Powered By

Cortex

Last Updated:June 9, 2024|Change Log

The Cortex is - next to the Altered, Augmented, Rewritten and Twisted Distant Memory - one of the five Synthesised Maps. He is the final and hardest encounter of them, introduced during the War of the Atlas Expansion in Patch 3.6 Synthesis League. The Cortex can also be witnessed by the Maven and is part of the Maven's Invitation: The Feared.

Synthesised Maps

  • Altered Distant Memory
  • Augmented Distant Memory
  • Rewritten Distant Memory
  • Twisted Distant Memory
  • Cortex
  • Replica Cortex

The Cortex Synthesised Map drops as a Tier 10 Map but is overwritten by a special Map modifier, making it Monster Level: 83 to prevent monster level modification. Synthesised Maps are not on the Atlas, but can still be modified by the Atlas Passive Tree that affects Synthesised Maps. Note that Atlas Passive Skills cannot modify Maps from Kirac's Atlas missions. The Keystone Memento Mori unlocks the Uber version of the Cortex, described further down below.

Acquisition

The Cortex Synthesised Map has drop restrictions and cannot be chanced. While allocating Vivid Memories on the Atlas Passive Tree, there is a small chance to drop a random Synthesised Map upon killing a Map Boss on Tier 11+. The Cortex can also be accessed as a Kirac Map mission or sometimes sold by Tujen.

The Cortex can also be created by the following Divination Cards:

  • A Fate Worse Than Death
  • Justified Ambition
  • The Void

The Replica Cortex can be obtained in Heist or from the following Divination Cards:

  • Eternal Bonds
  • The Void

Loot Table

In addition to regular loot, the Cortex has the following boss-specific drops:

  • Offering to the Serpent
  • Perepiteia
  • Garb of the Ephemeral
  • Bottled Faith

Additional Drops:

  • Imperfect Memories
  • Dementophobia
  • The Hook

Skills Breakdown

The Fractal Gargantuan plants his arms in to the ground and fires a large frontal laser beam, dealing Physical and Lightning Damage.

The Cortex - Synthesised Map

The Cortex is a Laboratory Map tile set with a 5 Phase Boss Encounter. The Map itself comes with randomized modifiers that can only be seen once entering the Map. It is highly recommended to fully clear the Map due to its valuable loot and high level Synthesised Items.

Once you enter the Boss Arena at the end of the Map, you see Venarius' spirit hovering above a central map device. After a short dialogue, the first boss spawns and Phase 1 begins.

Cortex Map New 462 X 506
Cortex- Synthesised Map

Area Modifiers

Synthesis Global Modifiers

Phases

  • Phase 1 - The Fractal Gargantuan
  • Phase 2 - Synthete Masterpiece
  • Phase 3 - Intermission (Minion Phase)
  • Phase 4 - Fractal Titan
  • Phase 5 - Synthete Nightmare
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
Phase 5

Once entering the boss arena, Venarius spirit hovers above a Decaying Map device. After a short dialogue he then proceeds to summon a Fractal Gargantuan which indicates the start of the Cortex encounter.

The Fractal Gargantuan is similar to the Rewritten Synthete of the Rewritten Distant Memory Map. While fighting the Gargantuan, Void zones spawn and last until this phase is over.

If you want to learn more about his abilities, make sure to check out the skills breakdown section.

Cortex Boss Phase 1 Fractal Gargantuan New 506 X 506
The Cortex - Fractal Gargantuan

Once you have defeated the Fractal Gargantuan, Venarius spawns a Synthete Masterpiece which indicates the start of Phase 2.

The Synthete Masterpiece is similar to the Altered Synthete of the Altered Distant Memory Map. While fighting the Synthete, Energy Pylons spawn which charge up on impact and explode after another collision. These Pylons de-spawn when the Phase 2 ends.

If you want to learn more about its abilities, make sure to check out the skills breakdown section.

Cortex Boss Phase 2 Synthete Masterpiece New 506 X 506
The Cortex - Synthete Masterpiece

Once you have defeated the Synthete Masterpice, a Decaying Map Device appears at the center of the boss arena which indicates the start of Phase 3.

In this intermission, four Portals appear around the Decaying Map Device which spawn synthesis Monsters for about 30 seconds before Phase 4 begins.

Cortex Boss Phase 3 Monster Portals New 506 X 506
The Cortex - Monster Portals

Once you defeated all synthesis monsters spawning out of the Decaying Map Device Portals, Venarius spirit summons a Fractal Titan which indicates the start of Phase 4.

The Fractal Titan is an empowered version of the Fractal Gargantuan and has extra abilities alongside all Phase 1 abilities.

If you want to learn more about his abilities, make sure to check out the skills breakdown section.

Cortex Boss Phase 4 Fractal Titan New 506 X 506
The Cortex - Fractal Titan

Once you have defeated the Fractal Titan, Venarius spawns a Synthete Nightmare which indicates the start of Phase 5.

The Synthete Nightmare is an empowered version of the Synthete Masterpiece and has extra abilities alongside all Phase 2 abilities.

If you want to learn more about its abilities, make sure to check out the skills breakdown section.

Once you defeat the Synthete Nightmare, the Cortex encounter ends and your loot spawns after a short delay.

Cortex Boss Phase 5 Synthete Nightmare New 506 X 506
The Cortex - Synthete Nightmare

Atlas Passive Tree

The newly revamped Atlas Passive Tree provides us with additional ways to enhance the Pack Size and drop chances of synthesized Maps:

Notables

  • Vivid Memories

Nodes

  • Synthesis Monster Pack Size
Atlas Passive Tree Synth Maps Cluster New 529 X 506
Atlas Passive Tree - Synthesized Map Cluster

Uber Cortex

In addition to the regular Cortex encounter, there is also an Uber version available by opening 5 Synthesising Fragments in your Map Device. This makes the fight much harder in several ways:

In addition to massively increased life and damage, the Uber version also has the following new mechanics:

  • Each unique Phase spawns an additional unique Synthete
  • Fractal Gargantuan - Altered Synthete
  • Synthete Masterpiece - Augmented Synthete
  • Fractal Titan - Twisted Synthete
  • Synthete Nightmare - Rewritten Synthete
  • Energy Pylons spawn in all four unique phases

In addition to the regular Cortex loot, the Uber Cortex has the following boss-specific drops:

  • Mask of the Tribunal
  • Nebulis
  • Rational Doctrine
  • Circle of Ambition
  • The Apostate
  • Forgotten Reliquary Key

Additional Drops:

  • Imperfect Memories
  • Dementophobia
  • The Hook

Summary

  • The Cortex encounter is the final and hardest of the 5 Synthesised Maps.
  • It is part of the Maven's Invitation: The Feared and can be witnessed by the Maven.
  • The Map has a Laboratory tile set and comes random with different Map and Synthesis Modifiers.
  • It is highly recommended to clear the entire Map due to its valuable loot and high level synthesis item bases.
  • The Cortex Encounter is split into 5 Phases:
    • Phase 1 - The Fractal Gargantuan
    • Phase 2 - The Synthete Masterpiece
    • Phase 3 - Decaying Map Device Portals (intermission)
    • Phase 4 - The Fractal Titan
    • Phase 5 - The Synthete Nightmare
  • Upon defeating the specific Phase Boss, the next Phase starts and the encounter continues.
  • Once you have defeated the Synthete Nightmare, the Cortex encounter ends and the Loot spawns shortly after.

Credits

Written by mbXtreme
Reviewed by TriPolarBear, Facefoot

© 2024 Maxroll Media Group, All Rights Reserved