SF Manticore

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File:Manticore320x240.jpg
The SF Manticore

Description:

FS1 Tech Room Description

We believe that the Manticore is a Shivan interceptor. It has a very high top speed, and its maneuverability is quite good. However, its shield system isn't strong enough to withstand constant fighting for long, which leads us to believe the Manticore's primary purpose is to destroy enemy bombers.

FS2 Tech Room Description

The Manticore fighter is the fastest known craft in the Shivan armada. With a single, powerful laser and two missile banks, it is a dangerous offensive weapon. Its Achilles' heel lies in its thin hull and weak shields. Manticores do not last long in dogfights against other fighters. They prefer to target bombers, which are nearly helpless against the Manticore's speed and weaponry.

Developer Notes

None

Name origin

A manticore (spelled in the lower case, being a common noun) is a red lion with a human head. Most stories depict manticores differently. In some, manticores spit poison to kill their opponents.

Performance:

Statistics

Type	Interceptor
Manufacturer	Unknown
Maneuverability	N/A
Max Velocity	87.0 - 120.0 mps
Max Afterburner Velocity	155.0 mps
Armor	N/A
Hitpoints	100
Shields	500
Length	15.5 m

Armaments

• Gun Mounts

FreeSpace 1			FreeSpace 2
Bank	Guns	Standard Loadout	Standard Loadout
1st	2	Shivan Mega Laser	Shivan Mega Laser

• Missile Banks

FreeSpace 1			FreeSpace 2
Bank	Capacity	Standard Loadout	Standard Loadout
1st	40	Interceptor	Harpoon
2nd	40	MX-50	MX-64

Veteran Comments

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The Manticore is really quite dangerous. It's faster than anything you'll have access to, and has an annoying habit of getting behind you. Its primaries aren't really much to worry about most of the time, provided you have shields, but it carries a small number of Harpoons and Rockeyes, making it something you do not want behind you. It's really a common fighter, so you should get used to fighting it a lot.

Its target profile is surprisingly hard to hit, as its "cockpit" is quite small, and the "bar" that seems to be its wings (and houses its missiles) is usually moving. Due to its speed, and the AI's love of its afterburner, this seemingly large target becomes very thin, very fast. However, if you come from atop or underneath, it presents an excellent target, as that "thin bar" target becomes a large, easy to hit block of black and red. With average interceptor shielding, and weak armour, it can be dispatched quickly with primaries.

However, I have found that the easiest way to kill them in most situations is to approach one from the front-side, lock with Harpoons on double fire mode, and fire at about 500m. Due to poor response time caused by its likely velocity limiting maneuverability, and countermeasures both behind it (while Harpoons are in front), and the Harpoon's harder to fool guidance system, the Manticore is easily dispatched. I've had about... a 90%-ish success rate with this. Only once in a blue moon do the Harpoons miss in this situation, which I have found to be quite a common one with Manticores.

Really the Manticores, though harder than Basilisks are pretty standard Subach fodder in FreeSpace. Their main vulnerability lies in their armor, it doesn't require a big hole in their shields for the next hit to be lethal.

One of the most common fighters in the game. I wouldn't call it so much an interceptor as a space superiority fighter.

The Dragon is the worst. The Manticore is second. It has a fairly small profile, and it likes using the afterburner. If you're piloting anything larger than an interceptor, don't chase it. It may sound suicidal, but try to engage it in a dogfight; you stand a better chance of killing it that way as it is so close to your ship. Alternatively, try using dual Harpoons against it. With such low-class armour, you can be SURE that it'll go down if the missiles hit it.

The Manticore is poorly served by its pure speed and the afterburner-happy FS AI. As perverse as it sounds, a Herc II is quite often able to turn inside the Manticore because the Manticore's much greater speed, particularly if using afterburner, stretches its turning radius out. In particular on afterburner the ship is going so quickly that its turns become very gentle relatively, making it easy to gain aspect missile lock.