I've currently got a level 6 rock gnome artillerist artificer. I rolled well on my stats (currently have 14,12,17,18,15,16) so can pretty much multiclass with any class other than rangers and rogues. Is it worth dipping into another class or sticking with artificer for the next few levels at least? If multiclassing, what class would you recommend?
The usual way to play an Artillerist is as a ranged blaster caster, but in that case there is nothing obvious that you're lacking by just taking more levels in Artificer. You might dip into Wizard for more spells, arcane recovery and some sub-class bonuses, but this means delaying Artificer progression on magic items, infusions etc.
That's the usual difficulty with multi-classing; you need to have a clear idea of what you want to gain, and what you're willing to lose/delay in order to get it.
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I've just recently got the All-purpose Tool. Previously I was purely a spell caster with 18AC. Now I can be more of a GISH. I can use Green Flame Blade, Shillelagh (through All-purpose Tool) and Arcane Firearm through my Spider Staff for a good amount of damage. I also use Firebolt as my default ranged cantrip.
I tend to save my level 1 spell slots for Eldritch Cannons and the Shield or Absorb Elements spells if needed.
Nah I wouldn't multiclass. Artillerist Artificer has got to be one of the most single-class friendly (sub)classes in the game. You're heavily incentivized to just keep going.
Haravikk makes a good point too that multiclassing requires planning to really make the most of it. It's generally pretty hard to make an on-the-fly class change work well from a mechanical perspective. Without knowing what synergies you're looking for it's hard to justify the losses that come with delaying core class features.
The Biggest factor, to me, about Artillerist that makes them bad for multiclassing is the fact that their Arcane Firearm very specifically only works with Artificer Spells. If you learn any spells from any other class, even if that same spell is still on the Artificer spell list, it does not gain the benefits of Arcane Firearm.
For Artillerists I don't think you'll find anything better than a two level dip into Warlock. It doesn't really matter what your patron is (Hexblade's curse can be nice because it works with your cannons) because the main feature is the two 1st level spell slots you get back on a short rest. In addition to the benefits of being a half caster with quickly recharging spell slots, this is amazing for your cannon. You only get to create your cannon once per long rest for free before having to spend a spell slot to make a new one, and this would give you two more uses out of it just by getting a short rest.
Warlock also gives you invocations that can be useful for flavor or mechanic reasons. Devil's Sight lets your cannon fire through darkness without disadvantage because when you use the Ballista attack, you're the one making the spell attack originating from the cannon - if you can see the target, the cannon can too. Fiendish Vigor can be flavored as the protector cannon giving you a personal boost without it being fully active. Armor of Shadows is great to have if other party members need your AC boosting infusions more than you do, and can be flavored as a lesser, always-active version of the Shield spell - which you always have prepared as an Artillerist.
But as others have said, you'd be missing out on the ASI and Flash of Genius, which might be better for you depending on how your game is going.
ok rule of thumb for strong class's like this think about why you want to multiclass. If it's for a new twist and to have fun than try something interesting like beast tamer ranger so your character has a companion or wild magic sorcerer for the chaos. But if you aren't doing it for yourself or doing it for others than don't it's your character enjoy it as much as you desire no matter what ok. Just remember don't be a jerk to the dm or other players and HAVE FUN!!
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I've currently got a level 6 rock gnome artillerist artificer. I rolled well on my stats (currently have 14,12,17,18,15,16) so can pretty much multiclass with any class other than rangers and rogues. Is it worth dipping into another class or sticking with artificer for the next few levels at least? If multiclassing, what class would you recommend?
How do you prefer to play the character?
The usual way to play an Artillerist is as a ranged blaster caster, but in that case there is nothing obvious that you're lacking by just taking more levels in Artificer. You might dip into Wizard for more spells, arcane recovery and some sub-class bonuses, but this means delaying Artificer progression on magic items, infusions etc.
That's the usual difficulty with multi-classing; you need to have a clear idea of what you want to gain, and what you're willing to lose/delay in order to get it.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
I've just recently got the All-purpose Tool. Previously I was purely a spell caster with 18AC. Now I can be more of a GISH. I can use Green Flame Blade, Shillelagh (through All-purpose Tool) and Arcane Firearm through my Spider Staff for a good amount of damage. I also use Firebolt as my default ranged cantrip.
I tend to save my level 1 spell slots for Eldritch Cannons and the Shield or Absorb Elements spells if needed.
Nah I wouldn't multiclass. Artillerist Artificer has got to be one of the most single-class friendly (sub)classes in the game. You're heavily incentivized to just keep going.
Haravikk makes a good point too that multiclassing requires planning to really make the most of it. It's generally pretty hard to make an on-the-fly class change work well from a mechanical perspective. Without knowing what synergies you're looking for it's hard to justify the losses that come with delaying core class features.
Cool, thanks both. I will stick to a single class.
The Biggest factor, to me, about Artillerist that makes them bad for multiclassing is the fact that their Arcane Firearm very specifically only works with Artificer Spells. If you learn any spells from any other class, even if that same spell is still on the Artificer spell list, it does not gain the benefits of Arcane Firearm.
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For Artillerists I don't think you'll find anything better than a two level dip into Warlock. It doesn't really matter what your patron is (Hexblade's curse can be nice because it works with your cannons) because the main feature is the two 1st level spell slots you get back on a short rest. In addition to the benefits of being a half caster with quickly recharging spell slots, this is amazing for your cannon. You only get to create your cannon once per long rest for free before having to spend a spell slot to make a new one, and this would give you two more uses out of it just by getting a short rest.
Warlock also gives you invocations that can be useful for flavor or mechanic reasons. Devil's Sight lets your cannon fire through darkness without disadvantage because when you use the Ballista attack, you're the one making the spell attack originating from the cannon - if you can see the target, the cannon can too. Fiendish Vigor can be flavored as the protector cannon giving you a personal boost without it being fully active. Armor of Shadows is great to have if other party members need your AC boosting infusions more than you do, and can be flavored as a lesser, always-active version of the Shield spell - which you always have prepared as an Artillerist.
But as others have said, you'd be missing out on the ASI and Flash of Genius, which might be better for you depending on how your game is going.
Artificer is a very strong class by itself. Unless you have a specific build you were thinking of, multiclassing is not a great choice.
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"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
ok rule of thumb for strong class's like this think about why you want to multiclass. If it's for a new twist and to have fun than try something interesting like beast tamer ranger so your character has a companion or wild magic sorcerer for the chaos. But if you aren't doing it for yourself or doing it for others than don't it's your character enjoy it as much as you desire no matter what ok. Just remember don't be a jerk to the dm or other players and HAVE FUN!!