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Synthesize a genetic data of the target and uploads it to Sanctuary.
—In-Game Description

The Synthesis Scanner is a special device that can be acquired from Cephalon Simaris, and is necessary to conduct Synthesis for his Sanctuary. The device allows the user to see enemies, destructible objects, and important objects through walls and obstructions. It is also a range-finding device that can measure the distance from the scanner to the targeted terrain or object.


This can be purchased in a set of 25 charges from the Offerings section of Cephalon Simaris for Credits64 5,000.

Performing a Synthesis Scan[]

A trail to the Synthesis target visible using the Synthesis Scanner.

Cephalon Simaris will announce the presence of a Synthesis Target when entering a mission that contains the desired unit. When zooming in (RMB ) with the Scanner, a blue and orange spiraling shadow trail will appear, with the orange end pointing to the direction of the target. The target will appear with a blue outline and be marked on the HUD and minimap once the player locates it with the scanner zoomed-in. To use the scanner on the identified target, equip the Scanner from the Gear menu, then scan (LMB ) the four nodes visible on the target's body. Once all nodes or body locations have been scanned, the target will dissipate, signifying a successful synthesis.

Synthesis Scanners can also be used much like the Codex Scanner, providing Standing from Cephalon Simaris for each successful scan of any enemy or unit while also adding an entry for the Codex. Stealth scans will provide a significant bonus to Standing earned.

Widgets[]

Widgets are upgrades that are permanently applied to Synthesis Scanners upon being purchased, enhancing their utility. There are four Widgets available for Synthesis Scanners and are all bought from Cephalon Simaris. The Data-Parse Widget costs ReputationLarge 25,000, while the rest cost ReputationLarge 50,000. All four Widgets can be applied simultaneously.

Data-ParseWidget Vector-ThreadWidget Cross-MatrixWidget Sol-BatteryWidget
Data-Parse Widget
Synthesis Scanner will now show target enemy weaknesses and resistances.
Vector-Thread Widget
Reduces the time required to scan a target with the Synthesis Scanner.
(+45% scan rate)
Cross-Matrix Widget
Chance for each scan with the Synthesis Scanner to count as two scans.
(45% chance)
Sol-Battery Widget
Recharges Synthesis Scanner charges.
(Scans no longer consume charges)

Notes[]

  • Player will gain Standing points with Simaris if the Synthesis Scanner is used on normal enemies, equivalent to the amount of normal exp given if using a Codex Scanner. Scanning a target on unaware enemies doubles the Standing gained.
    • Standing earned by scanning enemies and Synthesis Targets will count towards Simaris' daily Standing limit.
    • Although more costly (unless utilizing the Sol-Battery Widget), scans taken with the Synthesis Scanner will count towards the player's Codex like a normal Codex Scanner, regardless of whether or not the scanned target is a Synthesis target or just a normal creature.
    • The Synthesis Scanner can be used on enemies/objects that have a completed Codex Entry, unlike the normal Codex Scanner, and will still gain Standing with Simaris. This can also be a key thing to remember for the occasional daily mission for the Nightwave events which require a certain number of successful scans if you have a well-filled Codex; the Synthesis Scanner may be the only way you can get the scans to complete this mission.
  • Helios Helios' Mod TT 20px Investigator, Oxylus Oxylus' Mod TT 20px Botanist, Heliocor Heliocor and Mod TT 20px Astral Autopsy can consume Synthesis Scanners in place of Codex Scanners, but will not grant Simaris Standing.
    • If both are equipped Helios/Oxylus will consume the Codex Scanner charges first.
    • Even with the Sol-Battery Widget equipped, Helios will not auto-scan enemies/objects with a completed Codex entry; you will always need to use a Synthesis Scanner manually to gain standing with Simaris. Oxylus, however, will continue to scan plants.
  • The Cross-Matrix Widget will affect reputation per scan. The primary use of this widget is to scan synthesis targets faster and fill the Codex easier.
  • The Cross-Matrix Widgets can double the amount of Plant extracts and Kavat Genetic Codes collected.
  • The Cross-Matrix Widgets will not trigger when scanning Kurias or Fragments.

Tips[]

  • While Synthesis Targets provide the largest amount of Simaris Standing per completion, the Synthesis Scanner can be used on normal enemies to provide Standing as well. Using a LokiIcon272 Loki, AshIcon272 Ash, OctaviaIcon272 Octavia or IvaraIcon272 Ivara to perform scans on enemies from stealth is a good way to earn large amounts of Standing per mission. Scanning while undetected will grant nearly double standing.
  • The Synthesis Scanner is able to be used from an Archwing while in an open world zone like the Plains of Eidolon. Flying very high in such a zone can also keep you undetected yet you can still scan enemies, turrets and Eidolon Lures from that range, so if done in The Steel Path you can get a lot of standing very quickly at zero risk.
  • Using Kinetic Siphon Traps can aid in taking scans by immobilizing the enemy, as Synthesis Targets have resistance to many Warframe abilities crowd-control effects.
  • TrinityIcon272 Trinity's WellOfLife130xWhite Well of Life Ability can make a good alternative for Kinetic Siphon Traps. It adds additional health to protect the target, lasts longer with Ability Duration mods, and is entirely free.
  • Approaching the Synthesis Target through stealth (with either Shade or Invisibility130xWhite Invisibility) is recommended, as the Target will not run, thus making it easier to scan the Target's nodes. However, the Target will be alerted after the first scanned node.
    • Using a non-lethal Warframe ability to incapacitate the target is an alternative method of easy scans.
    • Using FrostIcon272 Frost's Freeze130xWhite Freeze on the target will give you enough time to safely scan the target multiple times.
    • Using IvaraIcon272 Ivara's Sleep Arrow on the target will, with enough duration, incapacitate the target long enough to perform all 4 scans.
    • Using HarrowIcon272 Harrow's Condemn130xWhite Condemn will emit a growing wave of ghastly energy that completely immobilizes enemies in chains for 6 seconds.
    • Using XakuIcon272 Xaku's Gaze or Deny will respectively freeze the enemy in place or lift it for the duration, which can be extended with TheVastUntime130xWhite The Vast Untime long enough to easily scan a target.
  • Keeping the scanner equipped and using melee to dispatch mobs helps in tracking down the target faster (the scanner will be unequipped on a melee attack if you have no primary/secondary weapon however).
  • Companions (Kubrows and Sentinels) will attack the target and can kill it, preventing the target from being scanned, and thus necessitating another mission to start the process over. This can be prevented by either unequipping companions before attempting a Synthesis capture or equipping a Sentinel with no attack precept installed.
  • All the Widgets available for purchase are useful when scanning.
    • Getting the Sol-Battery Widget early on allows players to save on credits as the upgrade grants an unlimited amount of scans as long as at least 1 Synthesis Scanner charge is equipped.
    • The Cross-Matrix Widget helps produce two-scans-in-one, which helps when scanning a hard-to-encounter enemy, such as special bosses that are usually hard to reach to or assassins (i.e. Stalker). Useful when hunting for a Kavat, although the chance of both finding a Kavat which will give a Kavat Genetic Code and proccing the double-scan is only 6.75%. Additionally, if the Cross-Matrix Widget triggers during a stealth scan, both the widget and the stealth bonus will combine to produce 4-scans-in-one.
    • If the process of scanning seems difficult to perform, the Vector-Thread Widget is perfect, as it reduces the scan time down by a portion, usually two to three seconds. This is helpful when trying to scan speedy targets such as the Manic.
  • Simaris lore and research targets can be scanned infinitely, though the counter will stop increasing; many of these targets reward with a large fixed amount multiplied by unit level, so in fast missions it's possible to repeatably get ~4k standing from one scan. However, after switching from a completed target, that research will be locked off, so it is advisable to either stick with the most valuable enemies or leave them to last.

Bugs[]

  • Switching back to using your weapons with "Switch Weapon" after equipping the scanner will always switch to your secondary weapon, while re-equipping the scanner (via the gear wheel or hotkey) will always switch you to your primary weapon, regardless of which weapon was equipped before using it.

Patch History[]

Update 32.0 (2022-09-07)

  • Fixed Mirage’s Eclipse increasing the scanning time with your Synthesis scanner.

Update 31.1 (2022-02-09)

  • Fixed a crash when returning to Cetus/Fortuna while your Scanner was equipped.

Hotfix 30.3.5 (2021-06-10)

  • Fixed Synthesis Scanner text being cut off in some languages.

Hotfix 29.5.4 (2020-11-25)

  • Fixed pulling out your Pistol after hotkeying the Scanner while in your Orbiter.

Update 29.5 (2020-11-19)

  • Fixed de-equipping a Scanner not returning you to your active Exalted weapon if one was equipped prior.
  • Fixed animation locking when switching to a weapon after using a Scanner via Hotkey.

Update 29.0 (2020-08-25)

  • Fixed tracking hints remaining visible when using Melee weapon to exit the Synthesis Scanner.

Update 28.3 (2020-08-12)

  • Fixed Scanner becoming unequipped when Transferring in/out of the Operator.

Hotfix 27.3.8 (2020-04-02)

  • Fixed a script error when transitioning from Vallis/Plains to Fortuna/Cetus with the Synthesis Scanner equipped.

Update 27.3 (2020-03-24)

  • Fixed [PH] tags for Resistance types when looking at a Warframe through a Scanner.

Hotfix 27.2.2 (2020-03-06)

  • Fixed a script error related to using the Scanner.

Hotfix 27.2.1 (2020-03-05)

  • Fixed a script error when using a Scanner.

Hotfix 25.7.2 (2019-08-30)

  • Fixed enemies become alerted when using a Scanner.

Hotfix 24.2.7 (2018-01-09)

  • Changed the ‘not scanned’ FX color of the Simaris Scanner to be more red than orange to improve visibility.

Update 22.20 (2018-05-17)

  • Data-Parse Widget added to Simaris offerings. Synthesis Scanner will now show target enemy weaknesses and resistances.

Hotfix 22.2.5 (2017-11-11)

  • Fixed Synthesis Scanners appearing very stretch when zooming in a non-standard aspect ratio (ultra wide resolution).

Hotfix 21.0.6 (2017-07-07)

  • Fixed the Synthesis Scanner not scanning Simaris targets.

Update 21.0 (2017-06-29)

  • Fixed being in an unarmed state when attempting to switch to a Synthesis Scanner while sheathing a weapon.

Hotfix 19.11.2 (2017-02-17)

  • Fixed the Synthesis Scanner counting as 'next shot' or 'next hit' for the purpose of some Warframe Abilities/Passives (Volt's Static Passive, Mesa's Ballistic Battery, etc).

Hotfix: Specters of the Rail 0.13 (2016-07-26)

  • You now get Standing if you have a Synthesis Scanner equipped, are actively playing, and it's your daily target or you are within shared XP range of a Synthesis target.

Update 18.5 (2016-03-04)

  • Fixed audio FX playing for entire squad, instead of just for the player using the Scanner.
  • Fixed Clients being unable to switch out of a Synthesis Scanner when they only have a secondary weapon equipped in a Mission.

Update 18.0 (2015-12-03)

  • Helios can now use Synthesis Scanners if there are no Codex Scanners equipped or remaining in the player's Gear.

Hotfix 17.8.1 (2015-10-22)

  • Directional improvements have been made to the target's tracking visual FX.

Update 17.2 (2015-08-19)

  • Fixed the UI becoming permanently tinted the wrong color if using a hotkey to switch off the Synthesis Scanner.

Update 16.1 (2015-03-25)

  • Fixed players without a Synthesis Scanner equipped receiving mid-Mission notification of a rare capture target.

Hotfix 16.0.4 (2015-03-23)

  • Players without a Synthesis Scanner equipped during a scan in PvP will no longer receive Synthesis progress.

Update 16.0 (2015-03-19)

  • Introduced along the Sanctuary.

See Also[]

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