So, I created a Battle Smith, and there's an option to add the Steel Defender as an Extra -- in particular, I want it there as a Mount for the Rock Gnome Artificer. But, obviously, it won't add it, because you have to select a creature from the sourcebooks, which the Steel Defender is not. It's really annoying. I've read something about Extras only being creatures from sourcebooks and thus with static stat blocks, where the SD has a dynamic stat block, hence why it's under the Actions tab. But it's not rollable. So, you have to track it manually in an otherwise automated system.
Why not, if adding a dynamic stat block to Extras is too challenging, add the Steel Defender to the Inventory of the Artificer so it's to hit shows up with the Artificer's weapons? The SD is part of the Bonus Action anyway, those stats scale already with level and skill changes.
Problem solved, yeah?
Now, about Infusions and adding items.
Enhanced Defense allows you to apply that infusion to the Steel Defender. But, you can't make that selection in the current set up -- only armour that the Artificer may wear. Another lost ability to track the Steel Defender adequately.
Mind Sharpener allows you to apply that infusion to armour or robes, but robes are not equippable inventory and don't show up as an option from the choose item selector. Why not? It says it right there: armour or robes.
Enhanced Arcane Focus is similar, allowing you to apply that infusion to rod, staff, or wand. But, rods and wands, while listed as arcane foci, are not equippable, so cannot be chosen, and staves, while both arcane foci and equippable, still do not show up as option from the choose item selector. Why not? It says it right there: rod, staff, or wand.
Additionally, EAF violates the Artificer's arcane focus criterion, which are artisan's tools, not rods, staves, or wands. What's up with that? Moreover, EAF allows, by its text, that an Artificer may turn any non-magical item into an EAF by using their actual arcane focus (tools) to craft the now *magical* arcane focus. So, for example, a pair of Tinker's goggles could easily serve as an EAF, and that's certainly more in keeping with the class aesthetic than rod, staff, or wand. So, why not?
Has anyone else noticed this? Are these going to be addressed?
Enhanced Defense does not allow applying the infusion to the Steel Defender; only armor or shields are allowed.
Enhanced Arcane Focus does not allow turning any non-magical item into an Enhanced Arcane Focus; only rods, staffs, and wands are allowed.
While you're correct that Artificers do not have the ability to use a Rod, Staff, or Wand as a spellcasting focus, the intent of many of the infusion options is that you give them to other characters in your party to use.
As for the rest...this sort of half-working implementation of things is unfortunately kind of par for the course for D&D Beyond, and since this class was published six years ago and a new version is coming later this year, I would not expect any further development to occur on the old version at this point.
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So, I created a Battle Smith, and there's an option to add the Steel Defender as an Extra -- in particular, I want it there as a Mount for the Rock Gnome Artificer. But, obviously, it won't add it, because you have to select a creature from the sourcebooks, which the Steel Defender is not. It's really annoying. I've read something about Extras only being creatures from sourcebooks and thus with static stat blocks, where the SD has a dynamic stat block, hence why it's under the Actions tab. But it's not rollable. So, you have to track it manually in an otherwise automated system.
Why not, if adding a dynamic stat block to Extras is too challenging, add the Steel Defender to the Inventory of the Artificer so it's to hit shows up with the Artificer's weapons? The SD is part of the Bonus Action anyway, those stats scale already with level and skill changes.
Problem solved, yeah?
Now, about Infusions and adding items.
Enhanced Defense allows you to apply that infusion to the Steel Defender. But, you can't make that selection in the current set up -- only armour that the Artificer may wear. Another lost ability to track the Steel Defender adequately.
Mind Sharpener allows you to apply that infusion to armour or robes, but robes are not equippable inventory and don't show up as an option from the choose item selector. Why not? It says it right there: armour or robes.
Enhanced Arcane Focus is similar, allowing you to apply that infusion to rod, staff, or wand. But, rods and wands, while listed as arcane foci, are not equippable, so cannot be chosen, and staves, while both arcane foci and equippable, still do not show up as option from the choose item selector. Why not? It says it right there: rod, staff, or wand.
Additionally, EAF violates the Artificer's arcane focus criterion, which are artisan's tools, not rods, staves, or wands. What's up with that? Moreover, EAF allows, by its text, that an Artificer may turn any non-magical item into an EAF by using their actual arcane focus (tools) to craft the now *magical* arcane focus. So, for example, a pair of Tinker's goggles could easily serve as an EAF, and that's certainly more in keeping with the class aesthetic than rod, staff, or wand. So, why not?
Has anyone else noticed this? Are these going to be addressed?
A couple things to note:
As for the rest...this sort of half-working implementation of things is unfortunately kind of par for the course for D&D Beyond, and since this class was published six years ago and a new version is coming later this year, I would not expect any further development to occur on the old version at this point.
pronouns: he/she/they