Cortex

Buildings

Switch to Armada

Naval Energy Converter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Converts 70 energy into 1 metal per sec
Metal
1
Energy
1250
Health
167
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Energy Converter converts energy into metal and can be built on the water. This makes it excellent to use on maps with limited or no land.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

Later in the game, you may have excess energy that’s going to waste. So consider building multiple converters to produce more metal. Converts 70 energy into 1.1 metal per second, and can be built by the Commander or other construction units.

When attacking an enemy base, aim for their converters to set off an explosive chain reaction and cause damage to other nearby structures.

How to use this unit

Energy Converter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Converts 70 energy into 1 metal per sec
Metal
1
Energy
1250
Health
167
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Energy Converter converts energy into metal, and can be built by the Commander or other construction units.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

Later in the game, you may have excess energy that’s going to waste. So consider building multiple converters to produce more metal. Converts 70 energy into 1 metal per second.

When attacking an enemy base, aim for their converts to set off an explosive chain reaction and cause damage to other nearby structures.

How to use this unit

Beholder

T2
T3
Amphibious
Perimeter Camera
cloak, stealth
Metal
32
Energy
850
Health
280
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Beholder is a tiny observation structure that can be built practically anywhere, even on the side of steep cliffs.

It has Cloak and Stealth and is hidden from radar AND line of sight when it's cloaked, making it impossible to detect.

It costs -3 energy while uncloaked, and -15 when it's cloaked.

It cannot see cloaked units, but likewise, spy bots/stealth tanks etc. cannot see the camera. If you set a staggered line of them in a gap, any cloaked units moving through it will be revealed when they unwittingly blunder into one.

Set cameras to watch over any contested ground to defeat radar jamming—especially useful vs. Sharpshooters paired with a Smuggler.

Beholders are instantly destroyed by a Juno missile.

Read more about Perimeter Cameras here

How to use this unit

Wind Turbine

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces Energy. Depends on wind strength.
Metal
45
Energy
175
Health
199
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Wind Turbine produces energy using the wind. Energy production varies depending on the wind speed, which also changes in real-time and for each map.

Be aware that wind speeds can change at any moment.

Wind Turbines are best used on maps with strong wind, as the production rate will be more likely to stay high. However, if the wind is weak, try using Solar Collectors instead.

How to use this unit

Metal Extractor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Extracts Metal from Metalspots
Metal
50
Energy
500
Health
194
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Metal Extractor extracts metal from metal spots on each map. The amount of metal you can extract per second is shown on each metal spot, with some spots giving more than others, especially contested ones.

Grunts are cheap units for protecting metal extractors from early raids.

Metal extractors are primary targets during early-game raids, and if destroyed, can stall an opponent's construction and give you the upper hand.

Metal extractors cost 3 energy per second in upkeep. Be mindful of this.
How to use this unit

Radar Tower

T2
T3
Amphibious
Early Warning System
radar
Metal
60
Energy
630
Health
90
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Radar Tower provides early warning of enemy units and their movements on the battlefield. It’s also cheap and quick to build.

Use it to monitor nearby units and watch for air attacks.

Radar coverage is blocked by high terrain, and can be jammed by units with radar jammers, or evaded by cloaked units.

Their high sight range and cheap cost makes them useful even on the front for spotting enemies.
How to use this unit

Tidal Generator

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces Energy (depends on map)
Metal
85
Energy
250
Health
395
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Tidal Generator produces energy through water movement. Tidal energy production is a consistent value and is pre-determined by the map settings.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

They’re essential when there is limited land and excellent on water maps.

How to use this unit

Castro

T2
T3
Amphibious
Short-Range Jamming Device
jammer
Metal
115
Energy
5200
Health
1070
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Castro is a short-range radar jammer. It can hide radar signatures for all allied units within it's range.

The jamming device hides your units from enemy radar, though this is interrupted for a short period when hit

The Cortex Radar Jammer Tower cannot be cloaked, the Armada Sneaky Pete can be cloaked.

How to use this unit

Naval Radar / Sonar Tower

T2
T3
Amphibious
Early Warning System
radar
Metal
130
Energy
1000
Health
114
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Radar/Sonar Tower provides early warning of enemy units in the air, on land, and even underwater.

Use it to monitor nearby units and watch for air attacks.

Radar coverage is blocked by high terrain, and can be jammed by units with radar jammers, or evaded by cloaked units.

How to use this unit

Solar Collector

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 20 Energy
Metal
150
Energy
0
Health
355
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Solar Collector produces energy using the sun. Solar energy production is a constant +20 and is essential when wind speeds are low.

Can be used for backup energy when the wind is weak.

They’re not as cost-effective as Wind Turbines, and instead, provide a safe and stable source of energy.

How to use this unit

Energy Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Energy Storage (6000)
Metal
175
Energy
1800
Health
2000
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Energy Storage increases your energy storage capacity by 6000.

Great for powering weapons that consume large amounts of energy.

It's also useful for storing excess energy for later use, and to reduce energy stalls when wind speed is low or if you lose your generators.

Energy Storages explode for high damage in a large area when killed, even higher when self-destructed. You can exploit this by deliberately building it as a bomb right where enemies may invade from.

How to use this unit

Naval Energy Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Energy Storage (6000)
Metal
175
Energy
1800
Health
2000
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Energy Storage increases your energy storage capacity by 6000 and can be built underwater.

Great for powering weapons that consume large amounts of energy.

It's also useful for storing excess energy for later use, and reducing energy stalls when wind speed is low or if you lose your generators.

How to use this unit

Construction Turret

T2
T3
Amphibious
Assist & Repair in large radius
Metal
210
Energy
3200
Health
560
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
200
Weapons

The Construction Turret can assist and repair nearby units, and it has more build power than any other unit, excluding the Commander.

Use multiple on a single factory to increase build power.

You can also move Construction Turrets to other locations using a Hercules or Skyhook.

How to use this unit

Naval Construction Turret

T2
T3
Amphibious
Assist & Repair in large radius
Metal
230
Energy
2600
Health
560
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
200
Weapons

The Naval Construction Turret can assist and repair nearby units, and can be built on the water. This makes it excellent to use on maps with limited or no land.

Use multiple on a single factory to increase build power.

You can also move Navel Construction Turrets to other locations using the Hercules or Skyhook, and it has more build power than any other unit, excluding the Commander.

How to use this unit

Exploiter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Armed Metal Extractor
Metal
240
Energy
1900
Health
1440
Speed
0
Damage
161
Buildpower
0
Weapons
BeamLaser

The Exploiter is similar to the Metal Extractor, except it's armed with a Light Laser Tower on top and much thicker armor. It's as good as a normal extractor otherwise, except that it cannot produce metal while firing. It builds faster than a single LLT and extractor combined.

Useful for extracting metal from potentially dangerous areas, such as the frontline.

It's much tougher to destroy with a few artillery shells or missiles than a basic extractor. It can stay alive even under fire if constantly repaired, but don't count on it to fend off more than a handful of infantry bots or light tanks on its own.

Surrounding it with Dragon's Teeth can provide strong additional armor vs. direct-fire weapons.

How to use this unit

Metal Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Metal Storage (3000)
Metal
340
Energy
590
Health
2100
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Metal Storage increases your metal storage capacity by 3000.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

It's also useful for storing excess metal for later use, especially since metal production is lower than energy.

How to use this unit

Naval Metal Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Metal Storage (3000)
Metal
340
Energy
590
Health
2100
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Metal Storage increases your metal storage capacity by 3000 and can be built underwater.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

It's also useful for storing excess metal for later use, especially since metal production is lower than energy.

How to use this unit

Advanced Solar Collector

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 75 Energy
Metal
370
Energy
4000
Health
1200
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Solar Collector produces energy using the sun. Solar energy production is a constant +75 and is essential when wind speeds are low.

Can be used for backup energy when the wind is weak.

They’re more costly than Wind Turbines and Solar Collectors, however, they provide a safe and stable source of energy.

How to use this unit

Air Repair Pad

T2
T3
Amphibious
Automatically Repairs Aircraft
airbase
Metal
400
Energy
4400
Health
1780
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
1000
Weapons

The Air Repair Pad automatically repairs any friendly aircraft that lands on it.

Use it to repair your air units after an attack.

You can order aircraft to land on the Air Repair Pad manually or automatically when they hit a certain level of health.

How to use this unit

Geothermal Powerplant

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 300 Energy
Metal
540
Energy
13000
Health
2050
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Geothermal Powerplant produces energy using steam. Geothermal energy production is a constant +300, however, it can only be built on top of steam vents on each map.

Seize control of nearby steam vents to take advantage of reliable energy.

They’re more costly than Wind Turbines and Solar Collectors, but provide a good energy bonus when completed.

How to use this unit

Geothermal Powerplant

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 300 Energy
Metal
540
Energy
13000
Health
2050
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

Underwater variant of the Cortex T1 Land Geothermal Powerplant

How to use this unit

Shroud

T2
T3
Amphibious
Long-Range Jamming Tower
jammer
Metal
130
Energy
20000
Health
890
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Shroud's long-range radar jammer can effectively hide large forces or even entire bases from enemy sensors.

Use it to prevent your units and structures from being targeted by long-range weapons.

It has 60 less range than Armada's Veil, but is still quite useful nonetheless.

How to use this unit

Advanced Sonar Station

T2
T3
Amphibious
Extended Sonar
Metal
160
Energy
2400
Health
2400
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Sonar Station is similar to the Advanced Radar Tower, except it detects sea units instead of land or air units.

Great for detecting sneaky submarines and submerged commanders.
How to use this unit

Advanced Energy Converter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Converts 600 energy into 10.3 metal per sec
Metal
370
Energy
21000
Health
560
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Energy Converter converts energy into metal. Converts 600 energy into 10.3  metal per second.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

Later in the game, you may have excess energy that’s going to waste. So consider building multiple converters to produce more metal.

When attacking an enemy base, aim for their converts to set off an explosive chain reaction and cause damage to other nearby structures.

How to use this unit

Naval Advanced Energy Converter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Converts 600 energy into 10.3 metal per sec
Metal
370
Energy
21000
Health
560
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Navel Energy Converter converts energy into metal and can be built on the water. This makes it excellent to use on maps with limited or no land.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

Later in the game, you may have excess energy that’s going to waste. So consider building multiple converters to produce more metal. Converts 650 energy into 11 metal per second.

When attacking an enemy base, aim for their converters to set off an explosive chain reaction and cause damage to other nearby structures.

How to use this unit

Air Repair Pad

T2
T3
Amphibious
Automatically Repairs Aircraft
airbase
Metal
400
Energy
4400
Health
1780
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
1000
Weapons
How to use this unit

Advanced Radar Tower

T2
T3
Amphibious
Long-Range Radar
radar
Metal
560
Energy
19000
Health
365
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Radar Tower provides early warning of enemy units and their movements on the battlefield. It’s also cheap and quick to build.

Use it to monitor nearby units and watch for air attacks.

Radar coverage is blocked by high terrain, and can be jammed by units with radar jammers, or evaded by cloaked units.

How to use this unit

Advanced Metal Extractor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Advanced Metal Extractor / Storage
Metal
640
Energy
8100
Health
3900
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Metal Extractor extracts more metal from metal spots on each map. Start building them on your most protected metal spots first.

Build them when you’re ready to upgrade to Tech Level 2.

Metal extractors are primary targets, and if destroyed, they can stall an opponent's construction and give you the upper hand.

How to use this unit

Naval Advanced Metal Extractor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Advanced Metal Extractor / Storage
Metal
640
Energy
8100
Health
3900
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Advanced Metal Extractor extracts more metal from metal spots on each map. Start building them on your most protected metal spots first.

Build them when you’re ready to upgrade to Tech Level 2.

Metal extractors are primary targets, and if destroyed, they can stall an opponent's construction and give you the upper hand.

How to use this unit

Hardened Metal Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Metal Storage (10000)
Metal
760
Energy
11000
Health
11200
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Hardened Metal Storage increases your metal storage capacity by 10000.

Build in smaller groups to prevent explosive chain reactions if destroyed.

It's also useful for storing excess metal for later use, especially since metal production is lower than energy.

How to use this unit

Naval Pinpointer

T2
T3
Amphibious
Enhanced Radar Targeting
Metal
800
Energy
7500
Health
1530
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons
How to use this unit

Pinpointer

T2
T3
Amphibious
Enhanced Radar Targeting, more facilities enhance accuracy
Metal
800
Energy
7500
Health
2000
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Pinpointer enhances the accuracy of your radar towers for the entire team. You only need to build 3 facilities on each map.

Use them to improve the targeting of your artillery.

The benefits apply to your entire team and the more you have the more accurate your radars will be.

How to use this unit

Hardened Energy Storage

T2
T3
Amphibious
Increases Energy Storage (40000)
Metal
840
Energy
11000
Health
12700
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Hardened Energy Storage increases your energy storage capacity by 40000.

Great for powering weapons that consume large amounts of energy.

It's also useful for storing excess energy for later use, and reducing energy stalls when wind speed is low or if you lose your generators.

How to use this unit

Advanced Geothermal Powerplant

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 1250 Energy (Hazardous)
Metal
1500
Energy
27000
Health
4150
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Geothermal Powerplant produces energy using steam. Geothermal energy production is a constant +1250, however, it can only be built on top of steam vents on each map.

Seize control of nearby steam vents to take advantage of reliable energy.

They’re more costly than Wind Turbines and Solar Collectors, but provide a good energy bonus when completed.

How to use this unit

Advanced Geothermal Powerplant

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 1250 Energy (Hazardous)
Metal
1500
Energy
27000
Health
4150
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons
How to use this unit

Advanced Exploiter

T2
T3
Amphibious
Armed Advanced Metal Extractor
Metal
2400
Energy
12000
Health
7800
Speed
0
Damage
623
Buildpower
0
Weapons
BeamLaser, MissileLauncher

The Advanced Exploiter is similar to the Avanced Metal Extractor, except it's armed with dual lasers and a missile launcher.

Useful for extracting metal from potentially dangerous areas such as the frontline.

Metal extractors are primary targets, and if destroyed, they can stall an opponent's construction and give you the upper hand.

How to use this unit

Cerberus

T2
T3
Amphibious
Geothermal Plasma Battery
Metal
3100
Energy
35000
Health
8300
Speed
0
Damage
324
Buildpower
0
Weapons
3x Cannon

The Cerberus is Geothermal Powerplant that produces 450 energy using steam. The difference to the standard Geothermal Powerplant is that it has a long-range plasma cannon mounted on top.

Seize control of nearby steam vents to take advantage of reliable energy.

It can only be built on top of steam vents on each map. They’re more costly than Wind Turbines and Solar Collectors, but provide a good energy bonus when completed.

How to use this unit

Fusion Reactor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 1100 Energy
Metal
4500
Energy
26000
Health
5000
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Fusion Reactor produces energy using heat from nuclear fusion reactions. Energy production is a constant +1100.

Build it when you push to T2 to power your Advanced Metal Extractors.

Beware of where you build the reactor, as it is one of the most favored targets for enemy bombers. When destroyed it causes a large explosion that may likely kill other units nearby.

How to use this unit

Naval Fusion Reactor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 1220 Energy
Metal
5400
Energy
34000
Health
5900
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Naval Fusion Reactor produces energy using heat from nuclear fusion reactions and can be built on the water. This makes it excellent to use on maps with limited or no land.

Useful for hiding your energy production underwater.

Energy production is a constant +1220. When destroyed it causes a large explosion that may likely kill other units nearby.

How to use this unit

Advanced Fusion Reactor

T2
T3
Amphibious
Produces 3000 Energy (Hazardous)
Metal
9700
Energy
48000
Health
9400
Speed
0
Damage
0
Buildpower
0
Weapons

The Advanced Fusion Reactor produces energy using heat from nuclear fusion reactions. Energy production is a constant +3000.

Build them later on to power your most powerful weapons.

Defend it very well, as it is one of the most favored targets for enemy bombers. When destroyed it causes a very large explosion that will likely kill other units nearby.

How to use this unit