The Ultimate Mantis Slayer: Choosing the Best Weapon in Grounded

The Orchid Mantis. Even the name strikes fear into the hearts of seasoned Grounded players. This optional boss is a formidable opponent, boasting high damage, fast attacks, and a massive health pool. But fear not, intrepid explorer! Victory is within reach, and it all starts with selecting the right weapon. So, what is the best weapon to bring to this brutal bug brawl? The answer, unequivocally, is the Salt Morning Star.

Why the Salt Morning Star Reigns Supreme

The Salt Morning Star isn’t just “good” against the Mantis; it’s specifically engineered to exploit its greatest weakness: Salty damage. While other weapons can be adapted with Salt upgrades, the Morning Star boasts innate Salty damage right out of the gate. This is a huge advantage, saving you precious resources and upgrade materials.

Here’s a breakdown of why the Salt Morning Star is the ideal choice:

• Innate Salty Damage: As mentioned, this is the primary reason. The Mantis is highly resistant to most other damage types. Wielding a weapon that inherently deals Salty damage cuts through its defenses like a hot knife through butter.
• One-Handed Versatility: The Salt Morning Star is a one-handed weapon. This is critical because it allows you to equip a shield in your off-hand. The Mantis has several powerful attacks that are best blocked, and a shield is your best defense against these devastating blows. Learn the attack patterns and perfect block accordingly!
• Stun Potential: The Morning Star has a decent chance to stun the Mantis, even if you don’t perfect block. While not guaranteed, any opportunity to interrupt its attack sequence is valuable. This small window can allow you to unleash a series of quick blows or reposition for better safety.
• Ease of Acquisition: While not exactly lying around in a chest, acquiring the materials for the Salt Morning Star is relatively straightforward compared to some other late-game weapons. You’ll primarily need Salt Shards, which can be found in the Sandbox biome.

Gearing Up for Success: More Than Just a Weapon

While the Salt Morning Star is crucial, it’s not the only factor determining your success. Consider these additional preparations:

• Armor: The Assassin’s Armor, crafted from Mantis parts after your first victory, is a fantastic choice. Its focus on critical hits and bleed damage synergizes well with the Salt Morning Star. However, if you haven’t defeated the Mantis yet, the Ladybug Armor offers solid defense and a healing bonus.
• Buffs: Consume meals and drinks that boost your damage output and survivability. The Beefy Green Machine smoothie is a staple, increasing your maximum health. For damage, consider a spicy weapon buff or a strength-boosting meal.
• Mutations: Prioritize mutations that enhance your damage, critical hit chance, or blocking ability. Meat Shield, Buff Lungs, and Coup de Grass are excellent choices.
• Strategy: Learn the Mantis’s attack patterns. It has a predictable sequence of strikes, allowing you to anticipate and perfect block. Understanding its weaknesses and attack tells is half the battle.

Other Weapon Options: A Distant Second Place

While the Salt Morning Star is the top pick, alternative weapons can be viable, albeit with significantly more effort and less effectiveness:

• Salt-Infused Weapons: Any weapon upgraded with Salt shards can inflict Salty damage. However, this requires a substantial investment of resources. Furthermore, two-handed weapons will force you to forsake a shield, leaving you vulnerable.
• Spicy Coaltana: The Mantis does have a Spicy damage weakness and a slashing damage weakness. While not its primary vulnerability, spicy damage can contribute to your overall DPS. The Coaltana provides that bonus as well as a slashing damage bonus.
• Tick Macuahuitl: This weapon also deals slashing damage, so if you do not have a Spicy Coaltana or cannot yet create the weapon, this weapon can be a substitute.

Remember, these alternatives require significant upgrades and still won’t be as efficient as the Salt Morning Star.

The Psychological Edge

Finally, there’s a psychological component. Knowing you’re wielding the best possible weapon for the job boosts your confidence. Confidence translates to better focus, quicker reactions, and ultimately, a higher chance of victory. Facing the Mantis can be daunting, but being well-prepared with the optimal gear gives you a crucial psychological edge. You might even consider exploring the educational aspect of the game through resources like the Games Learning Society to understand the underlying mechanics and improve your gameplay: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fighting the Mantis

1. How hard is the Mantis boss in Grounded?

The Orchid Mantis is widely considered one of the toughest, if not the toughest, optional bosses in Grounded. Its high damage output, fast attacks, considerable health pool, and resistance to most damage types make it a significant challenge.

2. What are the Mantis’s weaknesses?

The Mantis is primarily weak to Salty damage. It also exhibits a vulnerability to Spicy damage, although to a lesser extent.

3. Does Spicy Safety work against the Mantis?

While the Mantis isn’t directly tied to a specific “spicy” hazard, it is vulnerable to Spicy damage. Therefore, applying a Spicy buff to your weapon can provide a marginal damage increase.

4. Is the Mantis harder than the Broodmother?

Difficulty is subjective, but most players find the Mantis to be a more challenging fight than the Broodmother. The Mantis’s speed, unpredictable attacks, and high damage output make it a formidable opponent.

5. What level weapon do I need for the Mantis?

The Salt Morning Star, a Tier 3 weapon, is highly recommended. Trying to fight the Mantis with lower-tier weapons will be an uphill battle.

6. Is there Mantis armor in Grounded?

Yes, the Assassin’s Armor is crafted from Mantis parts. It focuses on critical hits and bleed damage, making it an excellent choice for subsequent Mantis fights or general combat.

7. How do I get Mantis armor in Grounded?

You obtain Mantis armor by defeating the Mantis boss and harvesting its parts. You’ll need Mantis Claws, Mantis Chunks, and Lint Rope to craft the full set.

8. What mutations are best for the Mantis fight?

Meat Shield (increased health), Buff Lungs (increased stamina), Coup de Grass (increased critical hit chance), Parry Master (improved perfect blocking), and Blademaster (increased weapon damage) are all excellent choices.

9. Can you parry the Mantis?

Yes, perfect blocking (parrying) is crucial for surviving the Mantis fight. Its attacks are powerful and can quickly deplete your health if not blocked effectively.

10. What food buffs should I use for the Mantis fight?

The Beefy Green Machine smoothie (increased health), a Spicy weapon buff, and a strength-boosting meal like the Fuzzy Fuzzlet are all beneficial.

11. Where is the Mantis located in Grounded?

The Mantis is found in the flower pot in the Upper Yard. You’ll need a specific keycard to access its arena.

12. Can I beat the Mantis solo?

Yes, the Mantis can be defeated solo, although it is significantly more challenging than fighting it with a group. Proper preparation, gear, and strategy are essential for solo success.

13. What happens when you beat the Mantis?

Defeating the Mantis unlocks the recipe for the Assassin’s Armor and the Scythe of Blossoms, a powerful two-handed dagger.

14. Is the Mantis respawnable?

No, the Mantis is a one-time boss fight. Once defeated, it does not respawn.

15. What is the best strategy for defeating the Mantis?

Learn the Mantis’s attack patterns and prioritize perfect blocking. Use the Salt Morning Star to exploit its Salty weakness. Equip a shield for defense. Consume health and damage-boosting buffs. Utilize mutations that enhance your survivability and damage output. And most importantly, don’t give up! With perseverance and the right approach, you can conquer the Mantis.