Yes, I know that they CAN’T use a spell book as a focus, but at the end of the day a spell book is nothing more than “a leather-bound tome with 100 blank vellum pages” PHB 2014, and it is “a Tiny object that weighs 3 pounds” PHB 2024. However, I believe that, aside from the Wizard, a spell book is very valuable to an Artificer.
Let’s break down the Artificers class features and how a spell book would interact.
Spellcasting: since Artificers don’t have spell slots, but “construct slots” (I jest, but ¾ of the subclasses use spell slots to make turrets, elixirs, and to repair the defender). Thus, spell casting is often off-loaded to spell scrolls. The description for spell scroll does not say that it must be rolled up, an Artificers would keep them flat in his ‘spellbinder’; easy to read, with tabs and colour-coded. As Magic Scrolls are magic items, at level 10 the Artificer can make them more efficiently.
Magic Tinkering: This one is simple, blank pages of parchment are tiny, non-magical, items that would work for those effects. The artificer could pull out a page, do origami and voila, they make a flashlight, an instant picture, a car deodorizer, or voice recorder, etc.
Infusions: Make your Homunculus Servant a flying book holder. With its strength of 4 (Tiny Str. × 7.5 lb. carrying capability), it can easily carry the 3-pound book. This provides some out-of-hand manipulation of the spell book (“find me the fireball scroll”) and a book protection system, with its Evasion ability, force blaster, or just flying away to avoid capture. Add a spot for a pen and ink well, maybe a candle for late-night note-taking. As a separate infusion, the book can be removed and the servant can be used for other things, like making a cup of tea.
Crafting. This would involve the DM a little more, but I believe it would be an interesting addition to the game. I’d suggest adding something to your game similar to when a wizard gets a new spell to copy, the Artificer also gets a piece of a magic item formula. Example “Wizard, you find a scroll with Magic Missile and can copy it. Artificer, after reviewing the same scroll, you notice something would help you make a wand of magic missiles. Both of you can copy these in your books” Or” you notice a gem that would work perfectly for a Wand of Magic missile, you need 3 more parts to make the item, you mark this in your book”. Now the artificers' spell book becomes their own personal tech manual of accomplished side quests. What would happen if an Artificer found another Artificer's Spellbook?.
Is this game-breaking, not at all. It does add some interesting options and manipulation of the rules to create a unique element for the class, however.
Yes, I know that they CAN’T use a spell book as a focus, but at the end of the day a spell book is nothing more than “a leather-bound tome with 100 blank vellum pages” PHB 2014, and it is “a Tiny object that weighs 3 pounds” PHB 2024. However, I believe that, aside from the Wizard, a spell book is very valuable to an Artificer.
Let’s break down the Artificers class features and how a spell book would interact.
Spellcasting: since Artificers don’t have spell slots, but “construct slots” (I jest, but ¾ of the subclasses use spell slots to make turrets, elixirs, and to repair the defender). Thus, spell casting is often off-loaded to spell scrolls. The description for spell scroll does not say that it must be rolled up, an Artificers would keep them flat in his ‘spellbinder’; easy to read, with tabs and colour-coded. As Magic Scrolls are magic items, at level 10 the Artificer can make them more efficiently.
Magic Tinkering: This one is simple, blank pages of parchment are tiny, non-magical, items that would work for those effects. The artificer could pull out a page, do origami and voila, they make a flashlight, an instant picture, a car deodorizer, or voice recorder, etc.
Infusions: Make your Homunculus Servant a flying book holder. With its strength of 4 (Tiny Str. × 7.5 lb. carrying capability), it can easily carry the 3-pound book. This provides some out-of-hand manipulation of the spell book (“find me the fireball scroll”) and a book protection system, with its Evasion ability, force blaster, or just flying away to avoid capture. Add a spot for a pen and ink well, maybe a candle for late-night note-taking. As a separate infusion, the book can be removed and the servant can be used for other things, like making a cup of tea.
Crafting. This would involve the DM a little more, but I believe it would be an interesting addition to the game. I’d suggest adding something to your game similar to when a wizard gets a new spell to copy, the Artificer also gets a piece of a magic item formula. Example “Wizard, you find a scroll with Magic Missile and can copy it. Artificer, after reviewing the same scroll, you notice something would help you make a wand of magic missiles. Both of you can copy these in your books” Or” you notice a gem that would work perfectly for a Wand of Magic missile, you need 3 more parts to make the item, you mark this in your book”. Now the artificers' spell book becomes their own personal tech manual of accomplished side quests. What would happen if an Artificer found another Artificer's Spellbook?.
Is this game-breaking, not at all. It does add some interesting options and manipulation of the rules to create a unique element for the class, however.
<end rant>
I think the Archivist subclass in Unearthed Arcana became the Order of Scribes Wizard subclass, but check it out and see if it suits you.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.