QUICK EXPLANATION OF ARTIFACTS AND LIGHTSTONES

Artifacts and Lightstones are pieces of gear introduced with the March 2nd, 2022 patch that work together much like how armor and crystals work together. The update is intended to allow players to further customize their equipment builds to suit their playstyle.

All information here was initially obtained from KR patchnotes and wiki, then confirmed from:

https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/News/Detail?groupContentNo=2712

https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Wiki?wikiNo=245

https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Wiki?wikiNo=246

I found the patch notes... not clear, so this post is my attempt to clarify the information. Personally I found my own head spinning when I reached the part explaining Purified Lightstones, so if that section is unclear, please let me know so I can fix it.

If you just need instructions on how to use these new items, or just want a super quick explanation, scroll to the bottom of this post. Happy grinding!

ARTIFACTS -- OVERVIEW

Up to 2 Artifacts can be equipped at once.

Artifacts can be socketed with 2 Lightstones.

Meaning, you will "wear" a total of 2 Artifacts and 4 Lightstones.

Artifacts cannot be bought or sold on the Central Market.

Artifacts you don't want can be converted into a Purified Lightstone using Simple Alchemy.

Artifact stats can be offensive, defensive, evasive, HP, stamina, Black Spirit's Rage, monster damage up or monster damage down, or lifeskill experience or mastery focused.

Note that combat-centered Artifacts are fine tuned for the "hidden" Melee, Ranged, and Magic stats that all classes have. The one you will want to use will depend on your class.

Artifacts (and their socketed Lightstones) can be used with the character tag/item copy system and do not increase the copy cost.

ARTIFACTS -- HOW TO OBTAIN

Two Artifacts can be obtained in the Main Story, by doing the Main Story through to the end of Mediah.

Other Artifacts are obtained by fighting bosses and grinding monsters.

For a full chart on what to do to obtain certain Artifacts and their stats, click here then scroll down to the section titled "How to Obtain Artifacts":
https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Wiki?wikiNo=245

LIGHTSTONES -- OVERVIEW

There are 5 types of Lightstones: Imperfect, Purified, Purified of X, Iridescent, and Normal.

Imperfect Lightstones must be turned into Purified of X Lightstones. Neither of these can be socketed.

Iridescent Lightstones cannot be obtained by opening a Purified Lightstone. Iridescent Lightstones can be socketed.

Purified Lightstones are obtained by using Simple Alchemy on Artifacts.

Purified of X Lightstones are opened to get a Normal Lightstone. The Normal Lightstone you will get is randomized and will match the "of X" of the Purified of X Lightstone used.

Normal Lightstones are what you can socket in your Artifacts.

All Lightstones can be listed on the Central Market.

If your character has negative karma and dies, your socketed Lightstones can break.

Lightstones can be changed out like Crystals.

To safely remove a socketed Lightstone, you will want to use a 10 million silver item bought from a Blacksmith NPC.

If you do not use this item, the removed Lightstone will break.

Up to 4 Lightstones can be equipped/socketed at once.

Having 3 or 4 Lightstones equipped can trigger a special effect, depending on the combination used.

You can also equip 3 Lightstones and 1 Iridescent Lightstone to create a number of special effects.

You will always want to have 3 to 4 Lightstones socketed, in order to take advantage of a special combination effect.

For a full chart on Lightstone Combination Effects, click here:
https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Wiki?wikiNo=246

LIGHTSTONES -- HOW TO OBTAIN

Four Lightstones can be obtained in the Main Story, by doing the Main Story through to the end of Valencia.

Other Lightstones are obtained by fighting bosses and grinding monsters, then using Simple Alchemy to upgrade them, or by completing a quest for an NPC or using an Alchemy Tool (if you are over Guru 1 Alchemy).

These are immediately socketable.

Imperfect Lightstones and Iridescent Lightstones are what will drop by fighting bosses and grinding monsters.

Imperfect Lightstones can also be obtained by converting unwanted Artifacts to Purified Lightstones using Simple Alchemy, which is opened to receive a random Normal Lightstone.

Some Imperfect Lightstones are obtained from Lifeskill-oriented activities, such as gathering and worker/node management.

Purified Lightstones are obtained via Simple Alchemy on Artifacts.

Purified of X Lightstones are obtained from Purified Lightstones and from Imperfect Lightstones by using an Alchemy Tool or by completing a quest for the NPC Dalishain, who can be found in all major cities.
To obtain Purified of X Lightstones via Alchemy, you will need to be Guru 1.

Normal Lightstones are obtained by opening a Purified of X Lightstone.

The Normal Lightstone you get will match with the "of X" of the Purified of X Lightstone you used.

For a full chart on what to do to obtain certain Lightstones and their stats, click here then scroll down to the section titled "Monster Zones for Obtaining Lightstones/Bosses and Content":
https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Wiki?wikiNo=245

IN SUMMARY

Grind to get Artifacts, Imperfect Lightstones, and Iridescent Lightstones.

Use Artifacts to get Purified Lightstones to get a random Purified of X Lightstone.

Use Imperfect Lightstones to get a Purified of X Lightstone that matches the type of Imperfect Lightstone.

Use a Purified of X Lightstone to get a Normal Lightstone that matches the "of X" type.

Profit? Profit.

HOW TO SOCKET YOUR ARTIFACTS & LIGHTSTONES

To socket your Lightstones, right-click on them in your inventory. A new UI window will pop up.

With left click, select the Artifact on the right side of the UI that you want to socket your Lightstones into. It will move to the left side of the UI to indicate it has been selected. If you've selected the wrong Artifact, simply right-click it to deselect it.

Next, click the Lightstone tab at the top right of the UI, then left click any part of the "section" the Artifact you want to socket is in (this selects it).

Then, left click the Lightstone you want to use.

There will be a pop up window confirming the Lightstone you have selected to socket and the Artifact it will be socketed into, after which you will see the Combination that has been triggered (if applicable).

To finish up, close the window and open your inventory. Right-click your Artifacts to equip them. :D