Artifacts in Black Myth: Wukong – how they work, locations, and effects

Artifacts in Black Myth: Wukong are collectible vessels that grant both passive and active bonuses when equipped. They are notably powerful and best saved for boss encounters or tight moments in combat. Since these artifacts are rare, players will need to invest time and exploration to locate them.

The usual passive effect increases overall stats, while the active effect can be triggered for a stronger buff that can tilt a battle in the player’s favor.

There are four artifacts in Black Myth: Wukong. Discovering all artifact locations unlocks the Treasure Trove achievement.

Players can switch chapters quickly at any time. After finishing the story, locations remain accessible for exploration. After defeating the final boss, selecting Continue on the title screen sends players back to the final boss area. From there, all locations can be revisited. A warning: do not choose Enter a new cycle on the main menu, as that starts New Game+ and overwrites save data with no way to revert.

How to use artifacts

Once an artifact is unlocked, it is activated by pressing RT or R2 and moving the left stick. The artifact must first be selected from the inventory by opening the menu and checking the spirits and equipment box for the artifact slot. After selection, Chi can be built up normally by resting or fighting, and then the artifact can be activated.

The Artifact from Chapter 2 is particularly useful for countering dust storms. A major mechanic in the Chapter 2 final battle involves tornadoes that constrain movement, so the second and third phases of the Yellow Wind Sage become much easier with this artifact. Artifacts from Chapter 1 also grant reduced fire resistance, countering many boss-attacks in that zone.

Fireproof mantle

Reward earned for completing the secret area in Chapter 1, the Ancient Guanyin Temple.

• Active Effect: After activation, grants temporary immunity to burns and increases focus over time, especially effective in certain environments and against specific enemies.
• Passive: Greatly boosts fire resistance and provides immunity to lava-based fire damage.

To obtain the Fireproof Mantle, players must complete a sequence in Chapter 1 that involves a hidden temple and a boss encounter.

1. Let all three bells ring in Chapter 1.
2. Ringing the third bell teleports players to the secret area Ancient Guanyin Temple, where Elder Jinchi awaits as the boss.
3. Defeating Elder Jinchi returns players to the third bell; interacting with the body by the bell yields a fireproof cloak.

Wind tamer

Reward earned for finishing the secret area in Chapter 2, the Kingdom of Sahali.

• Active Effect: When activated, damage reduction rises significantly for a short period and grants immunity to strong winds.
• Passive: Substantially enhances overall damage reduction.

1. Complete the Drunken Boar questline to access the Chapter 2 secret area.
2. After the quest, head to the Kingdom of Sahali. Defeat the Tiger Vanguard, then speak with the NPC on the rock to begin the Fuban boss fight. Defeat Fuban to claim the Wind Tamer.

Weaver’s needle

Reward earned for clearing the secret area of Chapter 4, Purple Cloud Mountain.

• Active Effect: Creates a needle that tracks enemy movements.
• Passive: Increases both critical strike chance and critical strike damage.

To enter the secret area, players must defeat the Venom Taoist at two separate locations and then beat the boss in the secret area to receive the artifact.

1. Defeat the Taoist of Poison in Webbed Hollow and Pool of Shattered Jade. Follow the right path from the shrine to a large spider cocoon; when the Taoist of Poison emerges, defeat it.
2. Defeat Taoist Poison again in Temple of the Yellow Flower and Court of Illumination. Turn 180 degrees from the shrine, follow the path forward, and take the left split to reach the cutscene with Taoist Poison. This two-stage fight yields the artifact after completion.
3. In Purple Cloud Mountain, defeat the boss The Duskveil at the top village path to unlock Weaver’s Needle.

Plantain fan

• Active Effect: Summons a tornado that can pursue and immobilize enemies within its area of effect.
• Passive: Slightly increases stamina regeneration.

The Plantain Fan is automatically awarded as the Chapter 5 reward and appears on the reward screen just before Chapter 6 begins.

If the Plantain Fan is the fourth artifact found, the Treasure Room for all artifacts is unlocked on the Chapter 5 rewards screen.

All details summarized from impressions in VG Times (citation).