History of Artifact

Overview

The Seasonal Artifact is a Legendary item in its own equipment slot, introduced in Season of the Undying. Ranking it up through seasonal XP gives a Power Level bonus and unlocks perks. Progress is shared across characters and resets each season.

Perks

Each artifact has 25 perks in five tiers, up to 12 active at once; tiers unlock after enough earlier perks (tier 2 after 3). Perks can be refunded freely. Before Season of Defiance they unlocked mods needing armor sockets; afterwards they apply directly. Many artifacts carry anti-Champion perks, such as the Pierce trait that lets headshots stun Barrier Champions (see also Overload and Unstoppable).

Latest

The list runs to Implement of Curiosity in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate. Sources cover the artifact's mechanics only in general.