Mantis Blades

British author of fantasy and science fiction, best known for Shadows of the Apt and the Hugo Award-winning Children of Time series.

The Mantis Blades are Cyberware for the Arms in Cyberpunk 2077. Manufactured by Arasaka, this implant allows the user to deal more Physical damage in melee combat and has a chance to apply a Bleed effect. While using the Mantis Blades, the user can leap to enemies within range to deal massive damage.

Quick Facts

Type: Cyberware; Melee Weapon
Primary function: Close-quarters combat and stealth takedowns
Mounting location: Forearms or Wrists
Notable users: Johnny Silverhand, Various Street Samurai and Assassins
Activation method: Direct neural link via brain implant

Lore & Background

Adrian Czajkowski was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire in June 1972. He is of Polish descent. He cites the natural world as an early influence, along with naturalists such as Gerald Durrell and David Attenborough, and he was fascinated by the Natural History Museum. 'From there', he says in interview, 'wanting to understand the behaviour – the minds – of the nonhuman started to take precedence.' He studied zoology and psychology at the University of Reading although he eventually became disillusioned with the content of the course. He then qualified as a legal executive. He was employed as a legal executive for the Commercial Dispute Department of Blacks, Solicitors, of Leeds until late 2018 when he became a full-time writer. Tchaikovsky's first foray into writing was in 1996 when he submitted several stories for publication in Xenos magazine. In the early 2000s, he won Xenos's annual competition with the short story The Roar of the Crowd, only for the magazine to fold pre-publication. In 2008, after Tchaikovsky had spent fifteen years trying to get published, his novel Empire in Black and Gold was finally published by Tor Books (UK) – an imprint of Pan Macmillan – in the United Kingdom. The series was later published in America by Pyr Books. Tchaikovsky expressed the desire that the Polish editions of his novels feature the original Polish spelling of his surname, but these too used 'Tchaikovsky'. On 23 January 2019, Tchaikovsky was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts by the University of Lincoln. He lives in Leeds with his wife and son.

Reader's Guide

Themes in Tchaikovsky's books include: 'the frailties of human bureaucracy and the difficulty we have in seeing beyond the human perspective,' and 'the terrible things we do to each other and the dogged resistance offered by the victim-participants in the vile mills of misery that are totalizing governments and wars of aggression.' Critics have commented positively on his 'definitive' depiction of alien civilizations and his treatment of 'huge themes about belief, artificial intelligence, legacy, discovery, alienness and much more.' In an interview with Jon Sutton for the British Psychological Society, Tchaikovsky says that 'Human perception of time is one of the biggest limitations of being human,' and that this shortcoming lies behind many current problems, such as climate change. In June 2025, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to adapt Saturation Point. Cynthia Erivo and Michael Bay were attached as producers. Minnie Schedeen was set to write the script, which will be her debut as a screenwriter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Mantis Blades?

They are retractable cybernetic weapons mounted directly onto a user's forearms designed for close-quarters combat. These blades extend from the wrists and serve as both offensive tools and stealth killing instruments.

Who famously used Mantis Blades in Night City history?

The legendary rockerboy Johnny Silverhand is perhaps the most iconic figure associated with this specific piece of cyberware. Many street samurais and corporate assassins also utilize them for their lethal efficiency.

How are Mantis Blades activated during combat?

Users activate the blades through a direct neural link connected to a brain implant, allowing for instant deployment without manual triggers. This seamless integration ensures rapid reaction times when engaging enemies at close range.

What is the primary tactical role of this cyberware?

Their main purpose is to facilitate swift melee strikes and silent takedowns in tight spaces where firearms are impractical. They excel at bypassing heavy armor through concentrated kinetic force delivered by the sharp edges.

Can Mantis Blades be used alongside other arm cyberware?

Generally, they occupy a specific forearm slot that conflicts with certain other prosthetic enhancements or weapon systems. Players must choose carefully between blades and other arm-mounted utilities depending on their build strategy.

What players say: Player verdict on Cyberpunk 2077 — Rotten Tweets