But it's fine to upgrade it with intent for future fodder but get some use of at whatever level you get it to along the way until it is time to fodder it
No, because we have only 4 slots.
Swap in/swap out as required. I typically play with only 3 slots b/c I can't be bothered doing Scand each SAsc, but I still use 13 artifacts
Specifically AcampB, CB, AcacheB, McacheB, Merc discount, AV, IM, Hosp boost, QS, TW, SAC, army camp discount, tech discount
That's really all I use, and maybe Hosp discount, BMB, TMB, Draft boost, Item values, Resource cache boost in specific scenarios if I'm clearing levels other than HEH, Hex or HCCC