I'm REALLY struggling to understand how the artificer works. I don't know what mental block is just completely stopping me from making sense of this class but I'd greatly appreciate a dumbed-down explanation or even just some links to guides and videos that may better help me understand what exactly an artificer does. How do they fight? Do they just build magic items? How do they acquire the needed materials for what they build? Can they build magic weapons for other party members or just for themselves and what stops them from making overpowered items? They just generally confuse me and I don't want them too because they sound like such a fun class.
Again, any dumbed-down explanations or simplified guides/videos are greatly appreciated.
It's a complicated class. the thing to remember is that Artificer is like Bard: a support class. the items you create absolutely can be given to others to use.
your bread-and-butter ability is your "Infusions". Temporary magic items you can create. there is a whole list of them. but when you get it at 2nd level, you can only learn 4 of them, and can only have 2 active at a time (must be in separate items). you can change them when you wake up form a long rest.
You are half caster, you only get spells and slots up to 5th level spells, and most of your spells are very support oriented. Don't go in expecting to be bringing the boom.
Unlike most half-casters, you get cantrips, but very few.
Now, theoretically, anyone can craft magi items if they are proficient in the right tools. But artificers are designed for it. You can make any artisan's tools you like appear (takes a bit of time). Eventually you can craft basic magic items quickly and cheaply, and you can attune to anything, and you can attune to more magic items (which you will need to do to keep up in damage and defense with everyone else). But those are later features. At third level, you will choose your specialization
Artillerists specialize in ranged fighting, and can summon an Eldritch Cannon Alchemists specialize in potions and poisons, and get random potions every day. Battle Smiths Specialize in combat and get a Steel Defender (robot body guard) to protect them and can use serious weapons.
Like I said, you aren't a damage dealer, you are a support class. I like those roles. I skew my clerics into support, my bard into support, and I am loving my Artificer. But if you really want a bigger presence, you will want to do some min-maxing and power building, or consider another class. Whatever you need to do to have fun.
I'm REALLY struggling to understand how the artificer works. I don't know what mental block is just completely stopping me from making sense of this class but I'd greatly appreciate a dumbed-down explanation or even just some links to guides and videos that may better help me understand what exactly an artificer does. How do they fight? Do they just build magic items? How do they acquire the needed materials for what they build? Can they build magic weapons for other party members or just for themselves and what stops them from making overpowered items? They just generally confuse me and I don't want them too because they sound like such a fun class.
Again, any dumbed-down explanations or simplified guides/videos are greatly appreciated.
Full of rice, beans, and bad ideas.
It's a complicated class. the thing to remember is that Artificer is like Bard: a support class. the items you create absolutely can be given to others to use.
your bread-and-butter ability is your "Infusions". Temporary magic items you can create. there is a whole list of them. but when you get it at 2nd level, you can only learn 4 of them, and can only have 2 active at a time (must be in separate items). you can change them when you wake up form a long rest.
You are half caster, you only get spells and slots up to 5th level spells, and most of your spells are very support oriented. Don't go in expecting to be bringing the boom.
Unlike most half-casters, you get cantrips, but very few.
Now, theoretically, anyone can craft magi items if they are proficient in the right tools. But artificers are designed for it. You can make any artisan's tools you like appear (takes a bit of time). Eventually you can craft basic magic items quickly and cheaply, and you can attune to anything, and you can attune to more magic items (which you will need to do to keep up in damage and defense with everyone else). But those are later features. At third level, you will choose your specialization
Artillerists specialize in ranged fighting, and can summon an Eldritch Cannon
Alchemists specialize in potions and poisons, and get random potions every day.
Battle Smiths Specialize in combat and get a Steel Defender (robot body guard) to protect them and can use serious weapons.
Like I said, you aren't a damage dealer, you are a support class. I like those roles. I skew my clerics into support, my bard into support, and I am loving my Artificer. But if you really want a bigger presence, you will want to do some min-maxing and power building, or consider another class. Whatever you need to do to have fun.