Legion Calculator: Artifact Power & Knowledge
Your expert tool for planning your Artifact Weapon progression in World of Warcraft: Legion.
Your Results
Total Base AP Needed: 0
Your AP Multiplier (from AK): 1x
Effective AP Gained Per Week: 0
Artifact Power Cost Per Level
What is a Legion Calculator?
A legion calculator is a specialized tool designed to navigate the complex systems of the World of Warcraft: Legion expansion, specifically the Artifact Weapon progression. These weapons were a central feature, gaining power through the collection of Artifact Power (AP). The amount of AP required for each new trait (level) increased exponentially, making planning essential.
This calculator focuses on the two core mechanics: Artifact Power (AP) and Artifact Knowledge (AK). AP is the resource spent to unlock traits, and AK is a multiplier that dramatically increases the amount of AP you gain from items. By inputting your current and target levels, along with your AK, this tool projects the total AP needed and the time it will take to farm it, empowering you to set realistic goals for powering up your character. To learn more, see this detailed artifact power guide.
Legion Calculator Formula and Explanation
The calculation involves three main steps: determining the total AP cost, calculating your effective AP gain with your Artifact Knowledge bonus, and finally, estimating the time required.
1. Total AP Cost Calculation:
Total AP = Σ (AP cost of each level from Current+1 to Target)
This is the sum of the AP required for every single trait level between your current level and your desired target level. The cost for each level is a fixed value defined by the game.
2. Effective AP Gain Calculation:
Effective AP Gain = Base AP Gain * AK Multiplier
Your raw, or base, AP gains from quests and items are multiplied by a value determined by your Artifact Knowledge level. This multiplier is the key to managing the massive AP costs at higher levels.
3. Time to Target Calculation:
Weeks to Target = Total AP Cost / Effective AP Gain per Week
By dividing the total AP you need by the amount you effectively earn each week, the calculator provides an estimate of the time commitment required.
Formula Variables
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current/Target Level | The trait rank of the Artifact Weapon. | Level (integer) | 1 – 54 |
| Knowledge Level (AK) | The character’s Artifact Knowledge rank, which boosts AP gains. | Level (integer) | 1 – 25 (Patch 7.1.5) |
| Base AP | Artifact Power gained from sources before the AK multiplier. | AP (points) | 100 – 100,000+ |
| AK Multiplier | The percentage increase in AP gains based on AK level. | Multiplier (e.g., 25x) | 1.25x – 250x |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Mid-Game Progression
A player has just reached Artifact Level 30 and wants to know the effort to get to level 35. They have been diligent with their research and are at Artifact Knowledge 20.
- Inputs: Current Level: 30, Target Level: 35, AK Level: 20, Weekly Base AP: 40,000
- Results: The calculator would first sum the AP costs for levels 31 through 35. It then applies the massive multiplier from AK 20 (9,000% gain, or a 90x multiplier) to the player’s weekly farm. The result shows that despite the high AP cost, it will likely take them less than a week.
Example 2: The Endgame Grind
An endgame raider is at Artifact Level 50 and wants to max out their weapon at 54. They are at the maximum Artifact Knowledge of 25.
- Inputs: Current Level: 50, Target Level: 54, AK Level: 25, Weekly Base AP: 100,000
- Results: The calculator sums the cost of the final four, extremely expensive levels. Even with the top-tier AK 25 multiplier (24,900% gain, or a 249x multiplier), the sheer amount of AP needed is staggering. The calculator would project a multi-week grind, helping the player decide if the final small stat increases are worth the significant time investment. A artifact knowledge tracker can be useful here.
How to Use This Legion Calculator
Follow these simple steps to plan your Artifact Weapon progression:
- Enter Your Current Trait Level: Input the number of traits you have already purchased for your currently equipped Artifact Weapon.
- Set a Target Trait Level: Decide which level you want to achieve. This is typically the level required for a major “golden” trait or the final level, 54.
- Input Your Artifact Knowledge (AK): This is the most critical factor for late-game progression. Enter your character’s current AK level. You can find this in your Order Hall.
- Estimate Your Weekly AP Gain: Think about your typical weekly activities (World Quests, Dungeons, Raids) and estimate the total *base* AP you collect. A good starting point is 50,000 for a moderately active player.
- Analyze the Results: The calculator will instantly show the total AP required and an estimated time to reach your goal. Use this information to adjust your farming strategy or your target level. Check our guide on the best way to farm ap legion for tips.
Key Factors That Affect Artifact Power Gain
Maximizing your AP gain is crucial. Several factors influence how quickly you can power up your weapon:
- Artifact Knowledge (AK): Without a doubt the single most important factor. Each level of AK provides a massive, compounding increase to all AP gains.
- Mythic+ Dungeons: The chest at the end of a Mythic+ run provides a large AP token, which scales with the keystone level. Completing a high-level key each week is a huge source of AP.
- Raid Bosses: Each raid boss drops an AP token. Clearing a raid on any difficulty each week provides a substantial and reliable amount of AP.
- World Quests: Many World Quests offer AP items as a reward. Prioritizing these quests during your daily activities is a steady source of power. Consider a wow legion artifact calculator that helps track these.
- Order Hall Missions: Some missions reward AP tokens. Missions that offer bonus rewards for AP are particularly valuable.
- Emissary Caches: Completing the daily Emissary quest provides a cache that contains a significant AP token. This is one of the most efficient daily activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the maximum Artifact Trait Level in Legion?
Initially, the maximum trait level was 54. Later in the expansion, after a quest, this was extended with new traits and a final, infinitely stackable trait.
Does this calculator work for off-spec weapons?
Yes. The AP and AK systems work the same for all your Artifact Weapons. You can use this legion calculator to plan the progression for your main-spec or any off-spec weapon.
Where does Artifact Knowledge come from?
Artifact Knowledge was gained by commissioning work orders in your Class Order Hall. Each work order took several days to complete and granted one level of AK.
Is there a cap on Artifact Knowledge?
Yes, the AK level was capped and the cap increased as the expansion progressed. This calculator uses the Patch 7.1.5 cap of 25 for its calculations, which was a major milestone in the expansion.
What are the “units” for Artifact Power?
Artifact Power is a unitless point system. You simply collect points. This calculator measures it in “AP” and your farming rate in “AP per week”.
Why does the AP cost increase so much at higher levels?
This was a deliberate game design to create a long-term progression system. The exponential cost was meant to be offset by the exponential gains from Artifact Knowledge, ensuring that farming always felt rewarding. Check out an legion classic ap calc for other perspectives.
Is this legion calculator still relevant?
This calculator is primarily for players interested in the historical mechanics of the Legion expansion or for playing on progression-based “classic” servers that may feature Legion content. The original Artifact Power system was retired after the expansion.
Can I reset my Artifact Traits?
Yes, it was possible to reset your artifact traits at a cost equivalent to the AP needed to purchase your next trait. However, it was generally not recommended as you would eventually unlock all traits. A artifact weapon trait calculator might help in planning your trait path.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
If you found this legion calculator useful, you might be interested in our other World of Warcraft tools and guides:
- Artifact Power Farming Guide: A comprehensive guide on the most efficient ways to earn AP.
- Mythic+ Score Calculator: Plan your dungeon runs and calculate your Raider.IO score.
- Legion AP Farming Strategies: Advanced tactics for maximizing your weekly AP gains.
- Artifact Knowledge Tracker: A tool to see how your AK level impacts your gains over time.
- Complete Legion Artifact Calculator: A broader tool covering all aspects of artifact management.
- Legion Classic AP Calculator: Tailored for classic server experiences.