Dungeons and Dragons The game continues with limitless possibilities, where each class offers a unique blend of combat capabilities and storytelling opportunities. Among these, the Artificer stands out as a master of invention, blending magic with technology to create magical items, consumables, and more. However, in the true diversity of the artificer class Dungeons and Dragons It comes from subclasses, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just diving into the world of Artificers, subclasses are unlocked D&D At level 3, and making the right choice is an important part of building your character. Each subclass can be valued in terms of combat effectiveness, utility (for self and group alike), and versatility, so not all subclasses are equal for the Artificer.
Dungeons and Dragons: 18 Broken Character Builds
Dungeons and Dragons allows players to build characters wherever they see fit, but these builds are completely broken.
S-Tier: The ultimate artificer subclass
Why Battle Smith is S-Tier
When it comes to mixing martial combat with spell casting, the Battle Smith Artificer is in a league of its own. This subclass offers an impressive balance of offense and defense, making it the go-to choice for any player looking for a well-rounded character with strong combat abilities. The battle smith is unmatched in versatility, offering a unique combination of martial prowess and magical invention. The key to this subclass is the Steel Defender, a mechanical companion that helps in combat, providing both damage and durability. You also gain an extra attack, allowing you to deal constant damage each round. changes in D&DKo Aberon: The Forge of the Artificer's Handbook does not make the Battle Smith any less powerful than before.
Perhaps Battle Smith's biggest selling point is its ability to infuse magic D&D Weapons and armor, turning any piece of equipment into a powerful instrument of destruction. Whether you're tanking hits or dealing high damage, this subclass does it all. If you're looking for a well-rounded Artificer subclass that thrives both on the frontlines and with magical support, the Battle Smith is the obvious choice. Its versatility and power make it an S-tier subclass.
Key Strengths:
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The Steel Defender acts as both a combat partner and a damage sponge D&Dof Battle Smith.
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Additional attack for enhanced damage output.
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Ability to infuse magical enhancements into armor and weapons.
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Strong survivability and tanking capabilities.
A-Tier: Ranged Destruction Specialists and Tank Spellcasters
Why Artillery is A-Tier
For players who want to focus on ranged combat and area-of-effect (AoE) damage, the Artillerist subclass is a solid choice. This subclass turns you into a tactical expert, wielding powerful magic cannons that can wipe out groups of enemies. With its Eldritch Cannon ability, the Artillerist can set up a variety of devastating magical artillery pieces that not only deal heavy damage but also provide excellent support for the party.
Whether you're dealing fire damage to enemies or healing allies, the Artillery's flexibility is unmatched in ranged combat. This is especially effective for those who enjoy controlling the battlefield from a safe distance. While not as durable as the Battle Smith, the Artillery Artificer's best build is all about consistent damage and supporting the team from behind. The Artillerist may lack the tanking capabilities of other subclasses, especially the Armorer, but its ranged damage and battlefield control make it a great choice for tactical players. It comfortably holds the A-Tier, only outclassed by Battle Smith.
Key Strengths:
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The Eldritch Cannon offers a range of powerful magical attacks and support abilities.
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High AoE damage capabilities, ideal for crowd control.
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Versatile combat options from long-range to healing.
Why Armorer is A-Tier
If you prefer a more defensive playstyle but still want to contribute to damage output, the Armorer subclass is a great choice. Specializing in armored combat, the Armorer turns the Artificer into a heavily armored juggernaut, capable of both taking and dealing massive damage. The Armorer's defining attribute is Arcane Armor, which allows you to don a suit of magical armor that enhances both your defense and offensive abilities. Whether you choose Guardian or Infiltrator mode, you gain abilities that make you a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Guardian mode focuses on tanking damage and crowd control, making you a reliable guardian for your team. Infiltrator mode increases mobility and adds ranged combat capabilities allowing for a more versatile role. The Armorer shines in his ability to be both a solid frontliner and damage dealer, offering great flexibility in how you approach combat. Overall, the Armorer brings a great balance of defense and offense. It's an excellent choice for players who want to stay at the forefront of combat, soaking up damage while dealing right back, much like some of the best Barbarian subclasses. D&D.
Key Strengths:
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Arcane Armor offers enhanced defense and versatile combat options.
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Guardian mode for tanking and protecting allies.
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Infiltrator mode for mobility and ranged attacks.
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B-Tier: Master of Medicine and Support
Why Alchemist is a B-Tier
Alchemist Artificer in 5e specializes in making potions and magical elixirs, providing plenty of support for your party. However, despite its potential, it lacks the raw damage output of a Battle Smith or Artillerist, and can suffer or shine depending on overall group playstyle and characters, placing it in the B-tier. The alchemist excels at providing utility and healing through abilities such as alchemical mastery and experimental elixir. You can create potions that heal your allies, strengthen your team, or make enemies suffer from debilitating effects.
Alchemist is ideal for players who want to focus on the support role and experiment with different effects in and out of combat. While Alchemist can contribute greatly to party survival and resource management, its overall lack of offensive capabilities holds it back from the top ranks. Alchemist is great for those who prefer a support-focused playstyle, but its lack of raw damage makes it a poor choice compared to more combat-focused subclasses. Still, it was the worst subcategory before the recent changes D&D's Artificer, so the current iteration is quite the upgrade.
Key Strengths:
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Ability to craft consumable items such as healing potions, buffs, and debuffs.
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Awesome for resourceful players who enjoy utility outside of combat.
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Strong support and creative options for tinkering, but can be more niche depending on the group's setting.
C-Tier: Niche Explorer
Why Cartographer is a C-Tier
The Cartographer subclass, while interesting in concept, doesn't hold up to other Artificer subclasses in terms of combat or versatility. This subcategory was recently introduced with a new D&D Eberron: Forge of the Artificer book, and it focuses mainly on map-related bonuses and Faerie Fire, which while useful, don't offer much in the way of direct combat abilities. Cartographer excels at providing detailed maps and aiding navigation, as well as providing initiative bonuses, but this particular focus makes it less useful in traditional combat-heavy campaigns.
It doesn't offer much offensive power, and its utility is best suited to specific campaign types, often at the GM's discretion. If you're looking for a role that focuses more on the exploration side of the game, Cartographer might be the right choice. However, for most campaigns, its limited applicability in combat and support roles relegates it to C-tier, as the worst artificer subclass. D&D.
Major Disadvantages:
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The gameplay loop requires constant use of medium focus spells.
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Limited direct contribution to battles and battles.
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Best suited for niche or homebrew campaigns.