Guide for Metamorph in Path of Exile

Introduction

Metamorph is a mechanic that was first introduced in the Metamorph league in December 2019. This league mechanic is all about collecting samples off monsters, and then combining them into one huge monster – which uses all of the combined monsters’ attacks!

This guide will cover everything you need to know to make the most of the Metamorph mechaic.

Metamorph Overview

Monsters with samples used to create Metamorphs can only be found in maps. Monsters with samples are marked on the minimap, and you will automatically obtain their samples upon killing them.

Tane Octavius is the NPC associated with Metamorph’s, and supplies the player with information, instructions, as well as acting as a conduit for commencing the mechanic itself. “Catalyst” currency items are the possible reward from Metamorph content, which add quality to Jewelry items that enhances a predetermined set of modifiers. We will go over Catalysts in greater detail later in the guide.

Collecting samples from end-game Map bosses allow you to create the ultimate bosses that will provide the greatest challenges and rewards. Mechanics from multiple bosses can combine to create a new boss that can make use of all of them.

Creating Metamorphs

Selected monsters in each instance will drop samples that Tane Octavius will collect from you. These offerings can be used to create a metamorph boss that the player can engage. Crucially, this is not the same as creating a metamorph from boss samples. Rather, you are creating a boss-esque opponent from standard opponents encountered through leveling or maps.

These foes can possess a variety of different affixes. Increased life, damage, and similar affixes will dictate the corresponding quantity and rarity increase of the metamorph. You will need five different types of samples in order to construct a metamorph:

• Brain
• Eyes
• Heart
• Lungs
• Liver

Metamorphs can pose quite a challenge early on in a league, as builds have wildly difficult scaling and are typically underfed and underpowered until the core items are obtained. Hardcore players, in particular, should take care when creating Metamorphs.

There is also a Laboratory zone that can be entered from your Waypoint, similar to the mine or the menagerie. It is here that the boss sample drops can be combined to form boss metamorphs with the best rewards.

New Currency: Catalysts

Alongside the Metamorph league comes a new type of tradeable currency: the Catalysts. As we touched on a little earlier in the guide, Catalysts can improve the quality of your jewelry. Unlike Armour and Weapons, however, quality on jewelry directly boosts affixes on the item that correspond to the type of catalyst used. This gives the player a further degree of control over their area of focus, which is especially beneficial for Solo Self-Found leagues.

Catalysts are unique, so you will only be able to enhance the effects of each piece of jewelry with one type of Catalyst each. It is best to focus on one set of stats rather than spreading your choices. The different Catalysts are:

• Turbulent Catalyst — Elemental Damage
• Intrinsic Catalyst — Primary Attributes
• Imbued Catalyst — Caster Affixes
• Fertile Catalyst — Life, Mana
• Prismatic Catalyst — Elemental Resistances
• Tempering Catalyst — Physical Affixes
• Abrasive Catalyst — Attack Affixes
• Noxious Catalyst — Chaos Affixes
• Accelerating Catalyst — Speed Affixes
• Unstable Catalyst — Critical Affixes

Just like all other currency, Catalysts are tradeable and can be bought and sold as you see fit.