The Artificer gets a 5.5E upgrade in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer. But what does that mean exactly? Take a closer look with us.
Eberron: Forge of the Artificer is basically the big book of Artificers. While sure, it has write-ups of different campaign styles, ongoing plots, and a bunch of new dragonmark feats, the big draw of the book is the updated Artificer. It has been “reforged,” if you will – revised to be brought in line with the new power scale of 5.5E.
On the whole, characters are more powerful than in the previous edition. Character resources tend to be a little more plentiful. The things you can do with them a little more broad. Monks are an especially visible example of how things are different. They gained a lot of quality of life upgrades – for example, their ability to Disengage or Dash as a Bonus Action no longer takes a resource. But if you spend one, you can do two things as one Bonus Action.
Great stuff, all around. And the Artificer absolutely shines with the new upgrades. While there may be one or two little quibbles here and there, on the whole, I’m really fond of the 5.5E treatment this gets. Especially since WotC sets the precedent for expanding the core classes of the game right away. Here’s hoping we see more over the next few years. For now, though, let’s take a look at the updated Artificer.
The Artificer Reforged – Magic Meets Science Magic
The updated Artificer fills out an interesting niche in D&D terms. Because on the surface, this is a “half-caster” class. Like Paladins and Rangers (and technically Warlocks), Artificers start off with spellcasting abilities, but with fewer spell slots and slower progression. The updated Artificer caps out at 5th-level spells. Technically.
But the real joy of the Artificer, and the real strength of it, lies in the powers that can be unlocked through the mastery of magic items. This means that Artificers need a bit more mastery than other classes might. However, I think for the right player, it can be extremely rewarding. At its core, this class offers a lot of versatility. It can do everything from focus on dealing damage to aiding the party to being a summoner par excellence.
But as an Artificer, you don’t have to start knowing every magic item in the list. There’s actually a nice progression built in to the class. But even at level 1, you’ll get a good sense of what the class can do.
It starts with Spellcasting, because even though an Artificer is only a half-caster, casting spells is still one of the primary things you’ll do. And case in point, the Artificer gets a flexible variety of Cantrips, including Guidance and Spare the Dying, as well as combat focused spells like True Strike and Fire Bolt. Actually, I’d say flexibility defines the Artificer’s spell list. They get a good mix of both offensive and support spells. You could build an Artificer many different ways from spell selection alone.
But then at level 2, the class really opens up the doors of possibility, with Replicate Magic Item. This feature is the Artificer’s unique mechanic and it is the second half of the core of the Artificer’s identity. It’s also one of the more complicated features.
But in a nutshell this lets you make a magic item which you can select from a curated list (that widens considerably at levels 10 and 14), you can have anywhere from 2-6 replicated items at once.
Putting The Art In Artificer
After level 2, there are two main progression paths for Artificers: getting more and better spells and doing more with magic items. Plus whatever you gain from your subclass. But more on those later. Again, the Artificer Spell List is surprisingly versatile.
Especially taking the new Artificer spell, Homunculus Servant into consideration. This lets you summon a surprisingly resilient companion that sticks around until destroyed. It’s a potent combat summons because you can fire and forget a high level spell slot and still have your new buddy through summons.
But the real fun stuff comes online at level 6. Magic Item Tinker lets you play even more with your magic items. It gives you three options that will pay off in spades – first you can recharge your replicated magical items by spending a spell slot. This benefit kicks into high gear once you unlock any Uncommon or Rare magic items at levels 10 and 14 respectively.
You can also Drain a magic item you replicated, consuming it for spell slots. Finally, you can change one magic item into another that you know how to Replicate.
Updated Artificer At Higher Levels
At higher levels the Artificer starts to shine. This is because you unlock items that let you cast more spells. While you’re only ever a half-caster by trade, through magic items and features like your Spell-Storing Item at level 11, you can sort of “stock up” on spell slots ahead of time, making you capable of casting more spells than you might expect. And knowing what items will give you spells to cast and for how many charges takes this even further.
The Cube of Force, for instance, is a huge benefit, giving you access to, say, 10 castings of Shield per day. Especially since, as you level up, you can attune to four, five, or even six different magic items at level 18, allowing you to break the normal rules.
And that’s where the Artificer shines. Not in any single feature. But in what the class can do with the tools it has, literally. All that’s not even mentioning features like the level 7 Flash of Genius which lets you add your Intelligence modifier to a failed ability check or saving throw by you or an ally within 30 feet. Or the capstone Soul of Artifice which you won’t get until level 20. But it’s still a potent “cheat death” ability, allowing you to sacrifice an Uncommon or Rare magic item you’ve made in exchange for 20 hit points per item sacrificed (instead of being at 0 hp).
All in all, I was lukewarm on the Artificer in the past. But with the base toolkit being so versatile, and the subclasses adding even more (stay tuned for a deep dive into each of the subclasses), the updated Artificer has the tools, it has the talent, it has everything an enterprising player needs to get into the nitty gritty and build some interesting characters.
You can find the updated Artificer in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.
