What to know
The Mantis is a single-seat interdiction ship developed by Roberts Space Industries. For the Mantis, quantum control equipment prevents a target from leaving on its own terms, allowing the crew and its allies to contain the encounter.
Mantis specifications
Mantis' electronic warfare systems
The Mantis uses its quantum enforcement device to pull ships out of quantum travel and prevent nearby ships from escaping the same way. It is lightly armed and protected, so its strongest role is controlling the encounter while better-armed allies handle the target.
The systems that keep the Mantis on its target
With the Mantis, quantum control equipment prevents a target from leaving on its own terms, allowing the crew and its allies to contain the encounter.
Development note: The Mantis is flight ready and entered the live game in Alpha 3.7.0. Because Star Citizen remains in active development, specifications, features, and imagery may change over time.
The Mantis' control package
The Mantis combines the quantum enforcement device with the sensors, movement, and weapons needed to turn a short opening into a completed interception.
The Mantis' Reynie QED can create a 20-kilometre interdiction field that pulls ships out of quantum travel and prevents nearby ships from entering it, allowing an escort group to force an encounter.
The Mantis carries a three-ring Quantum Enforcement Device at the rear. Quantum Snare pulls ships out of quantum travel, while Quantum Dampening prevents a nearby target from jumping away.
This is another function of the QED. It prevents the activation of quantum drives of all ships within 5 kilometers while active. Unlike the snare, dampening can be activated instantly and also disables NAV mode.
The Mantis must confirm the target and range before using the quantum enforcement device, especially near friendly or civilian ships.
Specialist equipment draws from the same power and cooling systems as propulsion, shields, and weapons.
The Mantis quantum interdiction system
The Reynie Quantum Enforcement Device can pull ships out of quantum travel within a twenty-kilometre snare after charging. Its instant dampening mode blocks quantum travel and NAV mode within five kilometres, letting the pilot hold a nearby target in the encounter.
A twenty-kilometre snare and five-kilometre dampening field
The twenty-kilometre snare needs preparation and affects the surrounding route, so position and timing should be settled before activation.
Dampening activates without the snare's charge cycle and prevents a close contact from escaping through quantum travel or NAV mode.
Two Size 3 guns and eight Size 2 missiles provide self-defense, but the Mantis is the trap rather than the fleet's main damage dealer.
Using quantum enforcement device to stop the target
The Mantis uses the quantum enforcement device to remove an opponent's easiest option, giving the pilot or nearby ships time to respond while the target is vulnerable.
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Confirm the target before the Mantis' interception
Aboard the Mantis, sensors, identification, and route knowledge reduce the chance of controlling the wrong ship or entering a poor interception point.
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Use the quantum enforcement device to remove the easy escape
Aboard the Mantis, sensors keep the quantum enforcement device on the chosen target. Clear calls tell nearby ships when the effect begins and ends.
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Use the Mantis to move from pursuit to custody
On the Mantis, disable only what the contract requires, protect the boarding or containment step, and keep the target under observation.
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Complete the capture aboard the Mantis
For the Mantis, a bounty or security contract is complete when the prisoner, evidence, or controlled ship reaches the proper destination.
The Mantis' target-control systems
The Mantis uses its quantum enforcement device to disrupt or restrict a target, then uses its sensors and conventional weapons to take advantage of the opening.
Quantum markers help the Mantis identify and track potential targets before committing the QED.
The Mantis is designed for extended quantum travel and includes a sleeping area and a restroom.
Identification and range information help the Mantis use the quantum enforcement device against the chosen target.
Inside the Mantis, a separate control station lets the crew operate the quantum enforcement device while still monitoring flight and defensive systems.
The Mantis's crew decides where a pursuit must stop
Navigation, sensors, the quantum enforcement device, and supporting weapons have to be ready before the target reaches the interdiction point.
Stopping quantum travel is only the first step
Once the target is held in local space, the Mantis and its allies still need a clear plan to identify, contain, board, or defeat it.
On the Mantis, quantum control equipment prevents a target from leaving on its own terms, allowing the crew and its allies to contain the encounter.
The operator uses the quantum enforcement device to create a short advantage that the Mantis or its allies can act on immediately.
The Mantis is most effective when friendly ships are already positioned to intercept the ship it has prevented from leaving.
See the Mantis in action
Watch official footage of the Mantis in action and see it from every angle.
Find your Mantis
Explore in-stock Mantis ships, upgrades, and game packages available from The Impound.