So, here's my question. Tasha's Cauldron says that Artificers use Artisans' Tools to cast spells, but would the tools count as Arcane Focuses? I know only Sorcerers, Wizards, and Warlocks can use actual Arcane Focuses, but aren't Druid Focuses basically the same thing? So would that mean there'd be such a thing as like, I don't know, an Artificer Focus that functions similar to an Arcane Focus? The reason I'm asking is because I'm used to playing a Sorcerer with an Arcane Focus, which I like since I don't have to worry about material components most of the time. Please give me some answers if any of ya'll know.

I think so.

Tools work for artificers almost the same way that arcane foci work for wizards: they're both spellcasting foci. So as long as you have a tool, you can cast spells with a (non-gp) M component. The only thing special about the artificer is that, for them, all spells have an M component, because all require to be cast through your tool.

In practice, this means you cannot cast your artificer spells if you don't have access to your tools, even if you have access to a component pouch. And you could not cast spells that other classes could cast without a focus, such as spells that only have V/S components.

The good news is that even from level 2 on, objects with your infusions also count as your spellcasting focus.

Quote from Preyfire >>

Tools work for artificers almost the same way that arcane foci work for wizards: they're both spellcasting foci. So as long as you have a tool, you can cast spells with a (non-gp) M component. The only thing special about the artificer is that, for them, all spells have an M component, because all require to be cast through your tool.

In practice, this means you cannot cast your artificer spells if you don't have access to your tools, even if you have access to a component pouch. And you could not cast spells that other classes could cast without a focus, such as spells that only have V/S components.

The good news is that even from level 2 on, objects with your infusions also count as your spellcasting focus.

 Thank you! This was very helpful!

Quote from AgateElk8337 >>

So would that mean there'd be such a thing as like, I don't know, an Artificer Focus that functions similar to an Arcane Focus?

2 options: 1) get a rod, staff, or wand, and infuse it with the Enhanced Arcane Focus infusion --- it now functions as an arcane focus (because of what it is) and as an artificer focus (because it's an infusion). 2) be a Artillerist, and at level 5 turn a rod, staff, or wand into an Arcane Firearm, and you can use it as either an arcane or artificer focus (and you could, further, infuse it for the bonus) --- note that this would not let your arcane, non-artificer spells have the arcane firearm damage bonus.