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[Killer of Fate]

I talked *** about Harpoons some time ago, cause I'm a High Tech user, and that slot is meant to be spent on something melee. But recently I had the occasion to use Manticore with Hepheastustnioawdnaniowd (how do I write this word!?), 3 autocannons and Harpoons. And goddamn. This is like the perfect thing.

Artillery units in Starsector are always really useful, cause mobility often comes at a huge price. So, it's hard to actually rush the damn things when they are hiding inside the enemy lines. And it shows. Manticore with range buffs can just sit comfortably and spam firepower at a lot of threats. And there is nothing really things can do. And on top of that those Harpoons are just like... "Yeah, you thought being alive was fun? Too bad".

But I could be hugely wrong. I'm sure if I go up against Remnants this thing's weaknesses will become far more obvious to me.

[Brainwright]

Depends on what you're using it for, but it's certainly better as an escort than a Sunder, which is more focused on support.

That build you mention would be weak to intense combat, but so long as its grouped with larger ships, it should be good.

Might need to change the loadout when going up against the Remnants, though.  That might not be enough to consistently pressure their shields, but the Harpoons will still be useful.

[Thaago]

Yup, good build. 900 range weaponry, a crucial large ballistic for HE, and harpoons just kill things. What build are you using in terms of hullmods/flux stats/etc? I find it difficult to maximize the potential of both guns and missiles on manticores (which is by design, without the tight OP their weapons package would be even better).

IMO the manitocre pays for it in terms of low speed + poor shield + inconsistent PD = quite vulnerable to getting swarmed and missile strikes against it. And its damage balance is a bit low on kinetic for endgame fights. But if it has some ships around to help it not get focused and to provide shield pressure (like a squall boat) then those are mitigated and the strong points shine.

In terms of "the best" for destroyer endgame, I'd say it is up there, depending on wanted role. Sunders give significantly better direct damage (HIL and sys-ex high energy focus) at longer range (1000*range modifiers + 200 vs 900*(range modifiers + 10% ballistic mastery)), with higher speed, at the cost of missiles. Medusas have much less damage and also no missiles, but is so tough and mobile that in role it is a hyper-mobile monitor with ok guns.

[Bungee_man]

I tried EP Manticores and Sunders against Remnant, but without using the 'rally civilian ships' loophole to make my battleships form a line, they tended to get caught out in front too often. Has anyone got a reliable build with them?

[Daynen]

Haven't really used the manticore myself yet but I DO have a healthy respect for slightly overgunned vessels.  Shame it doesn't have an ammo feeder but I guess you can't have it all, aye?

[Thaago]

Anyone have experience trying to optimize the LP Manticore? A bit expensive early game as restoration is mandatory, but it brings a large missile for 14. I've picked one up in early game (3rd destroyer, level 4 main character) and am using a Hammer Barrage, and its pretty nasty for as long as the ammo lasts (which even with a missile officer is not long, though I don't have EMR hullmod unlocked yet).

[Cryovolcanic]

I found this thread useful when theorycrafting the LP Manticore:

https://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=27967.0

My general sense is that these ships only work when the fleet has a cohesive doctrine, e.g., everyone wants to charge in and fight in melee, or everyone wants to hang back and spam ballistics at 1800 range. Obviously the LP Manticore won't work in the latter setup.