Manticore

Specifically engineered to fire torpedoes, stealth bombers represent the next generation in covert ops craft. The bombers are designed for sneak attacks on large vessels with powerful missile guidance technology enabling the torpedoes to strike faster and from a longer distance.

Developer: Lai Dai

Lai Dai have always favored a balanced approach to their mix of on-board systems, leading to a line-up of versatile ships.

The Manticore is the Caldari Stealth Bomber. Its unique selling point is its high CPU, which means that, unlike the Nemesis, it can comfortably populate its 4 mid slots. This makes the Manticore arguably the best solo torpedo bomber, since it can use its mids to fit EWAR modules to prevent a target from fighting back.

Caldari Frigate bonuses (per skill level):

• 10% bonus to Torpedo explosion velocity and flight time
• 20% bonus to Torpedo max velocity

Covert Ops bonuses (per skill level):

• 5% bonus to kinetic Bomb damage
• 15% bonus to kinetic Torpedo damage

Role Bonus:

• 99.65% reduction in Torpedo Launcher powergrid requirement
• 50% reduction in Cloaking Devices CPU requirement
• No targeting delay after Cloaking Device deactivation
• Can fit Covert Ops Cloaking Device, Covert Cynosural Field Generator and Bomb Launcher
• Cloak reactivation delay reduced to 15 seconds

• Caldari Frigate V
  • Spaceship Command I

• Covert Ops I
  • Electronics Upgrades V
    • CPU Management II
    • Power Grid Management II
  • Spaceship Command III

[Manticore, Predditors Hotdrop Special]

Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Ballistic Control System II

Low Frequency Sensor Suppressor I
Low Frequency Sensor Suppressor I
Limited 1MN Microwarpdrive I
Medium Azeotropic Ward Salubrity I

Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
Covert Cynosural Field Generator I /OFFLINE


Small Warhead Calefaction Catalyst I
Small Bay Loading Accelerator I

Fit the Medium Azeotropic Ward Salubrity I first and the rest of the mid slots second. If you have fitting issues, try Small Core Defence Field Extenders for the rig slots and/or Malkuth launchers. Swap out mid slots as a last resort. All races of bombers work together to form hot drop fleet doctrine. In a nutshell, Hounds and Purifiers have MWDs and points. Manticores and Nemeses target paint and damp. Fit a Catalyzed Cold-Gas I Arcjet Thrusters if your fitting skills allow, and keep one in your cargohold for travel if you cannot.

This fit qualifies for bomber reimbursement under the rules posted in Reimbursement:Stealth_Bombers

[Manticore, Dual MASB]

Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Ballistic Control System II

1MN Afterburner II
Warp Disruptor II
Medium Ancillary Shield Booster, Navy Cap Booster 50
Medium Ancillary Shield Booster, Navy Cap Booster 50

Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
Core Probe Launcher I, Sisters Core Scanner Probes

Small Processor Overclocking Unit I
Small Warhead Rigor Catalyst II

This fit is made to roam solo in wormhole space, and then take nullsec exits from wormholes to hunt miners, indy ships and ratters. It's basically designed to let you tank drone damage long enough to secure a kill on a ship that you'd otherwise have to warp out on. There is ZERO buffer on this fit, so any ships that are capable of alphaing you are not gonna be good targets. Pretty fun to fly, as the dual masbs give you a larger engagement window than you'd have otherwise. Requires a cheap 1% cpu implant unless you want to drop the T2 point for a meta 4, or bling the probe launcher or BCS… neither of which I recommend.

[Manticore, Fuck Ratters]

Micro Auxiliary Power Core I
Ballistic Control System II

1MN Afterburner II
Warp Disruptor II
Medium Shield Extender II
Low Frequency Sensor Suppressor I, Scan Resolution Dampening Script

Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Caldari Navy Scourge Torpedo
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
Cynosural Field Generator I /OFFLINE

Small Warhead Calefaction Catalyst I
Small Bay Loading Accelerator I

This fit is most effective when used against battleships. The Afterburner helps to speed tank guns and missiles, and the Medium Shield Extender gives you some extra durability, which comes in handy especially when you have drones on you. The Sensor Dampener provides a large advantage against battleships, and to a smaller extent battlecruisers. Lock time is a function of the targeter's scan resolution and the target's signature radius.

• T = (40000/X)/(asinh(Y)^2)

Where:

• X = Targeter's scan resolution
• Y = Target's signature radius
• T = Lock time

Decreasing scan resolution or signature radius will increase lock time. Battleships have naturally low scan resolutions, and stealth bombers have naturally low signature radii. This means that a battleship will take fairly long to lock a bomber. For example: an all V's Raven takes 18.4s to lock with no damp, 27.5s with the damp, and 30.5s with Signal Suppression IV. That is an extra 9-12 seconds of not being locked, which means less incoming damage, which means you can stay on the field for longer and potentially secure an otherwise-impossible kill. You can also completely reset the lock timer by recloaking and decloaking before they've locked you. There are two caveats to this; doing so will cost you a few seconds by messing with your module cycles, and you shouldn't try this if the target is aligned out. If they are, they can warp out when your point drops as you cloak. There are two main drawbacks. An afterburner is much less useful for evading gate camps, making you very susceptible to them. Avoid jumping between systems unnecessarily once you've found an area to camp to minimize your risk. The other problem is cap stability. This fit, even with perfect skills, is not cap stable. With my skills, the cap lasts for 1m 40s. To compensate, don't run your AB till you're about to be targeted, and turn your dampener off after they've locked you. This should allow you to avoid capping out during a fight, provided your skills aren't complete trash.

[Manticore, Sec Grinder]

Nanofiber Internal Structure II
Ballistic Control System II

1MN Afterburner II
Target Painter II
Small Shield Extender II
Small Shield Extender II

Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Scourge Torpedo
Prototype 'Arbalest' Torpedo Launcher, Scourge Torpedo
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
[Empty High slot]

Small Warhead Calefaction Catalyst I
Small Bay Loading Accelerator I

Great for grinding sec status.