D&D 5E (2024) So, what does the Artificer "replace"?

[Zardnaar]

Using Protector mode on the Eldritch Cannon and all spells as Cure Wounds versus a Life Cleric using all Cure Wounds (including 2nd level) means with an average encounter day the Artificer provides more HP potentially while the floor of the Life Cleric is higher thanks to their bonuses.

Plus, the Eldritch Cannon's protector is merely a Bonus Action

Aware. Killing everything faster is also another way of preventing damage. Or stopping the attack all togather.

Also depends how often the cannon gets nuked. Eg via AoE. 5.5 critters have some brutal abilities and AoE. It cant sit at the back and spam temp hp.

Looks very good on paper though. Homonculi, wand of MM, temp hp lvl 6 for example. Drain the wand transmute it into a dazzling weapon hunt if to a PC. Combine with true strike repeating crossbow as your arcane firearm.

Its ticking a lot of boxes for level 2-6 play and 11+.

 

[Mephista]

If I had to put Artificer anywhere (tank, scout, healer, mage), I'd put them down as a mage. Kind of inverted warlocks.

They can scout, but in the same way a wizard scouts - with limited magics and not a great Stealth / Perception score. Wand of Secrets is great, but you get 3 uses a day.

They're not tanks by default. Armorer and Battlemaster can. But that's more exceptions, not rule, for Artificer.

They can heal, especially Alchemist and Battlemaster, but again that's subclasses, not core Artificer. Default artificer is slightly worse than paladin

 

[Remathilis]

When they tested the more explicit and crunchy "Class Groups" for 2024, Artificer were called out as Experts, like Bard, Ranger, or Rogue.

I remember that, but I kinda wonder if (after the explicit grouping was abandoned) if the Artificer still fits. It doesn't seem reliant on skills the way a rogues, bards and even rangers are. No expertise, only two skills, etc. I kinda just put them with the rogue group because of their tool proficiency and bonuses to crafting (which is skill related). I almost think expertise in a skill or two would not have made them OP.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

So, like, The Beatles?

(Sorry Ringo! Forgive me!)

Ringo was a caveman (Caveman (1981) 5.8 | Comedy, Romance)

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Seems like the 5th party member (the flavor role) to me, but honestly, that is where I would stick druid or monk.

 

[Mistwell]

It depends on level. At 10th and 11th level, they do a whole lot more than they do at lower levels. Their homunculus spamming 10 fireballs a day, or 10 hypnotic patterns or conjure barrage, while the artificer casts other spells, is a different thing than the low level tinkerer.