D&D 5E (2024) Which spells should level 11+ Artificers spam all the time?

[Kobold Avenger]

Once Artificers reach level 11 they get spell-storing items, and that means they're getting something like 8 or 10 castings of an Artificer spell of levels 1 to 3. On top of whatever they might have in magic items, replicated magic items or their own spell slots if they need to.

I determined that Artillerists should probably be using all Fireball all the time (or at least once or twice in every typical combat encounter). It's generally the best spell they can get that's among the bonus spells for the subclass that is 3rd level, and it's quite thematic for an Artillerist just to sling a lot of fireballs around.

For the other (currently 5) subclasses, I think the choices are sometimes less obvious.

 

[Zardnaar]

Conjure Barrage, Fireball, or lightning bolt.

Cartographer and alchemist its a bit harder. Its not RAW but I would consider letting them infuse an upcast spell.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Not played a 5.5 artificer, or 5.0 over level 6, but looking specifically at subclass lists: Alchemist: Aid; Armorer: Lighting Bolt (although a case could be made for Shatter and Magic Missile); Artillerist: Fireball or Scorching Ray+Hex/Hunters Mark if you have them from a feat; Battle Smith: Conjure Barrage; Reanimator: Lightning Bolt; Cartographer: Create Food and Drink, and force feed your foes to death. "Behold, my Wand of Custard Pies!"

 

[tetrasodium]

Depends on the group and how brazenly the gm ignores the useless encounter guidelines/monster statblocs. Slow and web are quite powerful force multipliers

 

[ECMO3]

Truestrike, Acid Splash, Poison Spray, Cure Wounds, Web.

If you are an Artillerist: Shield
If you are a Battlesmith: Shield and Conjure Barrage
If you are an Alchemist: Ray of Sickness
If you are Reanimator: Witchbolt
If you are an Armorer: Mirror Image

The rest of the Artificer spells of 3rd level and below are either not very good or too situational to spam IMO.

 

[Zardnaar]

BTW everyone has to be a magic action. No reactions or bonus actions.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The rest of the Artificer spells of 3rd level and below are either not very good or too situational to spam IMO.

If you have ten lighting bolts you are going to create a situation were you can spam lightning bolts.

Of course the main feature of the spell storing item is the artificer doesn’t have to use it themselves, so ideally they want to give it to a pet or other minion to use.

The other thing you can do with it is load it with a buff spell and pass it round the party to use on themselves before the fight.

On the main class list, Aid is spamable - use it to give yourself and two buddies 50 extra hp for eight hours.

 

[Zardnaar]

If you have ten lighting bolts you are going to create a situation were you can spam lightning bolts.

Of course the main feature of the spell storing item is the artificer doesn’t have to use it themselves, so ideally they want to give it to a pet or other minion to use.

The other thing you can do with it is load it with a buff spell and pass it round the party to use on themselves before the fight.

On the main class list, Aid is spamable - use it to give yourself and two buddies 50 extra hp for eight hours.

Its only 5hp each

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Its only 5hp each

I see nothing in the 5.5 spell description that would prevent it from stacking.

 

[Zardnaar]

I see nothing in the 5.5 spell description that would prevent it from stacking.

Hmmn damn you might be right.

What about the same effect not stacking general rule