D&D General Thoughts on New Artificer Subclasses from Exploring Eberron (D&D Beyond)

[BigMac75]

So, as I noted, I played the OG Maverick in a short lived Campaign that felt ... interesting but limited. Do people think the new Maverick works better, or is it still underpowered?

What was limited / what held it back in the earlier version in your experience?

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

So, as I noted, I played the OG Maverick in a short lived Campaign that felt ... interesting but limited. Do people think the new Maverick works better, or is it still underpowered?

I'd say it is better, but it still has the same main issue that the previous iteration had.

What was limited / what held it back in the earlier version in your experience?

You're primarily a casting playstyle, but you're still mostly a half-caster. You have a massive versatility, and can cast more lower-level spells but at the end of the day, you get to cast a 6th level spell at the same point that a bard or cleric is getting their 9th level spells.

I think that the additional endurance might work well in a game where there are many encounters each day, but in the games where there are only likely to be a few fights, a primary caster's ability to drop a higher-level spell when they need to is going to stand them in better stead.

 

[BigMac75]

I'd say it is better, but it still has the same main issue that the previous iteration had.

You're primarily a casting playstyle, but you're still mostly a half-caster. You have a massive versatility, and can cast more lower-level spells but at the end of the day, you get to cast a 6th level spell at the same point that a bard or cleric is getting their 9th level spells.

I think that the additional endurance might work well in a game where there are many encounters each day, but in the games where there are only likely to be a few fights, a primary caster's ability to drop a higher-level spell when they need to is going to stand them in better stead.

Thanks - This is interesting - both the implications for typical number of encounters for your table as well as level of play.

Your post also made me realize that I was ignoring the martial elements of Battle Smith when comparing it to the Maverick - both the ability to use Martial Weapons as well as Extra Attack. As I have been simulating battles with various configurations (since I have not played in a long time) I have definitely seen that the Battlesmith can deal a good amount of damage with a +1 Repeating Shot Pistol (for example) and Extra Attack while also managing (and gaining defensive / offensive advantage due to) his constructs - Familiar, Steel Defender, etc...

I suppose I am realizing that it would be cool to see a 2x2 map that places all the Gish subclasses on a Spellcasting vs. Martial/Weapon strength continuum. Something like the matrix below (no idea how accurate this is, just a quick ChatGPT graphic and it does not have access to information on the Maveric Subclass yet).

 

[Zardnaar]

Sterling Defenders basically a Paladin/Beastmaster hybrid.

It can put out good damage.

Maverick is a bit campaign depending. Cartographer is surprisingly good at crafting, armorer probably the worst.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Thanks - This is interesting - both the implications for typical number of encounters for your table as well as level of play.

Your post also made me realize that I was ignoring the martial elements of Battle Smith when comparing it to the Maverick - both the ability to use Martial Weapons as well as Extra Attack. As I have been simulating battles with various configurations (since I have not played in a long time) I have definitely seen that the Battlesmith can deal a good amount of damage with a +1 Repeating Shot Pistol (for example) and Extra Attack while also managing (and gaining defensive / offensive advantage due to) his constructs - Familiar, Steel Defender, etc...

I suppose I am realizing that it would be cool to see a 2x2 map that places all the Gish subclasses on a Spellcasting vs. Martial/Weapon strength continuum. Something like the matrix below (no idea how accurate this is, just a quick ChatGPT graphic and it does not have access to information on the Maveric Subclass yet).

View attachment 429056

The system seems to be mostly balanced around 6-8 reasonable encounters per day, with 3 or so short rests. Ish. This playstyle fits with the dungeon-crawl style of adventure quite well.
However polls and conversations seem to show that more people are using a more plot-driven style where they may only have 1-3 encounters per day - which the DMs generally crank the difficulty of each higher to provide the same challenge.
It is entirely possible to have both in the same campaign, or even adventure however.

Battle Smith is pretty much hands-down the best Artificer subclass in most situations because it has extremely solid martial-style damage, but also the best spells to use in its spell-storing item of any artificer (outside of the Maverick now).
Alchemists, Cartographers, and Mavericks are reliant on spells to be effective, but in this style they are competing with the full-caster classes, to whom they have trouble measuring up.