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
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 Fractal Gargantuan performs a Leap Slam ability, dealing Physical Damage.
The Fractal Gargantuan launches decelerating projectiles before swiping them with a laser beam, causing the projectiles to explode on impact, dealing Physical and Lightning Damage.
The Fractal Gargantuan rotates counter-clockwise in place, firing several decelerating projectiles in the process. He then proceeds to rotate clockwise while firing a laser beam out of both hands, destroying the orbs on impact which creates an explosion. The projectiles, the occurring explosions as well as the beam itself deal Physical and Lightning Damage. While stationary, the Fractal Gargantuan creates Lightning Tendrils around him.
The Fractal Gargantuan launches a single decelerating projectile and then proceeds to explode it with an aimed laser beam, dealing Physical and Lightning Damage.
The Fractal Gargantuan slams the ground, dealing Physical Damage on impact.
The Fractal Gargantuan slams the ground and releases a series of turrets in a V shape. This attack as well as the turrets deal Physical Damage.
The Fractal Gargantuan charges his hands and slashes twice in a cone in front of him, dealing Physical and Lightning Damage.
The Synthete Masterpiece charges up and releases a barrage of lasers in front of him, dealing Lightning Damage.
The Synthete Masterpiece fires a couple celestial orbs in front of him and proceeds to shoot a barrage at the targeted area, dealing Physical Damage.
The Synthete Masterpiece charges up a massive blast ability which he releases after a short period of time, dealing heavy amounts of Physical and Lightning Damage on impact.
The Synthete Masterpiece channels multiple laser beams at the targeted location, releasing a burst of energy quickly after. This ability deals Physical and Lightning Damage on impact.
The Synthete Masterpiece charges up and launches 4 mortars on a targeted location that spread in an X pattern. The mortars spawn orbs at the end of their movement and expand while floating in circles, dealing Physical and Lightning Damage.
The Synthete Masterpiece goes airborne and fires countless laser beams in a circular pattern. This created laser storm starts to rotate and decreases in size, while charging up a massive shock wave at the end of their movement.
The Synthete Masterpiece summons many vortex projectiles which float towards the player, while charging up a massive slam ability. If the player gets hit by a vortex projectile, he gets teleported next to the boss, making the slam impact almost unavoidable, but can be blinked away with Flame Dash or Dash if timed properly.
The Decaying Map Device appears in the center of the arena and open four portals. These Portals spawn synthesis monsters for about 30 seconds.
The Fractal Titan spawns energy pylons at random locations in the boss arena. These pylons charge up on impact and explode when collided again, dealing Lightning Damage in the process.
The Fractal Titan goes stationary and summons a horde of energy pylons that float towards him. These pylons charge the Titan up once they reach him but can be exploded while walking over them. After a short delay, the Fractal Titan explodes, releasing a massive lethal shock wave in the process.
The Synthete Nightmare teleports around the arena, firing projectiles towards the player.
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- Synthesised Map
Area Modifiers
(40–50)% increased number of Rare Monsters
(20–30)% more Magic Monsters
Monsters' skills Chain (1-3) additional times
Monsters are Hexproof
Monsters Poison on Hit
Slaying Enemies close together can attract monsters from Beyond this realm
Monsters cannot be Stunned
Monsters fire 2 additional Projectiles
Monsters have (30-100)% increased Area of Effect
Monsters have (100–400)% increased Critical Strike Chance
+(20-40)% Monster Physical Damage Reduction
(20–70)% more Monster Life
(10–30)% increased Monster Damage
Monsters deal (10–110)% extra Physical Damage as Fire
Monsters deal (10–110)% extra Physical Damage as Cold
Monsters deal (10–110)% extra Physical Damage as Lightning
(10–35)% increased Monster Movement Speed (10–35)% increased Monster Attack Speed
Area has patches of Burning Ground
Area has patches of Chilled Ground
Area has patches of Shocked Ground which increase Damage taken by (20-50)%
Area has patches of desecrated ground
Monsters have (20-40)% chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments
Monsters take (15–40)% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes
Monsters have (10-30)% chance to steal Power, Frenzy and Endurance charges on Hit
Synthesis Global Modifiers
Synthesised Rare Monsters drop 2 additional Currency Items
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 25% chance to drop a Currency Item
Synthesised Monsters have 5% chance to drop a Currency Item
Synthesised Rare Monsters drop 2 additional Quality Currency Items
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 25% chance to drop a Quality Currency Item
Synthesised Monsters have 5% chance to drop a Quality Currency Item
Items dropped by Synthesised Rare Monsters have 50% chance to be Corrupted
Items dropped by Synthesised Magic Monsters have 15% chance to be Corrupted
Items dropped by Synthesised Monsters have 5% chance to be Corrupted
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 150% increased chance to drop a Map
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 100% increased chance to drop a Map
Synthesised Monsters have 50% increased chance to drop a Map
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 50% chance to drop a Divination Card
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 7% chance to drop a Divination Card
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 150% increased chance to drop a Unique Item
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 100% increased chance to drop a Unique Item
Synthesised Monsters have 50% increased chance to drop a Unique Item
500% increased Quantity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Rare Monsters
200% increased Quantity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Magic Monsters
50% increased Quantity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Monsters
500% increased Rarity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Rare Monsters
200% increased Rarity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Magic Monsters
50% increased Rarity of Items Dropped by Synthesised Monsters
Synthesised Rare Monsters grant 500% increased Experience
Synthesised Magic Monsters grant 200% increased Experience
Synthesised Monsters grant 100% increased Experience
Synthesised Rare Monsters drop 2 additional Currency Shards
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 25% chance to drop a Currency Shard
Synthesised Monsters have 5% chance to drop a Currency Shard
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 10% chance to drop a Shaper Item
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 2% chance to drop a Shaper Item
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 10% chance to drop an Elder Item
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 2% chance to drop an Elder Item
Synthesised Rare Monsters drop an additional Breach Splinter
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 10% chance to drop a Breach Splinter
Synthesised Monsters have 2% chance to drop a Breach Splinter
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop a Fossil
Synthesised Magic Monsters have 3% chance to drop a Fossil
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop a Jewel
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop an Abyss Jewel
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop a Map
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop a Talisman
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop an Essence
Synthesised Rare Monsters are resurrected as an Ally when slain
When a Player Kills a Synthesised Rare Monster, they gain its Modifiers for 20 seconds
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 20% chance to drop a Vaal Fragment
Synthesised Rare Monsters have 30% chance to drop a Veiled Item
Duplicate up to 3 Synthesised Rare Monsters
Duplicate up to 6 Synthesised Rare Monsters
Duplicate up to 10 Synthesised Rare Monsters
20% chance for Synthesised Packs to be upgraded to Magic
20% chance for Synthesised Packs to be upgraded to Rare
50% chance for Synthesised Rare Packs to have an additional Rare Monster
15% increased Size of Synthesised Monster Packs
30% increased Size of Synthesised Monster Packs
Area contains 5 additional Synthesised Chests which contain Normal Monsters
Area contains 4 additional Synthesised Chests which contain Magic MonstersArea contains 3 additional Synthesised Chests which contain Rare Monsters
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Cortex - Synthete Nightmare
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
3 Implicit Synthesized Items
Additional Drops:
Imperfect Memories
Dementophobia
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.