DCUO Artifacts Guide
Artifacts are one of DC Universe Online’s most impactful character progression systems. Introduced in Game Update 87 (2018), artifacts are equippable items that grant passive bonuses and, at key breakthrough ranks, powerful active effects. Leveling artifacts is a long-term investment that significantly improves your character’s performance at every level of content.
How Artifacts Work
Each character can equip three artifacts simultaneously. Artifacts start at rank 1 and can be leveled up to rank 200 using Nth Metal — special materials found throughout the game. Different quality tiers of Nth Metal provide different amounts of artifact experience.
Artifacts don’t occupy a gear slot — they’re in a dedicated Artifacts section of your character sheet. You can have more than three artifacts total (stored extras), but only three can be active at once.
Nth Metal: The Leveling Currency
Nth Metal comes in several quality tiers:
| Nth Metal Quality | Artifact XP Provided |
|---|---|
| Common (grey) | Small amount |
| Uncommon (green) | Moderate amount |
| Rare (blue) | Significant amount |
| Epic (purple) | Large amount |
| Legendary (orange) | Very large amount |
Higher quality Nth Metal is rarer and provides substantially more XP per item. Legendary Nth Metal is the primary bottleneck for reaching high artifact ranks.
Where to Get Nth Metal
- Daily missions — Small amounts of common/uncommon Nth Metal from daily content
- Weekly missions — Better quality Nth Metal from featured and weekly episodes
- Episode rewards — Looting content from current and older episodes
- Brialliant Cut Gems — Special currency that can exchange for Nth Metal
- Cash Shop / Marketplace — Legendary Nth Metal available for direct purchase
- Salvaging gear — Old gear can be converted to Nth Metal via the Artifact system
Breakthrough Ranks
The artifact leveling path has four Breakthrough points at ranks 80, 120, 160, and 200. At each breakthrough, you cannot simply feed more Nth Metal — you must also consume a specific Catalyst to unlock the next tier.
| Breakthrough | Rank | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| First | 80 | Requires Catalyst; artifact gain first major bonus |
| Second | 120 | Requires Catalyst; second bonus activated |
| Third | 160 | Requires Catalyst; third bonus or enhancement |
| Max Rank | 200 | Final form; maximum power |
Catalysts are consumed on breakthrough and are not recoverable. They drop from specific content or can be purchased from vendors in the Watchtower/Hall of Doom.
Getting Your First Artifacts
You receive a starter artifact early in the game from quest rewards. For higher-quality artifacts:
- Artifact vendor (Watchtower/Hall of Doom): Purchase artifact packs with in-game currency
- Episode rewards: Many episodes reward artifact-related items
- Marketplace: Some artifacts are available in bundles or directly for real-money purchase
Artifact Priority: What to Level First
Artifact choice depends heavily on your role (DPS, Tank, Healer, or Controller). Artifacts generally fall into these categories:
DPS Artifacts
- Transformation Card — Increases Power when active; strong for high-damage bursts
- Scrap of the Soul Cloak — Powerful passive damage bonus on the fourth attack
- Strategist Card — Scales with weapon attacks; good for burst DPS
Healer Artifacts
- Philosopher’s Stone — Increases healing output
- Lernaea’s Amulet — Provides self-healing and sustain
Tank Artifacts
- Cog of Mageddon — Provides a damage shield; strong for absorbing hits
- Amulet of Rao — Reduces incoming damage
Controller Artifacts
- Source Shard — Power generation bonus
Tip: Choose two DPS artifacts and one survivability artifact even if you are a DPS role — survivability at lower ranks makes content far more manageable.
Leveling Strategy
Rank 1–80 (First Breakthrough)
This range is the fastest. Feed all available common and uncommon Nth Metal. Most players reach rank 80 within a few weeks of normal play without actively farming.
At rank 80, you need your first Catalyst. Catalysts at this level come from completing weekly episodes and certain vendor purchases.
Rank 80–120 (Second Breakthrough)
Significantly more Nth Metal is required. The grind begins here. Focus on:
- Completing all available weekly missions
- Running the Vault daily (the special daily instance gives Nth Metal and marks)
- Participating in events that drop Legendary Nth Metal
Rank 120–160
The second major grind phase. Legendary Nth Metal becomes the main bottleneck. Many players keep one artifact at rank 120 while pushing another to 160 before finishing the third.
Rank 160–200
The hardest stretch. Most endgame players target rank 200 on their primary role artifact first, then work on the other two. Rank 200 artifacts provide the final bonus and complete the artifact’s progression.
Important Notes
- Artifacts don’t bind to roles — the same artifacts are equipped regardless of which role you’re playing in a specific instance
- Artifacts don’t reset — all XP fed to an artifact is permanent; you can never lose progress
- Storing artifacts — You can have unused artifacts in your inventory or bank; they don’t lose XP when not equipped
- Rank 80 bonuses matter — Even at rank 80, the breakthrough bonus provides a meaningful improvement
Quick Tips
- Feed all Nth Metal as soon as you get it — there’s no reason to hoard it
- Focus on one artifact at a time to reach breakthrough ranks faster
- Don’t skip the Vault daily — it’s one of the most consistent Nth Metal sources
- Complete the free Catalyst quests each week before buying from the vendor
- Watch for double Nth Metal bonus weekends — these significantly accelerate progression
