Victory Conditions on Artifact Uses
 

Some artifacts have an ability use that unlocks after a certain amount of victories/battles won(btw, is there a difference between the two or just an oversight by 1C Publishing?). My question is do I need to have the item equipped when I win the battles for it to register as a win or can I just have it laying in my inventory for these ability uses to unlock?

I think most artifacts require you to have them equipped for their special to work, e.g. Ancient Amulet that gives you 10 magic runes after 50 battles.

Others can sit quietly in your backpack, e.g. the Shield of Rekross that gives you a dragon after each level up, or that gift bag item (belt?) that can give you a rune of your own class every once in a while.

The shield of recross needs to be equiped as well to summon a new dragon.. You don't nedd to engage any fights though