Destiny 2's latest expansion, The Final Shape, alongside the Episode Echos content, has introduced a new artifact system with powerful mods that can significantly enhance your Guardian's capabilities. This comprehensive guide breaks down every mod available in the artifact and provides recommendations on which ones to prioritize for different playstyles and activities.
Understanding The Final Shape's Artifact System
The artifact in The Final Shape expansion follows a similar structure to previous seasons but with some notable improvements. Players can unlock mods by earning XP and progressing through the artifact's levels. Unlike previous iterations, the current artifact allows for more flexibility in mod selection, without the previous energy cost restrictions.
The new system encourages experimentation with different builds while maintaining balance across various activities.
Artifact Acquisition and Progression
How to Obtain the Artifact
The Episode Echos artifact becomes available after completing the initial mission sequence of The Final Shape campaign. Players must:
- Complete the introductory missions
- Speak with Ikora Rey at the Tower
- Accept the artifact from her inventory
Leveling Up Your Artifact
Progression with the artifact works through XP accumulation:
- Daily bounties: Provide small but consistent XP
- Weekly challenges: Offer substantial XP boosts
- Seasonal challenges: Provide the most efficient source of XP
Bold tip: Focus on completing seasonal challenges first for the fastest artifact progression.
Tier 1 Mods: Foundation Abilities
The first tier of mods focuses on enhancing basic abilities and weapon performance. Notable options include:
Surge Mods
- Surge Conductor: Enhances Arc damage against stunned champions
- Surge Pyromancer: Boosts Solar damage against champions
- Surge Nullifier: Increases Void damage against disrupted enemies
Weapon Enhancement Mods
- Overcharged Rounds: Improves auto rifle and SMG anti-barrier capabilities
- Piercing Particle Streams: Provides trace rifles with unstoppable capabilities
These foundational mods serve as the building blocks for more advanced builds in higher tiers.
Tier 2 Mods: Build Specialization
Tier 2 offers mods that begin to specialize your Guardian's capabilities:
Ammo Economy Mods
- Special Ammo Scavenger: Increases special ammo drops from defeated enemies
- Heavy Handed: Partially refunds shotgun and fusion rifle ammo on kills
Ability Enhancement
- Grenade Kickstart: Provides grenade energy when energy is fully depleted
- Impact Induction: Causing damage with melee attacks generates grenade energy
These mods begin to define your character's role, whether focusing on ability usage or weapon specialization.
Tier 3 Mods: Advanced Combat Options
The third tier introduces more potent combat enhancements:
Champion Counter Mods
- Unstoppable Pulse Rifle: Allows pulse rifles to stun Unstoppable Champions
- Anti-Barrier Scout Rifle: Enables scout rifles to penetrate Barrier Champion shields
- Overload Auto Rifle: Grants auto rifles the ability to disrupt Overload Champions
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Defensive Mods
- Thermoshock Plating: Reduces incoming Arc and Solar damage
- Void Resistance: Decreases damage taken from Void attacks
Tier 4 Mods: Build Enhancement
This tier focuses on creating synergy between your abilities and weapons:
Damage Amplification
- Focusing Strike: Precision hits with specific weapons increase melee damage
- Font of Might: Picking up elemental wells matching your subclass increases weapon damage
Recovery Options
- Better Already: Orbs of Power start health regeneration
- Recuperation: Collecting Orbs of Power grants health recovery
These mods allow for more specialized builds that can excel in specific activities.
Tier 5 Mods: Game-Changing Abilities
The final tier contains the most powerful mods that can fundamentally alter playstyles:
Subclass-Specific Mods
- Revitalizing Blast: Stunning a champion causes a Solar explosion
- Withering Heat: Solar ability damage disrupts and weakens champions
- Resonance Siphon: Stunning a champion grants ability energy to nearby allies
Elite Combat Mods
- Breach and Clear: Grenade damage against powerful enemies makes them take increased damage
- Particle Deconstruction: Fusion rifles and linear fusion rifles apply stacking debuff to enemies
What Mods to Use for PvE Content
Raid and Dungeon Recommendations
For high-end PvE activities, prioritize:
- Champion counter mods appropriate for the activity
- Breach and Clear for boss damage phases
- Font of Might for additional damage output
- Special Ammo Scavenger for ammo economy
Strike and Seasonal Activity Builds
For general PvE content:
- Overcharged Rounds for versatile anti-champion capability
- Better Already for sustainability
- Surge mods matching your preferred elemental subclass
- Heavy Handed for special weapon ammo economy
What Mods to Use for PvP Content
Competitive Crucible Setup
For Trials of Osiris and competitive modes:
- Grenade Kickstart for ability uptime
- Thermoshock Plating for damage resistance
- Focusing Strike for increased melee lethality
Quick Play Optimization
For casual PvP:
- Impact Induction for ability regeneration
- Recuperation for health recovery
- Resistance mods matching current meta weapons
What Mods to Use for Solo Play
Solo players should focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency:
Legendary Lost Sector Builds
- Champion counter mods matching the rotation
- Revitalizing Blast for area damage
- Breach and Clear for boss damage
General Exploration
- Surge mods matching your subclass
- Better Already for health regeneration
- Special Ammo Scavenger for consistent ammo
Artifact Mod Synergies and Combinations
Creating effective builds requires understanding how mods interact:
Solar Synergy
- Surge Pyromancer + Withering Heat + Breach and Clear
- This combination maximizes damage against champions and bosses
Void Control
- Surge Nullifier + Resonance Siphon + Font of Might
- Perfect for team-based activities with ability sharing
Arc Destruction
- Surge Conductor + Focusing Strike + Impact Induction
- Creates a cycle of melee and grenade ability usage
Conclusion
The Final Shape and Episode Echos artifact system provides diverse options for enhancing your Guardian's capabilities across all activities. By understanding the strengths of each mod and how they complement your playstyle, you can create powerful builds that make content more manageable and enjoyable.
Remember that artifact mods reset with each new season, so experimenting with different combinations is encouraged to find what works best for your preferred activities and playstyle. The flexibility of the current system allows for greater build diversity than ever before in Destiny 2's history.
As the meta evolves and new challenges emerge, don't hesitate to reconfigure your artifact selections to adapt to changing circumstances. The most effective Guardians are those who understand not just which mods to use, but when and why to use them.