Collective Cognition is part of the game rules for the Arc Survivor pillar that was introduced in the Gambler's Chest Expansion.

Food is central to an arc survivor settlement. Arc survivors live to enrich their diets, and in return, their well-nourished brains can collectively achieve new heights of power and sophistication. This cultural grown is represented by collective cognition (CC). As the settlement reaches higher amounts of CC, they earn rewards. Survivors acquire collective cognition by defeating a mix of challenging monsters. More challenging monsters proffer greater collective cognition.^[1]

Gaining CC from Quarry Monsters[edit | hide | hide all]

Quarry monsters stalking the darkness offer a powerful incentive for hungry arc survivors. Older, tougher monsters are a feast for ravenous arc cells. If they defeat a monster, the victorious survivors return to the settlement with food and the potential for profound change. Victorious survivors gain CC in the Aftermath of the showdown. Once the Aftermath is resolved, update the Settlement Victories section of the arc settlement record sheet. Next to the name of the defeated quarry, fill an unfilled box under its level. If no box remains unfilled for that monster's level, the settlement gains no CC.^[1]

Level 1 quarry monsters provide 1 CC the first time they are defeated.
Level 2 quarry monsters provide 2 CC the first two times they are defeated.
Level 3+ quarry monsters provide 3 CC the first three times they are defeated.

This means that a quarry monster can only ever provide a maximum of 14 CC.

Gaining CC from Nemesis Monsters[edit | hide]

Menacing forces invading the settlement do not provide the same kind of enrichment. Defeating the same level nemesis monster multiple times generates no additional CC.^[1]

Level 1 nemesis monsters provide 3 CC the first time they are defeated.
Level 2 nemesis monsters provide 3 CC the first time they are defeated.
Level 3+ nemesis monsters provide 3 CC the first time they are defeated.

This means that a nemesis monster can only ever provide a maximum of 9 CC.

Gaining CC from Legendary Monsters[edit | hide]

Legendary monsters are singular existences that are not standard quarry monsters. The settlement gains 3 CC after defeating one.^[1]

Collective Cognition Rewards[edit | hide]

When a settlement eat well, its collective cognition increases. This can add new cultural benefits for arc survivors, which are found on CC Reward cards. CC Reward cards are gained when the settlement reaches a specific amount of collective cognition. The back of each CC Reward card has a number indicating the collective cognition needed to gain the card. The front of each card contains the rules for gaining the reward.^[1]

Quarry Monster CC Rewards[edit | hide]

Quarry monster rewards have a collective cognition number corresponding to their node (Node 1 is 6, Node 2 is 16, Node 3 is 26, Node 4 is 36). The node represents the order these quarry monsters appear in the story of your campaign.^[1]

Create the CC Reward Deck[edit | hide]

Organize all the CC Reward cards according to the numbers on the backs, from lowest to highest, so that the lowest number is on the top of the deck, face down. Include only the quarry monster reward cards for the monsters in your campaign.^[1] Examine cards 6, 16, 26, and 36. There can never be more than one card with the same collective cognition number in the deck. In cases where duplicates remain, choose one. Once your deck is complete, record the name of each CC Reward in the space provided on the arc settlement record sheet in numerical order.^[2]

Gaining Collective Cognition Rewards[edit | hide]

The settlement gains collective cognition rewards during the Check Milestones step of the settlement phase. Compare the collective cognition total to the top card of the CC Reward deck. The settlement gains any cards with numbers less than or equal to the settlement's collective cognition. For each CC reward gained, follow the rules listed on the card and update the settlement accordingly. Find the reward listed in the Cognitive Collection Rewards section of the arc settlement record sheet; fill in the box next to the award and archive the CC Reward card.^[2]

List of Collective Cognition Rewards[edit | hide]

Below is a list of CC Rewards that may be available to a settlement:

01 - Facets of Existence
02 - Pleasing Plating
05 - Comprehensive Construction
06 - Crimson Crocodile Cuisine
06 - Frogdog Cuisinue
06 - White Lion Cuisine
08 - Communal Larder
13 - Sated Enlightenment
16 - Ecstatic Dance
16 - Screaming Antelope Cuisine
16 - Smog Singer Cuisine
21 - Metabolic Improvements
26 - Phoenix Cuisine
29 - Black Knight Cuisine
30 - Shared Illumination
36 - King Cuisine
46 - Culinary Ingenuity

Food Innovations[edit | hide]

Main Article: Innovations
One reward of improving collective cognition is innovations of the preparation and culture of food. The only way to gain these innovations is through achieving higher collective cognition. When they reach the pinnacle of food innovation, Supreme Cuisine, they can endeavor to create Meal gear.^[2]

Butchery and Arc Survivor Weapon Proficiency[edit | hide]

Main Article: Weapon Proficiency
Arc survivors cannot select a weapon proficiency until they have gained the Butchery food innovation. Once earned, they may select their weapon proficiency when they depart for a hunt.^[2]

Meal Gear[edit | hide]

Devouring quarries inspires the survivors to craft marvelous recipes. If the settlement has earned at least 10 CC from consuming a quarry, they may endeavor at Supreme Cuisine to craft that monster's meal. Once a meal is crafted, it can be used by the settlement each lantern year. A survivor may place one meal gear in their gear grid, gaining the monster-inspired effects when they depart the settlement. A settlement may only have one of each meal gear at any time.^[2]