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For the item quality, see Artifact (quality).
Ashbringer customization

Customizing the Inv sword 2h artifactashbringer d 01 [Ashbringer] at the paladin Class Hall.

Artifacts are a special type of weapon introduced in 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 Icon Fishing. Obtaining each artifact involves a unique questline to seek out these powerful weapons.

Storyline[]

Artifact Instability

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.[1]

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 Inv sword 2h artifactashbringerfire d 03 [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 were disabled as the final result of the artifact instability.[2]

As of patch 9.0.1, the ability to transmog any artifact appearance for any Specialization was made available, previously players were only able to while within its corresponding specialization.

List of artifacts[]

Class Spec Weapon(s) Book Acquisition
Death knight
Death Knight
Blood Blood Inv axe 2h artifactmaw d 01 [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 Frost Blades of the Fallen Prince
Inv sword 1h artifactruneblade d 01 [Frostreaper] and Inv sword 1h artifactruneblade d 01 [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 Unholy Inv sword 2h artifactsoulrend d 01 [Apocalypse] Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the blade from the Dark Riders.
Demon hunter
Demon hunter
Havoc Havoc Twinblades of the Deceiver
Inv glaive 1h artifactazgalor d 01 [Verus] and Inv glaive 1h artifactazgalor d 01 [Muramas]
Tome of Fel Secrets Storm the Broken Shore to take out the traitor Varedis Felsoul.
Vengeance Vengeance Aldrachi Warblades
Inv glaive 1h artifactaldrochi d 01 [Aldrachi Warblades] and Inv glaive 1h artifactaldrochi d 01 [Aldrachi Warblades]
Return to the Broken Shore and take the warblades from Caria Felsoul.
Druid
Druid
Balance Balance Inv staff 2h artifactelune d 01 [Scythe of Elune] Tome of the Ancients Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the scythe from the Dark Riders.
Feral Feral Fangs of Ashamane
Inv knife 1h artifactfrostsaber d 01 [Fangs of Ashamane] and Inv knife 1h artifactfrostsaber d 01 [Fangs of Ashamane]
Travel to Ashamane's Fall, then chase after Verstok Darkbough in Falanaar.
Guardian Guardian Claws of Ursoc
Inv hand 1h artifactursoc d 01 [Claws of Ursoc] and Inv hand 1h artifactursoc d 01 [Claws of Ursoc]
Prove your worth to Ursol to obtain the claws in Grizzly Hills.
Restoration Restoration Inv staff 2h artifactnordrassil d 01 [G'Hanir, the Mother Tree] Retrieve the branch from the dream and cleanse it at the Well of Eternity.
Hunter
Hunter
Beast Mastery Beast Mastery Inv firearm 2h artifactlegion d 01 [Titanstrike] Tales of the Hunt Delve into an ancient Vrykul tomb and retrieve the ancient gun.
Marksmanship Marksmanship Inv bow 1h artifactwindrunner d 01 [Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners] Travel with Vereesa Windrunner to the Legion world of Niskara to find Alleria Windrunner.
Survival Survival Inv polearm 2h artifacteagle d 01 [Talonclaw] Track down the beast that killed its last wielder and retrieve it from the beast's cave.
Mage
Mage
Arcane Arcane Inv staff 2h artifactaegwynsstaff d 01 [Aluneth] Archive of the Tirisgarde Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
Fire Fire Inv sword 1h artifactfelomelorn d 01 [Felo'melorn] and Inv offhand 1h artifactfelomelorn d 01 [Heart of the Phoenix] Team up with Archmage Aethas Sunreaver to obtain the blade from Icecrown Citadel.
Frost Frost Inv staff 2h artifactantonidas d 01 [Ebonchill] Hunt down Balaadur and take the staff back from him.
Monk
Monk
Brewmaster Brewmaster Inv staff 2h artifactmonkeyking d 01 [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 Mistweaver Inv staff 2h artifactshaohao d 01 [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 Windwalker Fists of the Heavens
Inv hand 1h artifactskywall d 01 [Al'burq] and Inv hand 1h artifactskywall d 01 [Alra'ed]
Follow the old tale's path to Uldum, and make then retrieve the Fists from Skywall.
Paladin
Paladin
Holy Holy Inv mace 2h artifactsilverhand d 01 [The Silver Hand] Libram of Ancient Kings Retrieve the legendary hammer from Tyr's tomb in Tirisfal.
Protection Protection Inv shield 1h artifactnorgannon d 01 [Truthguard] and Inv sword 1h artifactnorgannon d 01 [Oathseeker] Enter the shrine of Tyr where the shield is held on an island in Stormheim.
Retribution Retribution Inv sword 2h artifactashbringer d 01 [Ashbringer] Search the Broken Shore, where the Ashbringer fell in battle and was lost.
Priest
Priest
Discipline Discipline Inv staff 2h artifacttome d 01 [Light's Wrath] Word of the Conclave Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
Holy Holy Inv mace 1h artifactheartofkure d 01 [T'uure, Beacon of the Naaru] Travel to the Legion world of Niskara to retrieve and purify T'uure.
Shadow Shadow Inv knife 1h artifactcthun d 01 [Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire] and Inv offhand 1h artifactcthun d 01 [Secrets of the Void] Hunt the Twilight's Hammer in Tirisfal Glades to stop them from releasing the Faceless general Zakajz hidden below.
Rogue
Rogue
Assassination Assassination The Kingslayers
Inv knife 1h artifactgarona d 01 [Anguish] and Inv knife 1h artifactgarona d 01 [Sorrow]
Blood Ledger Aid Garona in taking out cultists in Stormwind.
Outlaw Outlaw The Dreadblades
Inv sword 1h artifactskywall d 01 [Fate] and Inv sword 1h artifactskywall d 01 [Fortune]
Hunt down the Dread Admiral Eliza and her undead crew and take them from her grasp.
Subtlety Subtlety Fangs of the Devourer
Inv knife 1h artifactfangs d 01 [Gorefang] and Inv knife 1h artifactfangs d 01 [Akaari's Will]
Invade the Shadowgore Citadel and take the fangs from Akaari Shadowgore.
Shaman
Shaman
Elemental Elemental Inv hand 1h artifactstormfist d 01 [The Fist of Ra-den] and Inv shield 1h artifactstormfist d 01 [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 Enhancement Inv mace 1h doomhammer [Doomhammer] and Inv offhand 1h artifactdoomhammer d 01 [Fury of the Stonemother] Doomhammer fell into the Maelstrom. Travel to Deepholm to recover it.
Restoration Restoration Inv mace 1h artifactazshara d 01 [Sharas'dal, Scepter of Tides] and Inv shield 1h artifactazshara d 01 [Shield of the Sea Queen] Travel to the Throne of Tides to retrieve the scepter from Azshara's servants.
Warlock
Warlock
Affliction Affliction Inv staff 2h artifactdeadwind d 01 [Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester] Tome of Blighted Implements Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the staff from the Dark Riders.
Demonology Demonology Inv offhand 1h artifactskulloferedar d 01 [Skull of the Man'ari] and Inv knife 1h stratholme d 01 [Spine of Thal'kiel] Storm Felsoul Keep to steal the skull from Mephistroth.
Destruction Destruction Inv staff 2h artifactsargeras d 01 [Scepter of Sargeras] Steal the scepter from Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras.
Warrior
Warrior
Arms Arms Inv sword 2h artifactarathor d 01 [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 Fury Warswords of the Valarjar
Inv sword 1h artifactvigfus d 01 [Odyn's Fury] and Inv sword 1h artifactvigfus d 01 [Helya's Wrath]
Invade the shores of Helheim and steal back the warswords.
Protection Protection Inv shield 1h artifactmagnar d 01 [Scale of the Earth-Warder] and Inv sword 1h artifactmagnar d 01 [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 Icon Fishing Inv misc 2h draenorfishingpole b 01 [Underlight Angler] Fish up rare catches around the Broken Isles and join Nat Pagle for a fishing trip to Gloaming Reef.

Customization[]

Ashbringer artifact path

The path of customization options for Inv sword 2h artifactashbringer d 01 [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[]

Icebringer artifact path

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.[3] 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, it is hard to obtain items 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.[4]

Hidden appearance items[]

Class Spec Item Source
Deathknight Death knight Blood Blood Spell misc zandalari council soulswap [Twisting Anima of Souls] Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
Frost Frost Inv offhand 1h deathwingraid d 01 [Runes of the Darkening] Looted from The Soultakers in Stormheim.
Unholy Unholy Inv sword 2h artifactsoulrend d 05 [The Bonereaper's Hook] Looted from Stitchwork in Icecrown Citadel
Demon hunter Demon hunter Havoc Havoc Inv glaive 1h artifactazgalor d 06 [Guise of the Deathwalker] Drop from Downfall
Vengeance Vengeance Inv glaive 1h artifactaldrochi d 05 [Bulwark of the Iron Warden] Drop from mobs in Twisting Nether, accessed via Class Hall
Druid Druid Balance Balance Inv summerfest fireflower [The Sunbloom] Fusing together Ability skyreach solar burst [Seed of Solar Fire] and Inv relics totemoflife [Pure Drop of Shaladrassil's Sap]
Feral Feral Inv feather 14 [Feather of the Moonspirit] Received from Ela'lothen.
Guardian Guardian Ability druid markofursol [Mark of the Glade Guardian] Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
Restoration Restoration Inv farm enchantedseed [Acorn of the Endless] Looted from Evergreen Plots in the Dreamgrove.
Hunter Hunter Beast Mastery Beast Mastery Inv engineering blingtronscircuitdesigntutorial [Designs of the Grand Architect] Vendor in Dalaran
Marksmanship Marksmanship Inv bow 2h crossbow artifactwindrunner d 05 [Syriel Crescentfall's Notes: Ravenguard] Sold by Veridis Fallon in Azsuna when you reach Revered with Court of Farondis.
Survival Survival Inv polearm 2h artifacteagle d 05 [Last Breath of the Forest] Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
Mage Mage Arcane Arcane Inv staff 2h sheepstick d 01 [The Woolomancer's Charge] Help Cote "Shepherd" Metcalf with his sheep problem.
Fire Fire Inv sword 1h artifactfelomelorn d 06 [The Stars' Design] Random drop from Nightborne and Fal'dorei
Frost Frost Inv staff 2h artifactantonidas d 04 [Everburning Crystal] Class Hall portal to phased Frostfire Ridge
Monk Monk Brewmaster Brewmaster Inv staff 2h artifactmonkeyking d 06 [Legend of the Monkey King] Looted from the brew kegs in the Temple of Five Dawns.
Mistweaver Mistweaver Inv misc head dragon black nightmare [Breath of the Undying Serpent] Drop from the Dragons of Nightmare in the Emerald Nightmare.
Windwalker Windwalker Inv hand 1h artifactskywall d 05 [The Stormfist] Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
Paladin Paladin Holy Holy Inv shield 2h artifactsilverhand d 06 [Lost Edicts of the Watcher] Random drop from demons in Faronaar in Azsuna.
Protection Protection Inv shield 1h artifactnorgannon d 05 [Spark of the Fallen Exarch] Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
Retribution Retribution Inv misc shadowegg [Heart of Corruption] N Paladin [45] Walking in Shadows.
Priest Priest Discipline Discipline Inv staff 2h artifacttome d 04 [Writings of the End] Collect 12 tomes from around Azeroth and combine them.
Holy Holy Inv staff 2h artifactheartofkure d 06 [Staff of the Lightborn] Fusing together Spell holy aspiration [Crest of the Lightborn] and Inv legendary staff [Rod of the Ascended]
Shadow Shadow Inv knife 1h artifactcthun d 06 [Claw of N'Zoth] Drops from Il'gynoth in The Emerald Nightmare.
Rogue Rogue Assassination Assassination Inv knife 1h artifactgarona d 05 [The Cypher of Broken Bone] Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly
Outlaw Outlaw Inv sword 1h artifactskywall d 06 [Emanation of the Winds] N Rogue [45] Audience with the Windlord
Subtlety Subtlety Inv knife 1h artifactfangs d 06 [Tome of Otherworldly Venoms] Found in the chests at the end of Troves of the Thunder King.
Shaman Shaman Elemental Elemental Inv hand 1h artifactstormfist d 06 [Lost Codex of the Amani] Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly.
Enhancement Enhancement Inv mace 1h artifactdoomhammer d 06 [The Warmace of Shirvallah] Drops from Flotsam in Highmountain, Levantus in Azsuna, and Helya in Trial of Valor.
Restoration Restoration Inv mace 1h artifactazshara d 06 [Coil of the Drowned Queen] Drops from mobs and bosses in the Eye of Azshara.
Warlock Warlock Affliction Affliction Inv staff 2h artifactdeadwind d 04 [Essence of the Executioner] Drops from Sataiel.
Demonology Demonology Inv offhand 1h artifactskulloferedar d 06 [Visage of the First Wakener] Drop from eredar on Broken Isles.
Destruction Destruction Inv staff 2h artifactsargeras d 05 [The Burning Jewel of Sargeras] Drop from mobs summoned by the Ritual of Doom, accessed via Class Hall.
Warrior Warrior Arms Arms Inv axe 2h artifactarathor d 06 [The Arcanite Bladebreaker] N Warrior [10-45] Secrets of the Axes has a region-wide daily chance of spawning on Master Smith Helgar.[5]
Fury Fury Inv axe 1h artifactvigfus d 06dual [The Dragonslayers] Fusing together Inv pa celestialmallet shaft [Haft of the God-King], Achievement emeraldnightmare dragonsofnightmare [Skull of Shar'thos] and Inv misc stormdragonpurple [Skull of Nithogg].
Protection Protection Inv shield 1h artifactmagnar d 05 [Burning Plate of the Worldbreaker] Found in a pile of treasure in Neltharion's Vault.

Video[]

Gallery[]

Official art

Notes[]

Patch changes[]

  • Legion 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.
  • Legion Patch 7.2.0 (2017-03-28): Empowered traits and Challenge appearances added.
  • Legion Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Artifact system added.

References[]

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