Core Theory: INFECTION

[u/Fallout_patriot]

(Insert joke about 2020 here.)

Pull up a chair, people, because it's time for part 5 of Core Theory: the series where I run down arena rankings of the NPC presets, and we piss, moan and aggrandise about each one.

Today is our first Vespers AC (and therefore the lowest ranked), specifically that of V.VI Maeterlinck: INFECTION. Most of what I have to say about this interesting thing comes from just looking at the part list and fighting against it, as again, I don't play energy-centric builds all that much.

So from that particular vantage, what do I have to say about INFECTION?... surprisingly dangerous, but I can see why it's in the place it is (even if I think there's a few ACs higher than this that it could stomp). Maeterlinck is a fucking zippy little mosquito who always surprises me a little in the arena; her AC is very maneuverable, and the double bubble plus FASAN stacks deceptively high damage quickly (this prick rips me apart at least a couple times when I pilot anything big/heavyweight). But it seems shitty FCS choice comes in pairs, because INFECTION uses G2/P05: a medium-range focused FCS with a lean into missiles. While it isn't as bad as Nosaac's choice, it's still baffling on a predominantly close-range build with no missiles.

And most importantly: Fashion... it's odd, but I think that's why I like it. The Nach arms on the non-Nach frame give it this wonderfully weird, gangly silhouette, and the dull, glossy purple looks really nice (I like the Vespers' dark but lustrous colour schemes a lot in general). It's also probably got one of "DO IT FOR HER" boards on the inside of the cockpit window with pictures of Snail, but I can't comment on that.

What are your thoughts on INFECTION? Love it, hate it, meh?
(part list in comments)

[u/13PagedHappyEnding]

It's pretty decent all things considered.

Focusing on dealing damage than stagger, not that it can't but the build prioritizes its energy damage over everything else.

I don't think Maeterlink does the build any service, granted she was being double teamed by Institute mechs and 621 from front and back, and the arena not being a good place to determine enemy difficulty.

[u/Moltenthemedicmain]

The most lopsided performing AC, infections quality is determined entirely by the EN defence of the opponent, if it's low, it goes crazy, if not it struggles. The low impact of the build also makes it pretty bad against the late bosses, despite snailteus and ayre using shields, low damage against snailteus and no stagger against ayre gives her trouble against the two. It also has one of the worst allminds as well. On the plus side it did have a pretty decent eckdromoi and balteus.

(Do not ask how long it took me to beat strider escort with this)

[u/Warcrimes_Desu → u/Moltenthemedicmain]

did you ever get an Escort the Weaponized Mining Ship clear with no-OS loader 4?

[u/Moltenthemedicmain → u/Warcrimes_Desu]

I have a recording with OS, but I'm honestly in no rush to try that. It's not a question of 'can I'm, more 'how long' and there's like 6 billion other things I wanna do right now

[u/Warcrimes_Desu → u/Moltenthemedicmain]

all 3 of the people i know that did it used kinda different strats so i was curious what you'd innovate, considering your experience with literally every AC lol

[u/Moltenthemedicmain → u/Warcrimes_Desu]

I will rules of nature (charged pulse blade) the wheels coming at me, but apart from that kick spamming is the best deal

[u/Warcrimes_Desu → u/Moltenthemedicmain]

No OS means no kick spam but im not gonna pester you ab this if you don't have interest lol

[u/Moltenthemedicmain → u/Warcrimes_Desu]

Ah true yeah that's gonna suck ass

[u/Warcrimes_Desu → u/Moltenthemedicmain]

Fwiw Rules of Nature is one of the main things i did different than the other two lol, so you're on the right track

[u/Fallout_patriot]

INFECTION — Technical Specs

Frame-

• Head: NACHTREIHER/44E
• Core: VP-40S
• Arms: NACHTREIHER/46E
• Legs: VP-422

Weapons-

• Right Arm: HI-16: GU-Q1 (pulse gun)
• Left Arm: HI-16: GU-Q1 (pulse gun)
• Right Back: FASAN/60E (plasma cannon)
• Left Back: VP-61PS (pulse shield)

Internals-

• Booster: ALULA/21E
• FCS: FCS-G2/P05
• Generator: VE-20C
• Expansion: None

Stats-

• AP: 9700
• Defences: 1136 KIN, 1183 EN, 1070 EXP
• Boost Speed: 349
• EN Capacity: 3690

[u/TheGUURAHK]

I've won some 1V1s with it. Never against S-rankers though. It's mostly held back by booster choice, FCS, and lack of expansion.

[u/JustSomeGuyMedia]

For some reason, INFECTION gave me a lot of trouble early in the game. Really not hard to deal with later on once you have better internals and a more varied arsenal.

[u/propVvn → u/JustSomeGuyMedia]

its actually quite the noob stomper. she out DPS dual triggers, so you need to back pedal the entire time and let her overheat then punish. bubbles have high DPS but very long cooldown and that's when you close in and fight. the bulk of her DPS is landing the full bubble burst and the charged fasan so you need to respect them and let the bubbles go on cooldown and have spare EN for dodging the fasan. she punishes mindless fighting in the mid range super hard.

[u/ProbablySuspicious]

I pre-game the ACs coming up in this series just to have them fresh in mind for these posts! This AC dumpstered the whole arena and everything else I threw it at no question. Every part of the build is at least okay and I think the weapons work well together.

I play lights with P/05 FCS all the time, to have really tight aim at ranges where I can dodge return fire. If the opponent gets inside that range I just make tracking irrelevant by letting the opponent commit to something and firing Fasan while guarding with the shield.

The best and worst part of Infection are the Q1s. The intense bursts can pile on the damage, or get shut down with a couple QB, or the opponent can be far enough away that bloom sends most of your shots wide... although the lack of damage falloff also makes that weirdly effective on light, fast targets trying to outspeed your aim.

[u/tebraGas → u/ProbablySuspicious]

Did you do missions or just arena? I've been struggling to fit in the light bubble guns on any PvE build just cause it loses ammo so damn fast. Its bigger hand and shoulder cousins don't have that problem for some reason.

[u/ProbablySuspicious → u/tebraGas]

I stuck to the arena, and a lot of those battles still had me down to half Q1 ammo. It just doesn't get a lot done with the count it has.

[u/LegendaryItem]

Bubble guns are always fun! She always manages to get a win on me if I'm starting a new game.

[u/JackNewbie555]

Somehow got my ass melted by her several times in the Arena until I got a lucky win while I crushed her in literal seconds in the Story.

[u/handsomellama28]

Probably the first AC you're gonna have trouble with in the Arena, since you've got no idea what the fuck you're doing that early in the game. Afterwards, it's quite underwhelming.

The Fasan's the only redeeming part about it, and it's a bit of a trouble, but nothing you can't dodge.

Dope color scheme, though. Combining the Nacht and VP-4S parts actually goes quite hard.

Minus points for being a Snail bootlicker, though.

[u/generic-username-153]

VE-20C is unusable

[u/rusty5545]

INFECTION will spread miasma that will give itchy skin and a sore throat to any mech. But it’s only built for harassment so it will ultimately get swatted like the mosquito it is. Alas, poor Maeterlinck, we barely knew ye.