game guide game strategy Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era artifacts guide hero customization

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Artifacts Explained

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era introduces a robust artifact system that significantly alters hero capabilities during combat. With more than 70 artifacts available across 10 distinct categories, players can customize their heroes to suit various playstyles. Each artifact offers unique effects, and many can be upgraded to enhance their potency further. Below is a comprehensive list of all artifacts, organized by equipment slot, including their base effects and available upgrades.

Main Hand Artifacts

These artifacts are equipped in the main hand slot and primarily enhance melee combat performance.

NameEffectUpgrade
Fish-to-the-Face+1 Attack+1 Attack
Lance+3 Attack+2 Attack
Red Dragon Flame Tongue+2 Attack, +2 Defense+1 Attack, +1 Defense
Ogre's Club of Havoc+4 Attack+2 Attack (Unlimited)
Rapier+10% Melee Damage+5% Melee Damage
Dark Hatchet+4 Attack, then +15% Attack+2 Attack
Garotte-1 Speed to enemy unitsN/A
Shaman Staff+6 Spell Power+3 Spell Power
Shroomwood BowFriendly units no longer have ranged penalty+5% Ranged Damage
Truthmaker-10% Attack to enemy units-5% More Attack
Demon Claw+12 Attack-4 Defense, +4 Attack
Heroic StrikeKills 1 tier 1-7 unitKills +1 More Unit
Sword of Judgement+2 Attributes+1 Attributes

Off-Hand Artifacts

Off-hand artifacts provide defensive boosts, utility, or additional offensive capabilities.

NameEffectUpgrade
Shoddy Shield+2 DefenseN/A
Misericorde+2 Attack+1 Attack
BucklerFriendly units can counterattack against enemies with "Swift Strike"+5% Melee Damage
Singing Pan-PipeAll friendly units' effects last +1 round+1 Duration
Pelagic HourglassThe cooldowns of all spells are reduced by 1 roundN/A
Shield of the Rampaging Ogre+4 Defense+2 Defense (Unlimited)
Crescent DaggerSpells and unit abilities ignore 40% magic resistanceIgnore +20% Magic Resistance
Fine Wand+1 Level to all spellsN/A
CaduceusHeroic Strike Restores 6 Mana+6 More Mana
Dragon Scale Shield+3 Attack and Defense+1 Attack and Defense
Truthseeker-10% to enemy's Defense-5% More Enemy's Defense
Chitinous Shield+12 Defense-4 Attack, +4 Defense
Lion's Shield of Courage+2 Attributes+1 Attributes

Head Artifacts

Head artifacts primarily enhance spellcasting, knowledge, and hero attributes.

NameEffectUpgrade
Armet+2 Defense+1 Defense
Fancy MaskGenerates +2 Focus Points at the start of each battle+1 Focus Point
Straw Hat+1 Knowledge+1 Knowledge
Head Torch+1 Sight RadiusN/A
Scholar's Tiara+2 Knowledge+1 Knowledge
Crown of the Supreme Magi+4 Knowledge+2 Knowledge (Unlimited Upgrades)
Mirror TiaraRestores 8 Mana each morningRestores +8 Mana each morning
Helm of Heavenly Enlightenment+2 to Attributes+1 to Attributes
Crown of Dragontooth+4 Spell Power, +4 Knowledge+1 Spell Power, +1 Knowledge
Beelzebub's Boon+12 Knowledge-4 Spell Power, +4 Knowledge
Seven Eyes+1 Level to Spells+1 Level to Spells
Sirin MaskThe cooldowns of all spells are reduced by 1 round-1 Fewer Round
Two-Faced MaskThe hero can use the Spellbook 1 additional time per battle roundN/A
Spellbinder's HatAdds all tier-5 spells to hero's spellbookN/A
Amelchia's Law-1 Initiative to enemy units-1 More Initiative

Chest Artifacts

Chest artifacts offer a mix of defensive capabilities, spell power, and utility effects.

NameEffectUpgrade
Rags+1 Spell Power+1 Spell Power
Chain Mail+3 DefenseN/A
Plate Armor+3 Defense+2 Defense
Vortex RobeWhenever an enemy hero casts a spell, 40% of the Mana cost is returned to the wearer60% of the Mana cost is returned to the wearer
Tunic of the Cyclops King+4 Spell Power+2 Spell Power (Unlimited Upgrades)
Eagle Armor+2 Morale, +2 LuckN/A
Ribcage Armor+4 Defense, then +15%N/A

Waist, Feet, Rings, Back, and Relic Artifacts

The remaining artifact categories—Waist, Feet, Rings, Back, and Relics—offer specialized effects that further diversify hero customization. These include enhancements to movement speed, spell duration, attribute bonuses, and unique passive abilities. For a complete list of artifacts in these categories, refer to the in-game artifact encyclopedia or official Hooded Horse resources.

How to Upgrade Artifacts in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

Many artifacts in the game can be upgraded to amplify their effects. Upgrades are typically obtained through in-game resources, quests, or specific crafting mechanics. Each upgrade path is clearly outlined in the artifact's description within the game's interface. Players should prioritize upgrading artifacts that align with their hero's role and playstyle to maximize combat effectiveness.

Choosing the Right Artifacts for Your Hero

Selecting the optimal artifacts depends on your hero's class, primary stats, and the intended role in battle. For example:

  • Melee-focused heroes should prioritize main-hand weapons like Ogre's Club of Havoc or Sword of Judgement for high attack bonuses.
  • Spellcasting heroes benefit from head artifacts like Crown of the Supreme Magi or Mirror Tiara to boost spell power and mana regeneration.
  • Defensive heroes may opt for chest or off-hand artifacts such as Chitinous Shield or Dragon Scale Shield to enhance survivability.

Experimenting with different artifact combinations can lead to powerful synergies, allowing players to tailor their heroes to specific challenges or playstyles.

Conclusion

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era's artifact system is a cornerstone of hero customization, offering depth and flexibility for players to refine their strategies. With over 70 artifacts across 10 categories—each with unique effects and upgrade paths—mastering the system can significantly impact your success in battle. Use this guide as a reference to explore the full potential of your heroes and uncover the most effective artifact combinations for your playstyle.

Source: Destructoid
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