SF Manticore

From FreeSpace Wiki
Revision as of 07:12, 5 November 2007 by AllStarZ (talk | contribs) (Veteran Comments)
Jump to: navigation, search
Terran ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers
Capital ships
Installations
Misc Ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Vasudan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers
Capital ships
Misc Ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Shivan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers
Capital ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Notable ships of FreeSpace 1


Terran ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Installations
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Vasudan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Shivan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Notable ships of FreeSpace 2



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

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 23 m

Armaments

Freespace 1 Freespace 2
Bank Guns Standard Loadout Standard Loadout
1st 2 Shivan Mega Laser Shivan Mega Laser
Freespace 1 Freespace 2
Bank Capacity Standard Loadout Standard Loadout
1st 40 Interceptor Harpoon
2nd 40 MX-50 MX-64

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.


The Manticore is really quite dangerous. It's faster then anything you'll have access to, and has an annoying habit of getting behind you. It's 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 Rockeys, making it something you do not want behind you. It's really a common fighter, so you should get used to fighting it alot.


Its target profile is surpisingly 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 quikly 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 counter measures both behind it (while Harpoons are in front), and the Harpoon's harder to fool guidence system, the Manticore is easily dispatched. I've had about..... an 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.


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.