As if Risk of Rain 2 wasn't hectic enough, Hopoo Games has introduced unlockable Artifacts to the game which can make a run even more chaotic fun. Risk of Rain 2 is a roguelike shooter from Hopoo Games that has been brimming with content and things to unlock since its release into early access. Every run is fresh in its own way since the maps are varied and the loot is random, but with the addition of Artifacts, each run has a newly added element of chaos to it. However, like most things in Risk of Rain 2, Artifacts aren't available to players right off the bat.
Risk of Rain 2 is a true rogue-like in the sense that players have to earn and unlock things through time and dying over and over. The game does not offer any handouts, because the developers are aware that their fans like a challenge and enjoy unlocking new elements of the game themselves. However, it can make the challenge near impossible if players don't know where to begin. Stay tuned to this guide to understand what Artifacts are and how to unlock them.
What Are Artifacts in Risk of Rain 2
Artifacts are actually a brought over feature from Hopoo Games' first Risk of Rain and they act as modifiers to your runs. Similar to Skulls in Halo, Artifacts are unlocked by locations on the map and then once unlocked, can be applied to the start of every run to modify the gameplay experience in unique ways. At first, it can seem like the effects of the Artifacts only serve to make the game harder. For example, the Artifact of Glass gives players a 500% increase to their base damage, but they only have 10% health and are not protected from one-shots. However, the 500% damage increase is applied to the character's base damage so if the player picks up any items to further multiply their damage, they'll be able to do an insane amount of damage rather early in the game. Therefore, Artifacts don't make the game harder, but rather more interesting for experienced players. That being said, brand new players who are still struggling with the first few teleporters are going to struggle to unlock the Artifacts since players will have to reach the 5th stage first.
How to Unlock and Use Artifacts in Risk of Rain 2
After going through 4 teleporters, players will arrive at the 5th environment, Sky Meadow. This new stage has only just been released with the addition of Artifacts and is another callback to the first Risk of Rain. Getting to this stage is the most important step in unlocking Artifacts because codes can only be input into the Compound Generator located at the bottom level of the Sky Meadow. Artifact codes in Risk of Rain 2 are meant to be secrets that the player finds throughout all playable environments. There are even hints to the locations of these codes and players may even stumble upon the codes accidentally by encountering them on square stone tablets. However, if players are just looking to unlock a specific Artifact or don't have the patience to solve riddles and search environments, there are online sources that have already found the 16 individual Artifacts and their respective codes. Whichever method is chosen, it's still important to know how to input these codes into the Compound Generator.
The Compound Generator can be found on the Sky Meadow environment by looking for platforms that seem to run underneath the rest. Instead of jumping off the edge and hoping to land safely, travel the map getting to the lowest ground, and then travel down a convenient hole that spirals to the Compound. Whether using hints to find the code tablets or checking an online source, players will notice that the codes are conveniently a 3x3 arrangement of shapes. Players can input the codes by activating the bulbs in the grid until the desired shape appears, but make sure that the bottom row of the code is input in the row closest to the laptop. From here, it does not matter what order players put the correct shapes as long as they are in the right positions. When the code is put in, activate the laptop and a reddish portal should appear on the giant teleporter platform.
This portal leads to a hidden realm called Bulwark's Ambry, a small environment made of blocks and rectangles. In the center, players will see the Artifact trapped in a shield. Take a moment to wander around the area and pick up any cash pods or use any shrines available. Once players are ready to face a ton of enemies, pick up the glowing yellow Artifact key and then walk up and use it on the shielded Artifact. It'll bounce the player back and the Artifact will turn into a boss that fires lasers. Instead of focusing fire on the shielded Artifact, eliminate the regular enemies that spawn and they will occasionally drop more yellow Artifact keys which will diminish the boss' health if used. It is also important to note that the effect of the Artifact that a player is attempting to unlock will be active during this encounter. Once the Artifact keys have been used to defeat the boss, simply pick up the Artifact where the boss was and use the same red portal from before to leave the Ambry. Once a player starts a new run they will see an option to select an Artifact under the difficulty options on the right. Equip the new Artifact and have fun on the next run!
Risk of Rain 2 is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4