Artificer 5e
Masters of invention and magical engineering who infuse objects with arcane power. Artificers blend craftsmanship with spellcasting to create powerful magical items and support their allies.
At a Glance
Hit Die
d8
Primary Ability
Intelligence
Saving Throws
Constitution, Intelligence
Armor
Light armor, medium armor, shields
Weapons
Simple weapons, firearms (if allowed)
Spellcasting
Half caster (Intelligence)
Key Features
| Feature | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Magical Tinkering | 1st | Imbue tiny objects with minor magical properties like light, sound, or messages. |
| Infuse Item | 2nd | Create magic items by infusing mundane objects with specific properties. Number of infusions increases with level. |
| The Right Tool for the Job | 3rd | Spend 1 hour to create a set of artisan's tools using materials at hand. |
| Tool Expertise | 6th | Double proficiency bonus for ability checks made with tools you're proficient with. |
| Flash of Genius | 7th | Use reaction to add Intelligence modifier to ability check or saving throw within 30 feet, usable INT mod times per long rest. |
| Magic Item Adept/Savant/Master | 10th/14th/18th | Attune to more magic items (4/5/6), craft common/uncommon items faster and cheaper, and ignore class/race/spell requirements. |
Subclasses
| Subclass | Source | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Alchemist | Eberron: Rising from the Last War | Healing and experimental elixirs with random effects |
| Armorer | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything | Arcane armor with Guardian or Infiltrator modes for tanking or stealth |
| Artillerist | Eberron: Rising from the Last War | Magical turrets for damage and battlefield control |
| Battle Smith | Eberron: Rising from the Last War | Steel Defender companion and INT-based weapon attacks for frontline combat |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting that infusions replace previous ones when you change them during a long rest
Common Mistake
Not tracking which items are currently infused (max 2 at level 2, scaling up)
Common Mistake
Overlooking that you can end an infusion early to free up a slot
Common Mistake
Missing that Flash of Genius is a reaction and limited by INT modifier per long rest
DM Tips
DM Tip
Encourage creative use of tool proficiencies and Magical Tinkering for problem-solving
DM Tip
Track infusion changes during long rests to prevent abuse
DM Tip
Remember artificers can attune to more items than other classes (4-6 vs standard 3)
DM Tip
Their spell list is limited but versatile - expect lots of utility and support casting
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Artificer — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD class text
- Artificer — D&D Beyond — Official class reference
- Artificer Guide — RPGBOT — Class optimization guide