D&D General Thoughts on New Artificer Subclasses from Exploring Eberron (D&D Beyond)

[BigMac75]

Caveat: I do not have access to the content on D&D Beyond so only going by videos (that show the pages / content).

My first impression is that it could have been polished a bit more. Giving Tinker's Tools proficiency when the main Artificer class already gets it and a couple of other small issues make me worry that the class and content did not get quite enough playtesting / review before being published. The Level 20 optional Artificer buffs are pretty OP (could be appropriate at that level).

Forge Adept - I love the ability to throw any weapon and have it return - so many cool versions of throwing greatswords, greataxes, lances, polearms, etc... and really wonder how this will mix with weapon proficiencies.

Maveric - this one left me a little confused. Love that they get 50% discount on crafting ALL magic items. I also like their hacked together technomancy 1x use devices - reminded me of the Jinx's wind up monkey in Arcane. Selection of any spell from multiple spellcaster lists, getting 5th level spells too early, casting any 8th level spell without V/S/M components seems open to abuse.

I made a table to compare the new subclasses to the Battle Smith subclass (since I have been building one for my son and I to play). Forgive any errors (or unclear abbreviations) but might help people try to look at these side-by-side.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The original version of Maverick was very underpowered.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Yeah, I think the book needs a bit of polish in some of the updated places.

Overall I like the subclasses.

 

[BigMac75]

Do you think the Maveric is the most powerful subclass now? I think it may be possible given the 50% discount on all magic items, the variety of spell options, increased power of spell storing Item (due to spell flexibility), and the potential to expand one-time-use spell items w/ Prototypes?

 

[BigMac75]

I also like the Forge Adept as a pseudo-martial class - love the image of throwing a massive weapon and having it return. I also think that some of the AoE buffs and debuffs can be pretty OP in certain situations.

 

[Marandahir]

I also like the Forge Adept as a pseudo-martial class - love the image of throwing a massive weapon and having it return. I also think that some of the AoE buffs and debuffs can be pretty OP in certain situations.

I mean half of the Artificer classes are Martial-Arcane Gishes. I think that's the intent with Battle Smith and Armorer too (Artillerist as well, but more like a firearms / mortar team martialist than the others.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I mean half of the Artificer classes are Martial-Arcane Gishes. I think that's the intent with Battle Smith and Armorer too (Artillerist as well, but more like a firearms / mortar team martialist than the others.

While true, Forge Adept is the only one thst says, "Theres plenty of utility in the base class, this subclass is SWORD!"

 

[BigMac75]

Yeah, I think the book needs a bit of polish in some of the updated places.

Overall I like the subclasses.

Apparently the implementation on D&D Beyond is a total mess (or was last week when it was released). I would assume they have some extra pressure for their first 3rd part release but would kinda think this should push them to get it more right...

 

[Vael]

Is Exploring Eberron going to be updated for those that bought the PDF, but not the DnD Beyond version?

I tried the old Maverick and found it wanting, in general, a caster-focused subclass stapled to a half-caster felt really weak. But that's a shame, it is, conceptually, one of my fav Artificers as I liked the 3.5 Artificer with the Spell Storing Infusion, and this subclass is trying to emulate that.