Unearthed Arcana New Unearthed Arcana: Revised Artificer

Gradine · May 14, 2019

WotC just released the revised Artificer UA. Now featuring a new, pet-less archetype: The Archivist!

In February, we presented a revised version of a new character class: the artificer, a master of magical invention. Today we return to that class, now with even more content! Here’s what’s been added:

New subclasses—the Archivist and the Battle Smith
A revised spell list, including spells from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
New infusions—Enhanced Wand, Repeating Shot, and Repulsion Shield
A revision to multiclassing—round up when determining spell slots

Prakriti · May 14, 2019

I find it dumbfounding that the people who developed the core classes are apparently the same people developing all the schlock that has followed. :uhoh:

MechaTarrasque · May 14, 2019

Maybe it is all the smite and aura spells, but the battle smith makes me think it is the paladin artificer.

cbwjm · May 14, 2019

iltharanos said:
Everyone's better at having pets than the poor Beast Master Ranger. Discuss!

I was thinking this and was thinking of perhaps using the battlesmith as a base for building a better beastmaster.

iltharanos · May 14, 2019

cbwjm said:
I was thinking this and was thinking of perhaps using the battlesmith as a base for building a better beastmaster.

Agreed. The line below, just by itself, taken straight from the Iron Defender feature, would do wonders for the Beast Master's pet.

"[Y]ou take a bonus action on your turn to command it (the Iron Defender) to take one of the actions in its stat block or the Dash, Disengage, or Help action."

Al2O3 · May 14, 2019

MechaTarrasque said:
Maybe it is all the smite and aura spells, but the battle smith makes me think it is the paladin artificer.

That is what convinced me that most of the artificer works as a halfcaster. The battle smith might also be the ranger artificer (beast master, with the new spell acting like Hunter's mark). The archivist is the one with smite-like extra damage from spells.

What I'm really happy to see is repeating shot. Suddenly crossbows are viable with the extra attack feature and my main reason for not using archers is handled.

Sword of Spirit · May 14, 2019

EDIT: I misread, and thought it was your action that it required, rather than your bonus action. Remove one exclamation point from my displeasure.

"It can move and use its reaction on
its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is
the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action
on your turn to command it to take one of the
actions in its stat block or the Dash, Disengage,
or Help action."

No, dangit! Seriously? This is the crap we've been trying to get rid of ever since the PHB--pleeeeassse do not make more of it!

Rabbitbait · May 14, 2019

I'm a fan. Almost all of this seems really good to me and a well rounded class. Still not a fan of the turrets, but that's a small quibble.

Kurotowa · May 14, 2019

MechaTarrasque said:
Maybe it is all the smite and aura spells, but the battle smith makes me think it is the paladin artificer.

Yeah, people are fixating on the pet, but I think that's a distraction. It's not very impressive and doesn't scale well. No, the real meat here is that Battle Smith is the Artificer's Hexblade. Getting your Int bonus to weapon attacks will open up whole new vistas for the CharOp folks and gish lovers. Bring out your High Elves and Rock Gnomes to play.