Warforged Artificer Guide [D&D 5e]

Last Updated on October 18, 2023

In the fantastical realm of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, there’s a certain allure in understanding the intricate balance of the world. For those who relish the art of tinkering with creation, look no further than the enigmatic Warforged Artificer. These beings, forged into existence only a few generations ago, are a marvel of sentient craftsmanship. They are versatile and resilient, capable of wearing their armor like a second skin and wielding weapons, casting spells, or allowing their inventions to do the heavy lifting on their behalf. This guide serves as your blueprint to success in mastering the Warforged Artificer class.

How to Create a Warforged Artificer

Creating a Warforged Artificer is a fascinating journey through character development. While the Artificer class itself offers a plethora of options, the addition of the Warforged race adds a unique layer of complexity that can enhance your character’s capabilities.

The initial step in creating your Warforged Artificer is determining your character’s role, which directly leads to the choice of your subclass. The four available subclasses can be neatly divided into two categories: those focused on direct combat and those specializing in spellcasting and support. The Armorer and Battle Smith are for those who prefer to engage in the frontlines, while the Artillerist and Alchemist excel at spellcasting and ranged combat.

A key advantage in building an Artificer is the streamlined distribution of attributes. Prioritize maximizing your Intelligence, as it encompasses spellcasting, many of your skills, and even weapon attacks, thanks to built-in class features. After bolstering your Intelligence, invest in Constitution and Dexterity. These attributes not only contribute to your character’s survivability, thanks to the D8 Hit Die, but also aid in Concentration checks and enhance your skills.

The Warforged Race complements the Artificer class brilliantly. It bestows a substantial +1 bonus to your Armor Class (AC), which synergizes seamlessly with class proficiencies, abilities, and spells. This results in a character with a consistently high AC, rivaling even the sturdiest tanks in your party, making it challenging for enemies to land hits.

Furthermore, the Warforged Race provides secondary defensive advantages, including immunity to diseases, resistance to poison, and the remarkable capability of not needing to eat, sleep, or breathe. These attributes are incredibly valuable, whether you’re experimenting in a laboratory or navigating treacherous dungeons.

The inclusion of a skill and another tool proficiency further enhances your character’s utility, potentially granting them up to six tool proficiencies and an array of skills, when combined with class, subclass, and background choices.

How to Play a Warforged Artificer

The Artificer class is the epitome of versatility. With a strong focus on spellcasting, formidable weapon and armor options, a diverse set of skills, and a multitude of tool proficiencies, Artificers are well-rounded problem-solvers. Their utility abilities are so diverse that given enough time, an Artificer can address nearly any challenge independently.

However, the breadth of their abilities shouldn’t be a temptation to overcomplicate things. The class offers four distinct subclasses, each catering to different playstyles:

1. Alchemist: This subclass excels in utility casting, offering enhanced healing, potent spells, and the ability to craft valuable potions.
2. Armorer: The Armorer serves as a walking tank, specializing in defensive spells. It offers a choice between two armor models—one designed for melee combat and toughness, and the other for stealth and ranged combat.
3. Artillerist: Focused on ranged combat, the Artillerist utilizes a magical cannon with versatile firing effects and explosive spells. They can also convert wands or staves into magical guns.
4. Battle Smith: This fighting archetype grants proficiency with all weapons and a robot companion that surpasses the abilities of a Ranger’s animal companion.

Beyond combat, Artificers shine as problem solvers. Their amalgamation of skills, spells, ritual casting, and the ability to craft magical items make them one of the most adaptable classes for non-combat scenarios. They can seamlessly integrate into any party composition, thanks to their ability to fulfill a wide range of roles.

Nonetheless, specialization is key in Dungeons & Dragons. Once you’ve chosen your archetype, lean into it, and let the diverse class features cover the rest of your gaming session.

As 2/3rd Casters, Artificers may not possess the same magical prowess as Clerics or Wizards, but their spell list is teeming with potent and effective options. During the early levels, your cantrip slots will be limited to two, so making the right choices is crucial. For instance, the Battle Smith benefits from Mending, while other good options for combat include Firebolt and Thorn Whip. For non-combat utility, consider Prestidigitation or Guidance, especially if your party lacks these spells.

The Artificer’s spell list is replete with powerful buffs, debuffs, and some key damage-dealing options, with some available at lower levels than you might expect. The subclasses offer additional robust spell lists, further enhancing your character’s versatility and filling in gaps in their spellcasting repertoire.

Infusions

A defining feature of the Artificer class is the unique ability known as “infusions.” This extraordinary power allows you to select from a comprehensive list of special abilities and apply magical effects to your existing gear. The list is extensive, brimming with potent abilities, and the flexibility it offers is unparalleled. Moreover, there’s nothing stopping you from sharing your infused items with your fellow party members, enhancing their capabilities as well.

Given its intricate nature, infusions merit a dedicated guide of their own, which can be explored in our comprehensive Artificer guide.

In conclusion, the Warforged Artificer is a class brimming with potential and versatility, allowing you to carve your own path in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you prefer to be a formidable combatant, a masterful spellcaster, or a problem-solving utility expert, the Warforged Artificer offers the tools to make your dreams a reality. So, step into the shoes of this unique character, explore the endless possibilities, and forge your legend in the world of D&D 5th Edition.

Mastering the Art of Infusion

A Deeper Dive into Infusions

Infusions are the crown jewel of the Artificer class, setting it apart from all other classes in Dungeons & Dragons. This unique feature allows you to imbue your equipment with magical properties, enhancing your character’s capabilities and those of your allies. Here, we’ll explore the intricacies of infusions to help you harness their full potential.

Infusion Selection

As an Artificer, you’ll gain access to a selection of infusions as you level up. These infusions are divided into various categories, each offering a specific set of benefits. Let’s delve into a few categories and examples:

Enhanced Defense: These infusions bolster your defenses by imbuing your armor with protective properties. For instance, the Enhanced Defense infusion grants a +1 bonus to your AC when applied to armor. Combining this with the Warforged’s racial bonus, your character becomes incredibly resilient.

Repeating Shot: If you prefer ranged combat, the Repeating Shot infusion enhances your ranged weapon. It transforms a non-magical crossbow or longbow into a magical ranged weapon that never runs out of ammunition.

Radiant Weapon: This infusion bestows radiant energy upon a weapon, making it a potent tool against creatures vulnerable to radiant damage. It’s especially effective against undead and fiends.

Crafting and Sharing Infusions

As an Artificer, you have the ability to create infused items during a short rest. The number of infusions you can craft increases as you gain levels. What’s particularly remarkable is your ability to share these infused items with your party members. For instance, a Bag of Holding infused by you can be shared, ensuring that your group can carry vast quantities of equipment and treasure.

Changing Infusions

Another unique aspect of infusions is your ability to swap them out when you level up. This flexibility enables you to adapt your character’s capabilities to different situations. For instance, you might choose to craft a Boots of the Winding Path for greater mobility during one adventure and then switch to a Ring of Feather Falling when facing challenges involving heights.

Maximizing Your Infusions

To fully harness the power of infusions, it’s crucial to align your choices with your character’s role and party dynamics. Here are some strategies for optimizing your infusions:

1. Support Your Role: Consider your character’s primary role, whether it’s healing, tanking, or damage-dealing, and choose infusions that enhance those capabilities. A Radiant Weapon is ideal for a damage-dealing character, while a Cloak of Protection boosts the durability of a tank.
2. Balance Offense and Defense: Strive for a balance between offensive and defensive infusions. This ensures you remain effective in combat while maintaining survivability.
3. Utility and Versatility: Don’t underestimate the value of utility. Infusions like Goggles of Night (granting darkvision) and Heward’s Handy Haversack (enhancing storage) can be invaluable in various situations.
4. Cooperate with Your Party: Collaborate with your teammates to determine which infusions would benefit the entire group. For example, providing a Ring of Water Walking can help the party navigate a watery obstacle.
5. Stay Adaptable: As you level up, be prepared to adjust your infusions to meet the challenges you face. Flexibility in your choices can be a significant advantage.

Final Thoughts

The Warforged Artificer, with its unique blend of races and classes, opens a world of possibilities in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. By mastering infusions and selecting the most suitable ones for your character, you can craft a dynamic and adaptable adventurer that excels in various roles. The intricate synergy of class features, racial abilities, and infusions allows you to mold your character into a true artisan of creation and destruction. So, embark on your journey, experiment with infusions, and become a master of the arcane arts in the world of D&D.