What is the core mechanic of Dark Souls?

Dark Souls’ core mechanic isn’t just combat; it’s risk assessment via controlled movement. While attacking is crucial, mastering the roll—its timing, distance, and stamina management—defines success. It’s not merely dodging; the roll is a fundamental tool for repositioning, creating openings, and managing enemy aggression. Think of it as a dynamic, stamina-gated punctuation mark in your offensive and defensive strategies. The game constantly challenges your understanding of this core mechanic by introducing enemies with varied attack patterns and timings, demanding precise rolling to avoid damage and capitalize on opportunities. Efficient rolling isn’t about spamming it; it’s about understanding its i-frames (invincibility frames), knowing when to commit to an attack, and when to prioritize evasion. Poor roll timing will expose you to devastating attacks, while skillful use opens avenues for aggressive counterplay. The delicate balance between risk and reward, controlled by your rolling proficiency, is the beating heart of the Dark Souls experience.

Consider this: every enemy encounter is a puzzle involving rolling. You’re not just fighting; you’re solving a spatial and temporal challenge, utilizing the roll to navigate attacks and create openings for your own damage. This isn’t about ‘aggressive’ vs. ‘defensive’ playstyles; it’s about a spectrum of risk management determined by how expertly you utilize your roll within a given combat scenario. A seemingly aggressive playstyle still heavily relies on calculated rolling to survive sustained enemy attacks.

Mastering the roll isn’t merely learning the animation; it’s about learning to *read* enemy attack animations, understanding their range and timing, and predicting their next move to execute a perfectly timed roll. That’s where true mastery of Dark Souls combat lies.

What is the main point of Dark Souls?

Dark Souls? Man, it’s not just about slaying beasts – though you’ll do plenty of that. It’s about the cycle of death and rebirth in Lordran. You’re a chosen undead, thrust into a world teetering on the brink of collapse, a world where the very fabric of reality is fraying. You’re collecting souls, not just for power, but to understand the lore, to piece together the tragic history of this decaying kingdom.

Think of it like this:

Souls are currency, power, and narrative clues. Every enemy defeated, every boss vanquished, contributes to your understanding of the world and its inhabitants. They’re more than just experience points.
You’re not just fighting monsters; you’re fighting the very nature of existence. Lordran’s fate, and yours, are inextricably linked. Every choice you make has consequences.
The interconnected world is crucial. It’s not just a linear path. Explore every nook and cranny. You’ll find hidden paths, shortcuts, and crucial lore snippets that illuminate the grander narrative.

And let’s not forget the combat. It’s brutally unforgiving, requiring patience, precise timing, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Death is a constant companion, but each death is a learning experience. You’ll master the mechanics, understand enemy attack patterns, and discover effective strategies. It’s all about that slow, satisfying build towards mastery.

Ultimately, Dark Souls is about endurance, perseverance, and the unraveling of a profound, tragic mythos. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey – a journey fraught with peril, beauty, and a truly unforgettable experience.

Key Characters: From Gwyn to the Four Kings, each character contributes to the intricate story. Understanding their roles is key to grasping the overall narrative.
Multiple Playthroughs: The game rewards exploration and replayability. You’ll discover new things and deepen your understanding with each attempt.
The Importance of Item Descriptions: Pay close attention to item descriptions! Many vital lore details are hidden within them.

Is Baldur’s Gate 3 AAA or AA?

The AAA/AA classification is fundamentally about production budget, team size, and the overall scope of development, not inherent quality. While Baldur’s Gate 3 exhibits many hallmarks of a AAA title—a massive budget reflected in its high-fidelity visuals, intricate narrative branching, and extensive voice acting—its development was spearheaded by Larian Studios, a relatively smaller team compared to traditional AAA behemoths like EA or Activision. This makes it a fascinating anomaly, a successful example of an “indie AAA” title. The game’s success hinges on a highly skilled and focused team leveraging cutting-edge technology and a passionate community. The absence of a large publisher also likely contributed to greater creative freedom and potentially quicker iteration cycles, though this can vary significantly based on project management style. In short, Baldur’s Gate 3’s achievement transcends simple budgetary categorization; it’s a powerful demonstration of what a strategically focused team can achieve, even outside of the traditional AAA studio structure. This is a significant trend in the gaming industry, with indie developers pushing boundaries and proving that innovative game design isn’t solely dependent on a massive budget.

In essence: Baldur’s Gate 3 blurs the lines. It possesses the quality and scope of a AAA game, yet its development roots lie firmly in the indie space. This represents a significant shift in the landscape of game development and should be viewed as a case study for future projects.

What is the basic story of Dark Souls?

Dark Souls, the spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls, kicks off the infamous trilogy. You’re not just some hero; you’re undead, cursed to endlessly die and resurrect, escaping the Undead Asylum. Lordran, a decaying kingdom teetering on the brink of oblivion, is your playground. Your pilgrimage isn’t about saving the world, it’s about unraveling the mysteries of the Undead Curse – a cycle of death and rebirth – and finding a way to break it, or at least understand it enough to survive. The core loop is deceptively simple: die, learn, adapt, repeat.

Forget linear narratives. The world is interconnected, rewarding exploration with hidden paths, powerful weapons, and challenging encounters. This isn’t just about button mashing; mastery comes from learning enemy attack patterns, utilizing the environment to your advantage, and understanding the intricate PvP mechanics. Backstabs, parries, and knowing your weapon’s range are crucial. Every death is a lesson, pushing your skills to the limit. You’ll face terrifying bosses with unique attacks, demanding perfect timing and strategic execution. The feeling of finally overcoming a particularly brutal boss, after countless attempts, is unparalleled.

Mastering the meta is key to PvP dominance. Build variety, from strength builds obliterating foes with heavy weapons to dextrous builds utilizing fast attacks, is crucial. Understanding the intricacies of item placement, understanding weapon arts, and exploiting enemy weaknesses are paramount. And don’t forget summoning allies or invading other players’ worlds – PvP is where the real challenge lies, testing your skills against other seasoned players. The fight isn’t just about winning; it’s about the thrill of the engagement and the refined skill it takes to survive in a world that never truly offers respite.

How do Dark Souls levels work?

So, Dark Souls leveling, right? It’s all about Souls. You gather these by killing enemies, bosses – the whole shebang. Then, you spend ’em to pump up your stats. There are eight in total, and each impacts your character in different ways, making build crafting super crucial.

The Stats:

Vigor: Boosts your health pool. Essential, obvi.
Attunement: More attunement slots for spells. Pyromancers and mages need this.
Endurance: Increases stamina. Affects your equip load, roll distance and how many attacks you can do before getting winded.
Vitality: Increases your equip load – more armor, bigger weapons. Important for heavier builds.
Strength: Increases physical damage, particularly for strength scaling weapons. Think big swords and hammers.
Dexterity: Boosts damage for dexterity scaling weapons, increases casting speed, and improves your item use speed. Think fast weapons and bows.
Faith: Increases miracle power and scales with faith-scaling weapons. For healing and divine miracles.
Intelligence: Increases spell power and scales with int-scaling weapons. For sorcerers and pyromancers.

Pro Tip: Don’t spread yourself too thin early on. Focus on a few key stats related to your build – it’ll make you much more effective. Soft caps are also a thing; past a certain point, each point invested gives diminishing returns, so don’t just mindlessly max everything.

Another Pro Tip: Experiment! Dark Souls builds are incredibly versatile. There’s no single “best” build, it’s about what playstyle you prefer.

Pick a weapon you like early on.
Check its scaling requirements. That tells you what stats to prioritize.
Adjust your build as you play and find what feels best.

Seriously, understanding stat scaling is key to success in Dark Souls. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about building a character that fits *your* style.

Is armored core not souls?

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon vs. Soulslike Games: A Clarification

While FromSoftware officially classifies Armored Core 6 as distinct from its Soulslike titles, the developers’ own descriptions often inadvertently highlight similarities. This creates a bit of a paradox.

Key Differences: Despite shared DNA in challenging combat and deliberate, strategic gameplay, Armored Core 6 offers crucial distinctions. The core gameplay loop centers around fast-paced mech combat, emphasizing precise movement, weapon combinations, and skillful maneuvering. Environmental traversal differs significantly from the Souls series’ more grounded movement. The level design, while challenging, is less labyrinthine and relies more on verticality and open-area engagements.

Shared Elements: The undeniable “Soulslike” aspects stem from the game’s demanding difficulty curve, a focus on mastering precise combat techniques, and a rewarding sense of accomplishment after overcoming challenging encounters. The emphasis on player skill and strategic thinking mirrors the core tenets of FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games, even if the mechanics and presentation are different.

In short: Armored Core 6 shares a design philosophy with the Souls games, particularly in its difficulty and reward system. However, the core mechanics, setting, and pacing deliver a uniquely distinct experience. Don’t go in expecting another Elden Ring; embrace the unique challenges and rewards of piloting a mech.

Further Considerations: Consider exploring gameplay videos focused on specific weapons and mech builds to better understand the nuanced combat system. Pay close attention to movement and positioning, as these are key to success.

What is the sequence of Dark Souls?

The chronological release order of the Dark Souls series is misleading regarding narrative chronology. While the games are often played in release order, understanding the timeline requires careful consideration.

Dark Souls (2011) lays the foundation, depicting the fading embers of a dying world. It’s crucial to note that its events are largely set *after* those of the DLC.

Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss (2011) is a prequel DLC, revealing events that occurred *before* the main game. It provides significant backstory for characters and lore, enriching understanding of the main game’s narrative.

Dark Souls 2 (2014) takes place centuries after the events of the first game, in a different kingdom facing its own unique existential threat. While narratively separate, it shares thematic and lore connections with the first game.

Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King (2014), Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Old Iron King (2014), and Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Ivory King (2014) are all DLC expansions for Dark Souls 2, chronologically occurring within that game’s timeline, enriching its already complex narrative.

Dark Souls 3 (2016) functions as both a sequel and an epilogue. Set many years after Dark Souls 2, it explores the cyclical nature of the world and brings together numerous threads from previous entries. It’s vital to play through the previous games to fully appreciate the narrative culmination.

Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel (2016) is a DLC that adds a significant side story to Dark Souls 3, expanding the world and its lore.

In short: The ideal playing order for narrative understanding is: Artorias of the Abyss, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2 (with its DLC), and finally, Dark Souls 3 (with its DLC). This order will allow for a more cohesive and impactful narrative experience.

What does Quelaag’s soul give you?

Quelaag’s Soul? Forget the measly 8000 souls you get from eating it; that’s for scrublords. Frampt’s 10,000 soul offer is slightly better, but still pathetic. The real value? Weapon upgrades, obviously.

Your options are:

Chaos Blade: A Katana +10 infused with the raw power of Quelaag. Fantastic bleed build potential. The fire damage is decent, but the bleed proc is where this thing shines. Pairs well with high DEX builds, but adaptability is key. Mastering its reach and timing is crucial for PvP dominance.
Quelaag’s Furysword: This curved sword variant offers a different playstyle. Slightly faster attacks compared to the Chaos Blade, making it ideal for aggressive players who prefer quicker, more frequent hits. The bleed remains a key feature, offering significant damage over time. Don’t underestimate its potential in close-quarters combat.

Consider this:

Build Synergy: The Chaos Blade and Quelaag’s Furysword both thrive with specific builds. Don’t just grab the soul and slap it on any weapon. Plan your build around the weapon you choose.
PvP Meta: The effectiveness of these weapons varies depending on the current PvP meta. Keep an eye on the prevalent builds to optimize your own.
Weapon Art: Don’t forget to utilize the weapon arts effectively. They can turn the tide of a battle.

In short: Don’t waste Quelaag’s soul on souls. Weapon upgrades are where the real power lies. Choose wisely, based on your preferred playstyle and current meta.

Are you supposed to play Dark Souls in order?

Nah, you don’t have to play Dark Souls games in order. They’re largely standalone experiences, each with its own unique gameplay quirks. But, if you’re a lore hound, start with the original Dark Souls. It sets the stage for everything else, introducing key characters, locations, and concepts that later games build upon. Think of it like the Lord of the Rings – you could jump into The Two Towers, but you’d miss a lot of context.

The original’s world is incredibly dense, full of secrets and cryptic storytelling. You’ll uncover a ton about the interconnected history of Lordran, the undead curse, and the various factions vying for power. While later games like Dark Souls 2 and 3 expand on this, the core narrative foundation is firmly established in the first game. You’ll get much more out of the subtle callbacks and thematic links in the sequels if you’ve already journeyed through Lordran.

Pro-tip: Don’t stress about perfectly understanding everything on your first playthrough. The Souls games reward multiple playthroughs, allowing for deeper lore dives and different character builds. Just embrace the mystery and enjoy the brutal, rewarding gameplay. You’ll appreciate the nuances and connections later on.

What is the first sin in Dark Souls lore?

So, the first sin in Dark Souls? It’s tricky, lore-wise, but Aldia lays it out pretty clearly. He calls Gwyn the Lord of Light, right? And then drops the bomb: Gwyn’s act of prolonging the First Flame was the First Sin. Think about it – going against the natural order of things, defying the natural cycle of Age of Fire, Age of Dark. That’s a huge deal. It’s not about some individual act of malice, but a cosmic fuck-up of epic proportions. It’s a sin against nature itself, a transgression on a scale that ripples through the entire world and keeps the cycle of undead and the endless suffering going. That’s why the Age of Fire, while seemingly better than the Age of Dark, is still fundamentally fucked up. It’s Gwyn’s legacy, his original sin.

Important Note: This isn’t the only interpretation, mind you. Many scholars debate the exact nature of the First Sin. Some argue it’s the very act of the Lords of Cinder linking the flame, a perpetual interference with the natural cycle. But Aldia’s words point strongly towards Gwyn’s actions as the primary instigator of the ongoing chaos. It’s all pretty deep, and there’s a lot of room for speculation. But this is the most straightforward, and arguably the most impactful, take on the question.

What is the most important thing to level up in Dark Souls?

Leveling in Dark Souls hinges on your build, but for melee characters, prioritizing these stats is crucial: Vitality, Endurance, and then either Strength or Dexterity. Vitality directly boosts your HP, letting you survive more hits. Endurance is equally vital, impacting stamina—your ability to attack, roll, and block—and your equip load, determining how much armor you can wear without being encumbered. The choice between Strength and Dexterity depends on your weapon preference. Strength increases physical attack power, ideal for heavy weapons, while Dexterity enhances attack speed and damage, perfect for faster weapons and boosting your critical hit chance. Remember, investing in these three core stats (Vitality, Endurance, and your chosen damage stat) will give you the strongest foundation for a successful melee build. Don’t neglect other stats entirely, though! Consider minor investments in Vigor for added survivability and Adaptability to slightly reduce your roll i-frames. Experiment to find the best balance for your playstyle.

A common mistake is over-investing in stats too early. Focus on upgrading your weapons and finding useful equipment before drastically increasing your stats. Efficient stat allocation makes a huge difference in your survivability and damage output. Also, the effectiveness of stat investment changes based on your current stats, meaning the later you invest, the better the return generally. Consider using an online stat calculator to assist in planning your build!

How many endings does armored core 1 have?

Contrary to popular belief, Armored Core (1997) features only one true ending. While your allegiance to either Murakumo or Chrome influences mission availability and some dialogue variations, the narrative culminates in the same final confrontation at the Raven’s Nest – the distinctive level characterized by its floating cube structures.

Understanding the Branching Narrative: The game presents a branching path based on your faction choice. Choosing Murakumo or Chrome alters which missions you undertake, impacting the specifics of how you reach the final confrontation. However, this doesn’t create separate endings; it simply modifies the journey to a singular, fixed conclusion.

Focus on Replayability: Instead of multiple endings, Armored Core’s replayability hinges on the vast customization options for your AC (Armored Core). Experimenting with different part combinations, weapon loadouts, and playstyles offers a significantly different experience each playthrough, encouraging you to discover optimal strategies for overcoming the challenges presented in each mission, regardless of the chosen faction.

The Raven’s Nest: A Constant: No matter which path you choose, your journey always culminates at the Raven’s Nest. This iconic level acts as the central point of the game’s narrative resolution, serving as a constant regardless of your choices throughout the main campaign.

Should I skip Dark Souls 1 and 2?

Nah, man, skipping Dark Souls 1 and 2? Absolutely not if you dug the one you played. These games are wildly different. Seriously, it’s like comparing apples and spaceships. Some folks *hate* the first one, swearing by 2 and 3 – claiming they’re way more refined. Others think the original’s atmosphere and challenge are unmatched. It’s all subjective, you know? Each game has a unique feel; Dark Souls 1 is notoriously brutal and atmospheric with its interconnected world design. Dark Souls 2 expands the world, adding more options for builds and playstyles, but some find it less cohesive. Don’t let anyone dictate your experience. Play them all and decide for yourself!

Think of it this way: Dark Souls 1 is the grizzled veteran, slow and methodical, demanding respect. Dark Souls 2 is the younger, slightly more chaotic sibling, throwing more options your way but maybe lacking some of the original’s raw power. Both crucial for understanding the series’ evolution and overall impact on the genre.

Ultimately, the best way to experience the Souls-like genre is to play through the whole trilogy (and maybe even Demon’s Souls!). You’ll appreciate the subtle, but significant changes FromSoftware made with each iteration, and form your own informed opinion.

Is Armored Core AAA?

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a strong contender for AAA status, boasting impressive technological achievements for a 2025 release. The game’s fluidity is a major highlight; the mechs move with an unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness, navigating environments with grace and precision. This advanced animation and physics engine allows for incredibly satisfying and tactical combat. The level of detail in both mech designs and environments is also exceptionally high, contributing to the game’s immersive quality. Beyond the technical prowess, the game offers a deep and customizable mech building system, allowing players to fine-tune their combat style, further enhancing replayability. The diverse array of missions and challenging boss encounters also contribute to the overall AAA experience. The smooth movement, combined with the depth of customization and high-quality visuals, firmly places Armored Core VI in the upper echelon of gaming.

Is the soul of Quelaag worth keeping?

Defeating Quelaag yields the Soul of Quelaag, a valuable item with significant strategic implications. Contrary to immediate consumption for a relatively minor stat boost, retaining this soul is strongly advised.

Crafting Potential: The Soul of Quelaag is a crucial component in forging the Quelaag’s Furysword, a powerful weapon boasting exceptional scaling and unique moveset. This makes it a highly desirable weapon for a variety of builds, particularly those focused on strength or faith.

High Damage Output: The Quelaag’s Furysword delivers substantial damage, effectively dispatching both humanoid and larger enemies.
Unique Moveset: Its unique attack animations provide strategic advantages, offering potent reach and area-of-effect capabilities.
Scalability: Its scaling with Strength and Faith allows for significant damage increases through stat investment, making it viable throughout the game.

Resource Management: Consuming the soul provides a relatively small and temporary benefit. The long-term strategic advantage of crafting the Quelaag’s Furysword significantly outweighs this immediate gain. Therefore, prioritizing the creation of this weapon represents a more effective use of resources and contributes to a more optimized character build. Consider the potential synergy with other equipment and spells in your arsenal before making a decision.

Alternative Uses (Advanced): While less efficient than crafting the Furysword, the Soul of Quelaag can theoretically be used for soul-leveling in early game, but this is generally inefficient and not recommended compared to farming souls in other areas. This should only be considered in exceptional situations.

What happens when you give 30 humanity to Quelaag’s sister?

Yo, what’s up, guys? So, you wanna know about giving that 30 Humanity to Quelaag’s Sister? It’s all about that sweet shortcut, right? That’s one of two ways to rescue our boy Solaire – a total lifesaver, especially if you’re aiming for that platinum trophy. You only need to do the 30 Humanity thing ONCE per character. Just one time. After that, it’s permanently unlocked. Think of it as a one-time investment for massive time savings later. Now, here’s a pro-tip: if you’re already a member of the Chaos Servant Covenant (doesn’t matter what rank), that shortcut door will always be open on subsequent playthroughs with that same character. So yeah, basically, once you’ve unlocked it, it’s always unlocked for that specific save file. Pretty sweet, huh? Saves you a bunch of running around later on, especially if you’re doing multiple playthroughs.

Is Dark Souls intentionally hard?

The claim that Dark Souls is “intentionally hard” is a simplification. While the game presents significant challenges, attributing its difficulty solely to malicious design is inaccurate. It’s more nuanced than that. The frustrating aspects, like frequent deaths and cryptic storytelling, aren’t simply “winding players up.” They’re integral to the game’s deliberate design philosophy focusing on emergent gameplay and player agency.

The “difficulty” is multifaceted:

Precise combat requiring skillful timing and pattern recognition: Enemy attacks aren’t random; mastering their patterns is crucial for survival. This fosters a rewarding sense of accomplishment upon overcoming a challenge.
Resource management demanding strategic decision-making: Limited healing items necessitate careful planning and skillful resource allocation, encouraging calculated risk-taking rather than reckless aggression.
Environmental storytelling and cryptic lore: The game doesn’t hold your hand; uncovering its narrative is part of the challenge and rewards diligent exploration and deduction. The indirect storytelling can feel obtuse to some, but it fits the game’s overall atmosphere.
A steep learning curve with unforgiving consequences: Death is a learning tool. It forces players to adapt their strategies, re-evaluate their approach and understand enemy behavior. This loop of trial and error is central to the game’s mechanics.

However, some elements do verge on frustrating:

Unclear tutorials and obtuse mechanics: The game assumes a level of player knowledge that can feel overwhelming to newcomers. This isn’t necessarily malicious design, but it certainly contributes to the initial steep learning curve.
Certain enemy placements and attack patterns can feel cheap: A few instances of enemy design, while challenging, may feel unfair or overly punishing. This occasionally detracts from the otherwise rewarding difficulty curve.
The lack of hand-holding leads to a steep learning curve: Many players struggle initially because the game throws them in at the deep end, with little initial guidance.

Ultimately, Dark Souls’ difficulty isn’t simply about making the player suffer. It’s a carefully crafted system designed to cultivate a unique sense of accomplishment through player skill, strategic thinking, and persistence. While elements of frustration undoubtedly exist, they are woven into a complex tapestry of challenge and reward, shaping the distinctive experience that defines the game.

Is Armored Core as difficult as Dark Souls?

Is Armored Core as hard as Dark Souls? That’s a great question. It’s tough to compare directly, but the difficulty comes from a different place. Dark Souls punishes mistakes with brutal death. Armored Core? It’s more about mastering a complex and demanding system. You’re not just a dude with a sword; you’re piloting incredibly advanced, heavily armed mechs. The movement alone is a huge part of the challenge. The four boost systems – Assault Boost, Vertical Boost, Horizontal Boost, and Quick Boost – are fundamental to combat. Mastering them is crucial for effective evasion and delivering devastating attacks. Think of it as learning a completely new fighting game, where precision and timing are paramount, not just reaction time. It’s less about memorizing enemy attack patterns and more about learning your own mech’s capabilities and exploiting enemy weaknesses.

The challenge lies in building your mech effectively. Part of the difficulty isn’t just piloting the machine, but meticulously tuning its parts to overcome specific enemy types and environments. Each component has a synergistic effect, and it can feel frustrating if you don’t have a build that complements your play style. There’s a huge amount of depth in the customization that goes beyond simple stat upgrades, truly making each playthrough unique. Get used to experimenting, scrapping builds that don’t work, and iteratively improving on successful ones. It’s a steep learning curve, but incredibly rewarding when it clicks.

So, while the difficulty isn’t directly comparable to Dark Souls‘ punishing attrition, Armored Core presents a different, equally demanding challenge: mastering complex movement and building an effective mech. It’s less about memorization and more about mechanical skill and strategic thinking. The satisfaction of finally taking down a boss after countless tweaks to your build? That’s something special.

How to get ayre ending?

To snag the “Liberator of Rubicon” ending in AC6, you gotta fully commit to Ayre. No half-measures. This isn’t some casual stroll through the campaign; it demands consistent choices aligning with Ayre’s missions across every chapter. Think of it as a hard-line strategy, a focused meta-run. No branching off, no side quests for other factions, just pure Ayre loyalty.

Crucially, don’t get distracted by other storylines. Ignoring those side missions is key. Every single mission offered by Ayre needs completing. Missing even one could derail the whole thing, forcing a restart or NG+.

Pro Tip: While achievable on your first playthrough, a NG+ run gives you the advantage of already having a fully leveled-up mech and optimized loadout, significantly reducing grind. But it’s doable either way, just be prepared for a focused, ruthless commitment to one path. This ain’t for the faint of heart, only true AC veterans.