Master the Mantis Cruiser in FTL: Faster Than Light! Learn the strengths, weaknesses, and unlock conditions for Type A (Gila Monster), Type B (Basalisk), and Type C (Theseus) ships.
The Mantis Cruiser in FTL: Faster Than Light is designed for aggressive boarding tactics, focusing on overwhelming enemy crews rather than destroying their ships outright. Each of its three types offers a unique approach to this playstyle.
Achievements
- Take no prisoners! — Kill 20 enemy crews without destroying the ship by sector 6.
- Avast, ye scurvy dogs! — Kill 5 enemy crews without taking any hull damage AND lose no crew members of your own.
- Battle Royale — Kill the last enemy crewmember with your last crewmember while on board the enemy ship.
Type A (The Gila Monster)
This ship excels at boarding, though it starts with limited sensor information. Its weapon loadout of Basic Laser and Small Bomb can break through shields for boarding, but upgrades are recommended for later game encounters, especially against automated or Super Shield ships.
Starting Features & Loadout
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shields | 2 |
| Engines | 2 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 1 |
| Medbay | 1 |
| Teleport | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel, 16 Missiles, 0 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 3 Mantis, 1 Engi |
| Armament | Basic Laser, Small Bomb |
| Augment | Mantis Pheromones |
Unlock
In the Mantis Homeworld sector, defeat KazaaakplethKilik in battle, and use a level 2 or higher Medbay/Clonebay to save him, OR defeat The Rebel Flagship with the Zoltan Cruiser.
Type B (The Basalisk)
A boarding specialist's dream, the Basalisk starts with no traditional weapons but boasts 4 Drone slots and a level 2 Shield. It relies on its Boarding Drone and Defense Drone Mark I to disrupt and defend while its crew boards. The large Teleport room allows for four crew members to board simultaneously, making it powerful once more crew are acquired.
Starting Features & Loadout
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shields | 4 |
| Engines | 1 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 1 |
| Medbay | 1 |
| Drone | 3 |
| Teleport | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Sensors | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel, 0 Missiles, 15 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 2 Mantis |
| Armament | Boarding Drone, Defense Drone Mark I |
| Augment | Mantis Pheromones |
Unlock
Obtain any 2 of the 3 Mantis Cruiser ship Achievements.
Type C (The Theseus)
This variant enhances the boarding strategy with a level 2 Clonebay, allowing for aggressive plays and quick respawns for boarders. The combination of a Lanius crewmember and weapons like the Lockdown Bomb and Stun Bomb enables effective suffocation tactics. However, it lacks a way to break Super Shields, requiring a weapon upgrade for that purpose.
Starting Features & Loadout
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shields | 2 |
| Engines | 2 |
| Oxygen | 1 |
| Weapons | 2 |
| Clonebay | 1 |
| Teleport | 1 |
| Pilot | 1 |
| Sensors | 1 |
| Doors | 1 |
| Resources | 16 Fuel, 20 Missiles, 0 Drone Parts |
| Crew | 1 Mantis, 1 Engi, 1 Lanius |
| Armament | Lockdown Bomb, Stun Bomb |
| Augment | Mantis Pheromones |
Unlock
Reach Sector 8 (The Last Stand) with the Mantis Cruiser (Type B).
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