D&D 5E Does the Artificer Suck?

[Zardnaar]

I have a terrible feeling that our S+B Artificer has taken the Shield Master feat.

@Zardnaar can you confirm?

No he didn't take that one. He had arcane initiate early on but I let him swap it once Tasha's added the SCAG cantrips to the artificer list.

Not having a spare hand free for spellcasting is kinda annoying for him I suppose.

 

[Iry]

Artificers are strong enough to contribute meaningfully to any group.
But Alchemist and Armorer are trap choices.

 

[Flamestrike]

Can't cast shield using sword and board.

You can with Warcaster, which if you're going S+B on a Gish is a feat tax.

Also, the sword (and shield) are arcane foci for him so he can already cast most spells without needing warcaster (unless the spell has a somatic component but also lacks a material component).

 

[Flamestrike]

Not having a spare hand free for spellcasting is kinda annoying for him I suppose.

As long as one of his infusions is his sword (or shield) he can cast most spells on his list with his hands full.

The only one he cant cast is Shield and he should have Warcaster to be able to pop that off.

 

[Flamestrike]

@Zardnaar

From 2nd level Artificers can do this:

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.

I presume his Shield is infused to +1 and his Sword likely is as well. They're both arcane foci for him, enabling him to cast most artificer spells while holding both at the same time.

 

[Flamestrike]

He had arcane initiate early on but I let him swap it

Swap it for what?

 

[Zardnaar]

Swap it for what?

Idk can't remember .

He didn't take warcaster, I think a few of us suggested it but I don't generally tell them what they should take.

 

[Zardnaar]

@Zardnaar

From 2nd level Artificers can do this:

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.

I presume his Shield is infused to +1 and his Sword likely is as well. They're both arcane foci for him, enabling him to cast most artificer spells while holding both at the same time.

It's the S part not M of VSM that trips him up.

Clerics same issue.

 

[Flamestrike]

He didn't take warcaster, I think a few of us suggested it but I don't generally tell them what they should take.

It sounds like you've been ruling his spellcasting wrong (he should be able to cast most of his spells with his hands full just fine).

It sounds like he's built the thing wrong in at least a few places.

I assume his normal routine on his turn is (make two attacks with a +1 Longsword) and then (command the Pet to attack)?

 

[Zardnaar]

Artificers are strong enough to contribute meaningfully to any group.
But Alchemist and Armorer are trap choices.

That's roughly my opinion.