely fast build. Its flaws are an overall weak defense and high energy drain, meaning its a frame for expert players only. I outfitted it with powerful but energy efficient boosters and a high output generator along with a close range lock-on chip. For weapons I gave it a close range machine gun as well as an energy blade. On his back was a missle launcher and 4-barreled chain gun to whittle the enemy down while I get close enough to take my stronger weapons.

I set up a private room and invite my opponent. First thing I had to do was give him a copy of my schematic so he could make sure it was an all Aaliyah frame. After that he took one of his Aaliyah mechs he called Dark One and we started duking it out. At first he's holding me back with his missles and a powerful rifle. I finally manage to cut past his attacks and land a few good hits in before he escapes again. Then he surprised me by changing tactics, he suddenly started getting right in my face, forcing me to back-off so I could keep my lock on him. Match ended with his victory, 2-1. I'm thinking no biggie, it was close. Then we go again. This time he's using a close range Aaliyah while I'm still using Reluctance. Because he was close range, I was able to stay just out of reach and pound him with my missles and chain gun. The few times he came really close, I slashed him with my sword for massive damage. It was still a fairly hard fight though. I won 1-0. He changes and we go again. Now he's using an aerial Aaliyah build. Now right here was a problem because my Aaliyah wasn't meant for aerial combat. He stays up, just out of my reach while I try to kill him with just my back weapons. Needless to say he won, 2-1.

Now I had been keeping it close, even winning a match so I felt I had a good chance of entering. He says 2 more matches so we go back to fight. Boy he brought in a shocker. He switched and was using my own mech Reluctance to face me. Since we were the same mech it came down to pure skill. First match, I could tell he was getting used to my weapon and boost scheme because his reactions were slower then when he was using his others. I easily managed to get repeated sword attacks in without much effort. My win 2-0. Final match, again he takes in Reluctance like me. This time though was far different. He had learned how Reluctance works in the previous fight. Now he came charging in straight for me. Both of us take out our swords and slash the other. We both back up and fire off some missles before charging in again to slash each other. It was like fighting a mirror at first. Suddenly he overboosts behind me and slashes me in the back for a kill. I respawn and we keep going with me eventually getting a kill. He respawns and suddenly its as if I'm fighting another person. He starts pulling off complicated maneuvers that I didn't think my Reluctance could pull off. He gets another kill. I respawn and try to kill him but I'm barely holding off his assault before he kills me again. Before I could respawn, time is up and the match is over 3-1.

So altogether the score was me 2, him 3. He said good job and that he'd speak with the other members. Now I wait while he tells them of my performance and skill and they decide if I get to enter. I hope I get in. I'll add a comment here later to tell all of you if I get in. Until then though wish me luck!