For the artifice
The class isn't weak, but it isn't OP either. You have to consider the class as a support for whatever roll might be missing in your party. This isnthe kind of class that is a good fifthwheeler in the sense that it will complement the other characters/roles quite nicely. The class ia not a full healer but it can heal, it is not a full blaster, but bot can it blast and though in hand ro hand it is a bit lacking, it does have access to melee cantrips and the pet is quite useful. The class ia almost the bard of second edition. It does not excel at anything (save one thing, thia will be addressed further down) but it is a good second everywhere.
What the class excels at is creating magical items and using them. Infusions are great and if the DM does not shut down item creation then the class is almost a must if your group is 5 or 6 characters strong.
As for scrolls.
It takes an action to use one. The DMG is quite clear on that. Yes, it means that reaction spells are almost useless on scrolls but not entirely so. Casting shield preemptively to cross a trapped room, or misty step for the same thing without using your spell slot might be good. Situational, yes, but still useful.