Artifacts in Genshin Impact offer an interesting sort of character buff system. On top of the direct stat boosts given by each individual artifact, players can benefit from bonuses that trigger when themed sets are equipped on the same character.

Those who already have some familiarity with Teyvat’s customs know that Genshin Impact characters need several different materials to succeed. In addition to weapons and level-up materials, players will need to equip their characters with powerful Artifacts, which can be upgraded themselves.

Similar to other RPGs, this story is written all over the Artifact’s description. For example, ever since the release of Genshin Impact, players could collect Crimson Witch of Flames and read its story, only to find out recently that this set was telling La Signora’s background this whole time.

Explaining Artifacts In Genshin Impact

While each set appearance may vary in detail, these five relics always take the form of a flower/brooch, feather, hourglass/timepiece, goblet, and helmet/headwear. Every Artifact set is comprised of distinct pieces and each individual Artifact offers a main stat boost, The main stat can vary depending on the kind of Artifact in question, such as:

  • Flower of Life: HP. Plume of Death: ATK. Sands of Eon: ATK%, HP%, DEF%, Elemental Mastery, Energy Recharge%. Goblet of Eonothem: ATK%, HP%, DEF%, Elemental Mastery, Geo DMG%, Hydro DMG%, Anemo DMG%, Pyro DMG%, Cryo DMG%, Electro DMG%. Circlet of Logos: ATK%, HP%, DEF%, Elemental Mastery, Healing Bonus%, Crit Rate%, Crit DMG%.

Direct perks aside, players also have the benefit of Artifact set bonuses. When equipped in sets, Artifacts from the same set will grant additional passive bonuses. While the main stat boosts offered by Artifacts will vary from copy to copy, the Artifact set bonuses remain the same within each set.

Additionally, each Artifact will carry up to four Sub-stats. Unlike the main stats, Sub-stats can appear on any type of Artifact. They are:

  • ATK ATK% DEF DEF% HP HP% Crit Rate% Crit DMG% Elemental Mastery Energy Recharge%

Elemental DMG such as Hydro DMG and others, do not appear in Sub-stats bonuses in addition to Healing Bonus.

Best Artifacts In Genshin Impact

Thankfully, Artifacts are not one of the rare items players have to Wish for in Genshin Impact. For the most part, they can be taken from in-game treasure chests, received as rewards from quests, or obtained upon clearing Domains. And for those who are wondering, the strongest of Artifacts will be found in Domains of Blessing. Of course, some of these sets are stronger than others.

S-Tier

S-Tier Artifacts should be able to flawlessly change the gameplay of a character.

Viridescent Venerer

Viridescent Venerer offers a buff to Anemo DMG% and Swirl Reactions. It also gives Anemo characters the ability to greatly reduce enemies’ resistance to the element they Swirl with.

Noblesse Oblige

Noblesse Oblige grants Elemental Burst DMG bonus. Usually, it is equipped on support units. This is because the 4-set effect buffs the team’s Attack after casting their Elemental Bursts.

Tenacity of the Millelith

Tenacity of the Millelith is on the S-Tier because many units require the HP bonus of the 2-set effect. As for the 4-set, it’s very niche, and so far, only Zhongli and Albedo can utilize it fully.

Emblem of Severed Fate

Emblem of Severed Fate can crazily buff a character’s Elemental Burst DMG when they have enough Energy Recharge to back it up. It’s a brilliant choice for Burst Support like Raiden Shogun or Xiangling.

Husk of Opulent Dreams

This set may only be used for defensive Geo characters, but it’s an amazing set for them. It offers 30% additional DEF, while the 4-set offers a total of 24% extra DEF and 24% Geo DMG bonus.

Crimson Witch of Flames

Since the release of Genshin Impact, Crimson Witch of Flames has been one of the best Artifacts set in the game. Because Pyro has access to the best amplifying Reactions, Melt, and Vaporize. This set further amplifies the crazy damage these two Elemental Reactions can inflict upon enemies.

A-Tier

A-Tier Artifacts can boost the gameplay of a character with some limitations.

Blizzard Strayer

Blizzard Strayer is a perfect Artifact for Cryo characters. In addition to the Cryo DMG buff, the set raises their Crit Rate% by a whopping 40%. However, this bonus can only be obtained if the enemy is Frozen. If the foe is simply affected by Cryo, then the Crit Rate bonus is lowered to 20%.

Thundering Fury

Thundering Fury is an excellent set for Electro users. It increases their Electro DMG and grants them more damage on their Elemental Reactions. The only downside is that Electro is an underwhelming Element in general. Most people opt for the 2-set, but not the 4-set.

Wanderer’s Troupe

There was a time where Wanderer’s Troupe was a must for any Mage or Bow user. The set increases their Elemental Mastery and buffs their Charged Attack.

Thundersoother

Thundersoother increases the damage done to enemies as long as they’re affected by Electro.

Gladiator’s Finale

Gladiator’s Finale buffs ATK% and increases the Normal Attack DMG of the characters that use Swords, Claymores, and Polearms. This set is generally amazing but is clouded by character-specific sets.

Retracing Bolide

Retracing Bolide has one of the best Normal and Charged Attack buffs in the game. However, for the bonus to be available, the character must be shielded 100% of the time. So basically, this set is only viable with Zhongli (or Thoma).

Ocean-Hued Clam

Ocean-Hued Clam is the savior for healers. Now, they can deal decent damage alongside protecting their teammates. This set is especially good for dedicated healers like Kokomi and Qiqi.

Pale Flame

Pale Flame is a perfect choice for Physical DPS characters. It can keep increasing their Physical DMG% and further increase their ATK% if they have a lower than six seconds Elemental Skill cooldown.

Shimenawa’s Reminiscence

Shimenawa’s Reminiscence can be a very tricky set. Simply because, in exchange for great power, characters must sacrifice their Elemental Bursts.

Heart of Depth

Heart of Depth set is activated when Hydro characters use their Elemental Skills. It gives them a great boost to their Normal and Charged Attack DMG.

B-Tier

As for B-Tier Artifacts, they provide good damage or utility, but they’re usually outperformed by other sets.

Bloodstained Chivalry

Bloodstained can be very helpful for Physical DPS characters. The 2-set is a popular option, but the 4-set is only usable on characters that heavily rely on their Charged Attack. So far, no character can effectively utilize 4-Bloodstained Chivalry.

Maiden Beloved

Healing in Genshin Impact never was a hard thing, to begin with. So an Artifact to boost it isn’t really needed. Even with the new game mechanics like the Corrosion effect, most healers can still overheal.

Lavawalker

Lavawalker increases the character’s damage against enemies affected by Pyro. But, Lavawalker is easily outperformed by Crimson Witch of Flames.

Archaic Petra

Although 4-Archaic Petra can provide an enormous buff, it’s not very practical to use. The effect is obtained when the character is shielded by Elemental Shards created via Crystallize Reactions. However, to gain this buff, players have to ensure that the character equipping this set is the one picking up the Elemental Shards. The buff won’t be granted if other units pick up the Shards.

Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.