| “ | Ranged myth unit that fires a volley of spikes from its tail. Good against human soldiers. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
| “ | Myth unit. A ranged beast that fires a volley of spikes from its tail. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
The Manticore is a monstrous leonine Greek myth unit available by worshiping Apollo in the Heroic Age.
Ability[]
Spine Volley (Charged): Fires a salvo of six spines that do 11 pierce damage each (2× vs. myth units, 0.25× vs heroes) at range of 16 in an area of 3. Recharge time: 15 seconds.- Solar Flare (Passive, requires Sun Ray): Projectiles reveal the area around where they land. (since Retold)
Further statistics[]
God bonuses[]
- Zeus: -1 population cost.
- Hades: +15% hit points.
General technologies[]
- Ballistics: Fires more accurately at moving enemy targets. (since Retold)
Myth technologies[]
- Oracle (Apollo): +5 Line of Sight.
- Sun Ray (Apollo): +15% damage, projectiles reveal the surrounding area.
- Monstrous Rage (Hera): -25% Rate of Fire, +15% speed.*
Age bonuses[]
- Mythic Age: +20% hit points, +20% damage.
- Wonder Age: +100% hit points, +100% damage, +20% speed.
Relics[]
- Bow of Artemis: -10% wood and gold cost.
- Jade Hare: +5% movement speed.
- Nine-Tailed Fox Charm: +0.5 hit points per second regeneration.
- Pandora's Box: -15% favor cost.
- Pelt of Argus: +6 Line of Sight.
- Scales of a Catoblepas: -15% pierce vulnerability.
- Tail of Cerberus: -25% ability recharge time.
- Scales of Echidna: -15% cost except favor.
Strategy[]
Manticores have a ranged attack and have an attack bonus against myth units. They attack over range by firing many spikes with limited accuracy, and are effective support units. They should not be in the thick of combat. Instead, they should stay on the sidelines and just continually deal damage while stronger units finish off the enemy. Despite being costlier in resources and population space than ordinary archers, Manticores end up being cost-effective due to their higher hit points and damage output, making them better able to deal with large numbers of melee infantry, even after the distance between them is closed. Likewise, Manticores have better survivability in combat than Centaurs, though the latter are more effective at raiding. As with other myth units, they are vulnerable to heroes, particularly ranged heroes as these cannot be hit safely from a distance while melee forces are engaged - the preferred position for Manticores. Likewise, Medusai will eliminate them quickly, which can be a palpable blow in terms of resources lost.
Since Retold, Hades players benefit from more durable Manticores, while those of Zeus are yet more cost-effective in terms of population space, and can be further improved with Hera's Monstrous Rage technology in the Mythic Age, which will help reduce its relative disadvantage in speed against mounted units. Apollo also provides the Sun Ray technology, which improves the Manticore's attack and Line of Sight, along with those of other ranged units.
Changelog[]
Age of Mythology[]
- Manticores have a movement speed of 4.3, a damage multiplier of 2× vs. myth units, 20 Line of Sight, cost 300 wood, 28 favor, and take 5 population. Their special attack launches 6 barbs, each dealing 15 pierce damage.
- Manticores gain no additional hit points or attack in the Mythic Age.
The Titans[]
Tale of the Dragon[]
- With patch 2.7, Manticores can no longer use their special attack against Atlantean Citizen Heroes.
Retold[]
- Manticores have a movement speed of 4.6, 18 Line of Sight, and take 4 population. Their special attack launches 6 barbs, each dealing 11 pierce damage.
- Manticores gain +20% hit points and damage in the Mythic Age. They further gain +100% hit points, +100% damage, and +20% speed in the Wonder Age.
Immortal Pillars[]
- With update 18.21333, Manticores cost 250 wood, 25 favor and have a damage multiplier of 3× vs. myth units.
Heavenly Spear[]
- With update 18.52475, its favor cost is 22.
Mythology[]
| “ | Scientific name -- Androphagus occisor Size -- 1,600 lbs. Diet -- carnivore, largely humans The Manticore probably entered Greek mythology from Persia and originated in tales about faraway, exotic India. The beast had the body of a red lion, a human face (with blue eyes and human ears), three rows of teeth, a stinging poisonous tail, and poisonous spines that could be shot like arrows in any direction. Its voice was like a mixture of pipes and trumpets. It was fast and capable of great leaps. When villagers vanished without a trace, it was believed that they were devoured by a manticore. |
” |
| —In-game history section | ||
| “ | Scientific name -- Epibouleos occisor Size -- 1600 lbs. Diet -- carnivore, largely humans The Manticore probably came into Greek mythology from Persia and originated in tales about far away and exotic India. The beast had the body of a red lion, a human face (with blue eyes and human ears), three rows of teeth, a stinging poisonous tail, and poisonous spines that could be shot like arrows in any direction. Its voice was like a mixture of pipes and trumpets. It was fast and capable of great leaps. When villagers vanished without a trace, it was believed they were devoured by a manticore. |
” |
| —In-game history section | ||
Trivia[]
- The in-game Latin scientific name of the Manticore in Retold, Androphagus occisor, translates to "man-eating murderer".
- Manticores are referenced by Nearchos in the Alexander the Great campaign as one of the legendary creatures believed by the Macedonians and other Greeks to dwell in India during the Battle of the Hydaspes scenario.
Gallery[]
Views of the Manticore in Retold
Updated Manticore with new VFX since update 17.30764
Manticore in-game
Manticore (other side)
Pre-release Manticore with lion face and no wings
A woodcut of a manticore from Edward Topsell's The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes, 1607
Video[]
MANTICORE vs EVERY MYTH UNIT - Age of Mythology
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