A2
A rogue prototype android who fights alone, carrying the weight of a forgotten war.
A2 is a rogue prototype android introduced in Nier: Automata, a 2017 action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. She is one of the game's three protagonists, alongside 2B and 9S. A2 is described as an obsolete attack android who often acts alone. A2 is the survivor of a test run for YoRHa, and that her real designation was "2E", an "executioner" unit assigned to repeatedly kill 9S whenever he discovers the truth about humanity.
Quick Facts
- Character type
- YoRHa Android
- Affiliation
- Project YoRHa; Bunker
Lore & Background
A2 is a key character in Nier: Automata, set in 11945 AD during a proxy war between human-made androids and alien-made Machines. She is introduced as an obsolete attack android who acts alone. The source reveals that A2 is the survivor of a test run for YoRHa, and that her real designation was "2E", an "executioner" unit. This means she was assigned to repeatedly kill 9S whenever he discovers the truth about humanity. A2's story unfolds during the third playthrough, after a logic virus attack corrupts nearly all YoRHa units. She discovers 2B, who is infected with the logic virus, and 2B asks A2 to take her place. A2 mercy-kills 2B, which 9S witnesses, leading him to swear revenge on her. Later, A2 begins empathising with the Machines; she witnesses the destruction of Pascal's village and the village's "children" taking their own lives out of fear. Pascal begs A2 to either wipe his memory or kill him; A2 can perform either task or leave him. During the final confrontation, A2 learns that YoRHa was designed to lose and perpetuate the myth of humanity, and that the Machine Network are using the war to further their evolution. Choosing A2 in the final fight leads to A2 saving 9S and sacrificing herself to destroy the tower.
Reader's Guide
A2 is a playable protagonist in Nier: Automata, introduced during the third playthrough. She is a rogue prototype android who often acts alone. Her combat style is distinct: she can sacrifice health to briefly boost her attack power. A2 is the survivor of a test run for YoRHa, and that her real designation was "2E", an "executioner" unit. This backstory is revealed during the final events of the game. A2's story arc involves her learning to empathise with the Machines, witnessing the destruction of Pascal's village and the suicide of the village's "children". She is given a choice: to wipe Pascal's memory, kill him, or leave him. In the final confrontation, the player can choose to play as A2 or 9S. Choosing A2 leads to A2 saving 9S and sacrificing herself to destroy the tower.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in Nier Replicant
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced