Risk of Rain 2 introduced the Artifacts update which added quite a bit of content. Chief among these are the Artifacts themselves — their tablets and codes are discoverable in various maps, and the combinations will then take you to a Hidden Realm where you can unlock the Artifact’s power. You’ll then be able to use these modifiers and effects prior to starting your run. Learn how to acquire and use Artifacts inRisk of Rain 2 by reading on.
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Note: This guide is intended for the game’s early access stage. For more information, check out our Risk of Rain 2 guides and features hub.
Risk of Rain 2: Artifact basics and finding Bulwark’s Ambry
Artifact tablets are found in various stages in Risk of Rain 2. I have found many of them in unexpected places, like corners of the map and ledges that seem too far to reach.
These tablets provide a combination of symbols that are used to get to Bulwark’s Ambry. You input the combination of symbols in the Compound Generator on the lower island of the Sky Meadow (the fifth stage environment in Risk of Rain 2). Activate the terminal once you’ve input the correct combination and you’ll see a portal to a Hidden Realm called Bulwark’s Ambry.
Note: You won’t need to look for Artifact tablet codes anymore while playing, just enter the codes and head through the portal. Still, we’ve added the information just in case you’re interested in knowing where they were discovered.
Now that you are at Bulwark’s Ambry, you need to access the floating mass in the center by using Artifact Keys. There’s one that’s readily available, but make sure you’re prepared because using the Artifact Key will start the encounter.
When you start the encounter, monsters will start spawning. I use the best Bandit skills and loadout to fight off the waves of enemies, but you can hold your ground and complete this encounter with any character you’re comfortable with.
Oftentimes, elite mobs will start dropping additional Artifact Keys. You’ll need to use one Artifact Key at a time on the giant orb. Once you’ve used four, the shielding will break and you’ll be able to grab the floating Artifact to complete the encounter.
Note: The Artifact’s effects/modifiers will also remain active as long as the fight lasts, so watch out for any possible mishaps.
Completing an Artifact’s encounter makes the modifier selectable when you start future runs; you can even have multiple types active. A few of these modifiers may help your progress in Risk of Rain 2, though many will also pose additional challenges and difficulties.
Risk of Rain 2: Artifact tablet locations, codes, and effects
1. Artifact of Metamorphosis
Effect: Players always spawn as a random survivor.
Location: Titanic Plains – The rightmost pillar in the distance; not present in the alternate version of the stage.
Combination:
- Diamond, Square, Circle
- Diamond, Square, Circle
- Diamond, Square, Circle
2. Artifact of Kin
Effect: Monsters will only be of one type per stage.
Location: Distant Roost – The edge of a cliff at the top of the stage; not present in the alternate version of the stage.
Combination:
- Circle, Triangle, Triangle
- Diamond, Circle, Triangle
- Diamond, Diamond, Circle
3. Artifact of Death
Effect: When one player dies, everyone dies.
Location: Wetlands Aspect – Inside the cave/Altar to N’kuhana.
Combination:
- Circle, Circle, Circle
- Square, Triangle, Square
- Circle, Triangle, Circle
4. Artifact of Chaos
Effect: Friendly-fire is enabled for players and monsters.
Location 1: Abandoned Aqueduct – One of the pillars near the Ancient Gate/tar pits.
Location 2: Abandoned Aqueduct – Inside the Ancient Gate’s cavern where you fight a couple of bosses.
Combination:
- Circle, Triangle, Circle
- Circle, Triangle, Circle
- Circle, Triangle, Circle
5. Artifact of Soul
Effect: Wisps emerge from defeated enemies.
Location: Scorched Acres – On the large floating island in the distance.
Combination:
- Circle, Square, Circle
- Circle, Diamond, Circle
- Square, Diamond, Square
6. Artifact of Swarms
Effect: Doubled monster spawns, but monster health is halved.
Location: Rallypoint Delta – On the distant island in the middle of the lake.
Combination:
- Circle, Circle, Triangle
- Triangle, Diamond, Triangle
- Triangle, Circle, Circle
Tip: The effect is quite useful if you’re planning on unlocking abilities that require a lot of enemy kills.
7. Artifact of Dissonance
Effect: Monsters can appear outside their usual environments.
Location: Abyssal Depths – On one of the floating islands reached by traversing the giant chains; fairly close to where you activate REX.
Combination:
- Circle, Square, Square
- Square, Square, Square
- Square, Square, Circle
8. Artifact of Frailty
Effect: Fall damage is doubled and lethal.
Location 1: Siren’s Call – The cliffs on the left-hand side of the map.
Location 2: Void Fields – At the lower end of the slope that leads to the portal. The Void Fields can be accessed by going through the Bazaar Between Time. This is also where you unlock Acrid.
Combination:
- Circle, Circle, Circle
- Triangle, Circle, Triangle
- Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
9. Artifact of Honor
Effect: Enemies can only spawn as elites.
Location: Sky Meadow – The tablet is right in front of the Compound Generator.
Combination:
- Square, Square, Square
- Square, Triangle, Square
- Square, Square, Square
Tip: The modifier is very handy if you want to obtain some decent items.
10. Artifact of Command
Effect: Choose your items.
Location: Bazaar Between Time – The glass behind Newt.
Combination:
- Square, Square, Square
- Square, Square, Square
- Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
Tip: This lets you choose an item (out of those you’ve already unlocked) whenever you get a drop. The modifier is extremely useful especially when you want to obtain additional skills that require specific items or loadouts.
11. Artifact of Sacrifice
Effect: Monsters drop items on death, but chests no longer spawn.
Location: Gilded Coast – Hidden in a small pond in the middle of the area; you won’t need to beat Aurelionite so don’t worry.
Combination:
- Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
- Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
- Triangle, Diamond, Triangle
Tip: The modifier is also useful if you want to obtain items via enemy kills instead of scrounging for chests.
12. Artifact of Enigma
Effect: Spawn with random equipment that changes each time it’s activated.
Location: Bulwark’s Ambry – Behind the giant floating cube in the distance.
Combination:
- Diamond, Square, Square
- Triangle, Square, Triangle
- Circle, Diamond, Diamond
Tip: This one can be useful if only RNG was in your favor.
13. Artifact of Glass
Effect: Allies deal 500% damage, but have 10% health.
Location: A Moment, Fractured – Behind the obelisk.
Combination:
- Diamond, Diamond, Diamond
- Diamond, Diamond, Diamond
- Diamond, Diamond, Diamond
Tip: Somewhat useful if you want to complete character-specific challenges that require high damage/fast kills, or those that require you to finish stages without losing health. Then again, I found it easier to just stack items that provided mitigation (blocking and barriers).
14. Artifact of Vengeance
Effect: Your relentless doppelganger will invade every 10 minutes.
Location: A Moment, Fractured – Pick up the Environmental Log on the floating island below your starting point. Open it from the main menu. You’ll find the code at the bottom of the item once you rotate it.
Combination:
- Diamond, Square, Square
- Diamond, Circle, Square
- Diamond, Square, Square
Tip: This one is fun to activate, but also quite brutal and frustrating. Your doppelganger will have your loadouts and items, too, which means you can face off against an absolute powerhouse, or you’ll find yourself experiencing some hilarious moments in Risk of Rain 2.
15. Artifact of Evolution
Effect: Monsters gain items between stages.
Location: A Moment, Whole – On the body of the Twisted Scavenger boss.
Combination:
- Diamond, Diamond, Diamond
- Square, Square, Square
- Circle, Circle, Circle
16. Artifact of Spite
Effect: Enemies drop multiple exploding bombs on death.
Location: Risk of Rain 2 main menu settings screen – Open your settings and you’ll spot the code during the screen transition before part of it becomes hidden.
Combination:
- Triangle, Circle, Triangle
- Circle, Circle, Circle
- Triangle, Circle, Triangle
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