Risk of Rain 2: Artifacts guide – Locations, codes, and effects

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers

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 in Risk 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.

Ror2 Bulwark's Ambry Challenge Compound Generator Sky Meadow 1


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.

Ror2 Bulwark's Ambry Open Portal

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.

Ror2 Bulwark's Ambry Challenge Compound Generator Sky Meadow 2

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.

Ror2 Bulwark's Ambry Challenge Compound Generator Sky Meadow 3

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.

Ror2 Bulwark's Ambry Challenge Compound Generator Sky Meadow 4


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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 1 Titanic Plains

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 2 Distant Roost

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 3 Wetlands Aspect

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.

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 4a Abandoned Aqueduct

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 4b Abandoned Aqueduct

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 5 Scorched Acres

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.

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 6 Rallypoint Delta

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 7 Abyssal Depths

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.

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 8a Siren's Call

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 8b Void Fields

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.

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 9 Sky Meadow

10. Artifact of Command

Effect: Choose your items.

Location: Bazaar Between Time – The glass behind Newt.

ROR2 Arti 1

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.

ROR2 Arti 2 Command

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.

ROR2 Arti 3

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.

ROR2 Arti 4

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).

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 13 A Moment Fractured

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.

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 14 A Moment Fractured Log

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

Risk Of Rain 2 Artifacts Guide Artifact Locations, Codes, Combination, Effects, Modifiers 15 A Moment Whole

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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