Artifact

Artifacts are a special type of weapon introduced in Legion, and the only weapons players would wield over the course of the expansion.
Players can acquire these new weapons early in the expansion's run, and the weapons grow in power alongside them. Artifact Power can be earned by engaging in most types of play, and can be spent to unlock a unique tree of traits, enhancing abilities. Players can also obtain relics and use these to upgrade the artifact itself. Artifacts also come with an extensive range of visual customization options.
There is an artifact for each class specialization, 36 in total, plus an additional one for  Fishing. Obtaining each artifact involves a unique questline to seek out these powerful weapons.
==Storyline==
Following the Broken Shore experience, players set about acquiring the artifact for their character's current specialization. The artifacts represented a greater power than the heroes of Azeroth had ever wielded before, a power which was needed in order to defeat the Burning Legion.
The process of acquiring an artifact is determined by the character's class and spec. A catch-up mechanism was added to reduce the time taken to earn artifact power for secondary specializations and alts.
Patch 7.3.5 added the send-off for artifact weapons and as such ended the Legion storyline, with the weapons having to be used in order to neutralize the sword Sargeras used to impale the world in Silithus. Some visual effects represented the instability that resulted from the send-off, with for example Artifact Power varying wildly.The Power in Our Hands
With the release of patch 8.0.1, the artifact weapons can continue to be used as normal weapons, but all traits added to the weapon was "burned away", and disabled. The main artifact ability was also no longer usable, however, some were introduced as talents to the class (such as Wake of Ashes). Any relics added to the weapon would continue to increase the weapon's item level, but no longer offered any traits. Netherlight Crucible augments also ceased to benefit the weapon. All artifact traits were disabled as the final result of the artifact instability.The Artifact Retirement Quest is Now Available - Max Concordance and Artifact Level
As of patch 9.0.1, the ability to transmog any artifact appearance for any Specialization was made available, previously players were only able to while within its corresponding specialization. 
==List of artifacts==
Class 	Spec 	Weapon(s) 	Book 	Acquisition
Death Knight	Blood 	Maw of the Damned 	Libram of the Dead 	Travel to the Legion world of Niskara to slay Gorelix and steal the axe from him.
Death Knight	Frost 	Blades of the Fallen PrinceFrostreaper and Icebringer 	Libram of the Dead 	Seek out the shards of Frostmourne in Icecrown Citadel where they lay after the defeat of the Lich King, and reforge them into a pair of runeblades.
Death Knight	Unholy 	Apocalypse 	Libram of the Dead 	Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the blade from the Dark Riders.
Demon hunter	Havoc 	Twinblades of the DeceiverVerus and Muramas 	Tome of Fel Secrets 	Storm the Broken Shore to take out the traitor Varedis Felsoul.
Demon hunter	Vengeance 	Aldrachi WarbladesAldrachi Warblades (main hand) and Aldrachi Warblades (off-hand)	Tome of Fel Secrets 	Return to the Broken Shore and take the warblades from Caria Felsoul.
Druid 	Balance 	Scythe of Elune (artifact) 	Tome of the Ancients 	Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the scythe from the Dark Riders.
Druid 	Feral 	Fangs of AshamaneFangs of Ashamane (main hand) and Fangs of Ashamane (off-hand) 	Tome of the Ancients 	Travel to Ashamane's Fall, then chase after Verstok Darkbough in Falanaar.
Druid 	Guardian 	Claws of UrsocClaws of Ursoc (main hand) and Claws of Ursoc (off-hand) 	Tome of the Ancients 	Prove your worth to Ursol to obtain the claws in Grizzly Hills.
Druid 	Restoration 	G'Hanir, the Mother Tree 	Tome of the Ancients 	Retrieve the branch from the dream and cleanse it at the Well of Eternity.
Hunter 	Beast Mastery	Titanstrike 	Tales of the Hunt 	Delve into an ancient Vrykul tomb and retrieve the ancient gun.
Hunter 	Marksmanship 	Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners 	Tales of the Hunt 	Travel with Vereesa Windrunner to the Legion world of Niskara to find Alleria Windrunner.
Hunter 	Survival 	Talonclaw 	Tales of the Hunt 	Track down the beast that killed its last wielder and retrieve it from the beast's cave.
Mage 	Arcane 	Aluneth 	Archive of the Tirisgarde 	Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
Mage 	Fire 	Felo'melorn and Heart of the Phoenix 	Archive of the Tirisgarde 	Team up with Archmage Aethas Sunreaver to obtain the blade from Icecrown Citadel.
Mage 	Frost 	Ebonchill 	Archive of the Tirisgarde 	Hunt down Balaadur and take the staff back from him.
Monk 	Brewmaster 	Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion 	The Chronicle of Ages 	Make a drink for the Monkey King, then defend the Temple of the Jade Serpent from a Legion invasion to retrieve the staff.
Monk 	Mistweaver 	Sheilun, Staff of the Mists 	The Chronicle of Ages 	Retrieve the Staff from the Terrace of Endless Spring, where it has been kept since the Last Emperor passed on.
Monk 	Windwalker 	Fists of the HeavensAl'burq and Alra'ed 	The Chronicle of Ages 	Follow the old tale's path to Uldum, and make then retrieve the Fists from Skywall.
Paladin 	Holy 	The Silver Hand (artifact) 	Libram of Ancient Kings 	Retrieve the legendary hammer from Tyr's tomb in Tirisfal.
Paladin 	Protection 	Truthguard and Oathseeker 	Libram of Ancient Kings 	Enter the shrine of Tyr where the shield is held on an island in Stormheim.
Paladin 	Retribution 	Ashbringer (artifact) 	Libram of Ancient Kings 	Search the Broken Shore, where the Ashbringer fell in battle and was lost.
Priest 	Discipline 	Light's Wrath 	Word of the Conclave 	Travel to the Nexus to retake the staff from the Ethereum.
Priest 	Holy 	T'uure, Beacon of the Naaru 	Word of the Conclave 	Travel to the Legion world of Niskara to retrieve and purify T'uure.
Priest 	Shadow 	Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire and Secrets of the Void 	Word of the Conclave 	Hunt the Twilight's Hammer in Tirisfal Glades to stop them from releasing the Faceless general Zakajz hidden below.
Rogue 	Assassination	The KingslayersAnguish and Sorrow 	Blood Ledger 	Aid Garona in taking out cultists in Stormwind.
Rogue 	Outlaw 	The DreadbladesFate and Fortune 	Blood Ledger 	Hunt down the Dread Admiral Eliza and her undead crew and take them from her grasp.
Rogue 	Subtlety 	Fangs of the DevourerGorefang and Akaari's Will 	Blood Ledger 	Invade the Shadowgore Citadel and take the fangs from Akaari Shadowgore.
Shaman 	Elemental 	The Fist of Ra-den and The Highkeeper's Ward 	Words of Wind and Earth 	Partake in a tournament held by Xuen to earn the right to wield the fist.
Shaman 	Enhancement 	Doomhammer (artifact) and Fury of the Stonemother 	Words of Wind and Earth 	Doomhammer fell into the Maelstrom. Travel to Deepholm to recover it.
Shaman 	Restoration 	Sharas'dal, Scepter of Tides and Shield of the Sea Queen 	Words of Wind and Earth 	Travel to the Throne of Tides to retrieve the scepter from Azshara's servants.
Warlock 	Affliction 	Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester 	Tome of Blighted Implements	Delve into the catacombs beneath Karazhan and retake the staff from the Dark Riders.
Warlock 	Demonology 	Skull of the Man'ari and Spine of Thal'kiel 	Tome of Blighted Implements	Storm Felsoul Keep to steal the skull from Mephistroth.
Warlock 	Destruction 	Scepter of Sargeras 	Tome of Blighted Implements	Steal the scepter from Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras.
Warrior 	Arms 	Strom'kar, the Warbreaker 	Saga of the Valarjar 	Travel to Tirisfal Glades and retrieve the sword from the hidden tomb where the faceless general Zakajz lays.
Warrior 	Fury 	Warswords of the ValarjarOdyn's Fury and Helya's Wrath 	Saga of the Valarjar 	Invade the shores of Helheim and steal back the warswords.
Warrior 	Protection 	Scale of the Earth-Warder and Scaleshard 	Saga of the Valarjar 	Delve into the sealed and curse-laden tomb of an ancient vrykul king who was buried with a sword and shield made from the scales of Neltharion.
Profession 	Fishing 	Underlight Angler 	 	Fish up rare catches around the Broken Isles and join Nat Pagle for a fishing trip to Gloaming Reef.
==Customization==
Artifacts can be customized and powered up at order halls with artifact power, earned from adventuring, completing quests, beating dungeon bosses, winning PvP objectives, and so forth. Artifact power is used to unlock traits which increase the power of the weapon and the character.
Each artifact has a unique "trait tree", a grid overlaid upon the outline of the weapon itself, resembling the old talent trees. Players can spend artifact power to activate additional traits, moving along the tree; once a trait is activated, all connecting traits become unlocked. Many traits have multiple ranks. Majorly impactful traits are called golden traits.
Artifacts also have Relic slots. Relics are artifact-only objects with a major impact on the overall power of the artifact, such as its basic damage and item level. The relic system acts as a substitute for the upgrading of weapons seen in previous expansions; rather than switching to a new and more powerful weapon, the player slots a new and more powerful relic into their artifact.
===Visual===
Several different looks are available for each artifact. These can be unlocked through various activities. One look for each artifact will only be available through PvP.Blizzard Gamescom announcement, starting around 30:00 Each look appears to come with unique flavor text, and background lore. Players are also able to unlock three additional colors of the various looks. In the case of Feral and Guardian druids, changing the look of the weapon also changes the look of the form to match. In addition, it is hard to obtain items for every specialization that unlocks an additional appearance (with 3 recolors unlockable).
Artifacts can be transmogrified into other weapons, but other weapons cannot be transmogrified into artifacts.WoW: Legion details at gamescom: Interview with Tom Chilton & Ion Hazzikostas
====Hidden appearance items====
Class	Spec 	Item 	Source
 	Blood 	Twisting Anima of Souls 	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
 	Frost 	Runes of the Darkening 	Looted from The Soultakers in Stormheim.
 	Unholy 	The Bonereaper's Hook 	Looted from Stitchwork in Icecrown Citadel
 	Havoc 	Guise of the Deathwalker 	Drop from Downfall
 	Vengeance 	Bulwark of the Iron Warden 	Drop from mobs in Twisting Nether, accessed via Class Hall
 	Balance 	The Sunbloom 	Fusing together Seed of Solar Fire and Pure Drop of Shaladrassil's Sap
 	Feral 	Feather of the Moonspirit 	Received from Ela'lothen.
 	Guardian 	Mark of the Glade Guardian 	Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
 	Restoration 	Acorn of the Endless 	Looted from Evergreen Plots in the Dreamgrove.
 	Beast Mastery	Designs of the Grand Architect 	Vendor in Dalaran
 	Marksmanship 	Syriel Crescentfall's Notes: Ravenguard	Sold by Veridis Fallon in Azsuna when you reach with Court of Farondis.
 	Survival 	Last Breath of the Forest 	Drop from Ursoc in The Emerald Nightmare.
 	Arcane 	The Woolomancer's Charge 	Help Cote "Shepherd" Metcalf with his sheep problem.
 	Fire 	The Stars' Design 	Random drop from Nightborne and Fal'dorei
 	Frost 	Everburning Crystal 	Class Hall portal to phased Frostfire Ridge
 	Brewmaster 	Legend of the Monkey King 	Looted from the brew kegs in the Temple of Five Dawns.
 	Mistweaver 	Breath of the Undying Serpent 	Drop from the Dragons of Nightmare in the Emerald Nightmare.
 	Windwalker 	The Stormfist 	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
 	Holy 	Lost Edicts of the Watcher 	Random drop from demons in Faronaar in Azsuna.
 	Protection 	Spark of the Fallen Exarch 	Randomly found in a chest in The Withered Army Scenario.
 	Retribution 	Heart of Corruption 	Walking in Shadows.
 	Discipline 	Writings of the End 	Collect 12 tomes from around Azeroth and combine them.
 	Holy 	Staff of the Lightborn 	Fusing together Crest of the Lightborn and Rod of the Ascended
 	Shadow 	Claw of N'Zoth 	Drops from Il'gynoth in The Emerald Nightmare.
 	Assassination	The Cypher of Broken Bone 	Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly
 	Outlaw 	Emanation of the Winds 	Audience with the Windlord
 	Subtlety 	Tome of Otherworldly Venoms 	Found in the chests at the end of Troves of the Thunder King.
 	Elemental 	Lost Codex of the Amani 	Drops from rare mobs in the Underbelly.
 	Enhancement 	The Warmace of Shirvallah 	Drops from Flotsam in Highmountain, Levantus in Azsuna, and Helya in Trial of Valor.
 	Restoration 	Coil of the Drowned Queen 	Drops from mobs and bosses in the Eye of Azshara.
 	Affliction 	Essence of the Executioner 	Drops from Sataiel.
 	Demonology 	Visage of the First Wakener 	Drop from eredar on Broken Isles.
 	Destruction 	The Burning Jewel of Sargeras 	Drop from mobs summoned by the Ritual of Doom, accessed via Class Hall.
 	Arms 	The Arcanite Bladebreaker 	Secrets of the Axes has a region-wide daily chance of spawning on Master Smith Helgar.Hidden Artifact Appearances Update
 	Fury 	The Dragonslayers 	Fusing together Haft of the God-King, Skull of Shar'thos and Skull of Nithogg.
 	Protection 	Burning Plate of the Worldbreaker 	Found in a pile of treasure in Neltharion's Vault.
==Video==
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==Gallery==
;Official art
File:Warlock by Sandara Tang.jpg|Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester- Base skin
File:Warrior by Wang Ling.jpeg|Strom'kar, the Warbreaker- Vengeance of the Fallen and Wrath's Edge skins
File:Warrior Class Mount by Nguyen Hoang Phuong Anh.jpg|Scale of the Earth-Warder- Base skin
File:Shaman by Veli Nyström.jpeg|Sharas'dal, Scepter of Tides- Titanborn skin
File:Paladin by Yee-ling Chung.jpg|The Silver Hand (artifact)- Fist of the Fallen Watcher skin
File:Paladin Class Mount by Veli Nyström.jpg|The Silver Hand (artifact)- Justice's Flame skin
File:Death Knight by RJ Palmer.jpg|Apocalypse- Faminebearer skin
File:Death Knight Class Mount by Wang Ling.jpg|Blades of the Fallen Prince- Base skin
File:Druid by Laura Sava.jpg|G'Hanir, the Mother Tree- Deadwood Keeper skin
File:Druid Class Mount by Yee-ling Chung.jpg|G'Hanir, the Mother Tree- Base skin
File:Demon Hunter by Jarreau Wimberly.jpg|Twinblades of the Deceiver- Base skin
File:Demon Hunter Class Mount by Jarreau Wimberly.jpg|Aldrachi Warblades- Base skin
File:Rogue by Jason Nguyen.jpg|The Dreadblades- Base skin
File:Monk Class Mount by Veli Nyström.jpg|Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion- Dragonfire's Grasp skin
File:Monk by Valentina Remenar.jpg|Fu Zan, the Wanderer's Companion- Dragonfire's Grasp skin
File:Priest by Muju.jpg|Light's Wrath-Crest of the Redeemed skin
File:Priest Class Mount by Sandara Tang.jpg|Light's Wrath- Ascended Watch skin
File:Hunter by Jorge Jacinto.jpg|Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners- Base skin
File:Troll by Marta de Andrés.jpg|Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners- Base skin
File:Mage Class Mount by Astri-Lohne Sjursen.jpg|Aluneth- Base skin
File:Mage by Marta de Andrés.jpeg|Aluneth- Base skin
==Notes==
*Allari the Souleater states that her weapon, the Scythe of Souls, is an artifact like the ones adventurers use.Demon Souls Maximillian of Northshire believes that his sword Excaliberto is an artifact, even though it's actually just a normal sword.They Stole Excaliberto!
*Felo'melorn, Doomhammer (artifact), Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners and Talonclaw are family heirlooms.
**Felo'melorn and the Doomhammer do not have any rightful hereditary claimants, as the royal Sunstrider dynasty of Quel'Thalas and the Doomhammer line of the Blackrock clan are extinct.
**Talonclaw of the Highmountain Tribe was accepted by the tribe and the spirit of its last owner as rightfully belonging to the hunter player, as they successfully retrieved it.
**Ownership of Thas'dorah is up in the air, as the Windrunner family and its former owner, Alleria Windrunner, are still alive. Vereesa Windrunner gave her blessing for the hunter player to use it until it can be returned to Alleria. Sylvanas Windrunner proclaims to the Horde player in Undercity that such a skilled marksman is worthy of the bow. After meeting up with her and the Army of the Light, Alleria herself states she may reclaim it one day should she have need of it, but for now, she has a different path and that the player has proven themselves worthy of wielding it.
*The Axe of Cenarius was considered by Blizzard for the artifact for Arms warriors, but the developers thought that a wooden, nature-themed axe didn't fit the class. Ultimately, Strom'kar, the Warbreaker was used instead.
==Patch changes==
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==References==
 
es:Artefacto
fr:Arme prodigieuse