OVERVIEW

Artifacts are a system introduced to DC Universe Online on November 1st, 2017. These items increase your Stats and effectiveness in combat by giving you special Buffs at certain Ranks. These Artifacts level up with the Player by using new experience (XP) items called Nth Metal. They come in various types and the amount of XP differs between Rarity.

Also used in leveling Artifacts are items called Catalysts. Every 20 Milestone Ranks requires specific Catalysts in order to breakthrough to get to the next Rank. The Milestone Ranks are 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, and 200. 

This guide will show you all the information you need on Artifacts, how to acquire them, the different XP items, and more.

UPDATE - July 25, 2020
John Constantine vendor listing updated with all currently available Artifacts & Recommended Role information!
UPDATE - September 12, 2019
Game Update 97 (GU97) added Rank 180 & 200 to Artifacts & Catalyst Consolidation replaced the Catalyst Cache for 3 new Catalysts. Catalyst Caches & prior 21 Catalysts were Depowered to only be consumed to grant 10x Source Marks & no longer used for Artifacts.
UPDATE - August 15, 2018
Game Update 86 updated Artifact Prices from John Constantine detailed below and introduced a 3rd Artifact Slot.

INTRODUCTION MISSION

Once you Reach Level 20, John Constantine will contact you for a mission to collect rare and valuable Artifacts. This Mission will give you a choice of a Free Artifact and Nth Metal and Catalysts to get your first Artifact to Rank 20. Below is the breakdown of the Mission Chain. In case you leave or warp from any of the areas to your Base, headquarters, etc, you can continue the missions by warping to the Area you stopped at from the Events Tab on the On Duty Menu.

Artifacts

• Intro Message from John Constantine: Hello there, mate. How've ya been? Alright alright, I'll cut the chumminess. i know we don't have much history together. But together... we could MAKE history. And speaking of history, I'm in the business of collecting things. Old things. New things. Sometimes blue things. But most importantly, things with power. Ahh... That got your attention. Good. Meet me at this secret location and I'll give you the details of the little arrangement.

• Speak with John Constantine at the Oblivion Bar; you can use Artifacts: Oblivion Bar in the Events Tab of the On Duty Menu to get there.

• Speak with John Constantine again to let him know you're ready.

Ruined Cathedral - The Entwined Rings of Azar

• Help John Constantine get an Artifact from the Ruined Cathedral in Hell; you can use Artifacts: Ruined Cathedral in the Events Tab of the On Duty Menu to get there.
  Strategy: The Mobs in this area are Cultists which can be burned easily and don’t hit very hard.

• While inside the Ruined Cathedral, defeat Brother Blood.
  Strategy: He does basic Handblaster Weapon Combos that can be countered. There is a Healing Barrel in the corner if needed.
  Rewards:
  1x Processed Nth Metal
  1x Source Marks
  Cash: $393

• Give the Entwined Rings of Azar to John Constantine.

Oa Central Power Battery - The Starheart Fragment

• Help John Constantine get an Artifact from the Oa Central Power Battery; you can use Artifacts: Oa Central Power Battery in the Events Tab of the On Duty Menu to get there.
  Strategy: The Mobs in this area are Orange Lantern Constructs which can be burned easily and don’t hit very hard.

• While inside the Oa Central Power Battery, defeat Glomulus.
  Strategy: He occasionally uses Plasma Breath or Savage Bite to knock down. There is a Healing Barrel if needed.

  Rewards:
  1x Purified Nth Metal
  1x Source Marks
  Cash: $393

• Give the Starheart Fragment to John Constantine.

Apokolips Necropolis - The Cog of Mageddon and the Tetrahedron of Urgund

• Help John Constantine get two Artifacts from the Apokolips Necropolis; you can use Artifacts: Apokolips Necropolis in the Events Tab of the On Duty Menu to get there.
  Strategy: The Mobs in this area are the Dreggs which can be burned very easily and don’t hit very hard.

• While inside the Apokolips Necropolis, defeat Steppenwolf.
  Strategy: Steppenwolf is tanked by Constantine's Earth Golem so just burn him. There is a Healing Barrel if needed.

  Rewards:
  1x Processed Nth Metal
  1x Source Marks
  Cash: $393

• Give the Cog of Mageddon and the Tetrahedron of Urgund to John Constantine.

Government Warehouse - The Starheart Fragment

• Help John Constantine get an Artifact from the Government Warehouse; you can use Artifacts: Government Warehouse in the Events Tab of the On Duty Menu to get there.
  Strategy: No Mobs to defeat here. Search and interact through the crates to find the Artifact. Each crate does have a funny line to them. Your 3rd crate while searching will give you a Flawless Nth Metal, Purified Nth Metal and 4x Processed Nth Metal. You'll also complete the Feat: Mantling of Barbatos for collecting a Flawless Nth Metal. Then the 6th crate you open you'll find the Artifact.

• While inside the Government Warehouse, defeat Major Force.
  Strategy: He will occasionally uses Plasma Breath and Savage Bite to knock down. There is a Healing Barrel if needed.

  Rewards:
  1x Processed Nth Metal
  1x Source Marks
  Cash: $393

• Give the Starheart Fragment to John Constantine.

• Next choose which Artifact you want. You will choose 1 out of 3. 2 of them will be the Cog of Mageddon and the Tetrahedron of Urgund. The last Artifact will depend on your Power's Support Role. Controllers: Entwined Rings of Azar, Healers: Starheart Fragment, and Tanks: Dilustel Refractor.

• Go to your Inventory and Equip your Artifact

• Advance your Artifact on the Fortiy Tab of your Inventory until it reaches a Milestone Rank

• Find John Constantine in the Watchtower/Hall of Doom Headquarters for Artifact Catalyst: Electrum; you need Catalysts like these to get past the Milestone Ranks.
  Rewards:
  2x Electrum Catalysts
  5x Source Marks
  Cash: $2000

• Use the Fortify Tab of your Inventory to break through a Milestone Rank with your Artifact. When you Breakthrough, you'll complete the Feat: Relic Ascension I for getting an Artifact to Rank 20
  Rewards:
  1x Vault Ticket
  5x Source Marks
  Cash: $2000

• Go to the Vault and get some Reagents for your Artifact; Use the Vault Ticket or queue from the 1 Player Tab of the On Duty Menu. The Stabilizer Fragments Event will also give Artifact Reagents. Just complete the Vault to complete the mission.

• Speak with John Constantine in the Watchtower/Hall of Doom to get a Seal of Preservation and see what he has for sale.
  Rewards:
  1x Seal of Preservation
  5x Source Marks
  Cash: $2000

That completes the Introduction Mission for Artifacts. You can now buy the other Artifacts from John Constantine. You can use any Artifact on your character but some Buff Abilities may not apply to you due to missing the requirements like Group Power Heals are only available to Controller Powersets.

VENDOR

After completing the Introduction mission, John Constantine will be in your Headquarters available to sell you Artifacts and other items. In case you need to replace your Artifact because you deleted it, you can come back here and buy it again. It is Unique so if you have it equipped or in your inventory, you won’t see the Artifact listed on the vendor.

XP ITEMS

Experience (XP) Items are used to level your Artifacts. Most commonly you will find Nth Metal dropping from all content within the game and are the usual types to be used to level your Artifacts. The Developers have planned on adding special XP Items to fit the theme of these relics to add more XP to Artifacts. Below are the lists of XP Items and how to obtain them.

Nth Metal

The XP items that drop throughout the game in Open World and On-Duty Instances including running the Vault and the Stabilizer Event. Your first weekly Vault run will yield much more Nth Metal than usual including 1 Augmented Nth Metal, since Server Hotfix August 24th, 2018.

Raw Nth Metal were temporarily removed for a period of time from dropping in content and higher versions were increased in drops.
Continuum Nth Metal were exclusively available from the Bonus Event: Raid the Universe.

Sin Stones

Introduced in the Assassin Time Capsule on April 19th, 2018, they are XP items for the Assassin Artifacts: Venom Wrist Dispenser, The Demon's Fang, and Lazarus Water. The Sin Stones can be used as XP on any Artifact but when used on these 3 they grant a 10% bonus.

Sunstones

Introduced in the Kryptonian Time Capsule on June 27th, 2018, Sunstones are XP items for the Kryptonian Artifacts: Rao's Amulet, Solar Amplifier, Bottled City Soder and Omegahedron. The Sunstones can be used as XP on any Artifact but when used on these 4 they grant a 10% increased Experience for every additional Sunstone, up to a Maximum of 40%. Sun Stones cannot stack like other XP.

CATALYSTS & MILESTONE RANKS

In order to Rank up your Artifacts, every 20 Ranks is considered a Milestone Rank which you must breakthrough with Catalysts. They are obtained by purchasing from John Constantine in Headquarter for Source Marks, trading with other players for items or in-game cash, sold by players on the Broker for in-game cash, or purchased on the Marketplace for DB/MC. There are 3 kinds of Catalysts needed in order to go through the Breakthrough process: Dionesium (Dio), Quantum Field Energy (QFE), Paradox Energy (PE). Each Milestone Rank has a Success Chance and as Rank increases, Success Chance decreases. Also with each higher Rank, more XP is required for the next Milestone Rank.

As pictured above, GU97 made Catalyst Caches & prior 21 Catalysts were Depowered to only be consumed to grant 10x Source Marks.
Source Wall Pro Tip: If you have other characters on your account that are low on Source Marks, you can send Depowered Catalysts to them via the Shared Bank and consume them to gain the Source Marks on that character.

Marketplace Items

Catalysts & Seals

Catalysts and Seals are sold on the Marketplace as an option for players if they so desire. Seals of Preservation and Completion are only sold on the Marketplace but you can sell them on the Broker. Just like the Catalysts, the Seals are not tradeable across platforms.

Items - Price (Non-Members / Members)

- Artifact Starter Pack - 1800 / 1620 DB/MC
Contains an Artifact Cache which has 40,000 XP worth of Nth Metal and the Catalysts needed to reach Rank 80 and a Nth Metal Detector. The Cache allows for a one time choice between the following Artifacts: Tetrahedron of Urgund, Cog of Mageddon, Entwined Rings of Azar, Starheart Fragment, Dilustel Refractor, Parasite's Power Harness, Scrap of the Soul Cloak, or Legionnaire's Sparring AI. If a character owns all 8 of the Artifacts, you'll receive a Nth Metal Detector from the Cache. The Cache is Account Bound and everything inside unless specified by the item's tooltip.

- Seal of Preservation Pack - 200 / 180 DB/MC
Contains 4 Seals of Preservation. These items prevent the loss of your Catalysts when a Milestone Breakthrough fails and is consumed in their place. If the Milestone attempt succeeds, the Seal is not used. This is a one-time use item and is not tradable cross-platform.

- Seal of Completion - 500 / 450 DB/MC
Guarantees a successful Milestone Breakthrough, and is consumed in the process.

- Dionesium - 20 / 18 DB/MC
Catalyst needed for all Milestone Breakthroughs.

- Dionesium Pack Pack - 100 / 90 DB/MC
6 Dionesium Catalysts needed for all Milestone Breakthroughs.

- Quantum Field Energy - 40 / 36 DB/MC
Catalyst needed for Milestone Ranks 40 and above.

- Quantum Field Energy Pack - 200 / 180 DB/MC
6 Quantum Field Energy Catalysts needed for Milestone Ranks 40 and above.

- Paradox Energy - 60 / 54 DB/MC
Catalyst needed for Milestone Ranks 60 and above.

- Paradox Energy Pack - 300 / 270 DB/MC
6 Paradox Energy Catalysts needed for Milestone Ranks 60 and above.

XP Items

Nth Metal Detector

Nth Metal Detectors are used to increase the amount of Nth Metal XP Items you get. Its active for 1 hour and has a golden sparkle aura placed around you. While its active you will have Nth Metal Caches drop from enemies and placed in your inventory. Whats inside the Caches may vary. These items are sold on the Marketplace but were also added to Booster Bundles.
UPDATE - August 23rd, 2018: Nth Metal Detectors dropped in price.

Artifact XP Packs

Added on August 23rd, 2018, the Artifact XP Packs only give Artifact XP and require Catalysts in order for Milestone breakthroughs.
The Reinforced Artifact XP pack gives 1 Reinforced Nth Metal and the Perfected Artifact XP Pack gives 1 Perfected Nth Metal.

NOTE: The best bang for your buck is the Perfected Artifact XP Pack for 1000 Daybreak/Marketplace Cash (which is basically 10 dollars). The Perfected will save you 200 Daybreak/Marketplace Cash (2 dollars) because you'll need 1200 Daybreak/Marketplace Cash (12 dollars) to buy 6 Reinforced Artifact XP Packs just to reach the same 75000 XP value of the Perfected Artifact XP Pack.
ALSO: It is your one and done way to get to Rank 80 easily. Rank 80 needs 39920 XP which you could also buy x4 Reinforced Artifact XP Packs (800 Daybreak/Marketplace Cash) to get 50000 XP. Do note that you won’t completely reach the Rank 100 Milestone with the Perfected Artifact XP Pack since that Rank requires 82499 XP and the Perfected only gives 75000 XP.

Old Items & Prices

NOTE - August 22nd, 2019: These items were removed from the Marketplace prior to GU97 as they were streamlined.

ARTIFACTS

Here you'll find the listing for each Artifact available in the game. Most Artifacts are sold by John Constantine in the Watchtower or Hall of Doom. 

The Relics

These are the first batch of Artifacts during the launch of this system. When you complete the Intro Mission you get to choose one of these for Free. The others have to be bought from John Constantine.

Entwined Rings of Azar

Controller Artifact

This Artifact increases the Health of you and your Party equal to a Percentage of your Vitalization whenever you use your Group Power Heal ability. This Health buff lasts for 12 seconds and it does stack with other Health Buffs from the other Artifacts.

Tetrahedron of Urgrund

DPS Artifact (Might)

This Artifact works in tandem with the Health Buffs from the other Artifacts. When using a Superpower, you and the group will gain a Might Buff equal to a % of your Health. The more Health, the greater increase in the Might Buff. When in Damage or Controller Role, the %’s are doubled so your percentages are 2.4%/3.2%/3.6%/4%. The reason the Controller Role was added to this Artifact was to encourage Controllers to use a “Buff Build” if they so desired which works together with the Controller Artifact, Claw of Aeklund.

Cog of Mageddon

DPS Artifact (Precision)

Dilustel Refractor

Tank Artifact

Starheart Fragment

Healer Artifact

The Anti-Monitor Artifacts

These Artifacts were released during the 2018 Anniversary Event, the Anti-Monitor, in January 2018. 

Scrap of the Soul Cloak

Supercharge Artifact

Legionnaire's Sparring AI

Weapon Artifact

Parasite's Power Harness

Controller Artifact

Assassin Artifacts

These Artifacts are obtained by Attain and open an Assassin Time Capsule, until you receive an Artificer Capsule, then upon opening it for the first time on your character you will receive a feat followed by a mail from Ra’s al Ghul with an attachment of the style item Eyes of the Dusk, which you consume and equip. You must wear this style while defeating any enemy throughout the game to get Collection items in order to make the Artifacts. There are 3 sets of Collections, consisting of 10 Collection items each, requiring you to get 30 Collection items in total to access all 3 Artifacts. You can get up to 3 Collections items per day, 1 Collection item for each Artifact. After 10 days of continually defeating enemies (doesn’t have to be consecutive) completes the Collection Feat and the Artifact mailed to you.

For alts, you can unlock the Feats with Replay Badges to obtain the Eyes of Dusk Style and the 3 Artifacts. They will be mailed to you after unlocking their individual Feats. You can also find these 3 Artifacts on the Time and Space Vendor, 25 Quarks per Artifact and 100 Quarks for the Eyes of the Dusk itself!

Venom Wrist Dispenser

Weapon Artifact

The Demon's Fang

Healer/DPS Artifact

Lazarus Water

Tank/All Artifact

The Death of Superman - Omegahedron

This Artifact is given for free after completing the Story Missions in Doom Metropolis, part of "The Death of Superman" Celebration which is permanent content and free so everyone has access to get this Artifact.
It is considered as a Kryptonian Artifact due to it’s origins, even though it isn’t obtained like the other 3.

Kryptonian Artifacts

These Artifacts are obtained by opening a number of Kryptonian Time Capsules (released on June 27th 2018):

Solar Amplifier - Opening 5 Capsules
Amulet of Rao - Opening 10 Capsules
Bottled City Soder - Opening 15 Capsules

In addition to the new Artifacts is the Bottled City Soder which is a permanent infinite soder cola and goes into the Consumable Slot and not the Artifact. Also the Solar Amplifier Artifact is the first of it's kind too buffing an Iconic Ability.

For alts, you can unlock the Feats with Replay Badges to obtain the 3 Artifacts. They will be mailed to you shortly after unlocking their individual Feats. You can also find these 3 Artifacts on the Time and Space Vendor, 25 Quarks per Artifact.

Solar Amplifier

Heat Vision Buff Artifact

Amulet of Rao

Controller Artifact

Bottled City Soder

Role Buff Soder Consumable

Episode Artifacts

Atlantean Artifacts

You must have access to Episode 33: Atlantis either buying the episode or having a Membership. These Artifacts are obtained by completing Atlantis Mission Journals that require you to complete specific Episode Content for the first time. Event Versions of the Content do count to complete these while the Event Versions last. (released on November 8th 2018). These Artifacts will be available by John Constantine in the Headquarters.

Manacles of Force

To Unlock, complete the Throne Raid in Event/Normal/Elite

Dead King’s Scepter

To Unlock, complete the Royal Palace Solo in Event/Normal

Orb of Arion

To Unlock, complete the Crown of Thorns Raid in Event/Normal/Elite

Eye of Gemini

To Unlock, complete the Silent School Alert in Event/Normal

Justice League Dark Artifacts

You must have access to Episode 34: Justice League Dark either buying the episode or having a Membership. These Artifacts are obtained by completing JLD Mission Journals that require you to complete specific Episode Content for the first time. Event Versions of the Content do count to complete these while the Event Versions last, (released on November 8th 2018). These Artifacts will be available by John Constantine in the Headquarters.

Mystic Symbol of the Seven

To Unlock, complete the JLD Pub Crawl Duo in Event/Normal

Philosopher’s Stone

To Unlock, complete the Darkness Rising Alert in Event/Normal

Claw of Aelkhund

To Unlock, complete the Fellowship of the Arcane in Event/Normal/Elite

Grimorium Verum

To Unlock, complete the Shattered Gotham Raid in Event/Normal/Elite

Metal Part II Artifacts

You must have access to Episode 36: Metal Part II either buying the episode or having a Membership. These Artifacts are obtained by completing Metal Part II Mission Journals that require you to complete specific Episode Content for the first time. Event Versions of the Content do count to complete these while the Event Versions last. These Artifacts will be available by John Constantine in the Headquarters.

The Gem of Horus

To Unlock, complete the “Artifact - Claw of Horus” mission to use Warp Menu or Teleporter to Travel to Thanagar to Speak to Hawkgirl.

The Strategist Card

To Unlock, complete the “Artifact - The Strategist Card“ mission, complete the Batscape 2-Player Operation in Event/Normal

La-Mort Card

To Unlock, complete the “Artifact - La-Mort Card“ mission, complete the Damage Control 4-Player Operation in Event/Normal

The Transformation Card

To Unlock, complete the “Artifact - “The Transformation” mission, complete The Phoenix Cannon Raid in Event/Normal/Elite

Page of Destiny

To Unlock, complete the “Artifact - “Page of Destiny” mission, complete the Into the Dark Multiverse Raid in Event/Normal/Elite

Birds of Prey Artifacts

You must have access to Episode 37: Birds of Prey either buying the episode or having a Membership. These Artifacts are obtained by completing Birds of Prey Mission Journals that require you to enter BoP: Metropolis for the first time. Event Versions do count to complete these while the Event Versions last. These Artifacts are available on John Constantine in the Headquarters already.

To Unlock, complete the “Birds of Prey” mission to use Warp Menu or Teleporter to Travel to BoP: Metropolis to Speak to Black Canary and open the Artifact Cache and select one of the three following Artifacts:

B.O.P. Commlink

Everyman Prototype

Source Shard

Wonderverse Artifacts

You must have access to Episode 38: Wonderverse either buying the episode or having a Membership. These Artifacts are obtained by completing Wonderverse Mission Journals that require you to enter Patchwork Themyscira for the first time. Event Versions do count to complete these while the Event Versions last. These Artifacts are available on John Constantine in the Headquarters.

To Unlock, complete the “Wonderverse” mission to use Warp Menu or Teleporter to Travel to Patchwork Themyscira to Speak to Princess Diana and open the Artifact Cache and select one of the three following Artifacts:

Purple Healing Ray

Lasso of Truth

Lernaea’s Amulet