6. Artifact Portal

“Tell me. Who am I fighting?” - Agyll, Purelight Prototype

Hailing from the eighth class is the archetype, Artifact Portal. Artifact Portal relies on using followers known as Artifacts, ancient machines that were said to be made by an advanced civilization.

One good example of an Artifact card is Analyzing Artifact.

Analyzing Artifact is a one-cost Bronze Portalcraft Follower that allows the player to draw a card if it’s destroyed.

While its effect is simple, every Artifact in Portalcraft has unique effects that range from card generation, board control, or straight-up damage.

In Artifact Portal’s case, its main goal is adding Artifact cards into the player’s deck and overwhelming the enemy with those followers.

Artifact Portal’s strengths are as follows:

• Artificial Production
  Artifact Portal’s main goal is to mass-produce Artifacts through followers who put those Artifacts into the player’s deck. One of the important cards needed is Elina.
  Elina, Winged Evangelist is a two-cost Silver Portalcraft Follower that puts four Keenedge Artifacts into the player's deck and changes their cost to two. When she evolves, she’ll put an Alterplane Onslaught into the player’s hand and change its cost to one.
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  Keenedge Artifact is a five-cost Bronze Portalcraft Follower Token that has Rush and Drain (an effect that whatever damage this follower has is equal to the restored defense of the player).

  Alterplane Onslaught is a four-cost Silver Portalcraft Spell that banishes an enemy follower with four defense or lower and puts a random Artifact card from the player’s deck into their hand. Then, if Resonance is active for the player, it will put two Artifact cards in the player’s hand instead.

  As for the effect in question, Resonance is an effect exclusive to Portalcraft that activates whenever the player has an even number of cards in their deck.

  With these effects, Elina can add four copies of Keenedge Artifact that the player might be able to get as a way to regain their defense. Through her evolved form, she can grant players a cheap removal that banishes enemy followers and the added benefit of getting more Artifact followers, if Resonance is active.

• Artifact Variety
  Artifact Portal also excels in a variety of effects based on the number of Artifact followers with different names that were destroyed in this match. A good example of this strength is the Jet-Powered Pugilist.

  
  Jet-Powered Pugilist is a one–cost Bronze Portalcraft Follower that has Storm and the ability to add four Analyzing Artifacts into the player’s deck. But, if at least six allied Artifact followers with different names were destroyed in this match, he’ll put four Airstrike Artifacts instead and change their costs to one.

  Airstrike Artifact is a five-cost Bronze Portalcraft Token Follower that has Storm and Last Words that deals two damage to the opponent.

  Jet-Powered Pugilist is one of the perfect cards an Artifact Portal player can get on the first turn. Not only does he have Storm but also has the ability to add four Analyzing Artifacts that can generate cards in the later turns. Then, if the player reaches six destroyed Artifact followers with different names, he can add Airstrike Artifact into the mix and deal direct damage to the opponent at such a cheap cost.

• Call the Artifacts
  Finally, the best strength Artifact Portal has is its ability to call Artifact followers from the deck to your hand. And no other follower does it better than Carnelia.
  
  Carnelia, Amnesiac Attendant is a two-cost Golden Portalcraft Follower that has Fanfare. If at least six different allied Artifact followers were destroyed in this match, Carnelia gains the ability to evolve for free.

  When she evolves, she’ll put two different random one-play point Artifact cards from the deck into the player’s hand.

  Carnelia’s Evolve effect shows the importance of calling Artifact cards into the player’s hand. Artifact cards such as Analyzing and Airstrike Artifacts will greatly benefit from this effect since the effect doesn’t specify the original cost of the chosen Artifact card.

With these strengths in mind, the top three cards for an Artifact Portal deck are:

Agyll, Purelight Prototype/Agyll, Purelight Exemplar

When people ask about their purpose in life, they would reply that it’s about certain events that would shape them into who they are now. In his case, he would question his existence until his eyes were opened to the great world.

Agyll, Purelight Prototype is a two-cost Legendary Portalcraft Follower that puts a random Artifact follower (excluding himself) into the player’s hand when summoned. He also has a Fusion effect that relies on Portalcraft cards. When fused, if there are five or fewer Artifact cards added to the deck, he’ll add two Analyzing Artifacts into the deck. 

But, if it exceeds the number, he will Transmute into Agyll, Purelight Exemplar.

Agyll, Purelight Exemplar is a one-cost Legendary Portalcraft Follower that has a powerful Evolve effect. When he evolves, he grants the player an effect that activates based on the number of Artifact cards that have entered play during the player’s turn. 

If it’s the first, third, or fifth Artifact card played, the player draws a card. Then, if it’s the second, fourth, or sixth Artifact card, the player recovers a play point.

Known for its powerful ability, Agyll’s base form is mostly played after Agyll’s Transmuted effect was played. The player must have Agyll within their hand so they can immediately gain his Transmuted form’s power.

Without it, players will struggle to empty their decks of their added Artifacts. But once activated, they can unleash the full might of the Artifacts through the Purelight Exemplar’s regeneration effect.

Dyne, Cannonsword Soldier

There are those who are chosen to wield such greatness. For him, it’s just another day of fighting to survive.

Dyne, Cannonsword Soldier is a six-cost Legendary Portalcraft Follower that has Ward. He also has another effect that when summoned, he’ll deal five damage to all enemies. But, if the player managed to add twenty or more Artifact followers into the deck, he’ll deal ten damage instead.

Even though he’s humble, Dyne’s effect is one of the most powerful board removals that only a few followers can withstand such damage. While the condition may look difficult, the effect can be achieved by using cards that add many Artifact followers such as Jet-Powered Pugilist and Elina. 

It may look like a gamble, but in Shadowverse, it’s all about the risk and the rewards in pulling off such a feat.

Retrafia, Divine Mother

“A mother’s love is everlasting”

Her words may seem gentle, but her actions betray her otherwise.

Retrafia, Divine Mother is a nine-cost Legendary Portalcraft Follower that deals damage equal to the number of different allied Artifact cards that were destroyed this match when played. She also has another effect that grants Rush and Ward to an Artifact follower when it comes in play.

She also has a Crystallize effect that costs one play point and a Countdown of ten turns. The amulet has an effect that also grants Rush and Ward to an Artifact follower that comes into play but will subtract its Countdown by one. Once the amulet is destroyed, it will summon Retrafia in all of her glory.

As the proclaimed “mother”, Retrafia grants Artifact followers the ability to become cheap removals against enemy followers. Her Crystallized effect is best used during the early turns of the match after the players add Artifact followers to their deck.

Then, once the player reaches seven or more destroyed Artifact cards, they can play her as is and deal high-output damage to all enemies in play.

Other Notable Cards:

• Sisterly Bonds

• Duel With Destiny

• Icey, Infirm Eternal

• Electric Rhino

• Postapocalyptic Girls

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