NieR: Automata is a game that has a lot of skills and features that are performed by Assault Pods through the use of Pod Programs. These pods and their programs are then used to either support or attack enemies with, so this means that collecting assault pods and their programs are vital to the player because it allow different approaches to any encounter.>
Pod Locations
According to GameRanx, there are a total of three pods that a player can collect and upgrade. Each pod has a unique ability that the player can use to get an advantage over opponents. Aside from that, the more pods that the player collects, the more programs they can utilize at any given situation.
The first pod or Pod A is the default pod that is already following the player. The second pod or Pod B can be found by going to the Desert. Specifically, players need to start from the Desert: Center vendor then travel towards the Desert: Camp. From there, players need to head northwest and at this point, the pod can be found submerged in sand at the side of one of the dunes.
The third pod or Pod C can be found by going to the Flooded City. At the city, players need to look for the first yellow bus they could see on the linear path. Behind the bus, there is a fishing spot that when a player fishes from it, they would get a pod.
Pod Programs
In an article by RPG Site, there are multiple pod programs that the player can acquire in the game. These in turn, enables pods to perform special abilities when equipped by the player. Some of the pod programs can be purchased at a store, obtained through the storyline, or by finishing some quests.
The Laser program fires a laser in the direction that the pod is facing. This program can be obtained during the prologue. In the Resistance Camp however, several programs can be purchased like the Mirage, Hammer, Blade, Spear, P-Shield and M-Shield.
The Mirage Program analyzes enemies in a specific range, which allows the player to unleash a series of deadly attacks to all those inside the range. The Hammer Program summons a mass of energy that damages the target. The Blade Program spins a pod around the player that damages anyone who comes close. The Spear Program produces spear shaped masses of energy from the ground to damage enemies. The P and M Shield produce a shield that protects the player from any melee and projectile attacks respectively.
The Wave Program creates a powerful shockwave by slamming a pod on the ground. This program can be obtained by completing the quest The Wandering Couple. The Wire Program shoots a wire in the direction the pod is facing and if it hits an enemy, it pulls the player towards the enemy. This program can be obtained when the player finishes the quest Amnesia.
The Decoy Program creates a copy of the player that distracts opponents while being damaged by Rod's ranged attacks. This can be obtained in Route C only, specifically on the corpse of a YoRHa soldier on the roof of the city ruins. The Slow Program slows down time in its range. This can be obtained by completing the quest Data Analysis Freak 2.
The Repair Program produces a beam that heals players as long as they stay in range. This program can be obtained after completing the quest Sorting Trouble 3. The Bomb Program throws a volley of explosives charges. This program can be obtained after finishing the quest Find A Present.
The Gravity Program unleashes a blast that sucks enemies in the area. This program can be obtained after finishing the quest Retrieve the Confidential Intel. The Volt Program paralyzes and shocks a single nearby enemy. This also continuously damages that enemy for a specific amount of time. This can be obtained at the Amusement Park in Route C by destroying the tank.
The Missile Program allows the player to ride a missile into combat. This program can be found at the Abandoned Factory on top of a container that is close to the intro area. Lastly, the Scanner Program produces ultrasonic waves to scan the surroundings to find interesting objects. This can be obtained through the course of the game.
