Minecraft Dungeons 2 best artifacts

Best artifacts, ranked

1. S · Fighter's Flute: Every hit crits while active, about 50-70% more damage; in both endgame loadouts. 45 souls.
2. S · Warrior Drums: Doubles critical damage; with the Flute active the pair is about a 3.5× multiplier. In both endgame loadouts. 45 souls, and needs the Flute.
3. S · Turtle Master's Mandolin: About 50% less damage for you and allies, for 20 souls on a 5-second cooldown: cheap enough to keep up permanently. Halves damage rather than blocking it.
4. A · Battle Banner: Grants Strength to you and nearby allies. The usual third damage artifact next to the Flute and Drums in endgame builds, and steadier than the Grindstone. You have to fight inside its area. 45 souls.
5. A · Grindstone: The other third damage artifact: about as strong as the Battle Banner in that slot, and Grindstone, Flute and Drums hit far harder than the common Flute, Drums and Fighting Fungus set. Wait for its animation before the Flute, or it may not trigger.
6. A · Warding Chimes: Blocks all incoming damage while active; the endgame defence with Hivemind Hardhat uptime. 40 souls and a 15-second cooldown: needs heavy cooldown reduction.
7. B · Powershaker: Every hit explodes for flat damage while active, which favours very fast weapons. Weak on slow, heavy weapons.
8. B · Death Cap Mushroom: More movement and attack speed for 20 souls. No damage of its own.
9. C · Picnic Basket: Drops enough food to heal to full each use, for 15 souls. Strong early, outclassed late.

Placements and their evidence come from the tier list: full tier list with sources.