Is the Mantis Ship Worth It in Starfield? A Deep Dive
Absolutely! The Razorleaf, the ship you acquire during the Mantis quest, is undeniably worth the effort in Starfield. It’s not just about getting a free ship early in the game; it’s about obtaining a powerful vessel with unique benefits that significantly enhance your gameplay experience, especially in the early to mid-game. The Mantis ship, along with the legendary armor set, provides a substantial boost to your capabilities, making it a must-do for any Starfield player. Let’s explore why.
Why the Mantis Ship is a Game-Changer
The Razorleaf stands out for several reasons, making it far superior to your starting ship, the Frontier. Here’s a closer look:
Superior Combat Capabilities
The Razorleaf boasts a better selection of weaponry right from the start. It features more effective guns and shields, making ship-to-ship combat significantly easier compared to the Frontier. Early game combat can be challenging; the Razorleaf allows you to confidently engage enemy vessels without feeling completely outmatched. This advantage is crucial for completing quests, exploring new systems, and surviving random encounters.
Enhanced Durability and Mobility
Besides firepower, the Razorleaf offers more fuel and health, which provides much needed survivability. You can travel for longer periods before needing to refuel, and take more damage before being destroyed. Additionally, its lighter frame makes it faster and more agile than the Frontier, allowing you to maneuver more effectively in dogfights and escape sticky situations when needed. This boost in mobility is a key advantage, especially in early gameplay.
Unique Legacy
The Razorleaf’s cockpit holds a legacy, not just a simple set of stats. This legacy can intimidate and confuse enemies, providing a psychological edge in combat. When you enter a system or engage enemies in combat, they sometimes will pause or flee, and some may even call you the Mantis. While not a tangible stat, this feature is one of the game’s many immersive features and unique role-playing experiences.
It’s Free!
Let’s not forget the most appealing part – the Razorleaf is completely free. Instead of spending precious credits on a new ship or upgrades, you can acquire the Razorleaf by completing a side mission. This makes it one of the best investments you can make early in the game, given its value and the minimal time investment it requires.
The Legendary Mantis Armor: A Perfect Complement
The Mantis quest doesn’t just reward you with a ship; it also gives you access to the legendary Mantis armor set. This includes a helmet, pack, and spacesuit, all of which come with fantastic stats and beneficial traits.
Early Game Advantage
The Mantis armor set is especially valuable during the early game. It provides significantly better protection than most armors available at that stage, boosting your damage resistance and enhancing your survivability. This is essential for taking on tougher missions, exploring dangerous environments, and standing a chance against tougher enemies.
Beneficial Traits
The Mantis gear isn’t just about numbers; it also features a variety of perks that boost your abilities. These traits can vary with each piece of the set, but they generally enhance combat effectiveness, movement speed, and damage output. The combination of great stats and powerful traits makes this armor set a must-have for early game exploration.
How to Obtain the Mantis Ship and Armor
The Mantis quest is triggered by finding a specific note (a dataslate) that usually drops from a Spacer enemy. The quest is not tied to your main storyline so you can focus on getting the ship early in the game. Here’s a summary:
- Locate the Dataslate: Look for the “Secret Outpost!” note from Spacer enemies you encounter during your exploration.
- Travel to the Specified System: The note will direct you to a system with level 30 encounters, but the enemies you face within the Mantis quest are much weaker.
- Complete the Mission: Navigate the outpost, solve a small puzzle involving walking across a word on the floor and defeat all of the enemies.
- Claim Your Rewards: Once you’ve completed the mission, the Razorleaf will be yours, along with the Mantis armor.
While the system may appear intimidating at a higher level (Denebola at level 30), the quest itself can be completed relatively early in your playthrough, often around level 10, with proper preparation, and frequent quick saves.
Conclusion
The Mantis ship and armor set are undoubtedly worth the time and effort in Starfield. The Razorleaf offers a significant upgrade over the Frontier in terms of firepower, durability, and mobility, while the Mantis armor provides crucial protection and beneficial traits. Together, these rewards greatly enhance your early gameplay, allowing you to explore, fight, and survive more effectively. The fact that they are completely free makes them one of the best early investments you can make in Starfield. Don’t miss out on this game-changing opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Mantis quest in Starfield?
The Mantis quest is a side mission in Starfield that rewards you with the Razorleaf ship and Mantis armor. It’s triggered by finding a “Secret Outpost!” note on a Spacer enemy.
2. How do you get the Mantis ship?
You get the Mantis ship by completing the Mantis quest. This involves traveling to a specified location, navigating a dangerous facility, and defeating enemies. Once complete, you will be able to claim the Razorleaf from the main hangar.
3. Is the Razorleaf better than the Frontier?
Yes, the Razorleaf is significantly better than the Frontier. It has superior weapons, more health, more fuel, and is more agile, making it better for combat and general travel.
4. What is the Mantis armor set?
The Mantis armor set includes a helmet, pack, and spacesuit, all with excellent stats and beneficial perks. They provide crucial early to mid-game protection.
5. Can I upgrade the Mantis ship?
Yes, you can upgrade the Razorleaf at any ship technician. You can change weapons, engines, reactors, and cargo as you see fit. Be mindful of adding cargo as too much mass can reduce its combat effectiveness.
6. What level should I be to start the Mantis quest?
The note can drop relatively early, but the system it directs you to is level 30. However, the enemies you face in the Mantis location are easier and it can be completed as early as level 10 if you are careful and make frequent quick saves.
7. Where can I find the note to start the Mantis quest?
The “Secret Outpost!” note can be found on Spacer enemies throughout the game. The note is random so it may take time to get a drop.
8. How long does the Mantis quest take to complete?
The quest usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on your combat experience and exploration speed.
9. What are the benefits of flying the Razorleaf?
The Razorleaf is faster, more agile, and features better weapons and shields than the Frontier. Its legacy also makes some enemies flee, and intimidate others.
10. Is the Mantis armor better than the Mark 1 Constellation Spacesuit?
The Mantis armor provides great early-game perks but has a lower damage resistance than the Mark 1 Constellation Spacesuit.
11. Can you lose the Mantis ship?
No, you cannot lose the Razorleaf. Once obtained, it becomes part of your collection, even when you add other ships. It can be found at any ship technician.
12. Are the Mantis Lords related to the Mantis quest?
No, the Mantis Lords are from the game Hollow Knight and are not related to the Mantis quest in Starfield.
13. What should I do with my old ship after getting the Razorleaf?
Once you acquire a new ship, your old ship simply disappears and is no longer available.
14. Is the Mantis ship considered legendary?
Yes, the Razorleaf is often referred to as a legendary ship because it is a unique, powerful, and free ship acquired through a quest.
15. What is the best free ship in Starfield besides the Razorleaf?
Other great free ships in Starfield include the Star Eagle, obtained from completing the Freestar Collective questline, and the Kepler R (or Kepler S) obtained through a side quest. The Starborn Guardian is another powerful ship, obtained through New Game+