Artificer UA has been released!

[Azzy]

Yeah, I'm envisioning an alchemist artificer character proficient with calligraphy tools as a Japanese-style onmyouji casting spells with ofuda (paper talismans) and the homunculus as a shikigami.

 

[Azzy]

Has anyone else watched the Dragon+ Jeremy Crawford interview about the artificer?

 

[Parmandur]

Has anyone else watched the Dragon+ Jeremy Crawford interview about the artificer?

Yeah, it was interesting: curious to see the other subclasses he's worked on. I'm hoping to see some sort of Time mage (Calligraphy and paint kits?), or maybe a Shaman type character.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I'm finally watching the dragon+ interview.

I love the parts of how your tool use interacts with your spellcasting.

I do think they need a slightly better weapon list, and the Artillerist should use weapons instead of wands, or be able to choose between weapons or wands.

I'd love to see a subclass that is all about delivering spells using ammunition, if we can't make that part of the Artillerist. I'd love to shoot an arrow/bolt/bullet at someone, and make Thunderwave come out of that target space.

edit: I am also really glad they landed on Spells Prepared. I do wish they could swap 1 spell per day as a short rest, like a versatility equivalent of Arcane Recovery. Maybe as a feature in a subclass.

I also really really wish that the Spell-Storing Item feature was an Infusion option, at a much lower level.

One thing that I wish the class had would be the ability to burn spell slots to recharge a magic item with charges.

 

[cbwjm]

I'm finally watching the dragon+ interview.

I love the parts of how your tool use interacts with your spellcasting.

I do think they need a slightly better weapon list, and the Artillerist should use weapons instead of wands, or be able to choose between weapons or wands.

I'd love to see a subclass that is all about delivering spells using ammunition, if we can't make that part of the Artillerist. I'd love to shoot an arrow/bolt/bullet at someone, and make Thunderwave come out of that target space.

edit: I am also really glad they landed on Spells Prepared. I do wish they could swap 1 spell per day as a short rest, like a versatility equivalent of Arcane Recovery. Maybe as a feature in a subclass.

I also really really wish that the Spell-Storing Item feature was an Infusion option, at a much lower level.

One thing that I wish the class had would be the ability to burn spell slots to recharge a magic item with charges.

I had, half-heartedly, started on rules for firearm ammunition which included alchemy shots and spell shots. Alchemy shots could be made by anyone proficient with alchemist supplies and included things such as dealing additional fire or acid damage or creating a cone of fire like a shotgun.

Spell shots were enchanted ammo that would do things like bind your target with the web spell, or blast the target and everyone in range with a fireball. I think I was creating a wizard subclass which used firearms and I wanted some special ammo to go with it.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I had, half-heartedly, started on rules for firearm ammunition which included alchemy shots and spell shots. Alchemy shots could be made by anyone proficient with alchemist supplies and included things such as dealing additional fire or acid damage or creating a cone of fire like a shotgun.

Spell shots were enchanted ammo that would do things like bind your target with the web spell, or blast the target and everyone in range with a fireball. I think I was creating a wizard subclass which used firearms and I wanted some special ammo to go with it.

I'd love to see something like that, though a lot of it is just...a different way to describe casting a spell, with maybe a different "does it land" mechanic and/or a change of range.

I think the way to go might be a feature that lets you use the ranges of your weapons when using your weapon as a spellcasting focus, and then focus new ammunition on things that are genuinely new?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Also, I would really want to see a defensive turret, and the ability to cast spells through the turret.

 

[Staffan]

I think it would be cool if the Replicate Item infusions had some more options based on specialization, leaning into the stuff that specialization's supposed to be good at. I think it might be even cooler if they could make limited-use items, like potions for alchemists and wands for artillerists. Perhaps those choices could be limited a bit (like Magical Secrets for bards), so they get one specialist item per item tier (2nd level, 12th level, 16th level). Come to think of it, I'd probably put the first one at something like 6th or 8th level, so they could get some juice in them.

 

[cbwjm]

I'd love to see something like that, though a lot of it is just...a different way to describe casting a spell, with maybe a different "does it land" mechanic and/or a change of range.

I think the way to go might be a feature that lets you use the ranges of your weapons when using your weapon as a spellcasting focus, and then focus new ammunition on things that are genuinely new?

From memory what I had down in my notes was that spell-shots weren't just for casters, these were enchanted ammo that anyone with a firearm could use.

For the spell-sniper subclass, they were able to cast spells using their weapon and their weapon range. It would deal normal weapon damage in addition to the spell damage and were able to use the weapons range. Thing is, I think in many cases, the spell could easily have a better range than the firearm.

 

[Remathilis]

I'm finally watching the dragon+ interview.

I love the parts of how your tool use interacts with your spellcasting.

I agree. It oozes with flavor.

I do think they need a slightly better weapon list, and the Artillerist should use weapons instead of wands, or be able to choose between weapons or wands.

Artificers already can! "After you gain the Infuse Item feature at 2nd level, you can also use any item bearing one of your infusions as a spellcasting focus." So all you need is the enhanced weapon infusion and you can use any weapon you want as your focus.

As for proficiencies, I'm fine with the base model but I think a subclas geared around using enchanted weapons and armor would be a great place to expand proficiency in weapons.

I'd love to see a subclass that is all about delivering spells using ammunition, if we can't make that part of the Artillerist. I'd love to shoot an arrow/bolt/bullet at someone, and make Thunderwave come out of that target space.

Basically, a retrofitted Arcane Archer as an artificer, mixed with IK's gunmage. I could see it.

edit: I am also really glad they landed on Spells Prepared. I do wish they could swap 1 spell per day as a short rest, like a versatility equivalent of Arcane Recovery. Maybe as a feature in a subclass.

I think "Right Cantrip for the Job" does a good impression of that, it just needs to come sooner.

I also really really wish that the Spell-Storing Item feature was an Infusion option, at a much lower level.

My belief is that Arcane Armament should get bumped to aforementioned enchanted weapon/armor subclass (Runesmith?), RCFtJ goes to 5th level, and Spell Storing Item goes to 10th, and a new ability comes in at 18th.

One thing that I wish the class had would be the ability to burn spell slots to recharge a magic item with charges.

Hmmm... considering they are half-casters, perhaps that would be a good near-high level ability to replace Spell Storing item after its moved down?