Artifact
Artifacts (神器; pinyin: shén qì) are items that were first featured in the 2.7.0 update of the Chinese version of Plants vs. Zombies 2.
Usage of artifacts
After the player obtains the first artifact, the "select artifact" button will be added to the plant selection interface, and the player can select the artifact that will be used in the level. For levels such as conveyor-belt levels where the player does not select plants, it is alternatively possible to equip artifacts from the "Artifact Cultivation" page.
During the game, a new artifact skill icon will appear next to the Tactical Cuke button, and the total number of times the artifact can be used and the remaining number of times it was used in the current game will be displayed. Clicking on the artifact button will trigger the artifact's active skills.
The third lawn mower in the level will also be replaced with the artifact device, and above the device is the artifact that was brought to the current level. After the third lawn mower is replaced with an artifact, it will usually be hidden when a zombie approaches. The lawn mower will still work as usual.
If the player did not bring an artifact, the artifact icon will not appear in the level.
Upgrading artifacts
Each artifact has 30 standard levels and 4 breakthrough levels, and can be upgraded or advanced by using training materials and breakthrough materials, both aquired through the Memory Lane shop, Penny's Pursuit or occasionally from other events.
The initial limit of the artifact's level is 10, and every 10th level needs breakthrough materials to advance further. After the breakthrough is completed, the upper limit of the artifact will be increased.
The artifact initially has 1 set of active skills, which can be used by tapping the artifact button; as the breakthrough level of the artifact increases, each breakthrough will unlock a new passive skill (the artifact’s passive skills are always the same and not randomized. Each artifact has at most three passive skills). The increase in level will increase the strength of active and passive skills, and increase the value of the skills.
Passive skills do not need to be clicked to trigger. After carrying the corresponding artifact to a level, it will take effect. If the trigger conditions of passive skills are reached in the stage, the passive effect will be automatically triggered.
Restrictions on the use of artifacts
The active skill of each artifact has a limit of in-game uses. With each breakthrough of the artifact, additional uses may be obtained (depending on the settings of each artifact). The limit of the active skill's uses is specific during each stage. After restarting or changing the level, the number of uses will be recalculated.
The active skill of the artifact has a cooldown time. After use, it will enter a cooldown countdown, and it will be able to be used again after the cooldown is over.
In the Endless Challenge the limit of uses of the artifact takes effect the whole time, and the limit of uses will not be recharged as the level progresses after use. Artifacts cannot be used in PvP Mode, Vasebreaker, certain Brain Busters, Arena and Sky City.
Artifact Obtaining
Players can obtain artifacts through several ways and methods:
- Purchasing bundles in-game with real-life currency which consist of loot and artifacts.
- Participating in in-game events, either paid or not, that have the potential of consisting an artifact in the prizes.
- Purchasing them in Memory Lane shop with Rainbow Snail Coins, which can be collected by beating the Hard Mode levels of the mode.
Archive of each artifact's obtaining:
- Kamikaze: Artifact Bundle
- Lightning: Artifact Bundle
- Vase-pult: Vase-pult Level
- Healing: Healing Level
- Octopus: Artifact Bundle
- Shield: Memory Lane (Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 17, 18)
- Arcade: Memory Lane (Seasons 2, 6, 17, 18, 19)
- Time: Artifact Bundle
- Gashapon: Memory Lane (Seasons 3, 8, 15), WSSS - Day 13 (Hard Mode), Labour Day's and Summer's Invitation event
- Heavenly Monkey: Artifact Bundle
- Magic Beans: Artifact Bundle, Memory Lane (Season 4), 10th Anniversary's and Summer's Invitation Rewards event
- UFO: Artifact Bundle
- Prism Tower: Artifact Bundle, Wishing Pool event
- Devolver: Memory Lane (Seasons 5, 11, 19), ASWS - Day 13 (Hard Mode), Labour Day's Invitation event
- Jurassic Horn: Artifact Bundle
- Water Gun: Memory Lane (Seasons 7, 14), Labour Day's and Summer's Invitation Rewards event
- Black Hole: Artifact Bundle
- Meteorite: Artifact Bundle
- Magic Hat: Artifact Bundle
- Evolver: Memory Lane (Seasons 9, 16), Labour Day's and Summer's Invitation event
- Beehive: Artifact Bundle
- Acid: Artifact Bundle
- Midas Touch: Memory Lane (Seasons 10, 17, 18, 19)
- Snowgun: Artifact Bundle
- Skateboard: Memory Lane (Season 12), Labour Day's and Summer's Invitation Rewards event
- Silver Key: Artifact Bundle
- Guitar: Memory Lane (Seasons 13, 18), Labour Day's and Summer's Invitation Rewards event
- Dragon Lantern: Dragon Treasure event
- Trident: Artifact Bundle
- Gourd: Dragon Treasure event
- Swarm: Memory Lane (Season 17)
- Hologram: Artifact Bundle (formerly)
- Camera: Memory Lane (Season 19)
- Soul-Catcher: Cargo Treasure Hunt event
- Hypergravity: Dragon Treasure event
- Hydraulic: Dragon Treasure event
Artifact Blessing
Artifact Blessing is a system similar to Plant Family, in which the player rolls out for random boosts that will improve their artifacts. Artifact Blessing Coupons are the required currency to roll for a boost, and the boosts have rarities, that is common, rare, epic, and legendary.
Ordinary coupons have a chance of rolling 54% for common boosts, 30% for rare boosts, 15% for epic boosts, and 1% for legendary boosts. Advanced coupons on the other hand have a chance of rolling 17% for common boosts, 50% for rare boosts, 30% for epic boosts, and 3% for legendary boosts.
Each artifact has a different set of possible boosts it can gain. List of blessings and possible boosts for each artifact:
Artifact Testground Levels
Artifact | Plants | Zombies | Flags | Notes | Prize |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kamikaze | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Lightning | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Healing | Portals: |
Three | One | Healing Artifact | |
Vase-pult | Choice | Portals: |
Three | One | Vase-pult Artifact |
Octopus | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Shield | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Arcade | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Time | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Gashapon | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Heavenly Monkey | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Magic Beans | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
UFO | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Prism Tower | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Devolver | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Jurassic Horn | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Water Gun | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Black Hole | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Meteorite | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Magic Hat | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Evolver | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Beehive | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Acid | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Midas Touch | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Snowgun | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Skateboard | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Silver Key | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Guitar | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Dragon Lantern | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Trident | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Gourd | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Swarm | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Hologram | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Camera | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Soul-Catcher | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Hypergravity | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag | ||
Hydraulic | Three | Locked and Loaded | A money bag |
Kamikaze Artifact (神风神器)
Description
The proud work of Elite Onmyoji Zombie, this fan was named "Super Lucky Star" by him.
Tiers
Ninja Plants |
Lightning Artifact (闪电神器)
Description
Elite Lightning Gun Zombies carry this magic gun across the sky, rumored to be able to summon thunder and lightning.
Tiers
Lightning Plants |
Notes
- If a zombie is charged with 2 positive charges, the zombie will begin taking damage per second; if charged with 2 negative charges, the zombie will be stunned for a period of time; if charged with 1 positive and 1 negative charge, the zombie's attack and movement speeds will be slowed down to an extent for a period of time.
Vase-pult Artifact (投罐神器)
Description
"The vases are as fickle as zombies", says Elite Zcorpion Zombie.
Tiers
Catapult Plants |
Notes
- The possible stuff inside the vases are: Potato Mine seedpacket, Wall-nut seedpacket, Cherry Bomb seedpacket, plantfooded Mummy Zombie, Zombie Chicken, Gladiator Gargantuar, or some sun.
- At Tier 4, the stuff that are upgraded are: Potato Mine seedpacket to Primal Potato Mine seedpacket; Wall-nut seedpacket to Tall-nut seedpacket; Cherry Bomb seedpacket to Grapeshot seedpacket; and more sun. (Content that aren't upgraded still stay, just unupgraded)
Healing Artifact (治愈神器)
Description
Since the Elite Healer Zombie defeated the dragon, this caduceus has gained greater magic power.
Tiers
Octopus Artifact (章鱼神器)
Description
Octo Zombie used it to predict 9 games in the "Zombie Cup", but unfortunately none of them were correct.
Tiers
Animal-Related Plants |
Notes
- Tier 4's damage to entangled zombies is percentage-based.
Shield Artifact (护盾神器)
Description
The latest technology from 2323, the secret weapon that Dr. Zomboss is proud of.
Tiers
Defensive Plants |
Notes
- Tier 2 buffs all plants with over 1500 base health.
Arcade Artifact (街机神器)
Description
Zombies in the Neon Mixtape Tour called it the greatest invention of the 1980s.
Tiers
Energy Plants |
Time Artifact (时间神器)
Description
The Explorer Zombie's great discovery in the lost jungle, which can control minutes and seconds.
Tiers
Resting Plants |
Gashapon Artifact (扭蛋神器)
Description
Plants call it the "Miracle Gashapon", but zombies don't seem to think so.
Tiers
Probability-based Plants |
Notes
- The possible effects that can roll out are: Shadow-shroom effect to poison all zombies on the lawn; Guacodile effect to pierce through zombies in lines; Caulipower effect to hypnotize zombies; Iceberg Lettuce effect to freeze all zombies on the lawn; Sun Rain effect to cast a rain of sun to collect.
- At Tier 4, the effects that are upgraded are: Shadow-shroom effect to Lily of Pharmacy effect; Guacodile effect to Parsnip effect; Caulipower effect to Hypno-shroom effect; Iceberg Lettuce effect to Crystal Orchid effect; Sun Rain effect gets enhanced.
Heavenly Monkey Artifact (窜天猴神器)
Description
Who would have thought? Common firecrackers are so powerful.
Tiers
Arsenal Family Plants |
Magic Beans Artifact (魔豆神器)
Description
How tall do you think this beanstalk can grow?
Tiers
Elite Peashooters Family Plants |
Notes
- At Tier 4, the seedpackets the pods can drop are the plants of the Elite Peashooters Family (i.e. Repeater, Pea Pod, Threepeater, Primal Peashooter, Gatling Pea))
UFO Artifact (飞碟神器)
Description
Dr. Zomboss gave it a proper term, that is, "UFO".
Tiers
Flying Plants |
Prism Tower Artifact (棱镜塔神器)
Decription
This artifact has a lot of background, it can emit lasers and continuously cause higher and higher damage to the zombies.
Tiers
Notes
- The artifact has no usage limit, can be used infinitely many times.
- The artifact deals percentile damage to the zombies.
Devolver Artifact (退化神器)
Description
One day, Dr. Zomboss invented a super weapon that could strengthen zombies, but when it was used in actual combat, the zombies found out that the gun was loaded backwards.
Tiers
Mage Plants |
Notes
- Depending on the type of zombie the artifact devolves, there's corresponding classes in which the devolved zombie can be turned into.
Basic Class Zombies |
Conehead Class Zombies |
Buckethead Class Zombies |
Imp Class Zombies |
Gargantuar Class Zombies |
Small-sized Class Zombies |
Mid-sized Class Zombies |
Elite Class Zombies |
Jurassic Horn Artifact (恐龙号角神器)
Description
The mysterious horn from the ancient jungle is said to be able to summon the power from the Jurassic Marsh.
Tiers
Primal Plants |
Water Gun Artifact (水枪神器)
Description
Plants like water, zombies don't like water.
Tiers
Water/Ice Plants |
Black Hole Artifact (黑洞神器)
Description
Master the ultimate mysterious power in the universe and possess high gravitational force.
Tiers
Meteorite Artifact (陨石神器)
Description
Zombies don't like to make wishes when meteors are falling, because they are meteorites.
Tiers
Magic Hat Artifact (魔法帽神器)
Description
"Isn't this magic?" a zombie asked after witnessing the performance of the "Magician" Zombie. Well... as long as you don't pay attention to these details, the show is at least still exciting.
Tiers
Notes
- At Tier 4, the Magician Zombie is now able to teleport the zombies directly in to the first tile on leftmost side of the lawn, except for Gargantuars which will get teleported 2 tiles behind only, and will also be able to summon two Zombie Doves at a time, which the doves are able to grab medium sized zombies as well now, since they initially are only able to grab small sized zombies.
Evolver Artifact
Description
The new "Evolver Artifact" is here, I wish everyone some progress in the new year!
Tiers
≥300 Sun Cost Plants |
Blacklisted Plants of Evolution |
Beehive Artifact (蜂巢神器)
Description
Venomous bees who love plants will naturally have no reservations about zombies, and the power of the "Beehive Artifact" will not let you down!
Tiers
Acid Artifact (酸液神器)
Description
The latest masterpiece of Dr. Zomboss fell into the hands of the plant camp for some reason.
Tiers
Venomous Plants |
Midas Touch Artifact (点金神器)
Description
The ability to turn zombies into gold was well-received by the plants, but it's no fun for the zombies.
Tiers
Snowgun Artifact (制雪神器)
Description
Look at that zombie, does it look like a snowman?
Tiers
Skateboard Artifact (滑板神器)
Description
This skateboard comes from a big shot named Jake!
Tiers
Skater Plants |
Notes
- Possible plants that can hop on the skateboard are: Starfruit, Homing Thistle, and Electric Blueberry.
- At Tier 4, the plants of the skateboard are upgraded: Starfruit to Angel Starfruit, Homing Thistle to Cattail, Electric Blueberry to Citron.
Silver Key Artifact (银之键神器)
Description
When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you.
Tiers
Abyss Plants |
Guitar Artifact (摇滚神器)
Description
The zombies have been debating for a pretty long time whether this artifact is a bass or a guitar.
Tiers
Musical Plants |
Dragon Lantern Artifact (龙灯神器)
Description
Once upon a time, there was a zombie who was so obsessed with dragons that he even made a dragon lantern. Once he put the eyes to the dragon lantern, the dragon lantern began to circle and fly. The zombie got so scared that he left the scene silently.
Tiers
Dragon Plants |
Trident Artifact (三叉戟神器)
Description
With the trident, you are the "Aquaman" of the Zombie World.
Tiers
Weaponized Plants |
Gourd Artifact (葫芦神器)
Description
If I call your name, do you dare to answer me?
Tiers
Kung Fu Plants |
Notes
- The artifact has no usage limit, can be used infinitely many times.
- The elixirs it can generate are as follows:
- Small Elixir: formed by absorbed small-sized zombies (basics), and will temporarily grant invincibility shield to the plant that gets it.
- Medium Elixir: formed by absorbed medium-sized zombies (bullies), and will temporarily cause a magnetic field to be generated in a 3x3 area around the plant that gets it, which damages zombies within and immobilizing mecha zombies.
- Large Elixir: formed by absorbed large-sized zombies (gargantuars), and will upgrade by 1 tier the plant that gets it, and if the plant was at maximum tier, the plant will get plant-fooded.
- Thunder-Summoning Elixir: formed by the 4th tier of the artifact, and will strike 9 lightning bolts that deal damage and paralyze zombies in random tiles within a 5x5 area around the plant that gets it.
Swarm Artifact (一窝蜂神器)
Description
A magical weapon from Jukuzhou, the proud work of the hidden craftsman.
Tiers
Tier | Ability | Description | Variables |
---|---|---|---|
Heavy Artillery Fire 炮火连天 |
Active Ability: The Swarm Artifact has a number of bullets, clicking the artifact can continuously fire a small number of flaming peas at the leftmost zombies. The bullets can be affected by Torchwood. Hold-clicking the swarm artifact will enter it into a continuous shooting state that will fire more bullets. When idle, the swarm artifact will gradually recoil the number of bullets.
|
- | |
Chivalrous and Righteous 侠肝义胆 |
Passive Ability 1: The offensive and defensive statistics of Peach, Elaeocarpus, Tigerstool, Dracaena, and Snow Pea are increased by X%.
|
X: 10 + (a - 10)*1 [a: artifact level] | |
Quick Filling 快速填充 |
Passive Ability 2: Increases the bullet limit and bullet recoiling speed of the Swarm Artifact.
|
- | |
Increased Firepower 火力增强 |
Passive Ability 3: The bullets fired after hold-clicking are upgrade to blue flame. Every 4 bullets fired, a large bullet will be fired, which deals more damage and has a small short-range knockback effect.
|
- |
Swarm Artifact Plants |
Notes
- The artifact has no usage limit, can be used infinitely many times.
Hologram Artifact (全息神器)
Description
A magical projector that is said to be able to project some strange images.
Tiers
Future Technology Family Plants |
Camera Artifact (相机神器)
Description
Do you think this is an ordinary camera? Obviously things are not simple.
Tiers
Template:CameraAbilities
Stun-Effect Plants |
Soul-Catcher Artifact (摄魂神器)
Description
From the hands of an elderly Taoist priest in the Kongfu World. Time flies, but the power of this artifact has not diminished.
Tiers
Template:SoulAbilities
Mesmerizing Plants |
Hypergravity Artifact (超重力神器)
Description
A strange artifact from a mysterious laboratory, has a terrifying "sense of oppression"
Tiers
Template:HyperGravityAbilities
Gravitational Plants |
Hydraulic Artifact (液压神器)
Description
Pack 'em up! Pack 'em all up!
Tiers
Template:HydraulicAbilities
Hammering-ish Plants |
Gallery
Sprites
Old
Trivia
- Some artifacts after unlocking their 2nd tiers will not be able to buff specific plants due to coding inconsistencies:
- The Kamikaze Artifact can't buff Sumo Melon, as Sumo Melon is internally referred to as whitemelon and the code refers to it as whitemelonsumowrestlers.
- This, however, is not the case in the iOS version of the game and it will buff it as intended.
- The Lightning Artifact can't buff Electric Peashooter, as they misspelt electricpeashooter as electricpeashoote.
- The Vase-pult Artifact can't buff Blooming Heart, as they referred to it as bloomingheart instead of bloominghearts.
- Some artifacts might not buff plants that fallen under those specific categories due to the list of the plants that can be buffed being outdated and no longer updated. For instance, Evolver Artifact not being able to buff Nightcap despite costing 325 sun (above 300).
- The Kamikaze Artifact can't buff Sumo Melon, as Sumo Melon is internally referred to as whitemelon and the code refers to it as whitemelonsumowrestlers.
- All artifacts share the same base in their designs, except for the Prism Tower Artifact, Dragon Lantern Artifact, and Trident Artifact. Prism Tower uses a green coil base; Dragon Lantern uses an eastern drum as the base; Trident uses an atlantic treasure chest as the base.
- Before the 3.1.1 update, the Snowgun Artifact was able to blow away Zombot Aerostatic Gondola.
- The Silver Key Artifact originally had a different design, the core eye of the key being less intense and more transparent, as well less saturation on its colour palette.
- The Believer Gargantuar was also originally going to be a copy of Abyss Devil's Claw's Disciple Gargantuar, however it received its own unique design in the final release.
- The Gourd Artifact heavily references the movie Journey to the West, from its abilities, origins, appearance to even the description.