Starfield Mantis Puzzle [Walkthrough]

When you acquire the "Secret Outpost!" note, your quest for the Mantis Ship and Spacesuit begins. But you'll come across an intricate puzzle that will halt most players. In this guide, we show how to get to the Mantis puzzle and the best ways to solve it, as well as the rewards that you get from it.

Starfield Mantis puzzle.
Here's a complete guide on the Mantis puzzle's location, solution, and rewards.

The Starfield Mantis puzzle is an elusive side quest since its trigger is hard to find. And once you find it, the puzzle is not the easiest. But don’t worry. This guide will explain all about beginning the Starfield Mantis puzzle and the various solutions.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mantis puzzle can be started in Starfield after you randomly acquire the “Secret Outpost!” note slate from Spacer corpses.
  • Head to the Denebola I-b Moon and land on the Secret Outpost target. Then, head into the building and keep going down until you find Livvey In Starfield.
  • Past Livvey is the Mantis floor puzzle room. You must spell “Tyrannis” with the switches to get to the next room.
  • Eventually, you’ll find the Mantis puzzle rewards: the Mantis’s Spacesuit and Razorleaf Ship in Starfield.

Beginning The Mantis Quest

Mantis Space Helmet reward.
The Mantis puzzle rewards you with several Armor, including the Mantis Space Helmet. (Image captured by us)

To formally start the Mantis Quest, you’ll be required to find a note about the hidden Outpost’s location. You will find the message on the corpse of a Spacer, which will say “Secret Outpost!”, among other loot.

Unfortunately, the exact location of the note varies with each playthrough. We found it while completing the “Back to Vectera” mission. But you might find it elsewhere.

The location of the Outpost is the same for all players. But without the note, the Mantis mission won’t start. Hence, you’ll need to do some exploration beforehand. Typical places to look include the planet where Barrett and Heller crash and the Nova Galactic Staryard.

Where To Find The Mantis Lair?

Once you have the note in hand, you can find the Mantis Lair. Luckily, you can skip all the hard stuff, and we’ll tell you where it is – the Denebola I-b Moon.

  • This Moon is located in the Denebola Star System, which you can find if you head East from the Cheyenne Star System. However, the path to Denebola is not straightforward.
  • First, head East from Cheyenne. Then, leap Groombridge. Without this crucial step, you won’t be able to reach Denebola if it’s your first time.
  • Then, make a landing on the Secret Outpost landing target that’s toward the Southern side of the Moon.
  • Once you contact Denebola I-b, you’ll be immediately met with Spacers. These enemies won’t hold back, so there’s no reason you should too.
  • Equip some powerful weapons, such as the Experiment A-7 or Beowulf, to take them down quickly.
  • Luckily, finding the Mantis Lair is not hard since you’ll see a mission marker pointing you straight toward the Lair once you land. There will be a door that says “Lair of the Mantis.” Enter it and get ready to defeat some Spacers.
  • Your primary goal is to go to the bottom of the Lair unharmed. You’ll encounter tons of Spacers. So make sure you and your companion have a strong and sustainable loadout.
  • An optional task is “Learn more about the Lair of the Mantis.” Listen to any intercoms and loot notes from the Spacers to complete this mission. You can also skip this part.
  • You’ll find a few yellow safes granting you unique loot. However, you must upgrade the Security Skill to the Expert or Master Rank to unlock these.
  • Keep going to the bottom, and you should find a new room. Next to the entrance will be an NPC named Livvey. If you talk to him, he’ll tell you some additional lore.
  • You can choose to ignore him or kill him. But if you try to ignore him, he’ll try to attack you. Nevertheless, after talking to him, you must enter the room to access the Mantis puzzle.

Starfield Mantis Puzzle Solution

Starfield Mantis puzzle room.
The Mantis puzzle has a room with several rows of switches. (Image captured by us)

The Starfield Mantis puzzle is pretty simple and requires no special problem-solving abilities. There are two other ways to solve it. But first, let’s look at the legitimate method:

  • The puzzle presents a long room with eight rows of switches, each with a different letter painted. On the other end of the room, attached to the ceiling, are several turrets that shoot out lasers.
  • If you step on the wrong switch, the turrets will start shooting in your general direction non-stop. And you’ll need to exit the room again to reset them.
  • The trick here is to step on the switches correctly to avoid triggering the turrets.
  • To cut to the chase, you must spell “Tyrannis” on the switches. You must first step on the letter “T” in the first row, then “Y” on the second row, and so on.
  • Once you’ve done so, you’ll safely reach the end of the room and can now press the red glowing button to enter the next room.
  • If you want to play fair, you can always find the Audio Log titled “Leon Voclain – Sic Semper Tyrannis.” It’s not essential, but it gives you a clue on what to spell with the switches: “Tyrannis.”

Starfield Mantis Puzzle Alternate Solution

As we mentioned, there are several methods to solve the Mantis puzzle. The legitimate one is to spell “Tyrannis” using the switches. However, here are a few alternates for you to try:

Alternate 1: Tank Method

The first alternate is a “tank” method, meaning you’ll need to tank the damage from the turrets and get to the other side of the room.

  • This strategy involves making your way through the room as quickly as possible while letting the turrets damage you.
  • Before you try this strategy, you’ll want to equip some defensive items, such as a powerful Spacesuit and Helmet.
  • You should also have healing items like Emergency Kits and Trauma Packs.
  • Then, head straight through the room, stepping on random buttons and running to the other side.
  • It’s impossible for the turrets not to damage you. So heal up quickly and press the red button.
  • The turrets will stop firing once you reach the other side of the room.

Alternate 2: Hacking

The second method is to hack the computer to disengage the turrets.

  • When you enter the arena with the turrets, there is a computer to the right of you on the upstairs balcony (where you will enter the arena).
  • This computer has a Master-level lock, and you’ll need the Security Skill at Level 3 to fully unlock it.
  • Then, hack the computer, and the turret systems will turn off.
  • This strategy is good but will be harder to utilize without the Rank 3 Security Skill. You’re better off with the other two approaches as they don’t require a specific Skill.

Mantis Quest Rewards

After completing the Mantis puzzle and entering the new room, you’ll immediately be met with robots and turrets that are all Level 20. Fight them off with great care, and you’ll find the Mantis Lair eventually.

You can explore here and look for some loot. After that, head through the left door and enter the new room. Upon entering, two new tasks will appear: “Claim The Mantis’s Starship” and “Claim The Mantis’s Spacesuit“.

Mantis Spacesuit

You can find the Mantis’s Spacesuit in the room that you’re currently in. Travel to the left corner of the area and enter the room that looks like it’s for storage. You’ll find a mannequin in the middle wearing the Mantis’s Spacesuit in this new room.

You’ll need to unlock the display case first and then interact with the dummy. Then, you can claim the Mantis’s Spacesuit.

Stats

StatIncendiary Mantis SpacesuitIncendiary Mantis Space HelmetAssisted Carry Mantis Pack
TypeSpacesuitHelmetPack
RarityLegendaryLegendaryLegendary
Physical Defense1255447
Energy Defense844655
EM Defense1005051
Thermal Resistance15455
Airborne Resistance30030
Corrosive Resistance0100
Radiation Resistance15020
Mass17.825.4011.00
Value33,0678,27010,406
BonusesBallistic Shielding: Boosts damage resistance.

Incendiary: You have a 10% probability of lighting nearby enemies on fire.

Combat Veteran: You take 15% less damage from Human foes.

Resource Hauler: All Resources have a 25% weight reduction.
Ablative: You take 15% less Energy damage.

Liquid Cooled: You have 25% more Thermal Resistance.

Incendiary: You may light some nearby foes on fire (10% chance).
O2 Filter: You consume 25% less oxygen.

Assisted Carry: If you're running when encumbered, you drain 75% less oxygen.

Antiseptic: Adds a +25 Airborne Resistance bonus.

Basic Boostpack

The Mantis’s Spacesuit comprises three pieces of Armor: the Incendiary Mantis Spacesuit, Incendiary Mantis Space Helmet, and Assisted Carry Mantis Pack.

The Incendiary Mantis Spacesuit is a Legendary Spacesuit with a somewhat balanced defense against all three damage types. Additionally, it can set enemies on fire and reduce the weight of Resources.

Next, there’s the Incendiary Mantis Space Helmet, a Legendary Helmet perfect for protecting against Thermal damage. However, it’s useless against Airborne and Radiation damage. This also has a chance to light foes on fire and boost your Energy defense.

Finally, we have the Assisted Carry Mantis Pack, which can be used like your average Basic Boostpack. It’s the best choice for players who want to conserve oxygen due to its O2 Filter and Assisted Carry bonus effects.

Razorleaf Starship

Razorleaf Ship as part of Starfield Mantis puzzle reward.
You get the Razorleaf Starship as a reward for completing the Mantis puzzle. (Image captured by us)

For the Razorleaf or Mantis’s Starship, go to the other end of the previous room and look for the Starship Lift Controls. Interact with these, and the Starship will begin to surface outside the Lair.

Now, you must make your way back up to the Secret Outpost landing spot. There will be a mission marker that shows you just where the new Starship is. All you need to do to claim it is sit in the pilot’s seat. The Razorleaf will become your home ship, and your cargo and crew will roll over to this new ship.

Stats

StatValue
ClassA
Fuel140
Hull469
Cargo420
Shielded Capacity160
Reactor18
Crew2
Gravity Jump Distance16 LY
Shield390
Ballistic Weapon StrengthN/A
Laser Weapon Strength6
Missile Weapon Strength36
Particle Beam Weapon Strength16
Mass572
Value15,498

The Razorleaf is a definite improvement from the default Frontier you get at the start of Starfield. It can store more fuel, has a more substantial reactor, and can be equipped with Laser and Particle Beam weapons, which you cannot do on the Frontier.

However, it does have some downsides compared to the Frontier. Firstly, it has weaker shields, which are compensated by a more robust hull. Secondly, it has a significantly shorter gravity jump distance. And lastly, it has lower Missile weapon strength with no Ballistic weapons.

However, being a more advanced ship, you acquire the Razorleaf at a point in Starfield where standard Ballistic damage won’t cut it, and players must move beyond primary damage. Hence, the Razorleaf is perfect for experimenting with different weapon types.

Recommended Upgrades

  • Since the Razorleaf lacks shield power, we suggest upgrading the shield using a Shield Generator. The 10S and 20S Protectors are good choices. But you can also go for something more powerful, such as the 60S Protector and Marduk 1030-A.
  • The Razorleaf already comes with 420 Cargo, which is slightly less than that of the Frontier. If you still want more Cargo space, try a new Cargo Hold like the 10T and 20T Haulers. Check out our ship storage guide for more information.
  • You’ll want to boost the gravity jump distance since 15 Light Years isn’t much. The Helios 400 is an excellent place to start, letting you jump 27 LY. However, you can go for something more advanced like the SGD 3300, which grants 45 LY of range.

The Starfield Mantis puzzle presents a new challenge for players, a task that relies more on the player’s intellect than their combat experience. Luckily, you now know how to solve the Mantis puzzle and acquire its rewards: the Mantis’s Spacesuit and Razorleaf Ship.

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