Risk of Rain 2: All the New Artifacts and How to Unlock Them

Introduction

Risk of Rain is back, and it’s storming the gaming world yet again! The indie roguelike shooter, Risk of Rain, has taken the gaming community by storm, and Risk of Rain is no exception. The chaotic blend of fast-paced combat, ever-scaling difficulty, and a vast array of items and characters has captivated players for years. But what truly sets Risk of Rain apart and allows for endless replayability is the system of Artifacts. These powerful modifiers, unlocked through challenging in-game tasks, fundamentally alter the rules of engagement, turning a familiar run into a completely fresh and unpredictable experience. Risk of Rain brings excitement and mystery with the new artifacts, and we want to explore that more.

And that brings us here! The Risk of Rain universe keeps expanding. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing world of new Risk of Rain artifacts. We’ll explore their unique properties, detail the often-cryptic methods required to unlock them, and provide invaluable strategies for harnessing their power. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor looking to spice up your runs or a newcomer eager to discover the game’s deepest secrets, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to master the latest additions to the artifact roster. Prepare yourself for chaos, embrace the challenge, and get ready to uncover the secrets behind these transformative gameplay modifiers.

List of New Artifacts

Let’s explore the new artifacts in Risk of Rain and how they change the game.

The Artifact of Delusion

How to Unlock It

The journey to acquire the Artifact of Delusion involves venturing into the depths of the Abyssal Depths. Look for a series of uniquely shaped rock formations, forming a winding path. Carefully navigate this path, jumping between the rocks without falling into the abyss. At the end of the path, you’ll find an interactable terminal. Activating it while within the Depths unlocks the artifact. This requires patience and precision platforming skills.

Artifact Effect

With the Artifact of Delusion active, enemies take on a chameleon-like ability. They can imitate other types of enemies, creating unexpected and often hilarious encounters. You might find a Lemurian behaving like a Beetle, or a Stone Golem suddenly firing projectiles like a Lesser Wisp.

Impact on Gameplay

This artifact introduces a significant element of surprise and forces you to adapt to unpredictable enemy behavior. You can no longer rely on recognizing enemy types to anticipate their attacks, making combat much more challenging and dynamic. It’s beneficial to not underestimate enemies and to be ready for any types of attacks.

Synergies

Characters with high mobility, like the Loader or Mercenary, can excel with this artifact, as they can quickly reposition themselves to deal with unexpected threats. Items that provide crowd control or debuffs, like the Chronobauble or the Stun Grenade, can also be helpful for managing the chaotic enemy behavior.

Challenges

The biggest challenge is adapting to the unpredictable nature of enemy attacks. You need to be observant and react quickly to the changing behavior of your opponents. This artifact can be particularly difficult for players who rely on memorizing enemy attack patterns.

The Artifact of The Glass Cannon

How to Unlock It

This challenging unlock requires you to complete a Prismatic Trial with a specific modifier. The modifier will be active during the Prismatic Trial. Pay attention to the active modifier, as the trial can be difficult, and failing will result in a restart.

Artifact Effect

The Artifact of the Glass Cannon gives a staggering amount of damage in exchange for reducing your maximum health.

Impact on Gameplay

High risk, high reward. Play carefully, as you’re a one-shot.

Synergies

Characters with ranged playstyle.

Challenges

Staying alive.

The Artifact of Evolution

How to Unlock It

This artifact is one of the newest additions and requires a bit of detective work. You’ll need to find the hidden location on the map and interact with the ancient terminal. The terminal is hidden deep, so be prepared for a long journey to unlock it.

Artifact Effect

The Artifact of Evolution means that monsters only get stronger. Each stage they upgrade into a stronger variant of them.

Impact on Gameplay

The game has you scrambling to power up because the enemies will quickly outpace you.

Synergies

Characters with high DPS output thrive with this artifact. Items that grant bonus damage or attack speed are particularly valuable. Look for items like the Soldier’s Syringe, Berserker’s Pauldron, or the Focus Crystal.

Challenges

This artifact punishes slow builds and encourages aggressive play. You need to be able to deal significant damage quickly to keep up with the ever-evolving enemies.

Strategies and Tips for Using the New Artifacts

The new Risk of Rain artifacts introduce some changes to the game, and you may need some tips to get used to it.

General Strategies

• Adapt Your Build: The most important thing when using artifacts is to adjust your item choices and playstyle to complement their effects. Don’t blindly follow a standard build; instead, think about how the artifact changes the game and what items will help you overcome the new challenges.
• Know Your Enemy: Pay close attention to enemy behavior and attack patterns, especially when using artifacts like the Artifact of Delusion. Understanding how enemies behave is crucial for survival.
• Prioritize Mobility: Many of these artifacts increase the difficulty of the game, so mobility is more important than ever. Items that grant increased movement speed or mobility skills can help you avoid damage and reposition yourself quickly.
• Communicate with Your Team: If you’re playing in multiplayer, discuss which artifacts you want to activate and coordinate your builds accordingly. A well-coordinated team can overcome even the most challenging artifact combinations.

Artifact-Specific Strategies

Artifact of Delusion

Focus on crowd control and burst damage. Since enemies can mimic other types, you need to be able to quickly eliminate threats before they can deal too much damage. Items that apply debuffs, like the Chronobauble or the Stun Grenade, can also be helpful for managing the chaotic enemy behavior.

Artifact of The Glass Cannon

Take your time and play patiently. Look for characters that have range and can poke down at enemies.

Artifact of Evolution

Focus on DPS and staying mobile. As enemies evolve, it’s important to be able to dodge attacks and deal as much damage as possible while staying safe. Items that increase damage output, like the Crowbar or the Shattering Justice, can be particularly effective.

Team Compositions

The Loader and the Artifact of Delusion

The Loader’s high mobility and burst damage make her an excellent choice for dealing with the unpredictable enemy behavior introduced by the Artifact of Delusion. She can quickly grapple to safety and unleash devastating attacks on unsuspecting enemies.

The Huntress and the Artifact of Evolution

The Huntress’s ability to attack while moving makes her well-suited for kiting and dodging enemy attacks, which is essential when facing the ever-evolving enemies introduced by the Artifact of Evolution.

The Captain and the Artifact of The Glass Cannon

The Captain is a safe class with abilities that help him keep his distance. This makes him an ideal glass cannon class.

The Future of Artifacts in RoR2

What could the future of Risk of Rain artifacts be? The possibilities are endless! Perhaps we’ll see artifacts that drastically alter the environment, introduce new game modes, or even allow players to create their own custom challenges. The community’s response to the current artifacts has been overwhelmingly positive, with players praising their creativity and impact on gameplay. As Risk of Rain continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and game-changing artifacts added to the roster.

What are your favorite Risk of Rain new artifacts? Which combinations have you found to be the most challenging or rewarding? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Conclusion

Risk of Rain artifacts are the gift that keeps on giving. They add new layers of challenge and excitement, and it’s no surprise that there are always some new artifacts to make the game more interesting. They’re not just modifiers; they’re tools for crafting your own unique Risk of Rain experience. So, experiment, explore, and most importantly, have fun! The world of Risk of Rain new artifacts is vast and full of surprises, waiting to be discovered. We look forward to seeing what new artifacts are added in the future.