Dark Mantis was a reploid, cyborgs with human characteristics such as the ability to determin right from wrong, and the ability to make their own decisions, that first appeared in Mega Man X8. However, based on his dialogue he has been around before the events of X8. He was originally a good guy but later became a maverick, reploids who pose a danger to the world. Thus, he went from a good guy to a very violent bad guy, so lets learn about Dark Mantis.

Dark Mantis was part of a new generation of reploids. The new generation reploids contained copy chips. Maverick Hunter Axle was a prototype. The new generation reploids where in high demand because they could work more effectively. In addition, they could also copy other reploids to protect themselves from dangerous situations such as on the job hazards. Due to the Maverick Wars Humans and reploids decide to build a transport system from the Earth to the Moon. Thus, the Jacob's project was born. Lumine was put in charge as the director over the project. Basically the Jacob's project severed as an elevator from the Earth to the moon.

One day an incident occurred on the elevator. It is later revealed that Lumine is really another body for Sigma. Also its revealed that Lumine staged the entire thing. Soon new reploids started to go maverick and riot.

Before these events Dark Mantis was a weapons developer. He manufactured and tested high tech weapons for the world's armies, agencies, and police forces. He was so efficient at his job that he was also in charge of security and later in charge of the entire base and weapons plant he managed. He was considered a low risk reploid of going maverick, oh but how things where about to change.

After Lumine staged the incident Mantis along with the other reploids started a riot and went maverick. Mantis turned his military and weapons plant base into a deadly fortress. In addition, he started making dangerous weapons for Sigma and other mavericks. He also became very violent. Sigma also made him one of his top assassins. Thus he targeted high ranking military officers, high ranking police officers, and even the maverick hunters. He was eager to see the world's destruction. Eventually, Zero, X, and Axle stormed his base and encountered him. Due to his past the hunters gave him every chance to surrender and stop his riot. Instead he challenged them to a duel. He put up a decent fight but was destroyed.

Appearance- Mantis is a rather tall reploid that is based on a Praying Mantis. He has two antenna on his forehead. He has two very large blades for his front legs. He appears to have black, purple, and silver armor. He has telescoping lens that allow him to see in the dark.

Personality- Before he was a Maverick Mantis took pride in his job. He took his role seriously as he had lots of responsibilities. He was careful to follow the laws and safety regulations. This is why he was considered a very low risk reploid.

After going Maverick his personality changed. He believed that the Earth was destined for destruction. By manufacturing weapons he states he just gives the world what it wants, death, destruction and war. He believes that a new world is in order. Thus, he follows Sigma out of loyalty and shares in his own words his masters believes.

He also became very violent. Showing no remorse for taking out his victims. In fact, he liked to toy with them enjoying their pain and suffering before he killed them. He loved ambushing his victims. Thus, he was considered one of the most dangerous mavericks. Moreover, he lacked morals stating there is no such thing as good or evil. On the other hand, he seemed to show some respect for X, Zero, and Axle recognizing them for their power. The hunters tried to get him to stop his actions and they would call it a day. However, he says he will not let them stop evolution and the earth's destruction.

Despite being intelligent he failed to see that what Sigma was doing was wrong. He also failed to see that there was organizations that actually wanted peace. Instead of stopping his actions he chose to follow Sigma at the cost of his life. That is what happened and what lead to Mantis's own death.

Abilities- Mantis strength increases the darker it is. In the dark he is a very fierce individual. He likes to either confront or ambush his victims. Here is fast and powerful in the dark, which makes him very deadly. He can also slice his victims or maul them. His telescoping lens allow him to see in the darkest areas. He also has sensors that can detect the slightest movement. Moreover, he can charge his attacks which makes even even more deadly.

However, he is also intelligence and knows all about weapons as he tested them and developed them. He shows he is a great strategists as he rigged his base full of death traps. Not only are his attacks powerful but his mind is a great asset as well.

Attacks- Mantis has very powerful attacks that can do massive damage in a short amount of time. One of his attacks is his cutter weapon. In this attack Mantis fires a cutter projectile that can cut through armor. One of his other powerful attacks is his maul attack. Mantis will grab his opponent or victim and use his large blades to repeatedly stab his opponent. This attack does major damage until the victim escapes or dies. Furthermore, he can also use his black arrow attack. Mantis will fire several arrows at once. The arrows can pierce armor and do massive damage. His most deadly attack his his super slicer or death slicer move. Mantis will jump in the air and charge his blades up. He will use the blades to slice his victim or opponent. This move does massive damage and has a great range.

Weaknesses- Mantis is weak to light producing weapons. He is weak to Optic's Sunflower's Weapon. The light slows Mantis down and can keep him from using his most brutal attacks. Also the light weapon stuns him as he is used to the dark. Basically, Mantis hates the light because it stuns him, he cannot ambush his victims, and it keeps him from using his most brutal attacks.

Overall Mantis started off as a highly respected reploid for the work he did. He was seen as an effective manager and leader that followed all protocals. He had respect for the law and safety regulations. After becoming a Maverick he became very violent, angry and deadly.

In his warped mind he believed that by producing weapons for Sigma he was speeding up Earth's demise. He believed that all the Earth craved was more war. As wars between countries where still going on and the Maverick wars had been going on for centuries. He wanted to see a new world be born even though it meant more destruction to get it.

He seemed to enjoy death and killing due to his brutal attacks and how he had no remorse for turning maverick. He did not believe in right or wrong. On the other hand, he stated to the hunters that he could not be a maverick because him being a new generation reploid.

Also, he seemed to hold some respect for the 3 hunters. Calling Zero a powerful hunter, he respected X for his optimistic views, and Axle cause he was a prototype of the copy abilities. The 3 hunters tried to reason with the now maverick to no avail. He insisted that he would rip them apart for getting in the way of destiny. In reality, it was just Sigma's vision. The once respected reploid could not see that Sigma was doing evil and causing destruction which he believed the Earth was causing. Thus, he died as a disgrace.

In conclusion, Mantis is not considered a victim like some of the past Mavericks. This is because having the new chip he could have stopped his actions at will just like he could go maverick at will. He had every chance to stop the riot but chose not too. Also, he became very violent and deadly. His own actions lead to his demise. The three hunters as I stated showed him some respect, but showed no remorse. In some versions of X8 the hunter are glad they destroyed one of the most dangerous mavericks out there. This concludes the Mantis Biography.