That's a misreading. None of those spells say "does not affect objects". They just don't specify, leaving it up to the DM to describe what happens when you let off a fireball in the king's luxuriously furnished bedchamber.Out of curiosity I've been going through the spells and noting how each would effect the Eldritch cannon and treating it as a magical object it is surprisingly tough to take out by spells. Outside of a short list that call out that they can target and damage objects, almost all being fire spells like burning hands, fireball, and fire storm, combined with blanket condition immunity.
I mean I did explicitly call out fireball as being one of the exceptions compared to something like spiritual weapons which is unable to Target the cannon at all the same way you can't use the spell to bash down a door. Then you have shatter which you would assume would be a good pick vs the cannon but it has clear text stating that it only effects non magical objects. Further down the list melfs acid arrow and chain lighting with different but clear text to allow targeting the cannon.That's a misreading. None of those spells say "does not affect objects". They just don't specify, leaving it up to the DM to describe what happens when you let off a fireball in the king's luxuriously furnished bedchamber.
Mending heals it. But that's out of combat.... effects from spells that call out to solely effect creatures like plant growth or spirit guardian. On the other hand the Eldritch cannon cannot be targeted by buffs or healing spells at all.
definitely something to keep an eye on.
Very true but spells like healing word have no effect. I think a player would have pretty good grounds to call foul if a DM rules that the cannon can be targeted as a creature for hostile spells but are not allowed to cast beneficial spells on them.Mending heals it. But that's out of combat.
Shatter states this:Then you have shatter which you would assume would be a good pick vs the cannon but it has clear text stating that it only effects non magical objects
I think a player would have pretty good grounds to call foul if a DM rules that the cannon can be targeted as a creature for hostile spells but are not allowed to cast beneficial spells on them.
Aye. Been working in a fairly rural area last few months with no access to the web.Shatter states this:
A nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area.
So as a magical object, a DM can either rule the Eldritch Cannon is immune to the damage, or gets a Saving Throw at +0.
I, frankly would apply this rider of the Shatter spell as well to the cannon:
A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
To me, it seems nonsensical to have a Nimblewright Construct be seriously threatened by a Shatter spell, but a steel wingless dragon shaped Eldritch Cannon, not even be affected.
The Eldritch Cannon has AC, HP, and a Saving Throw entry...which leads me to believe that the design intent was not that an Eldritch Cannon be a neutrino in the D&D material world.
XGE makes clear that a Shepherd Druid's Spirit Totem is indeed a neutrino in the D&D material world...via this line:
It counts as neither a creature nor an object, though it has the spectral appearance of the creature it represent
As an aside, nice to see you Stoutstien, haven't seen you post at ENWorld in awhile.
I think that's the point really. Most objects do not have AC or HP - it would be too much record keeping for every chair, table and teacup to have hp. Most objects are just scenery, and it's up to the DM to narrate how the scenery is affected by spells.The Eldritch Cannon has AC, HP, and a Saving Throw entry
I would rule a held turret was subject to a Battlemaster disarm attack though.So the cannon is only really in danger when it is in "remote control" mode.
You can sneak attack with a ranged spell attack if you are using a ranged weapon to do it. But the turret is not a ranged weapon in the technical sense.if you are using the turret as a worn object, can you get sneak attack with it if you are muti-classed? I'm thinking no because it isn't finesse or light...but it is a ranged weapon and bows allow for SA.
It can be, AC 18 is not bad at all in early tiers. My Fighter is more then willing to act as cover for the cannon, especially when it is in Protector mode.in a game and I think I want to try to use it as a secondary Frontline object.
The low level cantrip squeeze is real for the artificer. I'm tempted to give out mending for free at lv 1 to free up room for one utility or secondary damage option.It can be, AC 18 is not bad at all in early tiers. My Fighter is more then willing to act as cover for the cannon, especially when it is in Protector mode.
As a DM I would allow an Artillerist to create a custom Infusion that would boost the AC and Saving Throw bonus for the Eldritch Cannon, if it proves to be too vulnerable.
I have not had the chance to be a DM for a game with an Artillerist. One balancing factor, I see, is that while Temp HP can keep you conscious while your regular HP are low, Temp HP do not help against the Power Word spells or spells like Sleep, Color Spray or Divine Word spells for example.
Temp HP can't do everything HP can, which causes my Fighter, much anxiety.
I've had the pleasure to DM for an Alchemist....solid subclass.
@Umbran, so how is the Battle Smith? (If you care to share).
On a surface read, the subclass seems versatile, being able to potentially switch from weapon attacks to targeting Saving Throws, as the situation warrants.
Thematically, the combo of Steel Defender and other subclass powers, plus base class would seem to do a grizzled veteran character well. I have a hard time, admittedly of thinking of other characters it would excel at representing.
My only quibble with the Artificer as a whole, is that it needs either 3 Cantrips to start with, or should gain a 3rd cantrip before 10th level.