There are several puzzles within the cataclysm, which when solved add points to the score. It is recommended to solve all the puzzles after finishing all the events, before fighting Vara in the Throne of Echoes. Only the gate pad change in the Season of Skulls; all other puzzles remain the same.
Gate Pads
Gate Pad
They are used to gate (fast travel) between two specific points inside the cataclysm and do not award any points when used. The following image shows the location of these pads.
These pads reach different locations in the Season of Skulls (See the final section in this page).
Time Runes
Time Rune
Time runes are blue-green glowing runes which add 1 minute to the cataclysm timer, and award 500 points (not considering the multiplier). There are 6 time runes scattered across the map. The map below shows their locations.
Shaper Spheres
Shaper Sphere and Echo Chambers
Shaper spheres are located in 3 different locations,. To activate them, simply collect three echoes scattered around them and insert them into the echo chamber around the sphere. The Sphere glows and released several Orange Cymatic Notes, which when collected can not only restore the stability meter completely, but also award 500 points (not considering the multiplier) each.The map shows the locations of the puzzles. Note that taking the echo around one puzzle will not help with other puzzles since they disappear after a certain distance.
Arcane Vault Relics
Vault Burried Underground
There are 3 dodecahedron relic based puzzles inside the Cataclysm. Collect the olive-colored dodecahedron relic and place it on the appropriate space. The map shows all 3 puzzles. Once solved, an Arcane Vault will be revealed which drops several Cymatic notes of blue, purple and orange types.
Shaper Vault
Relic on a Holder
It has 3 relics and 3 holders. Order of placement doesn't matter. Once activated, a Shaper door nearby will open which will contain the vault.
Arcanists Circle
Arcanists Circle with the hidden Vault
This is the easiest of all 3 of these puzzles. The relic is beside the Shaper Arch. It needs to be carried out to a nearby circle of similar dodecahedron-shaped relics.
There is no holder here, but an empty space within the circle for this relic. Place the relic on the appropriate location and unlock the vault.
Beach Relic
There is a single relic in the beach between Casja's Forge and Britaheim. It needs to be carried and placed on a holder nearby. The arcane vault will open beside it.
Exploding Crystals
An Explosive beside the Crystal
There are several crystals lying around the cataclysm map. These can be destroyed using an explosive found nearby. Each crystal contains 1 Orange Cymatic Note.There is one crystal without an explosive, but near a beam device. To activate this beam, step on the Right pressure plate when facing the crystal to reveal a console. Interact with the console two times. Then step on the Left pressure plate. Only here, destroying the crystal gives an additional 500 points (not considering the multiplier) other than the note.The map shows the locations.
Pressure-plate Statues
A Statue behind its Pressure Plate
These are simple puzzles where stepping on a nearby square-shaped pressure plate unlocks 1 Orange Cymatic note at the base of a statue, inside the bowl.. When the square pressure plate is activated by stepping on it, the note will reveal itself inside the bowl under the statue's feet.The map shows the locations of the statues and plates.One of these is also located inside the Grabbit King cave.
Grabbit King
The Grabbit King puzzles is the single large scale puzzle which awards the most points within the cataclysm, and must be done carefully. Because there is a chance that the puzzle can fail and the freelancers can lose 9 Orange Cymatic Notes.Check the map for all the locations of the puzzle pieces.
- First activate the puzzle by interacting with a machine inside the water.
- Fly and step on the three circular pressure plates beside a statue. One of the plates has a crystal on it which needs to be destroyed using an explosive.
- Fly and then swim to the teleportation pad and interact with it.
- Once inside the cave filled with grabbits, the freelancer must kill all the grabbits (it is easy because they have very low HP).
- If all the grabbits are killed, a distinctive sound will play and an arcane vault will open in the far end of the cave, which will drop 9 Orange Cymatic Notes.
- There is also a statue and pressure plate puzzle inside the cave whose plate is on a broken arch overlooking the statue.
- If the puzzle is done for the first time when the challenge ...Or You Die is available, grabbit themed armor parts Interceptor Grabbit Helmet, Ranger Grabbit Helmet, and Storm Grabbit Helmet and Colossus Grabbit Torso will be unlocked and will be of Masterwork Rarity.
Season of Skulls Changes
During the Season of Skulls, using the gate pad fast traveled the player in a different location. Additionally, several collectible Hidden Skulls (see below) were added in various locations.
Other changes included all Dominion enemies becoming Scar Enemies, and all Storm Elementals being changed to Mistborn Skorpion. Storm Wyverns were never replaced and were simply absent.
Finally, random ghostly apparitions faded in and out of existence all over the map!
Hidden Skulls
Collecting these glowing skulls helped complete the seasonal challenges which gave rewards.The skulls look like the ones in the image. When one player collected a skull, another player cannot interact with them.The following image shows all the locations of the gate pad and skulls.
It is to be noted that only a select number of skulls are available at a time in one single cataclysm run, as skull locations can be randomized, but in set locations. The map below shows all the hidden skulls.
General Map with Every Puzzle
Season of Skulls Version Map with Every Puzzle
Image courtesy: vulkk.com
