D&D 5E Artificer Homunculus and Uses

[Benjamin Olson]

Mage armor is pretty handy for the homunculus to push it up to 15 AC which is respectable.

Indeed. 15 AC vs. 13 AC isn't that much difference in normal circumstances, but with always on Dodge based disadvantage, and typical enemy to-hit bonus ranges, it's a whole world of difference.

IME the game has a lot of “target you can see” stuff.

For spellcasting and other character abilities sure, and that's a major limitation on many player characters. It ends up being a pretty small part of the overall portfolio in most monster stat blocks though. But yes, against the right enemy it might shut down a key ability. I'm not saying its useless to make your homoculus invisible, I'm just saying that a creature already taking dodge every turn gets substantially less additional defensive utility out of invisibility than other creatures do, and I don't think it would often be worth a half-caster's 2nd level spell slot and concentration.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Indeed. 15 AC vs. 13 AC isn't that much difference in normal circumstances, but with always on Dodge based disadvantage, and typical enemy to-hit bonus ranges, it's a whole world of difference.

For spellcasting and other character abilities sure, and that's a major limitation on many player characters. It ends up being a pretty small part of the overall portfolio in most monster stat blocks though. But yes, against the right enemy it might shut down a key ability. I'm not saying its useless to make your homoculus invisible, I'm just saying that a creature already taking dodge every turn gets substantially less additional defensive utility out of invisibility than other creatures do, and I don't think it would often be worth a half-caster's 2nd level spell slot and concentration.

I probably both use more Spellcasting enemies in my games, and fight more of them in my friends’ games, than the average.

For my game, most supernatural critters have some Spellcasting, even if they’re a Fey knight or soemthing.

 

[sable_twilight]

There is no RAW answer. The weight of the eldritch cannon isn't specified. It can be "tiny" and "handheld". A heavy crossbow, which is definitely not handheld, is 18 lb. I'd say that the artillerist's toy fits well under the 60 pounds limit on what a STR 4 homunculus can lift.

Especially if you explain your DM it's modelled after an African swallow.

30 lbs. They are tiny creatures. Still strong enough to carry a crossbow. They might be slowed down if using variant encumbrance.

 

[DemoMonkey]

Be...my...quest!
Be my quest
Put my cannon to the test
My homunculous will fly out with
It stapled to his chest!

 

[Ancalagon]

I think bonus action economy is going to be the main challenge. Both the artilerist's cannon and the homunculus take a bonus action to command....

 

[Stoutstien]

I think bonus action economy is going to be the main challenge. Both the artilerist's cannon and the homunculus take a bonus action to command....

The homunculus can dodge+ move without any action cost but can only do so after the artificer's action so it can be clunky.

 

[sable_twilight]

Be...my...quest!
Be my quest
Put my cannon to the test
My homunculous will fly out with
It stapled to his chest!

yoink!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yes, the homunculus (or another party member, or a pack pony, or anything else) can carry the turret. As pointed out, the drawback is it fires on your turn, but the homunculus moves after your turn. RAW you cannot ready an action for the turret to fire on the homunculus's turn because ready an action doesn't work with bonus actions.

You could have the turret move under on it's own legs during your turn, then have the homunculus swoop in and carry it way immediately after.

I think 10 lb for a tiny turret and 30 lb for a small turret are reasonable values if you need to know how much it weighs. That would make it too heavy to mage hand around, which I think is fair.

There is also the possibility that an enemy could pick it up.

 

[Umbran]

Since it's basically dodging all the time and has evasion it's fairly hearty as drone platform for the EC.

With an AC of only 13, I was more concerned about plain old arrows.

Like I mentioned before you could always make it invisible to boot.

Is it really doing enough damage to justify using up the spell for the one free shot it'll get you? Remember, you're only a half-caster.

Sure, there are situations where this might be important - you're going into the royal hall, and trying to sneak in weapons, or the like. But as a general tactic, it seems expensive.

 

[jgsugden]

....
Is it really doing enough damage to justify using up the spell for the one free shot it'll get you? Remember, you're only a half-caster.

Sure, there are situations where this might be important - you're going into the royal hall, and trying to sneak in weapons, or the like. But as a general tactic, it seems expensive.

Don't forget your concentration. At level 8 to 12 you might be able to start affording that 2nd level slot - but using your concentration for it is a tough ask.