The Steel Defender in the extras section is for the older version of the Artificer Battlemaster, before WOTC made updates. DDB’s system isn’t yet able to do all the calculations involving Proficiency Bonus (PB) on “extras” type creatures, and their original approach of creating monster statblocks for such things became unwieldy as the subclasses with “pets” proliferated. (Those stat blocks show up in the monster listings as well, for example).
You can see a statblock for the Steel Defender by going to the Features & Traits section, finding the Steel Defender, and tapping on it: a sidebar will pop up with the statblock, although you will have to do some math, as there are a number of entries that include +PB in them.
One workaround until they can develop a better system (which will likely be a while) is to make a homebrew monster (using the older Steel Defender as a template), and add it as a “misc” extra. You would have to update it each time your proficiency bonus changed. I’ve done this for other companions that work this way.
I'm currently playing a Battle Smith, and I added a Steel Defender in my extras. The following stats seem wrong:
Force-empowered Rend - To Hit: Rules say "spell attack modifier to hit", which should translate to +6 with 18 int and lvl 3. As of now, it says +4.
Skill - Athletics: Rules say "+2 + proficiency bonus", which should translate to +4. As of now, it says +6.
Are my observations correct, or have I misread something? (The other stats seem correct)
Cancelled my master subscription because of OGL 1.1.
The Steel Defender in the extras section is for the older version of the Artificer Battlemaster, before WOTC made updates. DDB’s system isn’t yet able to do all the calculations involving Proficiency Bonus (PB) on “extras” type creatures, and their original approach of creating monster statblocks for such things became unwieldy as the subclasses with “pets” proliferated. (Those stat blocks show up in the monster listings as well, for example).
You can see a statblock for the Steel Defender by going to the Features & Traits section, finding the Steel Defender, and tapping on it: a sidebar will pop up with the statblock, although you will have to do some math, as there are a number of entries that include +PB in them.
One workaround until they can develop a better system (which will likely be a while) is to make a homebrew monster (using the older Steel Defender as a template), and add it as a “misc” extra. You would have to update it each time your proficiency bonus changed. I’ve done this for other companions that work this way.
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
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Thank you for the information. I'll look into creating something homebrewed. Thanks again.
Cancelled my master subscription because of OGL 1.1.