Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="BigMac75" data-source="post: 9846401" data-attributes="member: 7056281">I think this fits into the idea of a "High-Damage" Artificer build. Still pretty new to this after taking a 40yr break from DND but playing with a ranged Battle Smith build. Please share feedback / advice (nothing really new here - people have done Youtube videos about versions of this). I have been simulating various battles with this configuration so just trying to make some educated guesses at this point. Currently, looking for ideas on how to upgrade the Steel Defender...?My planned / hopeful characters progression:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lvl 2: Replicate Magic Item (RMI): Flying Mechanical Wonder (common magic item) / RMI: +1 Shield</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lvl 3: Steel Defender / Craft: +1 Repeating Shot Pistol</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lvl 4: +2 Int (18 to 20) / Craft: Wand of Magic Missiles (WoMM)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lvl 5: Double Attack / Cast: [Flying] Homunculus Servant / Craft: WoMM</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lvl 6: RMI: +1 Half Plate Armor</li> </ul>By Level 5, this gives 3x damage-dealing allies - it does not take any actions to command the Flying Mechanical Wonder (it understand spoken commands) or Homunculus (Telepathic commands) and you can use your Bonus action to command the Steel Defender. Crafting is just spread around a bit (hoping to have the time and $$). By around Level 6, I am hoping my artificer will have: +1 Half Plate (RMI), + 1 Shield (RMI), +1 Repeating Shot Pistol (crafted) - so AC is around 21 (w/ +2 for Dex).<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Artificer is doing around 21 DPR w/ double attack and True Strike w/ the +1 Repeating Shot Pistol </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Flying Wonder w/ WoMM does 10.5 avg DPR</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Flying Homunculus w/ WoMM does 10.5 avg DPR</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Steel Defender is tanking and doing 7.5 avg DPR (and deflecting attacks) - How can I get his DPR up?</li> </ul>Options, character had Sage Background so got Magic Initiate Feat which gives a few Wizard cantrips/spells. Not talking about all the spells here just getting the team amped up.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Can cast False Life (self), Aid (Self + Steel Defender + Homunculus), and Heroism (Steel Defender) for some HP buffs.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mind Sliver - works well to create saving throw disadvantage on following turn but sacrifices some other actions (need some more bonus action spells so I can do a Cantrip + Spell on a turn).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dragon Breath (cast on Steel Defender or Flying Wonder) - if you are fighting large groups this does more damage than WoMM. Req. concentration (so no Heroism).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wo Web (Flying Homunculus) - works well for more control and creating disadvantage / auto-hits but less direct / rapid damage than WoMM build.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">So far AI has not targeted the little flying allies with attacks in simulations. They are pretty vulnerable (due to low HP) but can stay back about 100-120' and still snipe enemies w/ WoMM. If they come in with Dragon Breath or WoWeb it seems much riskier.</li> </ul></blockquote>

Verification