Artifact

Customizing the  [Ashbringer] at the paladin Class Hall.

Artifacts are a special type of weapon introduced in World of Warcraft: Legion, and the only weapons players would wield over the course of the expansion.

Players can acquire these new weapons early in the expansion's run, and the weapons grow in power alongside them. Artifact Power can be earned by engaging in most types of play, and can be spent to unlock a unique tree of traits, enhancing abilities. Players can also obtain relics and use these to upgrade the artifact itself. Artifacts also come with an extensive range of visual customization options.

There is an artifact for each class specialization, 36 in total, plus an additional one for  Fishing. Obtaining each artifact involves a unique questline to seek out these powerful weapons.

Storyline

Artifact instability animation.

Following the Broken Shore experience, players set about acquiring the artifact for their character's current specialization. The artifacts represented a greater power than the heroes of Azeroth had ever wielded before, a power which was needed in order to defeat the Burning Legion.

The process of acquiring an artifact is determined by the character's class and spec. A catch-up mechanism was added to reduce the time taken to earn artifact power for secondary specializations and alts.

Patch 7.3.5 added the send off for artifact weapons and as such ended the Legion storyline, with the weapons having to be used in order to neutralize the sword Sargeras used to impale the world in Silithus. Some visual effects represented the instability that resulted from the send off, with for example Artifact Power varying wildly.

With the release of patch 8.0.1, the artifact weapons can continue to be used as normal weapons, but all traits added to the weapon was "burned away", and disabled. The main artifact ability was also no longer usable, however some were introduced as talents to the class (such as [Wake of Ashes]). Any relics added to the weapon would continue to increase the weapon's item level, but no longer offered any traits. Netherlight Crucible augments also ceased to benefit the weapon. All artifact traits was disabled as the final result of the artifact instability.

They can also be transmoged for any weapon, but only while within its corresponding specialization; you cannot use an artifact transmog any more than you could use a different artifact while in another spec.

List of artifacts

Class	Spec	Weapon(s)	Book	Acquisition
Death Knight	Blood	[Maw of the Damned]	Libram of the Dead	Travel to the Legion world of Niskara to slay Gorelix and steal the axe from him.
	Frost	Blades of the Fallen Prince  [Frostreaper] and  [Icebringer]		Seek out the shards of Frostmourne in Icecrown Citadel where they lay after the defeat of the Lich King, and reforge them into a pair of runeblades.
	Unholy	[Apocalypse]		Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the blade from the Dark Riders.
Demon hunter	Havoc	Twinblades of the Deceiver  [Verus] and  [Muramas]	Tome of Fel Secrets	Storm the Broken Shore to take out the traitor Varedis Felsoul
	Vengeance	Aldrachi Warblades  [Aldrachi Warblades] and  [Aldrachi Warblades]		Return to the Broken Shore and take the warblades from Caria Felsoul
Druid	Balance	[Scythe of Elune]	Tome of the Ancients	Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the scythe from the Dark Riders.
	Feral	Fangs of Ashamane  [Fangs of Ashamane] and  [Fangs of Ashamane]		Travel to Ashmane's fall, then chase after Verstok Darkbough in Falanaar.
	Guardian	Claws of Ursoc  [Claws of Ursoc] and  [Claws of Ursoc]		Prove your worth to Ursol to obtain the claws in Grizzly Hills.
	Restoration	[G'Hanir, the Mother Tree]		Retrieve the branch from the dream and cleanse it at the Well of Eternity.
Hunter	Beast Mastery	[Titanstrike]	Tales of the Hunt	Delve into an ancient Vrykul tomb and retrieve the ancient gun.
	Marksmanship	[Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners]		Travel with Vereesa Windrunner to the Legion world of Niskara to find Alleria Windrunner.
	Survival	[Talonclaw]		Track down the beast that killed its last wielder and retrieve it from the beast's cave.
Mage	Arcane	[Aluneth]	Archive of the Tirisgarde	Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
	Fire	[Felo'melorn] and  [Heart of the Phoenix]		Team up with Archmage Aethas Sunreaver to obtain the blade from Icecrown Citadel.
	Frost	[Ebonchill]		Hunt down Balaadur and take the staff back from him.
Monk	Brewmaster	[Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion]	The Chronicle of Ages	Make a drink for the Monkey King, then defend the Temple of the Jade Serpent from a Legion invasion to retrieve the staff.
	Mistweaver	[Sheilun, Staff of the Mists]		Retrieve the Staff from the Terrace of Endless Spring, where it has been kept since the Last Emperor passed on.
	Windwalker	Fists of the Heavens  [Al'burq] and  [Alra'ed]		Follow the old tale's path to Uldum, and make then retrieve the Fists from Skywall
Paladin	Holy	[The Silver Hand]	Libram of Ancient Kings	Retrieve the legendary hammer from Tyr's tomb in Tirisfal.
	Protection	[Truthguard] and  [Oathseeker]		Enter the shrine of Tyr where the shield is held on an island in Stormheim.
	Retribution	[Ashbringer]		Search the Broken Shore, where the Ashbringer fell in battle and was lost
Priest	Discipline	[Light's Wrath]	Word of the Conclave	Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
	Holy	[T'uure, Beacon of the Naaru]		Travel to the Legion world of Niskara to retrieve and purify T'uure.
	Shadow	Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire (artifact) and  [Secrets of the Void]		Hunt the Twilight's Hammer in Tirisfal Glades to stop them from releasing the Faceless general Zakajz hidden below.
Rogue	Assassination	The Kingslayers  [Anguish] and  [Sorrow]	Blood Ledger	Aid Garona in taking out cultists in Stormwind
	Outlaw	The Dreadblades  [Fate] and  [Fortune]		Hunt down the Dread Admiral Eliza and her undead crew and take them from her grasp.
	Subtlety	Fangs of the Devourer  [Gorefang] and  [Akaari's Will]		Invade the Shadowgore Citadel and take the fangs from Akaari Shadowgore.
Shaman	Elemental	[The Fist of Ra-den] and  [The Highkeeper's Ward]	Words of Wind and Earth	Partake in a tournament held by Xuen to earn the right to wield the fist.
	Enhancement	[Doomhammer] and  [Fury of the Stonemother]		Doomhammer fell into the Maelstrom. Travel to Deepholm to recover it.
	Restoration	[Sharas'dal, Scepter of Tides] and  [Shield of the Sea Queen]		Travel to the Throne of Tides to retrieve the scepter from Azshara's servants.
Warlock	Affliction	[Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester]	Tome of Blighted Implements	Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the staff from the Dark Riders.
	Demonology	[Skull of the Man'ari] and  [Spine of Thal'kiel]		Storm Felsoul Keep to steal the skull from Mephistroth.
	Destruction	[Scepter of Sargeras]		Steal the scepter from Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras
Warrior	Arms	[Strom'kar, the Warbreaker]	Saga of the Valarjar	Travel to Tirisfal Glades and retrieve the sword from the hidden tomb where the faceless general Zakajz lays.
	Fury	Warswords of the Valarjar  [Odyn's Fury] and  [Helya's Wrath]		Invade the shores of Helheim and steal back the warswords.
	Protection	[Scale of the Earth-Warder] and  [Scaleshard]		Delve into the sealed and curse-laden tomb of an ancient vrykul king who was buried with a sword and shield made from the scales of Neltharion
Profession	Fishing	[Underlight Angler]

Customization

The path of customization options for  [Ashbringer].

Artifacts can be customized and powered up at order halls with artifact power, earned from adventuring, completing quests, beating dungeon bosses, winning PvP objectives, and so forth. Artifact power is used to unlock traits which increase the power of the weapon and the character.

Each artifact has a unique "trait tree", a grid overlaid upon the outline of the weapon itself, resembling the old talent trees. Players can spend artifact power to activate additional traits, moving along the tree; once a trait is activated, all connecting traits become unlocked. Many traits have multiple ranks. Majorly impactful traits are called golden traits.

Artifacts also have Relic slots. Relics are artifact-only objects with a major impact on the overall power of the artifact, such as its basic damage and item level. The relic system acts as a substitute for the upgrading of weapons seen in previous expansions; rather than switching to a new and more powerful weapon, the player slots a new and more powerful relic into their artifact.

Visual

The path of customization options for Blades of the Fallen Prince.

Several different looks are available for each artifact. These can be unlocked through various activities. One look for each artifact will only be available through PvP. Each look appears to come with unique flavor text, and background lore. Players are also able to unlock three additional colors of the various looks. In the case of Feral and Guardian Druids, changing the look of the weapon also changes the look of the form to match. In addition, there is a hard to obtain item for every specialization that unlocks an additional appearance (with 3 recolors unlockable).

Artifacts can be transmogrified into other weapons, but other weapons cannot be transmogrified into artifacts.

Hidden appearance items

Class	Spec	Item	Source
Death knight	Blood	[Twisting Anima of Souls]	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
	Frost	[Runes of the Darkening]	Looted from The Soultakers in Stormheim.
	Unholy	[The Bonereaper's Hook]	Looted from Stitchwork in Icecrown Citadel
Demon hunter	Havoc	[Guise of the Deathwalker]	Drop from Downfall
	Vengeance	[Bulwark of the Iron Warden]	Drop from mobs in Twisting Nether, accessed via Class Hall
Druid	Balance	[The Sunbloom]	Fusing together  [Seed of Solar Fire] and  [Pure Drop of Shaladrassil's Sap]
	Feral	[Feather of the Moonspirit]	Received from Ela'lothen.
	Guardian	[Mark of the Glade Guardian]	Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
	Restoration	[Acorn of the Endless]	Looted from Evergreen Plots in the Dreamgrove.
Hunter	Beast Mastery	[Designs of the Grand Architect]	Vendor in Dalaran
	Marksmanship	[Syriel Crescentfall's Notes: Ravenguard]	Sold by Veridis Fallon in Azsuna when you reach Revered with Court of Farondis.
	Survival	[Last Breath of the Forest]	Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
Mage	Arcane	[The Woolomancer's Charge]	Help Cote "Shepherd" Metcalf with his sheep problem.
	Fire	[The Stars' Design]	Random drop from Nightborne and Fal'dorei
	Frost	[Everburning Crystal]	Class Hall portal to phased Frostfire Ridge
Monk	Brewmaster	[Legend of the Monkey King]	Looted from the brew kegs in the Temple of Five Dawns.
	Mistweaver	[Breath of the Undying Serpent]	Drop from the Dragons of Nightmare in the Emerald Nightmare.
	Windwalker	[The Stormfist]	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
Paladin	Holy	[Lost Edicts of the Watcher]	Random drop from demons in Faronaar in Azsuna.
	Protection	[Spark of the Fallen Exarch]	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
	Retribution	[Heart of Corruption]	[110] Walking in Shadows.
Priest	Discipline	[Writings of the End]	Collect 12 tomes from around Azeroth and combine them.
	Holy	[Staff of the Lightborn]	Fusing together  [Crest of the Lightborn] and  [Rod of the Ascended]
	Shadow	[Claw of N'Zoth]	Drops from Il'gynoth in The Emerald Nightmare.
Rogue	Assassination	[The Cypher of Broken Bone]	Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly
	Outlaw	[Emanation of the Winds]	[110] Audience with the Windlord
	Subtlety	[Tome of Otherworldly Venoms]	Found in the chests at the end of Troves of the Thunder King.
Shaman	Elemental	[Lost Codex of the Amani]	Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly.
	Enhancement	[The Warmace of Shirvallah]	Drops from Flotsam in Highmountain, Levantus in Azsuna, and Helya in Trial of Valor.
	Restoration	[Coil of the Drowned Queen]	Drops from mobs and bosses in the Eye of Azshara.
Warlock	Affliction	[Essence of the Executioner]	Drops from Sataiel.
	Demonology	[Visage of the First Wakener]	Drop from eredar on Broken Isles.
	Destruction	[The Burning Jewel of Sargeras]	Drop from mobs summoned by the Ritual of Doom, accessed via Class Hall.
Warrior	Arms	[The Arcanite Bladebreaker]	[98 - 110] Secrets of the Axes has a region-wide daily chance of spawning on Master Smith Helgar.
	Fury	[The Dragonslayers]	Fusing together  [Haft of the God-King],  [Skull of Shar'thos] and  [Skull of Nithogg].
	Protection	[Burning Plate of the Worldbreaker]	Found in a pile of treasure in Neltharion's Vault.

Video

• Legion Artifact Introduction
• Legion Artifact Systems Preview

Gallery

Official art

• 

   [Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester]
  - Base skin

• 

   [Strom'kar, the Warbreaker]
  - Vengeance of the Fallen and Wrath's Edge skins

• 

   [Scale of the Earth-Warder]-
  Base skin

• 

   [Sharas'dal, Scepter of Tides]
  - Titanborn skin

• 

   [The Silver Hand]
  - Fist of the Fallen Watcher skin

• 

   [The Silver Hand]
  - Justice's Flame skin

• 

   [Apocalypse]
  - Faminebearer skin

• 

  Blades of the Fallen Prince
  - Base skin

• 

   [G'Hanir, the Mother Tree]
  - Deadwood Keeper skin

• 

   [G'Hanir, the Mother Tree]
  - Base skin

• 

  Twinblades of the Deceiver
  - Base skin

• 

  Aldrachi Warblades
  - Base skin

• 

  The Dreadblades
  - Base skin

• 

   [Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion]-
  Dragonfire's Grasp skin

• 

   [Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion]-
  Dragonfire's Grasp skin

• 

   [Light's Wrath]
  -Crest of the Redeemed skin

• 

   [Light's Wrath]
  - Ascended Watch skin

• 

   [Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners]
  - Base skin

• 

   [Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners]
  - Base skin

• 

   [Aluneth]
  - Base skin

• 

   [Aluneth]
  - Base skin

Notes

•  [Felo'melorn],  [Doomhammer],  [Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners] and  [Talonclaw] are family heirlooms.
  • Felo'melorn and the Doomhammer do not have any rightful hereditary claimants, as the royal Sunstrider dynasty of Quel'Thalas and the Doomhammer line of the Blackrock clan are extinct.
  • Talonclaw of the Highmountain Tribe was accepted by the tribe and the spirit of its last owner as rightfully belonging to the hunter player, as they successfully retrieved it.
  • Ownership of Thas'dorah is up in the air, as the Windrunner family and its former owner, Alleria Windrunner, are still alive. Vereesa Windrunner gave her blessing for the hunter player to use it until it can be returned to Alleria. Sylvanas Windrunner proclaims to the Horde player in Undercity that such a skilled marksman is worthy of the bow. After meeting up with her and the Army of the Light, Alleria herself states she may reclaim it one day should she have need of it, but for now, she has a different path and that the player has proven themselves worthy of wielding it.
• Prior to Legion, artifact was the item quality above legendary. Though none of these items were obtainable, a handful did exist in the game files (primarily as GM gear). They used the color gold to denote their quality; this color was later reused when heirlooms were introduced. This caused a few interesting issues where some references to artifacts had not been removed. For instance, trying to mail an heirloom to a character on another account would return the error message, "Artifacts can only be mailed to your own characters."
• Prior to World of Warcraft's initial release, artifacts were planned to use the color red.

List of pre-Legion artifact items

•  [Martin Thunder], GM weapon
•  [Martin Fury], GM shirt
•  [Alex's Ring of Audacity], GM ring
•  [The Twin Blades of Azzinoth], GM artifact single item version of set. Not to be confused with the player obtainable [The Twin Blades of Azzinoth].
  •  [Warglaive of Azzinoth (Left)], GM weapon
  •  [Warglaive of Azzinoth (Right)], GM weapon
•  [Tigole's Trashbringer], GM weapon
•  [Frostmourne]

Patches and hotfixes

• Hotfix (2017-08-30): "Artifact weapons with a challenge artifact appearance selected should no longer revert to their base appearance if the player is logged out while in a different specialization."
  
• Patch 7.2.0 (2017-03-28): Empowered traits and Challenge appearances added.
  
• Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Artifact system added.
  

External links

Item Basics World of Warcraft Game Info 

Artifact in Warcraft III