The artificer in play

[EricNoah]

So I'm thinking of playing an Artificer, starting at 1st level in a new campaign. Has anyone here played one? Can you tell me what you do and don't like about it? I've been crunching some numbers on a spreadsheet to get me ready to craft scrolls and alchemical stuff like a madman, and would like to hear more about the role of the artificer in actual play. Thanks!

 

[ngenius]

We are running and Eberron campaign with one

Hello Eric Noah,

Always glad to see others making use of the great stuff in Eberron.

We have an aritificer in play in our Eberron Campaign in the Silven Guilds of the Silven Crossroads website. I will ask the player making use of this Artificer character to discuss his experiences with you as our game progresses furhter (right now his artificer is still at 1st level).

Me, I am playing a warforged cleric, that is kicking some serious butt. So those who wish tips here, can discuss ideas with me too.

 

[BlackMoria]

I've been playing an artificer in an Eberron campaign. A very flexible character class and depending on one's temperment, a fun one to play.

The only reservation for the class is one of 'downtime'. The class really shines if one can prep in advance, but suffers if the campaign doesn't allow for frequent down time. So far, IMC, getting the downtime is not a problem. But I been in campaigns in which the characters are 'driven' by the plotline or whatever, not allowing for much,if any downtime. Which means an artificer character in this time of campaign gets hamstrung in short order.

 

[ngenius]

...
The only reservation for the class is one of 'downtime'. The class really shines if one can prep in advance, but suffers if the campaign doesn't allow for frequent down time. So far, IMC, getting the downtime is not a problem. But I been in campaigns in which the characters are 'driven' by the plotline or whatever, not allowing for much,if any downtime. Which means an artificer character in this time of campaign gets hamstrung in short order.

Thanks BlackMoria for mentioning the downtime glitch. Actually, in my current campain, the DM has our characters on the move so often that even my warforged cleric hardly has time to prepare spells. Thus our artificer suffers the same fate of no time to really get prepared. Good you mentioned this, because in a very fast campaign, the Artificer ends up more of a supporting fighter than a true artificer. Also at level-1, the class is too weak to shine.

 

[EricNoah]

Good point about downtime -- I'm not sure what the campaign's premise is going to be other than "exploration of Xendrik". Hopefully as we explore we can establish "safe" areas where I can come back, hole up for a while and craft stuff. If not, I might end up being more of a cleric (healing the warforged, buffing fighters with infusions) than a crafter and I'm not sure that's the direction I want to go.

 

[IanB]

Definitely invest in that crafting homunculous the day it becomes available to you - very necessary to reduce that downtime.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Eberron has at least something of a fix for artifcers' downtime needs.

All you need is enough time and resources to craft a Dedicated Wright homunculus and you can adventure all you like, confident that new and spiffy gear will be available upon your return. Eventually, you could even craft multiple DWs and let them work on separate projects.

 

[BlackMoria]

The Dedicated Wright is definately an asset but it is predicated on having a secure base of operation for a lab. If such can be arranged, then the 'downtime' issue is less of a concern. But if you can't establish a secure base of operation, the 'downtime' issue is a concern.

Given the cost to make a dedicated wright and the pathetic hit points of said wright, you certainly don't want to haul one around while one is 'adventuring'.

 

[Savage Wombat]

Perhaps the system of "craft points" from Unearthed Arcana might be helpful here?