Dungeons II spreads a build across more item types than the first game, and the two passive families are where playstyles get defined: talismans, the new category, and artifacts, the returning active powers. Neither has an official catalog yet, so this page documents how the systems work and names only what footage actually showed.
Talismans: passive bonuses that grow
Talismans are a brand-new item type granting passive effects. Two things make them more than set dressing:
- They level up with you, becoming more powerful over time; an achievement even tracks upgrading one to level 3.
- Their effects define playstyles: the official hands-on preview showed a talisman that summons a loyal wolf companion, alongside passives for bonus health and faster soul collection.
Because talismans occupy their own slots beside the twelve combat slots and the four armor pieces, a build is now shaped across equipment, enchantments and passives at once. The enchanting system they feed into.
Artifacts: active powers on buttons
Artifacts return as active-use items bound to buttons. The ones shown in official footage:
| Artifact | What it does on screen |
|---|---|
| Redstone Mine Launcher | Fires a volley of explosive redstone mines that cling to targets |
| Picnic blanket | Throws food on the ground for area healing; the launch demo called it essential for boss fights |
| War banner | Plants a flag that buffs the whole team's melee attacks |
| Vine and control artifacts | Root or lock mobs in place for crowd control |
The crowd-control combo the preview demonstrated, vines to hold mobs, poison to soften them, then flaming arrows that also summon mines, is a picture of how artifacts stack with ranged builds. Arrows regenerate on their own now.
Companions and pets
Companions fight alongside you and draw aggro: the wolf and the iron golem are in-game companions, while the Blub (Deluxe Edition) and Twisted Chicken (pre-order) are pets from the edition bonuses. The launch demo leaned on the wolf heavily as a bodyblock, and the group-revive mechanic pairs well with having a companion hold a boss's attention. The full multiplayer toolkit.
The D-pad mini inventory
A mini inventory on the D-pad lets you swap equipment without opening the full menu, which matters in a game where the right artifact at the right moment is a boss fight's turning point. The full menu still handles enchanting and deep loadout changes.
FAQ
Do talismans replace artifacts?
No. They coexist: talismans are always-on passives, artifacts are button-activated powers with their own slots.
Where do I get talismans?
They drop as loot like other gear, and the merchant stock and blacksmith reroll path apply to special gear. Specific drop sources are not documented yet.
Is there a catalog of every artifact?
Not officially. The list above is what footage showed; a full catalog needs either a Mojang page or verified community data, and this page updates when either exists.