One Fatal Flaw of the Mantis Cruiser Type B

[MufinnMan]

I was doing so well in my current game of FTL. I was checking out a nebula near the end of the second sector while looking for fuel. Using up the last of my fuel, I came across a scenario giving me the choice to pursue a ship with fuel stores, or a ship with ammo stores. I of course chose the fuel stores.

It turns out the ship has Zoltan shields and I have no weapons to take it down. My only defense and offense is boarding or jumping to a new sector. In a previous game where I ran out of fuel, the enemy ship jumped away after I couldn't kill it. This current one has not jumped away after 10 minutes.

After an intense bombardment and repairing from their bomb and heavy lasers, I come to realize they will never give up the assault. They've run out of missiles and can no longer pierce my shields.

So now I guess my only choice is to lower my shields and hope that they deal me a swift death?

(Open the image in a new tab to see the whole picture)

[BKT]

So now I guess my only choice is to lower my shields and hope that they deal me a swift death?

lol.

I would suggest venting the air out of your ship instead of lowering your shield; slow and painful death is always more fun to watch!

[marted]

boarding drone may damage zoltan shields I have not tested this

[UltraMantis]

boarding drone may damage zoltan shields I have not tested this

Sadly, no. Waste of a drone.

The Mantis B has more than one fatal flaw. It's got poor engines that make if difficult to flee. Poor engines give poor evasion also. If you are boarding, you ship is a complete sitting duck, and the shields can only protect you so much.

In the early game (before getting crew, a weapon and some engine upgrades) you will struggle a LOT against airless ships and Zoltan vessels. The Basilisk is probably the most powerfull ship once it gets going, but it has a very rough start. Not as bad as Zoltan B or Stealth B but still very tough if the dice roll against you.

[AstralStorm]

Why didn't you man the engines? Always keep at least one person there for the opportunity to escape!
That's even more important in boarding-oriented ships like Mantis B, Slug B and Rock.

[UglyBastard]

Why didn't you man the engines?

Because he has no fuel anyway?

[AstralStorm]

Oh indeed, that's real bad...

[Kolkko]

I've had stalemate situations when out of fuel vs various rebel ships and they eventually jumped away. I guess they forgot to add this behavior to some ships.