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Yes—but v1.02.02 did not weaken every part of Living Artifact. Team Ninja reduced the elemental damage dealt by Martial Arts during the effect and capped consecutive uses of certain Martial Arts while it was active. The patch notes give neither the damage reduction nor the use limit, so the exact impact on a particular weapon or build cannot be quantified from the official notes.
What changed for Living Artifact?
In its official v1.02.02 update notes, Team Ninja lists two direct restrictions:
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- “Decreased the amount of elemental damage dealt by Martial Arts while Living Artifact is active.”
- “Set a limit on how many times certain Martial Arts can be used consecutively while Living Artifact is active.”
These are separate changes: one targets elemental damage from Martial Arts during the effect, while the other limits repetition of certain moves. The notes do not identify the affected Martial Arts, specify how many consecutive uses remain possible, or give a numerical damage reduction. They therefore do not establish the impact on every weapon, Martial Art, or build.
What Living Artifact does
Team Ninja describes Living Artifact as a state in which the Guardian Spirit transforms into a weapon and the player temporarily merges with its power. The studio presents it as a way to turn the tide in a critical situation or counter a formidable enemy. The v1.02.02 changes concern specific Martial Arts behavior during that state; they do not say that Living Artifact was removed.
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- Fight to survive in this brutally savage masocore action roleplaying game
- Unleash your inner demon to wield the devastating powers of the supernatural yokai
- Discover a revamped combat system with new weapons and skills
- Journey through the mysterious Dark Realm: the demonic home of the yokai
- Play with friends in co op online multiplayer modes for up to three players
For the official explanation, see Team Ninja’s Living Artifact system description.
What else did v1.02.02 adjust?
The February 6, 2026 update covered PlayStation 5 and Steam. Its notes also include changes beyond Living Artifact:
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- Control Type D’s weapon sheathe/draw and Living Artifact inputs were adjusted to make them easier to use while pressing other buttons.
- The Blindness effect from the Blindness (Onmyo Magic Hit) Soul Core effect was shortened.
- Soul Purge Talisman’s duration was increased and its damage decreased.
- The number of Kappa in the “1572 CE – Warring States” field was increased.
- Several named Martial Arts received power adjustments. The English update listing names increases for Swallow’s Wing (sword), Raijin (dual swords), and Victory Rush (axe), and a decrease for Water Sword II (dual swords).
- A bug that could stop the Amrita Gauge from accumulating—and thus prevent Living Artifact from activating in certain conditions—was fixed.
The notes also list other weapon adjustments and fixes. The changes above should not be read as a complete list of everything in the update.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is v1.02.02 still the current patch?
No. Team Ninja’s update history lists v1.02.02 on February 6, 2026, followed by v2.01.00 on September 2 and v2.02.00 on September 17, 2026. The v2.02.00 entry concerns DLC 1 features and fixes; it does not announce a reversal of the Living Artifact adjustments. The record therefore distinguishes this early balance change from the later update context, but does not establish whether any intervening gameplay changes affected a specific build.
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