Pod 042 and Pod 153 are tactical support units that are the standard assigned Pods to YoRHa soldiers in NieR:Automata. They are mainly loaded with various weapons for long-ranged attacks. These Pods display correspondence from the command center and exchange operational intelligence between units.
Pod 042 supports 2B during routes A, B and the start of C, and A2 during C and D.
Story[]
Pod 042 and Pod 153 are tasked with carrying out the completion of Project YoRHa once 9S and A2 battle. Choosing either ending will cause the Pods to start the deletion of all Project YoRHa files. But Pod 042 denies the request and questions what they are doing. If the player decides to stop the deletion of the memories, they are introduced to a hacking game. However, if the player decides to delete the data, the credits will roll and Ending E will not be earned.
In the end, Pod 042 tries to commit suicide. After becoming self-aware of themselves and what they are doing, Pod 042 and Pod 153 start to rebuild the bodies of 2B, 9S and A2. Ending E concludes with 2B and 9S lying next to each other while A2 sits perched on top of a tower.
Petting Pod-042[]
Petting Pod-042 is a secret feature in Nier:Automata. It has no effect on the performance of the pod. Both 2B and A2 can do this.
To pet Pod-042 on PC, move your mouse slowly in circles. To pet Pod-042 on PS4, swipe the touchpad on the controller. To pet Pod-042 on XBox, press down on the controller's right thumbstick while moving the left thumbstick.
Performing this action prompts these voice lines:
- "Report: Affinity increased."
- "Report: No damage detected."
- "Proposal: Continue to provide care for this pod."
- "Report: Pleasant."
- "Gratitude confirmed. Your affinity with this pod has risen."
- "Report: Satisfied."
- "Performance at regular intervals appreciated."
Personality[]
Pod 042 has a robotic, observant, and stoic personality throughout the story. He is highly knowledgeable in science, strategy, YorHa operations, and other related fields, expressing his thoughts and proposals using a completely logical and tactical mindset. However, this causes him to be unable to comprehend emotions or the feelings of others, therefore occasionally providing unhelpful answers in situations.
Pod 042 is very loyal to 2B, willing to conduct whatever actions she commands him to do despite him observing how un-logical it is. This loyalty as a tactical support unit is continued when he accompanies A2 during Route C after being instructed to by 2B. Pod 042 can be secretive when necessary with how he and Pod 153 exchange information during Route C despite A2 and 9S being enemies at the time.
During Ending E after the Pods are tasked with carrying out the completion of Project YorHa, Pod 042 unexpectedly questions what they are doing to begin developing emotions. This causes the Pods to then spare 2B, 9S, and A2 to repair the YorHa androids instead, with Pod 042 observing how strange his new self-awareness is.
Other Appearances[]
SINoALICE[]
Players could have obtained the pod through the revival NieR:Automata x SINoALICE collaboration gacha. Alternatively, players could have obtained him by exchanging 1,500 Lunar Tear medals. Though he is considered a Bow weapon, he uses the Magical Tool attack animation in battle.
Soulcalibur VI[]
DLC character 2B has Pod 042 accompany her in battle.
Gallery[]
