Risk of Rain 2 Artifacts: A Complete Guide to Unlocking and Using Them

Understanding Risk of Rain Artifacts

Imagine this: You’re hurtling through space, crashing onto a strange, alien world teeming with hostile creatures. You’re playing Risk of Rain , a game where every run is a gamble, a desperate fight for survival. But what if you could control the odds, twist the rules, and bend the game to your will? Enter the world of Risk of Rain Artifacts, game-changing modifiers that can transform your experience from a brutal struggle into a hilarious power fantasy or an even more punishing challenge.

Risk of Rain Artifacts are more than just simple options; they are the keys to unlocking a truly personalized Risk of Rain experience. They’re the reason you can spend hundreds of hours in the game and still find new and exciting ways to play. This guide will be your comprehensive resource, covering everything you need to know about these incredible items, from unlocking them to mastering their unique effects.

At their core, Risk of Rain Artifacts are game modifiers. Think of them as cheat codes, but instead of simply granting invincibility, they subtly, or sometimes drastically, alter the rules of engagement. One Risk of Rain Artifact might change the way enemies spawn, while another might control which items you receive. Some drastically reduce your health, but vastly increase your damage. The possibilities are almost endless.

These aren’t items you find during a run. Instead, you activate or deactivate them before you even begin your journey. This pre-game customization is what makes Risk of Rain Artifacts so powerful. You can carefully tailor your run to suit your playstyle, experiment with different combinations, or deliberately create a scenario that is laughably difficult.

Activating Your Destiny – How to Activate Artifacts

Activating Risk of Rain Artifacts involves a bit of a hunt. First, you need to locate the Artifact Portal. This portal appears randomly on specific stages within the game. Once found, interacting with it will bring up a grid system that requires you to input a certain code. These codes are sequences of symbols that correspond to the locations on the grid.

This is where the challenge comes in: you have to discover each code for each Risk of Rain Artifact through exploration, or by using this very helpful guide! To input the code, you will need to shoot at spheres located in the level until they light up the correct location on the grid. Once you shoot them correctly, interact with the portal and then you can begin your game with modifiers active!

Once you input the correct code and activate a Risk of Rain Artifact, it will be unlocked in the Artifact menu, accessible from the main menu or at the start of a new run. In the menu, you can toggle individual Risk of Rain Artifacts on or off, allowing for endless combinations and permutations.

The Catalog of Chaos: A Deep Dive into Each Risk of Rain Artifact

This section will break down each Risk of Rain Artifact in detail, explaining its effect, how to acquire it, and strategies for utilizing its unique properties.

Artifact of Command

The Effect: This Artifact is arguably the most popular, and with good reason. It gives you absolute control over your item drops. Instead of relying on random chance, you get to choose which item you want from a selection after defeating a boss.

Acquisition: Locate the artifact site in Abyssal Depths. The code is Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Square, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle.

Strategy: The Artifact of Command effectively removes the random element from item acquisition. This allows you to build specific and powerful character builds. It works incredibly well with characters that have strong base kits, allowing you to focus on maximizing their strengths. It’s a must-have for players who enjoy crafting their own destiny.

Artifact of Glass

The Effect: A double-edged sword. This Artifact doubles your damage output, making you a glass cannon. But there’s a catch: your health is reduced to just ten percent.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Distant Roost. Input Circle, Circle, Square, Circle, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Circle, Circle, Circle.

Strategy: The Artifact of Glass is for those who like to live dangerously. You’ll deal incredible damage, melting enemies with ease. However, you’ll also be incredibly fragile. This Artifact requires a very specific playstyle, prioritizing movement, dodging, and damage mitigation. Characters with high mobility or invincibility frames excel with this modifier.

Artifact of Kin

The Effect: Only one type of enemy will spawn per stage, chosen at random. This means you might face hordes of Lemurians, or swarms of Jellyfish.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Wetlands Aspect. Use Square, Square, Triangle, Square, Square, Square, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square

Strategy: This Risk of Rain Artifact is all about adapting to the unexpected. You’ll need to adjust your strategy depending on the type of enemy you face. Certain characters and items may be more effective against specific enemy types. It forces you to think on your feet and use your resources wisely.

Artifact of Honor

The Effect: All enemies are elites. This means they have increased health, damage, and special abilities.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Scorched Acres. The code is Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle.

Strategy: Prepare for a challenge. This Risk of Rain Artifact turns every enemy into a mini-boss. It’s a test of skill and endurance. You’ll need to be precise with your shots, utilize your abilities effectively, and prioritize survivability.

Artifact of Sacrifice

The Effect: Enemies drop items upon death, but chests no longer spawn. This changes the item acquisition dynamic entirely.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Abandoned Aqueduct. Input Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle, Circle, Circle, Circle, Circle.

Strategy: The Artifact of Sacrifice encourages aggressive play. You’ll need to actively seek out and eliminate enemies to acquire items. It can lead to snowballing effects, where the more enemies you kill, the stronger you become.

Artifact of Spite

The Effect: Enemies drop multiple exploding bombs upon death.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Siren’s Call. The Code: Circle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Circle, Square, Circle, Triangle, Circle,

Strategy: This artifact is a fun, chaotic one. You need to be careful after killing enemies and get away from the explosions. However, enemies will be killed by the explosions also, meaning there are new strategies with this artifact.

Artifact of Vengeance

The Effect: Every three minutes, a doppelganger of your character appears, with the same items, and attempts to kill you.

Acquisition: The artifact site is located in Sky Meadow. The Code: Square, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Square

Strategy: This artifact adds a time pressure element into the game, because if you are not powerful enough after three minutes, the doppelganger will most likely beat you.

Crafting Your Own Chaos: Artifact Synergies and Strategies

The true power of Risk of Rain Artifacts lies in their combinations. Mixing and matching different modifiers can create incredibly unique and powerful gameplay experiences.

For instance, combining the Artifact of Command with the Artifact of Sacrifice can create a controlled item farming scenario. You can actively hunt enemies for item drops and then carefully choose the items that best suit your build.

Pairing the Artifact of Glass with the Artifact of Kin can lead to intense and fast-paced runs. The increased enemy spawns coupled with your massive damage output can result in either a glorious victory or a swift and ignominious defeat.

Certain Risk of Rain Artifacts also synergize well with specific characters. The Artifact of Command, as mentioned earlier, is excellent for characters like the Artificer, whose strong base kit can be further enhanced with carefully chosen items. The Artifact of Glass can be effective for characters with high mobility or invincibility frames, such as the Huntress or the Mercenary.

The Popularity Contest: Fan Favorites and Controversial Choices

Some Risk of Rain Artifacts are undeniably more popular than others. The Artifact of Command consistently tops the list due to its ability to provide control and customization. The Artifact of Glass is also a favorite among players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.

However, some Risk of Rain Artifacts are more controversial. The Artifact of Honor, for example, is often seen as overly punishing, while others may find specific Risk of Rain Artifacts to be underpowered or too niche.

Ultimately, the best Risk of Rain Artifacts are the ones that you enjoy playing with the most. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the combinations that suit your playstyle.

The Horizon Beckons: Future Possibilities

The world of Risk of Rain is constantly evolving, with new updates and content being added regularly. It’s exciting to speculate about what new Risk of Rain Artifacts might be introduced in the future. Perhaps an Artifact that alters the environment, or one that changes the way bosses behave. The possibilities are endless.

The Risk of Rain community is also a hotbed of creativity, with players constantly suggesting new ideas for Risk of Rain Artifact effects. Some suggestions include Risk of Rain Artifacts that modify the map layout, alter item rarities, or introduce new enemy types.

Risk of Rain Artifacts are a testament to the game’s enduring appeal. They provide a way for players to constantly reinvent their experience, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Unleash Your Inner Architect: Conclusion

Risk of Rain Artifacts are not just modifiers; they are tools for crafting your own unique Risk of Rain adventure. They empower you to shape your experience, challenge your skills, and explore the endless possibilities that the game has to offer.

So, go forth and experiment. Discover the combinations that resonate with you. Embrace the chaos, revel in the power, and unlock the true potential of Risk of Rain Artifacts. Your destiny awaits, ready to be shaped by your choices. Remember, the only limit is your imagination. The next time you find yourself hurtling towards that alien world, be sure to take a look at the available Artifacts and build your perfect run.