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About Artifact
Artifact is a digital card game set in the Dota 2 universe, created by Valve with designer Richard Garfield. It uses a three‑lane board, a single shared mana pool, and unlimited hand size, allowing players to deploy any number of units at any time.
The title is free on Windows, macOS, and Linux. All cards are earned through play; recent updates called Artifact Foundry add over 100 new cards, new heroes, a beginner PvE campaign, and a Hero Draft PvP mode while cutting random effects.
01 / THE GUIDE
Foundry Gameplay
Foundry shows every lane at once, so players can see the full board without switching views. Mana is pooled across the three lanes, meaning any lane can spend the same mana pool.
The update also lowers randomness, making outcomes more predictable. It adds more than 100 new cards, over 20 new heroes, and new tutorial and demo scenarios for each hero.
- Watch all three lanes to anticipate opponent pushes.
- Plan combos knowing mana will not vary between lanes.
02 / THE GUIDE
Artifact Classic Mode
Classic keeps the original board but removes limits: hand size, number of units, and mana are all unlimited. Players can field any number of cards in any lane at any moment.
All cards are freely available to every player; those who bought the original receive Collector’s Edition versions. No packs or tickets are required to unlock anything.
- Use unlimited mana to play high‑cost units early.
- Keep a large hand to maintain options throughout the match.
03 / THE GUIDE
Hero Draft PvP Mode
Hero Draft is a new PvP mode introduced with Foundry. Players choose a hero from the expanded roster, each hero bringing a distinct set of cards to the match.
The mode uses the same three‑lane board and shared mana pool as other modes, but the focus is on building a deck around the selected hero’s unique cards.
- Review each hero’s card pool before drafting.
- Adjust lane pressure based on your opponent’s hero choice.
04 / THE GUIDE
PvE Campaign and Challenges
Foundry adds a beginner campaign and standalone challenges that pit players against AI opponents. These scenarios introduce each hero’s mechanics in a controlled setting.
An extended tutorial and playable demo scenarios are provided for every hero, giving step‑by‑step guidance on core actions and strategies.
- Complete tutorial scenarios to unlock all hero cards.
- Use the campaign to test lane‑control ideas safely.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform and Cloud Features
Artifact runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and supports Steam Cloud, so progress and card collections sync across devices. Both single‑player and online PvP are available.
The free‑to‑play model means no additional purchases are needed to access any content, including the new Foundry additions.
- Enable Steam Cloud to keep your collection synced.
- Switch operating systems without losing progress.
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