On December 9, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer will bring what promises to be the most comprehensive expansion of the Artificer class to date. Roll20 players can expect full integration. Complete with tokens, spells, character sheet compatibility, and all the tools necessary for seamless Eberron campaigns. The sourcebook delivers a complete Artificer overhaul alongside new backgrounds, feats, and adventure hooks designed to enhance any campaign setting.

This represents the most significant development for the Artificer class since its introduction in Eberron: Rising from the Last War and subsequent refinements in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. With such substantial changes on the horizon, now is the ideal time to examine the class's core mechanics and explore strategic optimization approaches for character progression from levels 1 through 20.

What is an Artificer?

The Artificer class stands as D&D's most recent major addition, debuting in 2019 to widespread acclaim. While the development pipeline continues with classes like the Psion currently in playtest, the Artificer remains the newest class to join the roster, and with Forge of the Artificer, the latest class to enjoy a comprehensive redesign. 

Born from Eberron's magically industrialized world, Artificers represent the design team's response to players' long-standing desire for meaningful crafting and technological innovation within the D20 system. The class covers an impressive range of technical approaches, from mystical enchantment to mechanical engineering, allowing players to embody everything from arcane scholars to practical inventors.

At its foundation, the Artificer appeals to players who enjoy on-the-fly solutions and flexible strategies. Whether developing powerful magic items, deploying Eldritch Cannons, or working alongside Steel Defenders, Artificers combine magical knowledge with mechanical expertise to tackle challenges adaptively. In other words, creative problem-solving skills are key. 

Best Artificer Subclasses For Different Playstyles

The playstyle of your Artificer differs drastically depending on your chosen subclass. While all Artificers are handy with crafting to some extent, the Artificer's subclass reflects their particular expertise in the larger field of mechanics. Some Artificers are pure scientists, who use their Intelligence to buff the party with potions and salves, while others are raw gearheads, using their technical know-how to embolden their melee prowess. When building your Artificer, keeping your subclass in mind is integral to understanding your playstyle.

Best Species For An Artificer

1. Rock Gnome: Their innate tinkering heritage makes Rock Gnomes natural Artificers, providing a crucial +2 Intelligence bonus alongside Artificer's Lore, which grants proficiency bonuses on History checks involving magic items. A +2 to Intelligence is a game-changer for Artificer abilities like Infuse Item and Replicate Magic Item.
2. Warforged: Introduced in Eberron: Rising from the Last War, Warforged offer Constitution bonuses plus a flexible +1 to any ability scores, typically Intelligence. Their integrated armor and damage resistances create exceptionally durable Battle Smiths capable of coordinating effectively with Steel Defenders.
3. Vedalken: With a +2 Intelligence and +1 Wisdom, Vedalken are adept inventors and spellcasters. Their Vedalken Dispassion trait grants advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws, enhancing abilities like Flash of Genius.
4. High Elf: Featuring a boost to Dexterity and Intelligence, High Elves are agile and innovative. They gain a free cantrip like Fire Bolt, which can be used effectively with the Artificer's spellcasting focus.

Best Backgrounds for Artificers

1. Guild Artisan: This background grants proficiency with one type of artisan's tools, aligning seamlessly with the Artificer's emphasis on crafting and using tools. Additionally, it provides a boost in RP potential with guild connections.
2. Sage: Perfect for boosting your Intelligence, this background enhances your ability to recall lore and information, which can be invaluable when dealing with magic items and spells.
3. Urchin: Offers proficiency in Stealth and Thieves' tools, useful for infiltration or trap-disarming builds.

Artificer Class Progression

The Artificer class in D&D 5E is a unique blend of magic and technology, relying heavily on Intelligence for spellcasting and crafting. Beyond Intelligence, prioritize Constitution and Dexterity for enhanced spell slots, durability, and flexibility in combat. Keep an eye out for opportunities to improve your proficiency with artisan's tools or thieves' tools.

At a glance, the Artificer experiences a couple of exciting power spikes. Here's a quick look. Keep in mind that your chosen subclass will come with features of its own.

Artificer Power Spikes

• Levels 1-4: Access to Magical Tinkering and Infuse Item starts here.
• Levels 6-7: Tool Expertise & Flash of Genius for intelligence-based reaction rolls.
• Levels 10-11: Magic Item Adept increases abilities with infusion + Spell-storing item acts like a free spell slot.
• Levels 18-20: Magic Item Master allows you to attune to up to 6 magic items at once, + Soul of Artifice allows you to cheat death by sacrificing an infusion to drop to only 1 hit point instead of 0.

Infusions & Magical Tinkering

The most central component of the Artificer play experience in D&D 5E is their ability to infuse items with spells and effects. Known as Magical Tinkering, the Artificer can imbue even the tiniest of objects with a minor magical effect, perfect for creative problem-solving. Starting from level 1, so long as they are equipped with Thieves' tools or Artisans' tools, any artificer can touch a tiny non-magical object and imbue it with one of the following magical effects.

• The object sheds bright light in a 5-foot radius and dim light for an additional 5 feet.
• Whenever tapped by a creature, the object emits a recorded message that can be heard up to 10 feet away.
• A static visual effect appears on one of the object's surfaces. This effect can be a picture, up to 25 words of text, lines and shapes, or a mixture of these elements, as you like. 

You can bestow magic on multiple objects, touching one object each time you use this feature, though a single object can only bear one property at a time. 

The real magic comes from the Infusions. Where Magical Tinkering allows for more minor effects suitable for roleplay use, Infusions grant you the ability to craft full-fledged magical items for you and your party. 

Essential Early Game Infusions

• Enhanced Weapon: Grants a bonus to attack and damage rolls.
• Replicate Magic item: Recreates low-level magic items like the Bag of Holding, or Alchemy Jug at level 2, or Belt of Hill Giant Strength or Boots of Levitation at level 14 (plus many more!)
• Homonculus Servant: Create a magical servant using your chosen item as its heart. Your homonculus can fight on your behalf and complete simple tasks at your command.

As you progress, thematic or high-impact infusions such as the Arcane Propulsion Armor or Boots of the Winding Path should be on your radar. These items elevate your utility and combat prowess, turning the tide in challenging encounters. Depending on the prerequisite (or how flexible your DM is willing to be), building your character around the use of a particular infusion that supports the character's theme is a great way to craft a standout character. Maybe your Artificer uses Returning Weapon for a Thor-like build, throwing out hammers and summoning them back into their hands in the same breath. Alternatively, Armor of Magical Strength supports the brilliant tactician archetype, whose intellectually-enhanced armor absorbs incoming damage, allowing Intelligence to literally serve as their shield.

Playing an Artificer

Artificers are masters of invention, bringing a unique blend of magic and technology to D&D. In combat, they shine by enhancing their party with Infuse Item, along with handy gadgetry from hand cannons to sentient constructs. Masters of versatility, the Artificer can be the ideal teammate for support or an incredible damage dealer for one-on-one brawls thanks to subclasses like the Armorer or Battlesmith. 

Outside combat, Artificers excel with Magical Tinkering and Tool Expertise, using Artisans' tools and Thieves' tools to solve problems creatively. When up against a puzzle, or even something as simple as a locked door, the Artificer is almost like the party's Swiss Army Knife. Thanks to their Flash of Genius feature, which adds a significant boost to ability checks, combined with their ability to create magical inventions on the fly, the Artificer is likely to be the party's "problem solver," so be prepared to engage in hijinks that depend on your creative thinking skills. 

When you're building your Artificer, consider your campaign setting carefully. In Eberron, playing an Artificer comes with genuine baggage. In the Last War, the Artificer of House Cannit turned a massive profit by selling devastating weapons to all sides and creating the Warforged as disposable soldiers. Your character might face suspicion or outright hostility from people who see your gadgets as harbingers of death.

Whether you're drawing inspiration from Eberron: Rising from the Last War or the expanded options in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, you'll find the Artificer class offers remarkable flexibility for crafting a character that feels uniquely yours.