Ainer

***The First Pilot***

## Appearance

Ainer is our 6ft+, thin, lanky proletariat hero from the wartorn Allied Provinces. He has dark red hair, and is rather pale. He wields a large rifle equipped with an almost as large bayonet on it, which he uses to attack robots much larger than he is; his country is without a formal military and engages in guerrilla warfare. Ainer wears multiple layers of coats and headbands because he thinks he looks too skinny/wimpy to be a public figure. He’s also little too tall for his pants. Usually seen striking heroic poses with a determined look on his face.

## Background

Reluctant hero of the Allied Provinces, clever guerilla tactician, and the first to realize that you need five robots in one location in order to activate them. Ainer's fate is tied to these mechanical marvels, and while at times he may not feel confident in his public persona, he is destined for greatness, both on the battlefield and off - or at least, that's what his comrades say.

The Five Nations War started when Ainer figured out how to awaken the world's long-dormant relic robots, allowing the Allied Provinces to stand against the Empyreal Realm. That battle was known as The Battle at Crossed Ice, and ever since then, Etwal has had it out for the fledgling hero. Not only that, but the Iris Dominion's Ixa has also taken an interest him and his fighting prowess.

After an initial altercation with her, Ainer allies himself in battle with the reformed Empyre soldier, Diane. Through this partnership, Diane mentors Ainer and criticizes his self-destructive devotion to fighting in the war.

Near the end of the war, Etwal and Ixa eventually collaborate to defeat and capture Ainer, in a conflict that leads him to awaken the ARK-INFINITY, the first AEGIS Class robot seen in centuries. However, Etwal still managed to defeat him. Before the final blow was struck, Ixa betrayed Etwal and captured him instead, leaving Ainer to fall unconscious. He would later return to home, injured and reconsidering his role as hero.

## Robots and Abilities

Ainer is the pilot for the ARK-150, ARK-2500, the ENDER-5000, and the ARK-INFINITY.

His Commander Ability is "**First Pilot**", which gives Reroll 1 to the first robot that Ainer uses an action with in the round. This allows Ainer players to reroll any dice in an action as long as they have 1 energy to pay. For example, if the ARK-150 were going to attack another robot and had an unsuccessful dice roll, the player could spend one energy to reroll that dice for another chance at success.

This commander ability does not lean towards any one play-style, and is generally friendly to newer A.E.G.I.S. players.

## Team Building with Ainer

Ainer is one of eight Commanders who came with a pre-built team in the AEGIS Core Box.

This team is one of the only default teams that can create level 2 and a level 3 at the same time, its ARK-2500 and ENDER-5000. These two compliment each other on the battlefield, with the former being a frontline tank and the latter being long-range support. There are also synergies with ARK-150 and AXIS-100's Overload ability and the Push and Move actions from GO-400 and ABB-200, allowing you to move one of the Overload robots into position and then attacking twice.

## Trivia

* Ainer was the second character designed in the game, after Ixa.
* Ainer is pronounced "Einer", and is based on "Einarr", an Old Norse word for "warrior."
* Ainer's very first ability was called "Force Volley", and it allowed your robots to push enemies back 1 space per damage dealt. This was completely at odds with his robot's other original ability to attack twice at melee range.
* Ainer and his weapon were partially based on Ashley Winchester, main character of *Wild Arms 2.* In his final art however, his gun became smaller than the large rifle in his original concepts.