Minecraft Dungeons II Artifacts Tier List
51 confirmed artifacts from game files, ranked by demo footage and combat role.
Minecraft Dungeons II has 51 confirmed artifacts extracted from game files by the community database at dungeons.tools. This page ranks them by their demonstrated utility in demo footage, Xbox Wire hands-on reports, and the systems they appear to serve. The game is not out until September 29, 2026 — treat every rank as pre-launch analysis from public evidence, not confirmed day-one balance.
Use this page beside enchantments (the Enchantsmith library) and starter builds (the three launch-week loadouts). Artifacts are the three active buttons with short cooldowns. Rank them the same way you rank everything in this wiki: by verb, not by rarity.
S-tier: artifacts the demos kept pressing
These are the three active buttons Joe Skrebels used at gamescom 2026 against the Copper Monstrosity. If you find one of these, it goes on the bar immediately.
Bomb / explosive artifact. The gamescom build carried a bomb as the primary burst tool. Against the Monstrosity, bombs were the window after a dash — stationary, short cooldown, lets you dump damage into a target that just finished a telegraph. The community database lists several explosive variants. The verb is “area burst on demand.”
Self-buff artifact. The same build included a selfish damage or survival buff. The exact tooltip is not public, but the usage pattern is: press before a combo window, get a measurable edge. Self-buffs on short cooldowns are the reason the sequel feels aggressive rather than defensive.
Shockwave / cone artifact. Xbox Wire described using a shockwave tool in tight corridors against Warden-style enemies. A cone or circle blast that does not require line of sight to a single target belongs on every bar for cave delves and arena rooms.
A-tier: strong tools for specific fights
These solve a shown problem without being the primary damage button.
Healing / potion-boost artifact. The gamescom writer described potions as part of the rotation, not as emergency buttons. An artifact that extends potion effect, adds a heal-over-time, or grants brief invulnerability fits the aggressive cadence — you press it before you need it, not after you panic.
Summon / minion artifact. The 2020 game had soul builds that spawned helpers. Community extractions show multiple summon-type artifacts in the sequel’s files. If a minion soaks one copper cube or one Warden boom, it has earned the slot.
Mobility artifact. Jump exists. A teleport, a dash-boost, or a temporary speed buff belongs on bars for Sift parkour and for Copper Monstrosity repositioning. Short cooldowns make these usable in combat, not only for traversal.
Lightning / elemental artifact. The Copper Monstrosity fight is built around electricity. An artifact that applies shock, chains damage, or adds elemental ticks during a combo window extends the kit without replacing the bomb.
B-tier: useful, not primary
Exploration artifacts that reveal map, mark chests, or grant temporary loot sense. Valuable in the first Overworld run. Replaced by combat tools once the map is learned.
Thorns / reflection artifacts. If the arena demands you stand in it, a reflect or damage-return tool punishes enemies that attack at range. Niche but not useless against archer illagers in overrun scenarios.
Debuff artifacts that slow, weaken, or apply status effects. The Enchantsmith has books for arrows-on-dodge and fire-on-arrows. A debuff artifact adds a third layer before you close with melee.
C-tier: situational or unconfirmed
Anything whose only evidence is a game file extraction with no demo footage, trailer citation, or hands-on mention belongs here until a public source confirms the verb. The dungeons.tools database lists 51 total artifacts. Some may be Dungeon-exclusive, some may be post-launch DLC, and some may be cosmetic transformations. Do not spend Soul Corrupted currency on a C-tier artifact.
How artifacts relate to the rest of the loadout
Three active slots. Twelve combat tiles total. The inventory page maps the full grid: melee, ranged, four armor, three artifacts, three talismans. Pets moved to talismans, so your artifact bar is purely active abilities.
The How to Play page describes the second-by-second combat cadence: open with ranged, close with melee, spend artifacts on cooldown, dodge the named tell. Artifacts are not emergency buttons in this sequel — they are part of the damage rotation.
Sources and update policy
Primary sources: dungeons.tools community database (51 artifacts from game files), Xbox Wire gamescom 2026 hands-on, Minecraft Wiki enchantment extractions. Secondary sources: Beebom and Sportskeeda recap articles that name artifact types from trailers.
This page will update after September 29 with confirmed launch data. Until then, every rank is labelled as pre-launch analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How many artifacts does Minecraft Dungeons II have?
The community database at dungeons.tools confirms 51 artifacts extracted from game files. Not all have public demo footage.
What is the best artifact shown in demos?
Bombs and self-buffs were the primary tools in the gamescom Copper Monstrosity fight. Shockwave and area burst artifacts are the A-tier for cave and arena fights.
Can I use artifacts and still have room for pets?
Yes. Pets moved to the talisman row in the sequel. Artifacts are purely active abilities on a three-button bar.
Do artifacts have cooldowns?
Yes. Preview coverage describes short cooldowns on purpose — the sequel rewards frequent artifact use, not saving them for emergencies.
Where do I get more artifacts?
Drops during Overworld and dungeon runs. The Blacksmith upgrades power; the Enchantsmith adds enchant books. Artifacts come from gameplay, not from vendors.