Nephilim "Manta" Heavy Fighter
Name: Manta
Craft: Nephilim Manta Heavy Fighter
Type: Heavy Fighter
Scale: starfighter
Length: 15 meters (estimated)
Skill: starfighter pilot
Crew: 1
Cargo Capacity: 400 kg
Consumables: 9 days
Maneuverability: 3D+2
Space: 13
Atmosphere: 470; 1,350 km/h
Hull: 6D+2
Shields: 3D+1
Sensors
- Passive: 70 / 1D+2
- Scan: 140 / 3D+1
- Search: 280 / 5D+1
- Focus: 7 / 7D
Weapons
- 2 Gorgon Heavy
- Fire Arc: Forward Narrow
Crew: 1
Scale: walker
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 100-1,000/2,000/4,000m
Rate of fire: 3
Damage: 8D
- Nephilim Light Plasma Cannon
- Fire Arc: Forward Narrow
Crew: 1
Scale: walker
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 100-1,000/2,000/4,000m
Rate of fire: 4
Damage: 4D
- Cerberus Friend-or-Foe Missile
- Fire Arc: Forward Narrow
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-45/90/180
Atmosphere Range: 100-4,500/9,000/18,000m
Rate of fire: 3
Ammo: 3
Damage: 3D+2
- Medusa Image Recognition Missiles
- Fire Arc: Forward Narrow
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-30/60/80
Atmosphere Range: 100-3,000/6,000/8,000m
Rate of fire: 3
Ammo: Light Ordnance Hardpoint x1
Damage: 5D
- Proteus Swarmer Missiles
- Fire Arc: Forward Narrow
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-30/60/180
Atmosphere Range: 100-3,000/6,000/18,000m
Rate of fire: 3
Ammo: Light Ordnance Hardpoint x1
Damage: 3D+2
- Electronic Counter Measure Module
- Fire Arc: all
Crew: 1
Skill: sensors
Space Range: 1-13/25/50
Atmosphere Range: 1-25/50/100km
Effects: Enemy Sensors and Fire Control -2D
- Enhanced Countermeasure Pod Dispenser
- Fire Arc: aft
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: sensors
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-13/25/50
Atmosphere Range: 1-25/50/100km
Ammo: 24
Rate of fire: 1
Effects: Enemy Sensors & Fire Control -2D
Gear:
- Matter/Antimatter Power Plant
- Auto-Repair System: Adds 5D to all repair checks.
Total Hardpoints:
- Gun Hardpoint x3 (Forward Narrow; Gorgon x2, Plasma x1)
- Light Ordnance Hardpoint x2 (Forward Narrow; ImRec x1, Swarmer x1)
- Quintuple Light Ordnance Hardpoint x1 (Forward Narrow; IFFx3, None x2)
- Heavy Ordnance Hardpoint x1 (Forward Narrow; None)).
Description: The Manta is the Alien heavy fighter. It is much less maneuverable than the Moray, but is capable of withstanding more hits, and delivering more damage.
Mantas rarely travel alone. They seek out the heart of any dustup, and when they get there the enemy pays attention. Each Manta is equipped with both guns and missiles, and heavy armor on all sides. The weaponry is formidable, and a lock successfully maintained by one of these fighters usually results in fireworks. The best defensive maneuvers against them are usually right turns in a more nimble ship, and teamwork in slower ones.
It is important to note that the least shielded area on a Manta is the aft quarter, making the tail the best target for any more maneuverable ship.
Because the Manta has extra power diverted to its shields, it is somewhat less nible than it could be, but Manta pilots have learned to compensate by employing maneuvers that are not so much "light" as "strategic." Be prepared for a Manta to exhibit pitch and roll maneuvers, loops and wingovers.
Beware of red Mantas -- these carry a bomber loadout (described below) and they do present a threat to a capital ship.
Source:
- Wing Commander Encyclopedia: Manta
- The Wing Commander Role Playing Game (pages 313-314)
- thedemonapostle