D&D 5E (2024) What's New with the Artificer in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

[WanderingMystic]

Except most of the subclasses have almost zero changes. The only one with any significant upgrade is the Artillerist, and that's divided between "deciding this one subclass doesn't have to choose between its options" and "catering to True Strike optimization".

Alchemist: Experimental Elixir: Now scales with level, and 2 extra uses for free. The ability to now sacrifice a 1st level spell to create a potion is worthwhile, especially as you gain in levels. (9 & 15)

9th: You lose the temp hp but the increase to the abilities of your elixirs makes up for it.

15: The extra damage is great the changing of greater restoration and heal once per day to Tasha's cauldron is a down grade unless they add more potions.

 

[eclair~]

Another fun facet of Artificers being "inventors" in the most air-quotes sense: the 2024 crafting rules require a character to have Arcana proficiency to make magic items. An Artificer doesn't automatically gain Arcana proficiency (they don't get any extra skill proficiency either, or any incentive to take it like other classes do).

This means it's entirely possible, even with the (significantly more limited) subclass features, to make an Artificer who is entirely incapable of actually crafting any magic item—meaning they are a worse inventor than any character with Arcana proficiency.

 

[WanderingMystic]

Armorer: 3rd level you get an extra choice so there is one big improvement.

9th: Your weapons get +1 as well as a free magic armor. This is slightly different but mechanically most likely not a change.

15th: Minor improvement to guardian decent improvements to all other armor types.

 

[eclair~]

9th: Your weapons get +1 as well as a free magic armor. This is slightly different but mechanically most likely not a change.

Reminder to everyone that you could have that +1 right from 3rd level as a 2014 Armorer, and that bonus increased to +2 at 10th level.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Another fun facet of Artificers being "inventors" in the most air-quotes sense: the 2024 crafting rules require a character to have Arcana proficiency to make magic items. An Artificer doesn't automatically gain Arcana proficiency (they don't get any extra skill proficiency either, or any incentive to take it like other classes do).

This means it's entirely possible, even with the (significantly more limited) subclass features, to make an Artificer who is entirely incapable of actually crafting any magic item—meaning they are a worse inventor than any character with Arcana proficiency.

Well, no. You can craft scrolls just fine if you have calligrapher's tools proficiency, and IIRC potions don't require any specific prof or if they do it's a tool.

But yeah the Arcana requirement should be "arcana proficiency or the ability to cast spells using spell slots, and the appropriate tool proficiency".

 

[Clint_L]

How do folks have access to this already? When I go to DDB, it says that the digital releases in two weeks.

 

[Parmandur]

How do folks have access to this already? When I go to DDB, it says that the digital releases in two weeks.

Is it a Master tier subscriber deal?

 

[WanderingMystic]

Reminder to everyone that you could have that +1 right from 3rd level as a 2014 Armorer, and that bonus increased to +2 at 10th level.

No, you couldn't because until 9th level you cannot enchant the weapon of your armor. So, at 9th level you could give it a +1 which would then turn into a +2 at level 10. You would have also had to use one of your known invocations to have that but since the new one loses 4 known invocations that doesn't really matter. I will miss the +2 instead of the +1.

 

[WanderingMystic]

Is it a Master tier subscriber deal?

Yeah if you have a master subscription you get it 2 weeks early

 

[mellored]

Yes, you can, in fact I personally feel that that is part of the point.
As far as using up a charged item you would have to swap it out to a different item not the same from how it reads.

Personally, I would do the magic missiles since regardless of your level it is useable. At higher levels I might have neckless of fireballs. Now DNDBeyond counts all single use items and use per rest items as charged items so technically you can keep sacrificing 1st level spell slots into your Spell Storing ring or Pearl of Power to turn that 1st level slot into an up to 3rd level spell. Personally, I feel that this is abusing the ability however it is one of the few times i would use a spell slot to recharge an item since your 1st level spell slots are often used for your subclass.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Transmute doesn't seem to have the "one copy" limit, or time limit.

So given days before we enter the volcano, could I give the whole party armor of fire resistance?
Or hand out 4 wands of magic missile to commoners defending the town?