Help with my Artificer

[Ero Gaki]

I'm getting ready to play a 6th level artificer, and I would like some assistance in creating her. I usually play the arcane caster, so I'm not quite used to depending solely on magic items to save me. I would like some advice on the following:

Magic item selection: I get to start at the half way point between 6th and 7th level, so I can actually create them myself. What are some nifty magic items I should make? I'll probably have a few wands, but beyond that, I'm kinda clueless. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Magic item creation: I am somewhat familiar with the rules, but there are a few things I can't figure out; are there rules for creating brand new items not listed in any books? And I wondering if it is possible to create slotless versions of the more common magic items.

Battle tactics: I have been told that the artificer is like the bard in that it is a support class. Are there any tactics that will help me to be useful in our party? I would prefer to hold my own as opposed to simply making items for my companions. My party members consist of a Warforged Psion(Kineticist), a Changling Rogue, a Human Hexblade, and a Shifter Druid.

 

[glass]

I'm getting ready to play a 6th level artificer, and I would like some assistance in creating her. I usually play the arcane caster, so I'm not quite used to depending solely on magic items to save me. I would like some advice on the following:

Magic item selection: I get to start at the half way point between 6th and 7th level, so I can actually create them myself. What are some nifty magic items I should make? I'll probably have a few wands, but beyond that, I'm kinda clueless. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Heward's Handy Haversack is a great little item that I alwasy try to get as soon as I can afford it. I'd get one of them if you can afford it.

Magic item creation: I am somewhat familiar with the rules, but there are a few things I can't figure out; are there rules for creating brand new items not listed in any books? And I wondering if it is possible to create slotless versions of the more common magic items.

There are guidelines in the DMG, but no hard and fast rules. Slotless items generally cost about twice as much as their slotted equivalent, but will require your DM's approval.

Battle tactics: I have been told that the artificer is like the bard in that it is a support class. Are there any tactics that will help me to be useful in our party? I would prefer to hold my own as opposed to simply making items for my companions. My party members consist of a Warforged Psion(Kineticist), a Changling Rogue, a Human Hexblade, and a Shifter Druid.

Depends what you are facing. Against living foes, you are pretty much in a support roll. Against constructs you can act directly, and can be pretty devastating.


glass.

 

[Staffan]

Don't forget that you can spend AP in order to make an infusion in one round. Instantly turning your crossbow into an orc-bane crossbow when you run into a band of orcs can be pretty devastating.

Also, for times when things aren't immediately time-critical but you need a specific spell, Spell-storing Infusion (or whatever it's called, the one that makes a one-shot wand) is very useful. "Oh, a locked door? Hold on a second, I'll just jimmy up a Knock spell."

Oh, and when you have the time to prepare for an encounter, an artificer can be absolutely devastating. Last game, the PCs were attacking an orc village. The party's artificer took the time before the attack to make all the PCs' weapons orc-bane, spread out some assorted Shields of Faith among the PCs, and stuff like that. They totally creamed the orcs.

 

[Aelryinth]

Erm, go over to the WotC character Optimization boards and look up the Artificer thread.

Support role? Not if you build the Artificer correctly.

The Key weapon in your arsenal is your Metamagic Item Infusion and Wand Mastery.

Getting a level 10 wand of lesser Acid/Fire/Lightning/Cold Orbs. d8 dmg, ranged touch attack, ignores SR.

Wand Mastery, cast at level 12. 12d8.

Then do fun things like Energy Admixture, Twin Spell and repeat spell.

Does 48 d8 dmg sound like a support role?

There's funkier things you can do by using wands to buff yourself. You are limited only by your UMD and gold available.

==Aelryinth

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Does 48 d8 dmg sound like a support role?

I'm not gonna be able to tweek like that, but...

I always viewed the various versions of Artificers as "MacGuyver"-esque characters. The last one I played took levels in locksmithing, alchemy, metalworking, glassworking, and similar skills., and made his own firebombs, acid grenades, sleeping potions, itching powders, etc.

Despite being a tiny gnome, he was able to create great havoc for other PCs to exploit.

 

[Ero Gaki]

Well, I found the rules on slotless items. Thanks for the tip. Does anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[Sil]

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=6441818
The stuff at the begging is out of date. Siberies was errated

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=6372051#post6372051
Another guide.



Just don’t stop telling everyone you’re a support class. Help every one out and keep your head down.



And when the Fit hits the Shan, double wand / UMD Staff the BBEG back to evil preschool.

And scrolls of vigor are the cheapest healing in the game.

 

[dedicated]

Take the artistan feats

 

[Sil]

Take the artistan feats

I wouldn't. Never feat what you can buy.

 

[dedicated]

HUH????????? They reduce the XP and GP costs by 1/4
You can't buy more XP!!!!!
and it rocks with craft reserve