The New World community is buzzing with anticipation as we eagerly await the Aeternum update slated for October. This update promises to bring a host of new content, features, and improvements to the game. But while we wait, there’s plenty of room for speculation, theorycrafting, and imagination. One area where New World could see significant innovation is in the realm of artifacts—items that have the potential to redefine gameplay and add layers of depth to character builds.

Artifacts, as they currently stand, are powerful items that offer unique bonuses and abilities. However, many players feel that Amazon Games has played it safe with their design, resulting in artifacts that don’t fully live up to their “build-defining” promise. With that in mind, I’ve decided to delve into the world of theorycrafting and propose some artifact concepts that could shake up how New World is played. These ideas are speculative and designed from a player’s perspective, so they might not cover all playstyles equally, but they offer a glimpse into what could be.

Setting Expectations

Before diving into the artifact designs, it’s important to set some expectations. These concepts are based on my experiences and preferences as a player, so they naturally lean towards certain playstyles—particularly focus builds, as that’s what I enjoy most. Additionally, the numbers associated with these artifacts are rough estimates meant to convey the general power level of  New World Gold each item. They would certainly require fine-tuning and balancing before being implemented in the game.

Artifact Concept 1: The Divine Conduit

Type: Focus Weapon (Life Staff)

Artifact Description:

The Divine Conduit is a legendary staff imbued with the essence of Aeternum’s ancient guardians. It pulses with a soft, ethereal glow, its power resonating with the spirits of the island. This artifact is designed to enhance the healing capabilities of focus-based builds while also introducing a new mechanic that adds strategic depth to group play.

Traits:

Spiritual Overflow: Healing done with the Divine Conduit has a 20% chance to create a healing well at the target’s location. This well persists for 10 seconds and heals all allies within a 5-meter radius for 15% of the original healing done every 2 seconds.

Celestial Resonance: When an ally standing in the healing well uses a skill, they gain a shield that absorbs damage equal to 10% of their maximum health for 5 seconds.

Sanctified Grounds: Allies who remain in the healing well for the full 10 seconds gain a 5% increase in movement speed and a 10% increase in healing received from all sources for 15 seconds.

Concept Explanation:

The Divine Conduit is intended to be a game-changer for healers, providing them with a tool that rewards strategic placement and positioning. The healing well mechanic encourages group coordination, as players are incentivized to stay within the well to maximize their healing and defensive benefits. The added movement speed and healing received buffs further enhance the artifact’s utility, making it a powerful tool for both PvE and PvP scenarios.

Artifact Concept 2: Stormcaller’s Embrace

Type: Focus Weapon (Ice Gauntlet)

Artifact Description:

Stormcaller’s Embrace is an ancient gauntlet forged by the Tempest Wardens, an order of mystics who could channel the fury of the storm. This artifact is designed for focus-based mages who want to control the battlefield with powerful area denial effects and crowd control abilities.

Traits:

Thundering Presence: Activating Ice Storm with Stormcaller’s Embrace grants a 10% increase in storm radius and adds a 50% chance to call down a bolt of lightning every 2 seconds that deals 50% weapon damage to enemies within the storm.

Frostbite Surge: Enemies hit by Ice Storm take 10% increased damage from all sources for 5 seconds after leaving the storm’s area of effect.

Static Shield: Allies standing within the Ice Storm gain a static charge that reduces incoming damage by 10% and reflects 5% of damage taken back to attackers for the  buy New World Coins storm’s duration.

Concept Explanation:

Stormcaller’s Embrace transforms the Ice Gauntlet into a versatile tool for battlefield control. The expanded Ice Storm radius combined with the chance to call down lightning adds an extra layer of threat to any area under the mage’s control. The artifact encourages enemies to think twice before entering the storm, while the damage amplification and static shield effects make it a powerful tool for both offense and defense.

Artifact Concept 3: Warden’s Resolve

Type: Focus Weapon (Sword and Shield)

Artifact Description:

Warden’s Resolve is a shield said to be blessed by the ancient protectors of Aeternum. It emanates an aura of steadfastness and protection, making it an ideal choice for those who stand at the forefront of battle. This artifact is tailored for tanks who prioritize group protection and defensive utility.

Traits:

Aegis of the Ancients: Blocking with Warden’s Resolve generates a barrier that absorbs 15% of the damage taken by allies within a 10-meter radius for 5 seconds.

Guardian’s Vow: When the barrier is active, allies within its range gain a 5% increase in block effectiveness and a 10% increase in threat generation for the duration of the effect.

Resolute Stand: Upon reaching 25% health, Warden’s Resolve automatically triggers a healing wave that restores 20% of the user’s maximum health and increases all healing received by 15% for 10 seconds.

Concept Explanation:

Warden’s Resolve is designed to be a cornerstone of group play, providing tanks with additional tools to protect their allies. The barrier mechanic adds a layer of complexity to the traditional tank role, as it encourages players to position themselves strategically to maximize the barrier’s coverage. The automatic healing wave provides a safety net for tanks in dire situations, ensuring they can hold the line even under intense pressure.

Artifact Concept 4: Seraph’s Grace

Type: Focus Weapon (Rapier)

Artifact Description:

Seraph’s Grace is a rapier infused with celestial energy, making it a weapon of choice for those who walk the line between damage and support. This artifact introduces a hybrid playstyle that allows players to weave between offensive and healing roles seamlessly.

Traits:

Heavenly Strike: Landing a critical hit with Seraph’s Grace triggers a burst of healing energy that heals the user and nearby allies for 5% of their maximum health.

Divine Riposte: Successfully parrying an attack with Seraph’s Grace grants the user and nearby allies a 10% increase in critical strike chance and critical healing chance for 10 seconds.

Angel’s Wings: Dashing with Seraph’s Grace leaves a trail of light that heals allies who pass through it for 10% of their maximum health over 3 seconds and increases their movement speed by 15%.

Concept Explanation:

Seraph’s Grace is a versatile artifact that blurs the lines between DPS and support roles. The healing burst from critical hits encourages aggressive play, while the buffs from parrying and dashing add layers of utility that can turn the tide of battle. This artifact is perfect for players who enjoy a dynamic playstyle that requires quick thinking and adaptability.

Artifact Concept 5: The Starforged

Type: Focus Weapon (Great Axe)

Artifact Description:

The Starforged is a massive axe imbued with the power of the cosmos. It’s a weapon for those who wish to channel raw, celestial energy into devastating attacks. This artifact is designed for focus-based builds that prioritize area-of-effect damage and crowd control.

Traits:

Celestial Cleave: Heavy attacks with The Starforged unleash a shockwave of cosmic energy that deals 150% weapon damage to all enemies in a 5-meter cone.

Galactic Pull: Enemies hit by Celestial Cleave are pulled towards the user, reducing their movement speed by 20% for 3 seconds.

Astral Fortitude: For every enemy hit by Celestial Cleave, the user gains a stack of Astral Fortitude, increasing their damage dealt by 5% and reducing incoming damage by 3% for 10 seconds (up to 5 stacks).

Concept Explanation:

The Starforged is designed to be a powerhouse in large-scale battles, offering both crowd control and significant damage output. The shockwave mechanic encourages players to position themselves for maximum impact, while the stacking buffs provide a rewarding feedback loop for aggressive, sustained play.

Final Thoughts: The Potential of Artifacts in New World

Artifacts in New World have the potential to be more than just powerful items—they can be tools that fundamentally change how the game is played. By introducing artifacts with unique mechanics and playstyle-altering traits, Amazon Games can create a richer, more diverse meta that caters to a wide range of player preferences. The artifact concepts presented here are just a few examples of how the system could be expanded to offer deeper, more engaging gameplay experiences.

As the Aeternum update approaches, there’s hope that Amazon Games will take bold steps in evolving the artifact system, bringing new layers of strategy and excitement to the game. Whether through these ideas or entirely new ones, the future of New World’s artifacts holds the promise of transforming how we engage with the world of Aeternum.