Skills | Nier Automata Wiki


Skills in NieR: Automata are active and passive abilities that players can equip to acquire different combat effects and bonuses. These skills are divided into 2 categories, Plug-in Chips, and Pod Programs. Plug-in Chips are customizations you can use to change your play style, such as an attack focus, or even elements you don't want to see on the HUD while Pod Programs are programmable active skills that your Pods can use to perform special abilities. This page covers helpful information for the Plug-in Chips and Pod Programs that are available in NieR: Automata.

 

 

NieR Automata All Skills Guide

NieR Automata Plug-in Chips

Plug-in Chips are items that you can equip to acquire or customize Skills in NieR: Automata. Which Plug-in Chips you equip will have a huge impact on your play style and can greatly enhance your survival, offense, defense, and utility.

Primarily, Plug-in Chips provide passive buffs or additional stat bonuses, as well as provide the user with different skills and/or effects. There are five types of Plug-in Chips: Attack, Defense, Support, Hacking, and System.

Here are a few important tips to remember about Plug-In Chips:

  • Plug-in Chips can have a Level between 0 and 8 that determines how strong the effect of that chip is. Not all chips have multiple levels.
  • All Plug-in Chips have a Cost that determines how much space they take up when equipped in storage. You can purchase more storage space from merchants so that you can equip more chips.
  • The Cost of a chip can vary, and so lower Cost is desirable because the chip will use less of your storage capacity.
  • Chips have a minimum and maximum Cost that is determined by their type and Rank. Chips with the lowest possible Cost for their Rank are marked with a ♦.
  • Plug-in Chips of the same Type and Rank can be Fused to create a new chip of the same type that is one Rank higher.
  • The Cost of a new chip is calculated from the Costs of the two chips being Fused. Check out the Plug-in Chips Reference Guide for optimal chip fusion if you need help creating ♦ Cost chips.
  • Chips can be Fused to Rank 6 typically and up to Rank 8 at the Canyon Machine after completing her quest.
  • When prompted for the first time she aks for a painless death thinking the androids were sent to kill her, if the player chooses to spare her life, she will give you the side quest Lord of the Valley. After clearing the quest she starts selling and fusing Chips. Canyon Machine can fuse chips up to +8.
  • Plug-in Chips can be purchased, obtained from quests, or acquired from enemy drops. Chips purchased are often a high rank while chips dropped from enemies have a random rank and can sometimes drop ♦ Cost chips.
  • When you die you lose all the chips you had installed. To recover them you must make your way back to your prior body. Failing to do so results in losing the chips.

When choosing which Plug-in Chips to equip the following tips may be helpful:

  • There are caps when equipping multiple of the same Plug-in Chips to combine their effects. The Drop Rate Up chip effect is capped at 90% and so the maximum effect can be achieved with one Rank 8 chip. In contrast, the EXP Gain Up chip has an estimated 450% cap which is far greater than the 100% effect on a single Rank 8 chip.
  • Sometimes equipping two lower Rank chips to achieve their maximum effect can cost less storage than equipping a max Rank chip, even if the max Rank chip is ♦ Cost.
  • Some chips can be sacrificed in exchange for more power at the cost of convenience or utility, such as choosing to not equip HUD chips that display information like damage values, the mini-map, or even your HP.

 

Best Pod Programs for NieR Automata

Pod Programs in NieR: Automata are active abilities that are slotted to your A.I. Companion, the Pod. They function similarly to NieR Replicant's Sealed Verses, allowing the player to instruct the Pod/s to execute a special attack. Unlike a Sealed Verse in NieR Replicant, a cooldown occurs after using a skill instead of a magic meter. There are 17 different Pod Programs that can be found in NieR: Automata, each having its specialization in offensive and defensive commands. We will be listing down our BEST POD PROGRAMS or RECOMMENDED POD PROGRAMS to use when you play NieR: Automata:

  • A170: Scanner: a must-have pod program for most of your playthroughs. If you tend to miss out on finding hidden items or find it difficult to locate items while exploring the open world, then the A170: Scanner is your best friend, it automatically highlights quest items, and hidden items, as well as find black box signals if you're close to one.
  • A090: Wire: NieR Automata is a game that has fast-paced combat and maneuvers, but one thing that it needs is more aerial versatility. Once you've acquired the A090: Wire pod program,  we recommend that you use this since it is very useful in combat and exploration. It serves as a grappling hook to offensively get closer to a target (especially airborne enemies) or to avoid dangerous situations.
  • A130: Bomb: the A130: Bomb pod program is one dangerous ability to use in combat and certainly a recommended pod program to use in NieR Automata. When triggered, the Pod shoots out a volley of small explosives around the area and explodes. If positioned correctly, you can hit multiple targets with it! You'll surely have no problem eliminating enemies easily after bombarding them with explosives.
  • A110: Slow: another AoE ability in our list is the A110: Slow pod program. When used, the pod releases a large radius that slows the movement of all enemies that are within it. This gives you the advantage of offensively attacking enemies that can't react fast. You might enjoy using this program but you'll need to use this ability when you are caught in a difficult situation since it has a long cooldown.
  • R040: Blade: this pod program commands the pod to release a blade that spins around the player at high speed. A good ability to punish an enemy while striking them with flurries of melee attacks. It's also good to use this if you're surrounded by enemies for crowd control. Just note that your Pod cannot shoot while using this program.

 

Plug-in Chips Reference Guide

Plug-in Chips Reference Guide features values and tables about NieR: Automata's Plug-in Chip Levels & Fusion Ranks. The information below is to help players with better understanding the percentage and values of a Plug-in Chip in its different levels. We would like to give a Special Thanks to Project2501 (PSN: FILE_PRJ2501) for letting us use his Spreadsheet.

 

Name Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Most Efficient Load
♦ Storage Cost ♦4 ♦5 ♦6 ♦7 ♦9 ♦11 ♦14 ♦17 ♦21 (Number of Chips)x(Level) [Cost]
 Charge Attack 120% 140% 160% 180% 200% 250% 300% 350% 400%  1x8 [21]; 2x5 [22]
 Counter 0% 10% 30% 60% 80% 100% 150% 200% 250%  1x8 [21]; 1x7, 1x3 [24]
 Critical Up 1% 2% 3% 4% 6% 8% 10% 15% 30%  1x8 [21]
 Down-Attack Up 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]
 Last Stand 5% 10% 15% 20% 30% 50% 60% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]; 2x5 [22]
 Ranged Attack Up 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]
 Shockwave Weak S. Weak Normal S. Strong F. Strong Strong Powerful P. Powerful V. Powerful  1x8 [21]
 Weapon Attack Up 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]

 

 

Name Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Most Efficient Load
♦ Storage Cost ♦4 ♦5 ♦6 ♦7 ♦9 ♦11 ♦14 ♦17 ♦21 (Number of Chips)x(Level) [Cost]
 Anti Chain Damage 0.5 sec 1 sec 1.5 sec 2 sec 2.5 sec 3 sec 4 sec 5 sec 6 sec  3x3 [21]
 Auto-Heal 0.60% 1.20% 2.40% 3.60% 4.80% 7.20% 9.60% 12% 18%  1x8 [21]
 Damage Absorb 5%/10% 10%/20% 15%/30% 20%/40% 25%/50% 30%/80% 35%/100% 40%/150% 50%/200%  1x8 [21]
 Deadly Heal 5% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]; 2x5 [22]
 Max HP Up 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]
 Melee Defense 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 30% 60% 80%  1x8 [21]
 Offensive Heal 2% 5% 10% 15% 20% 30% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]
 Ranged Defense 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 30% 60% 80%  1x8 [21]
 Reset 5%/10% 5%/20% 10%/20% 15%/30% 20%/40% 25%/50% 30%/60% 40%/70% 50%/80%  1x6, 1x3 [21]; 1x8 [21]
 Resilience 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 5%  2x3 [14]

 

 

Name Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Most Efficient Load
♦ Storage Cost ♦4 ♦5 ♦6 ♦7 ♦9 ♦11 ♦14 ♦17 ♦21 (Number of Chips)x(Level) [Cost]
 Auto-Use Item 10% 15% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]; 2x5 [22]
 Drop Rate Up 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%  1x4, 1x3 [16]
 EXP Gain Up 2% 4% 8% 10% 20% 30% 50% 80% 100%  1x8 [21]
 Evade Range Up 10% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 160% 200%  1x8 [21]; 2x5 [22]
 Fast Cooldown 2% 4% 8% 10% 15% 20% 25% 35% 50%  1x8 [21]
 Moving Speed Up 2% 4% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%  2x3 [14]
 Overclock 0.8 sec 1.5 sec 2 sec 2.5 sec 3 sec 3.5 sec 4 sec 4.5 sec 5.5 sec  1x4, 1x3 [16]
 Taunt Up 180% 200% 240% 280% 300% 350% 400% 450% 500%  3x2 [18]; 1x3, 1x2, 1x1 [18]; 2x3, 1x0 [18]; 2x4 [18]
 Vengeance 5%/10% 10%/20% 15%/30% 20%/40% 25%/50% 30%/80% 35%/100% 40%/150% 50%/200%  1x8 [21]

 

 

Name Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Most Efficient Load
♦ Storage Cost ♦4 ♦5 ♦6 ♦7 ♦9 ♦11 ♦14 ♦17 ♦21 (Number of Chips)x(Level) [Cost]
 Combust   3.5 sec 4 sec 4.5 sec 5 sec 5.5 sec 6 sec 6.5 sec 7 sec 2x1 [10]
 Heal Drops Up     30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 90% 100% 2x4 [18]
 Hijack Boost 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1x4, 1x3 [16]
 Stun 5m/3 sec 10m/3 sec 10m/3.5 sec 15m/3.5 sec 15m/4 sec 20m/4 sec 20m/4.5 sec  25m/4.5 sec  25m/5 sec  1x3, 1x1 [12]

 

 

Name Type Cost Location Description
 Continuous Combo Attack 6 Devola & Popola Combos continue while evading.
 Auto-Collect Items Support 6 Devola & Popola Items are automatically drawn in and collected.
 Item Scan Support 6 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display item locations on the mini-map.
 Evasive System Support 6 Devola & Popola Time slows when near enemy projectiles.
 Bullet Detonation Support 6 Devola & Popola Strike enemy bullets to detonate them.
 Auto-Attack Support 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader This chip can only be equipped on Easy mode.
 Auto-Fire Support 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader This chip can only be equipped on Easy mode.
 Auto-Evade Support 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader This chip can only be equipped on Easy mode.
 Auto-Program Support 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader This chip can only be equipped on Easy mode.
Auto-Weapon Switch Support 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader This chip can only be equipped on Easy mode.
 Death Rattle Hacking 6 Devola & Popola Enemies emit death cries if defeated by hacking.
Name Type Cost Location Description
OS Chip System 2 Just try and remove it. (But Save First.) An android's central system. Removal means death.
HUD: HP Gauge System 2 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the player's HP gauge.
HUD: Skill Gauge System 2 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the skill gauge (shows a Pod program's cooldown time).
HUD: EXP Gauge System 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the EXP gauge and amount of EXP earned.
HUD: Enemy Data System 2 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Displays enemy levels and HP.
HUD: Mini-Map System 2 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the mini-map.
HUD: Objectives System 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display text showing your current objectives.
HUD: Text Log System 2 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the text log.
HUD: Save Points System 1 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display an icon in areas where you can save.
HUD: Fishing Spots System 3 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display an icon in areas where you can fish.
HUD: Damage Values System 3 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display the values of damage dealt and received.
HUD: Sound Waves System 3 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Display a sound analysis graph.
HUD: Control System 3 Resistance Camp Supply Trader Auto-hide HUD elements in certain situations.

 

 

NieR Automata Chip Fusion Map

  • Fusion Combinations in Red are the most Efficient Paths to Maximize ♦ Rank Utilization.
Chip Fusion Rank Rank Rank Rank Rank Rank Ranks Worth Keeping Key
Level 0 ♦4 ♦4 ♦4  5  5  6 ♦4, 5, 6 ♦ Rank
Level 0 ♦4 5 6 5 6 6   ♦ +1 Rank
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓   ♦ +2 Rank
Level 1 ♦5 ♦5 6 6 6 7    
                 
Level 1 ♦5 ♦5 ♦5 6 6 7 ♦5, 6, 7  
Level 1 ♦5 6 7 6 7 7    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 2 ♦6 ♦6  7  7 7  8    
                 
Level 2 ♦6 ♦6 ♦6 7 7 8 ♦6, 7  
Level 2 ♦6 7 8 7 8 8    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 3 Product ♦7 8 8 8 9 9    
                 
Level 3 ♦7 ♦7 ♦7 8 8 9 ♦7, 8, 9  
Level 3 ♦7 8 9 8 9 9    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 4 Product ♦9 ♦9 10 10 10 11    
                 
Level 4 ♦9 ♦9 ♦9 10 10 11 ♦9, 10  
Level 4 ♦9 10 11 10 11 11    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 5 Product ♦11 12 12 12 13 13    
                 
Level 5 ♦11 ♦11 ♦11 12 12 13 ♦11, 12, 13  
Level 5 ♦11 12 13 12 13 13    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 6 Product ♦14 ♦14 15 15 15 16    
                 
Level 6 ♦14 ♦14 ♦14 15 15 16 ♦14, 15  
Level 6 ♦14 15 16 15 16 16    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 7 Product ♦17 18 18 18 19 19    
                 
Level 7 ♦17 ♦17 ♦17 18 18 19 ♦17, 18  
Level 7 ♦17 18 19 18 19 19    
Fuse ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓    
Level 8 Product ♦21 ♦21 22 22 22 23    




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