Among the magical items in Dungeons and DragonsThere are a few select pieces of equipment that qualify as “artifacts.” These items are among the most powerful in the gameand getting them often requires a lot of campaign work. While many of them belong to various creatures from Forgotten Realms lore by default, they can be obtained and used by players who seek them out. 11 are included in 2024 Dungeon Master's Guidesome returning from previous original books, others entirely new.
In addition to having properties equivalent to those of many legendary items, most artifacts have various randomly determined powers, are often sentient with their own goals and personalities, and can only be destroyed in specific ways. Given the complex stories that exist around each of these items, finding or destroying one of them can be the crux of an entire adventure. But which of these artifacts is the most powerful, when placed in the hands of player characters?
11
The Book of Vile Darkness is more trouble than it's worth
Much more cons than pros
Of all artifacts included in 2024 Damagethe Book of Fel Darkness is by far the most harmful to its user, both in terms of damage and losses. The book, originally authored by the feared arch-lich Vecna but expanded upon over the years, is filled with the most evil and disturbing knowledge in the universe. Spending 80 hours reading gives creatures some benefitsincluding being able to cast a handful of necromantic spells and gain a +2 bonus to any ability score (at the cost of a -2 penalty to another score).
However, the book suffers from the danger associated with players using it. Non-demon or undead creatures that attempt to attune themselves to the book may turn into larvae permanently, and comes with three minor and two major random damaging effects. One of the book's other powers allows the user to read a page and cause harm to the creatures around them, but it also harms the reader. Additionally, the book only works if the user continually commits evil acts, something many players may be averse to.
10
Vecna's eye and hand are too risky to use
Weapons that can kill you as easily as your enemies
Likewise, the Eye and Hand of Vecna pose serious threats to players trying to take them. But while these items are more powerful than the Book of Fel Darkness, they are arguably riskier to attune to, as they will always transform their user into a neutral, evil creature. Additionally, they can only be attuned to a creature without an eye and/or left hand, and the user will die immediately if they are removed after being attached.
That said, each artifact is quite powerful in the abilities it grants. The eye gives creatures 240 feet of truesight, as well as access to a list of eye-themed spells. The hand increases strength scores by up to 20, adds damage to melee attacks, and provides a list of hand- and finger-themed spells. Using both at the same time is even better, giving the user a regenerative property and the power to cast to wish. However, using the resources of these items risks handing over control of the body to Vecna and losing character forever.
9
The Orb Of Dragonkind Is Underwhelming Compared To Its Peers
Dragonlance Items That Can't Hold Up
The Orbs of Dragonkind are the only artifacts that reference lore outside of the Forgotten Realms, instead related to the world of Dragonlance. Orbs are used to attract and defeat chromatic dragonsand grants a selection of powerful spells to help do so. From a ninth level cast of heal wounds to launch detect magic at will, Orbs are very good for expanding magical options.
Beyond that, though, Orbs are quite situational. They can call nearby chromatic dragons to their location, but this makes them more of a plot device than useful equipment. The random effects aren't very good either, and overall the Orb doesn't do much to stand out from the other options. Morethe dragon soul within it may attempt to enchant the user and take control of their bodywhich is a bit negative.
8
Iggwilv's Demonicon is strong in certain environments
Some campaigns may not favor this artifact
Another very situational artifact is Iggwilv's Demonicon, a book made to contain information and capture demons from the Abyss. As a source of information when fighting demons, the Demonicon is great, and it's even better for casting certain spells related to containing demonic entities. Of magic circle to flat bindingthe book grants a multitude of powerful spells to its bearer, and they even count as ninth level when aimed at a demon.
But the Demonicon's true strength is also its greatest weakness. The book's pages can permanently trap demons by sealing them in its ink. The book can contain up to 10 demons at once and comes loaded with some, but the trapped creatures may attempt to possess the book's bearer, taking control of their body if they manage to do so.. Demons are limited in how often they can attempt this, but it's definitely still a risk factor that many parties would rather not deal with.
7
Orcus' wand is evil, but still useful
A weapon that never forgets its true owner
Of all the extremely evil artifacts in this game, the Wand of Orcus stands out as especially destructive. It belongs to a demon prince of the Abyss determined to kill everything in the universe and shares his goal, although he occasionally loses the wand and allows others to claim it. The item description makes it clear that the wand is only on Orcus's side, and although it may try to trick its bearer into trusting it, it is never truly theirs. Still, it can be used to great and destructive effect by those strong enough to attune to it.
The attunement process is risky for this wand and can instantly kill the creature that attempts it. But once under a creature's control, the wand of Orcus becomes a tool of destruction. It functions as a +3 mace that deals extra necrotic damage and a spellcasting focus that can dish out devastating magic. Can even create a small army of 30 undead once per dayloyal to the wand wielder. Wizards of Orcus may find the wand especially useful, as its influence makes it easier to wield.
6
Kas' sword is a powerful weapon to fight the undead
Taking on the mantle of the ultimate sword bearer
Kas was Vecna's right-hand man, but he betrayed the lich-god using this blade. Although Kas is already dead, the sword itself craves combat with Vecna and the undead and can be a great asset to players pursuing the same goals. It counts as a +3 magical longsword, which deals extra damage to undead enemies on a critical hit and can be used to cast spells such as call lightning and divine word. The sword even has an interesting feature that allows its bearer to exchange their attack bonus points for additional AC in a given turn.
Considering all this, it might sound like a perfect sword for a paladin or cleric. But it is important to highlight that the blade is chaotic and evil, with a violent and bloodthirsty personality that is almost impossible to satiate. Once drawn, the sword expects blood and can turn against its wielder if it does not receive blood. In a campaign where the party is fighting Vecna, this sword is great; Outside of that, however, it can be difficult to control.
5
Blackrazor is the weakest of a powerful trio
Guns glued to the White Plume Mountains
White Plume Mountain is home to three of the 11 artifacts described in 2024 DMG, one of them is Blackrazor, an obsidian broadsword with a penchant for violence. It is a +3 magical weapon that grants its wielder immunity to charmed and frightened, as well as 30 feet of blindsight. You can also launch hurry on the bearer, although when and where depends on the blade itself.
Blackrazor is among the more strong-willed artifacts, with a more advanced personality and control over his own magic. It is also a chaotic entity that consumes the souls of those it kills. This last part can be extremely powerful in combat, as The Blackrazor user gains temporary hit points equal to the maximum HP of the creature he kills. But the blade is terrible specifically against the undead, as it causes damage to its wielder when attacking them, potentially killing the player character and consuming their soul.
4
Whelm is especially powerful in the hands of a dwarf
A hammer to destroy worlds
Another of the White Plume Mountain artifacts, Whelm is less edged than Blackrazor. It is a very useful and even protective weapon, one of the few artifacts that doesn't actively dislike when a player holds it. And it's quite powerful, for starters, acting as a +3 magical warhammer with the same throwing properties as the Dwarven Thrower (an awesome item for D&D dwarves) and a special shockwave move to stun creatures.
But there is a problem: Whelm can only be attuned to by a dwarf, or a creature wearing a Dwarf Belt. It is loyal only to dwarves, wanting to keep them safe, but players have many other options for their species, and it is possible that a group may not be able to use the Whelm because of this stipulation. For those who can use the Whelm, however, it is one of the best weapons in the entire game.
3
Wave can turn you into an aquatic superhero
Harnessing the power of the seas
Finally, Wave emerges as the most powerful of White Plume Mountain's artifacts. It is certainly the most accessible, having no penchant for dwarfing nor a tendency to consume the souls of its bearers. It is a powerful +3 magical trident that deals a monumental amount of extra critical damage and grants the user several interesting features, most of which are aquatic in nature. Wave gives its bearer the ability to breathe underwater and launch tame the beast in aquatic animals.
But that's not all. The trident allows creatures to cast globe of invulnerability once per day and gives them advantage on initiative rolls. Provides a healthy mix of offensive and defensive options that any player can utilize, regardless of their species or moral alignment. More, the weapon loves to hum sea songs, which can be pleasant or irritating depending on one's musical preferences.
2
The dwarven lords' ax is just a very good weapon
A multitude of powerful skills to choose from
Of all the artifacts that function as weapons, the Ax of the Dwarven Lords, by far, has the minimum of disadvantages and the highest level of accessibility. It appears to be less sentient than the others and, despite its name, does not require its bearer to be a dwarf in any way. It was originally forged by a dwarf prince, but was lost during a bloody civil war and now any player can try to use it in combat.
Functions as a +3 magical battle ax that deals massive critical damage and, like Whelm, has the ranged abilities of a Dwarf Launcher. But this is far from everything. The ax also gives its bearer increased darkvision, proficiency with various tools, +2 increase in constitution, immunity to poison, resistance to fire damage, can summon an earth elemental once per day, and can even be used to teleport to known underground locations, greatly speeding up travel in a D&D campaign. Honestly, it doesn't make sense how many powers this ax grants its wielder, but they make it one of the best artifacts of all time.
1
The Book Of Exalted Deeds offers some amazing permanent bonuses
There are no downsides to this incredible tome
Opposite the Book of Vile Darkness, the Book of Exalted Deeds stands out as the most useful and useful artifact in the 2024 edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Mainly, this is because more player characters tend to be aligned with good than evil, and This book works when the user commits morally good acts. The tome is full of virtuous stories and moral lessons, and spending 80 hours studying it grants several permanent buffs.
These buffs include charmed and frightened immunity, resistance to psychic damage, a +2 bonus to wisdom, and a halo that improves Charisma checks. It is especially useful for a spellcaster, as causes all spells to be considered cast at a higher level than they actually are. Finally, the Book of Exalted Deeds is the only Dungeons and Dragons artifact that has purely positive, non-damaging random effects.
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