- "The famous Mantis thief, KazaaakplethKilik, owns this ship. You'll have to "convince" him to help you."
Layout A
"This warship is designed to enhance its crew for close combat missions."
- Default name: The Gila Monster
- Starting Crew: 3 Mantis, 1 Engi
- Starting Reactor: 7
- Starting Systems:
- Starting Weapons:
- Starting Augmentation:
- Starting Resources:
- 16 Fuel
- 16 Missiles
- 0 Drone parts
- Slots: 3 Weapon, 2 Drone (requires system)
Unlock
See Legendary Thief KazaaakplethKilik random event.
Alternatively, defeat The Rebel Flagship with the Zoltan Cruiser.
Layout B
"This warship encourages sending massive boarding parties and keeping strong defense."
- Default Name: The Basilisk
- Starting Crew: 2 Mantis
- Starting Reactor: 11
- Starting Systems:
- Starting Drones:
- Starting Augmentation:
- Starting Resources:
- 16 Fuel
- 0 Missiles
- 15 Drone parts
- Slots: 3 Weapon, 2 Drone
One of the few ships with a four man crew teleporter; one of the few ships without starting Weapons.
Unlock
Earning two of the three Mantis Cruiser achievements will unlock Layout B.
Trivia
In legends, a basilisk is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king, who can cause death with a single glance.
Layout C
"With a large teleporter and weapons designed to impede enemy crew, this ship is deadly in the hands of a capable boarding party."
- Default Name: The Theseus
- Starting Crew: 1 Engi, 1 Mantis, 1 Lanius
- Starting Reactor: 8
- Starting Systems:
- Starting Weapons:
- Starting Augmentation:
- Starting Resources:
- 16 Fuel
- 20 Missiles
- 0 Drone parts
- Slots: 3 Weapon, 2 Drone (requires system)
One of the few ships with a four man crew teleporter.
Unlock
Reaching Sector 8 with the Mantis Cruiser B and Advanced Edition Content enabled will unlock layout C.
Trivia
Likely a reference to the Ship of Theseus, a philosophical thought experiment.
Achievements
- Take no prisoners! - Kill the crew of 20 ships by sector 6 in the Mantis Cruiser.
- Avast, ye scurvy dogs! - Kill 5 enemy crew in a fight without taking hull damage or losing a crew member while using the Mantis Cruiser.
- Battle Royale - While using the Mantis Cruiser, kill the last enemy with your last crew member on their ship.