I love the thought of having major and minor discoveries. Could do something akin to a research/technology tree in other games. I do think the artificer shouldn't have direct damage spells. Instead they should rely on their creations. I think with the warlock system it might be ok to make them...
I definitely think direct damage spells are a no go. None of the rest of his kit contains it nor does it fit with the theme of creation and experimentation.
I'd rather see something like the following:
* Animate Objects
* Bigby's hand
* Creation
* Greater Restoration
* Passwall
* Telekinesis...