Giant mantises are mutated mantises created by the horticultural experiments at Vault 22. They have escaped from the vault and have spread into the Mojave Wasteland. Compared to other mutant creatures, they are much closer (genetically) to the regular animal, although much larger. Mantises are significantly smaller than humans, but have an incredibly powerful attack. They almost always attack in swarms.
Mantis eggs and mantis forelegs may be taken from their bodies. Forelegs don't sell for much, but they may be used to make the useful consumable grilled mantis. Eggs sell for more than forelegs, but are not weightless. However, the eggs are needed for the quest Bleed Me Dry, if you don't collect the egg clutch.
Gameplay attributes[]
Giant mantises are small compared to most other creatures and they will jump towards the player, slicing with their forelegs.
Variants[]
Giant mantis[]
Regular giant mantis with the abilities mentioned above. Descended from smaller mantises from before the war, due to radiation and possibly experimentation within Vault 22 these insects have grown much larger.
Average: Will avoid/flee from threats stronger than itself.
Group
Helps nobody: Will not help anyone.
Attack
Melee (40 Damage)
Ability
Poison Poison resistance 100%
Dead none
Giant mantis female[]
Female giant mantis. More powerful than the normal giant mantis, and larger too. They may have mantis eggs in their inventory. One can be found in the caves of Vault 22.
Young giant mantis. They are much smaller and weaker than adult mantis. With a high enough Strength, they can be killed simply by stepping on them. Usually found early in the game at the Goodsprings schoolhouse, Nevada Highway Patrol Station and other areas, but can also be found in Vault 11 and Vault 22.
The Zion mantis is a variety of giant mantis found in Zion National Park during the Honest Heartsadd-on. They are much larger and more dangerous than the other varieties of giant mantis that are found in the Mojave Wasteland.
This variation of the giant mantis can be found in Zion National Park, during the Honest Hearts add-on. They are by far the strongest mantis in the game.
If you take two or more mantis forelegs off of them, the model's forelegs will explode. Strangely, this does not occur for mantis nymphs or giant Zion mantises.
If a mantis antenna becomes crippled, it will become frenzied and the mantis will begin to attack whatever is within reach, friendlies included.
Mantis nymphs can be killed by stepping on them.
There are quite a few mantises on the way to Jacobstown.
By shooting a mantis ootheca, a dozen giant mantis nymphs will come out and attack the player.
Behind the scenes[]
“
Researching the mantis was the best part of working on this creature. I watched many mantis VS (enemy) videos. You Tube is every animators friend. The Praying Mantis has so many odd behaviors it was a challenge narrowing my options down to the number of animations we could create for this creature.
Xbox 360PlayStation 3PC When a mantis raises its forelegs before attacking its head cannot be targeted in V.A.T.S., this also applies to the PC if an Xbox controller is used.
