Risk of Rain 2 offers players a variety of ways to shape their gameplay experience, and few mechanics alter the core gameplay as dramatically as Artifacts. Among these, the Artifact of Devotion stands out as a unique modifier that adds strategic depth, challenge, and opportunities for experimentation. This artifact transforms how players interact with allies and the combat environment, offering a fresh twist to both solo and multiplayer runs. By activating this artifact, players can shift the battlefield dynamics in their favor or invite chaos, depending on how it’s used and understood.
Understanding the Artifact of Devotion
What Is the Artifact of Devotion?
The Artifact of Devotion is a gameplay modifier that fundamentally alters the interaction with allied AI units. When activated, the artifact causes certain elite monsters to drop itemized allies drones or summonable characters that will fight alongside the player. These companions are temporary and will eventually expire or be overwhelmed by enemies, but they provide immediate power spikes and support in tough battles.
This artifact introduces elements of randomness and micromanagement, which makes it a favorite for players who enjoy summoner-style gameplay or want to experiment with new synergies. It also provides a visually entertaining and mechanically engaging layer to Risk of Rain 2’s already chaotic gameplay.
Unlocking the Artifact of Devotion
Locating the Artifact Code
To unlock the Artifact of Devotion, players must first find the correct code for the Artifact Portal located in the Sky Meadow stage. The Sky Meadow is typically the fifth environment in a standard run. Within this biome, players will discover a series of buttons and a large device that serves as a gateway to the Artifact world.
The specific pattern of input stones must be activated in the terminal to unlock the Artifact of Devotion. While the code itself may be found through experimentation, the true challenge lies in surviving the subsequent artifact trial once the portal opens.
Completing the Artifact Trial
Upon entering the Artifact Realm, players are faced with a wave-based trial. These trials are often more difficult than standard combat encounters due to limited space, increased enemy spawns, and restrictive terrain. To succeed, players must focus on crowd control, survivability, and precise movement.
Once the trial is completed, the Artifact of Devotion will become permanently available for activation in future runs through the Artifact panel in the character select screen.
Gameplay Effects and Mechanics
How It Changes Combat Dynamics
With the Artifact of Devotion active, elite enemies have a chance to drop allied units. These units range from simple drones to more complex AI-controlled fighters. Their behavior is mostly autonomous they attack nearby enemies and follow players but their strength depends on the type and number of enemies defeated.
This mechanic can lead to an exponential snowball effect. If players defeat elite enemies rapidly, they can create a small army of allies that turns the tide of battle. On the other hand, if those allies are misused or sacrificed too quickly, players might find themselves underpowered in the next encounter.
Benefits of Summonable Allies
- Increased DPS: Allies contribute to overall damage output, helping clear waves faster.
- Distraction: AI allies draw aggro, giving players time to heal or reposition.
- Synergy with Items: Items like N’kuhana’s Opinion or Lepton Daisy can indirectly benefit summoned allies, creating powerful healing loops or AoE support.
- Enhanced Multiplayer Support: In co-op runs, allies help cover gaps in damage types or positioning.
Builds and Synergies
Best Characters to Use With Devotion
- Engineer: The Engineer already excels with turrets. Combined with Devotion, the screen can be filled with helpful allies doing all the dirty work.
- Acrid: Acrid benefits from distractions, and while poisoning groups, summoned allies clean up weakened targets.
- Captain: His passive support tools pair well with AI companions, especially for crowd control and healing.
Item Synergies
- Fuel Cell: Increases equipment use, letting players control ally spawns better if combined with active summoning equipment.
- Ghor’s Tome: Allies help kill enemies, and more kills mean more gold drops to buy drones or chests.
- Monster Tooth: Adds sustainability for both players and nearby allies.
- Backup Magazine: For characters that spawn drones or turrets with abilities, this item amplifies synergy.
Potential Drawbacks and Risks
Not Always Reliable
Allies spawned through the Artifact of Devotion do not scale as well into late-game as players do. In the early stages, they provide a huge boost, but in the later stages, especially in Monsoon or Eclipse difficulty, they can die quickly without significantly impacting the tide of battle. This makes long-term strategy with the artifact more complex than it first appears.
Visual Clutter and Confusion
With numerous allies on-screen, it becomes harder to track enemy projectiles, elite affixes, or even your own character in the chaos. Players not used to high visual density might struggle with targeting and dodging.
Scaling Imbalance
Allied units don’t scale off your item loadout, meaning while you get stronger, your allies stay relatively static. This imbalance becomes noticeable after the 30-minute mark of a run or when enemy HP begins to scale dramatically.
Multiplayer and Artifact Combinations
Combining With Other Artifacts
The Artifact of Devotion becomes even more interesting when used alongside others. Here are a few synergistic combinations:
- Artifact of Kin: Only one type of enemy spawns, making it easier to predict elite drops and control ally type.
- Artifact of Swarms: Double the enemies, double the elite drop potential, leading to massive armies.
- Artifact of Command: Allows players to pick items that directly boost summon strength or survivability.
Team Strategies in Co-Op
In multiplayer, coordination can maximize the Artifact’s value. One player might build around sustain and distraction, while others focus on raw DPS or mobility. Allies then act as a supporting army, buying time and space for big damage players to act.
In high-difficulty runs, one player can lead the AI units while another baits elites or activates teleporters. These strategic roles reduce overlap and ensure that the artifact’s benefit is distributed smartly across the team.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Artifact of Devotion in Risk of Rain 2 is more than just a fun gimmick it’s a serious tool for players who enjoy summoner playstyles, mid-game power spikes, and chaotic experimentation. While it doesn’t scale perfectly into the late game, its early- and mid-game benefits can give players an edge, especially when used with other artifacts and synergistic items.
Whether you’re a veteran survivor looking for new challenges or a newcomer seeking an easier time against elite enemies, the Artifact of Devotion provides a fresh layer of strategy and variety to your runs. With the right planning and execution, this artifact can be both a powerful ally and a chaotic game-changer.