Artifacts are items that can be found on the Adventure Map, obtained from objects on the map, defeated enemy heroes, from previously dismissed, retreated, defeated in battles with neutrals or disappeared after losing the last town heroes in a tavern, gifted by an allied hero, bought from the artifact merchants or got as a starting bonus. Special artifacts, such as Spell book, War machines and Grail have their ways to be obtained. When a hero picks up an artifact, it disappears from the map and takes its place in an appropriate slot. If the slot is not free, the artifact is stored in the hero's backpack. The backpack can hold up to 64 unequipped artifacts and when it is full, no more artifacts can be picked up even if its slot is empty. Any artifacts obtained from creature banks or defeated enemy heroes without the free space in artifact slots or in the backpack will just disappear. Artifacts from creature banks taken with a full backpack will fill all the free slots, but it not always works with artifacts from a defeated enemy hero. If a hero without free space in a backpack is trying to dig, he's getting "Searching for the Grail is fruitless. Your hero could not carry it..." message without losing movement points. The problem of the full backpack can be solved by Artifact merchants or Altar of Sacrifice (the last one is for good or neutral-aligned heroes only).

Equipped artifacts usually enhance a hero's abilities, either by increasing primary skills, movement, morale or luck, enhancing secondary skills, or providing immunity against a particular spell. However, equipped artifacts may also provide extra income for the kingdom or increase the productivity of creature dwellings in towns. Two similar artifacts will not stack their effect except for Quiet Eye of the Dragon and all the resource-producing artifacts.

An artifact placed on the Adventure Map can also be guarded even though it has no apparent creatures guarding it (this mechanics is not used in mainstream PvP templates). When a hero attempts to pick up a guarded artifact, text appears asking whether or not the hero wants to attack the guardians. If the hero manages to defeat the guardians, he will receive the artifact. If he is forced to retreat from the battle or dies during it, the defeated guardians will not regenerate. It should be noted, that if the map maker has set guards for the artifact without a text, then no question is asked and the guards attack immediately.

Slots

Equipped artifacts are placed on squares on hero menu called slots as seen on the picture below. Slots represent different parts of the hero's body, and every slot can hold one artifact at the time.

Hero artifacts numbered.png
Slot 1 – Helmet: Typically gives bonus to knowledge skill.
Slot 2 – Cape: Varies.
Slot 3 – Necklace: Varies, but commonly gives spell immunities.
Slot 4 – Right hand (offensive): Typically gives bonus to attack skill.
Slot 5 – Left hand (defensive): Typically gives bonus to defense skill.
Slot 6 – Torso: Typically gives bonus to spell power.
Slot 7 – Ring (right and left hand): Varies.
Slot 8 – Feet: Typically gives benefits to hero's movement.
Slot 9 – Miscellaneous: Varies greatly.
Note: In 埃拉西亞的光復 and 末日之刃, there are just four misc. slots.
Slot A: Reserved only for Ballista (or Cannon Horn of the Abyss).
Slot B: Reserved only for Ammo cart.
Slot C: Reserved only for First aid tent.
Slot D: Reserved only for Catapult.
Slot E: Reserved only for Spell book.
Slot F: Backpack where can be stored up to 64 unused artifacts.

Combination artifacts consist of several regular ones. When equipped they block all the slots belonging to their parts, but take just one slot in the backpack.

There are 12 combination artifacts in 死亡陰影 (Armageddon's blade works as a combo in the campaign only). Traces of 3 unrealized ones are in the game files: it's Diplomat's Suit, Mire of Neutrality and Ironfist of the Ogre. They were introduced in 深淵號角 as Diplomat's Cloak, Pendant of Reflection and Ironfist of the Ogre, alongside with Golden Goose as an hommage to Heroes of Might and Magic II.

Cost

See:

Class

Artifacts are split into 4 categories roughly rating their power and usefulness. The Class rating is not listed on the item in the game, but it afflicts the chances to get an artifact in creature banks and the strength of guarding units on adventure map. The map editor allows the placing of a random artifact by the certain class, allowing for creating a variation in that map from one play through to the next.

The 4 classes are Treasure, Minor, Major, and Relic. Their AI values are 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 respectively. Only Treasure class artifacts are used for quests by Seers at randomly generated maps, but the map maker can choose an artifact of any class for this.

Spell scrolls have no class and their AI value is 500 for the 1st level spell scroll and 2000/3000/4000/5000 for 2nd/3rd/4th/5th levels.

Horn of the Abyss Note: in 深淵號角, the values of 4th and 5th level spell scrolls were raised to 8000 and 10000. Town portal, Water walk, Fly and Dimension door scrolls' AI value was raised to 20000.

Artifacts
Treasure
Amulet of the Undertaker
Badge of Courage
Bird of Perception
Bow of Elven Cherrywood
Breastplate of Petrified Wood
Cape of Conjuring
Cards of Prophecy
Centaur's Axe
Charm of Mana
Clover of Fortune
Collar of Conjuring
Crest of Valor
Dragonbone Greaves
Glyph of Gallantry
Helm of the Alabaster Unicorn
Hourglass of the Evil Hour
Ladybird of Luck
Legs of Legion
Mystic Orb of Mana
Necklace of Swiftness
Pendant of Death
Pendant of Dispassion
Pendant of Free Will
Pendant of Holiness
Pendant of Life
Pendant of Total Recall
Quiet Eye of the Dragon
Ring of Conjuring
Ring of Vitality
Shield of the Dwarven Lords
Skull Helmet
Speculum
Spirit of Oppression
Spyglass
Still Eye of the Dragon
Stoic Watchman
Talisman of Mana
Demon's Horseshoe Horn of the Abyss
Ring of Suppression Horn of the Abyss
Runes of Imminency Horn of the Abyss
Artifacts
Minor
Armor of Wonder
Blackshard of the Dead Knight
Boots of Speed
Bowstring of the Unicorn's Mane
Buckler of the Gnoll King
Crown of the Supreme Magi
Dragon Wing Tabard
Emblem of Cognizance
Equestrian's Gloves
Greater Gnoll's Flail
Helm of Chaos
Inexhaustible Cart of Ore
Inexhaustible Cart of Lumber
Loins of Legion
Red Dragon Flame Tongue
Rib Cage
Ring of Life
Scales of the Greater Basilisk
Shield of the Yawning Dead
Torso of Legion
Vampire's Cowl
Hideous Mask Horn of the Abyss
Shaman's Puppet Horn of the Abyss
Artifacts
Major
Ambassador's Sash
Angel Feather Arrows
Arms of Legion
Breastplate of Brimstone
Cape of Velocity
Dead Man's Boots
Diplomat's Ring
Dragon Scale Shield
Endless Bag of Gold
Endless Purse of Gold
Everflowing Crystal Cloak
Everpouring Vial of Mercury
Eversmoking Ring of Sulfur
Garniture of Interference
Golden Bow
Head of Legion
Hellstorm Helmet
Necklace of Dragonteeth
Necklace of Ocean Guidance
Ogre's Club of Havoc
Orb of Driving Rain
Orb of the Firmament
Orb of Silt
Orb of Tempestuous Fire
Pendant of Courage
Pendant of Negativity
Pendant of Second Sight
Recanter's Cloak
Ring of Infinite Gems
Ring of the Wayfarer
Shackles of War
Shield of the Damned
Sphere of Permanence
Statesman's Medal
Surcoat of Counterpoise
Sword of Hellfire
Targ of the Rampaging Ogre
Tunic of the Cyclops King
Vial of Lifeblood
Cape of Silence Horn of the Abyss
Crown of the Five Seas Horn of the Abyss
Pendant of Downfall Horn of the Abyss
Ring of Oblivion Horn of the Abyss
Royal Armor of Nix Horn of the Abyss
Shield of Naval Glory Horn of the Abyss
Trident of Dominion Horn of the Abyss
Wayfarer's Boots Horn of the Abyss
Artifacts
Relic
Angel Wings
Armageddon's Blade Armageddon's Blade
Boots of Levitation
Boots of Polarity
Celestial Necklace of Bliss
Crown of Dragontooth
Dragon Scale Armor
Endless Sack of Gold
Helm of Heavenly Enlightenment
Lion's Shield of Courage
Orb of Vulnerability
Orb of Inhibition
Sandals of the Saint
Sea Captain's Hat
Sentinel's Shield
Spellbinder's Hat
Sword of Judgement
Thunder Helmet
Titan's Cuirass
Titan's Gladius
Tome of Air
Tome of Earth
Tome of Fire
Tome of Water
Vial of Dragon Blood Armageddon's Blade
Horn of the Abyss Horn of the Abyss
Artifacts
Combination
Admiral's Hat
Angelic Alliance
Armor of the Damned
Bow of the Sharpshooter
Cloak of the Undead King
Cornucopia
Elixir of Life
Power of the Dragon Father
Ring of the Magi
Statue of Legion
Titan's Thunder
Wizard's Well
Diplomat's Cloak Horn of the Abyss
Golden Goose Horn of the Abyss
Ironfist of the Ogre Horn of the Abyss
Pendant of Reflection Horn of the Abyss

See also