I have looked over the Artificer in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and I was wondering how do they get their spells? Do they gather spells like Wizards or do they get them like Clerics?I have read where they prepare the list of Artificer spells that are available to cast by choosing from the Artificer spell list. Does that mean they are like Clerics in that they can choose from any spell on their list and change them when they like (with a long rest included). That's what I am thinking it means but I'm not sure.

Could someone verify this for me.

Thanks

Stule

Yes, they are like clerics. "You prepare the list of artificer spells that are available for you to cast, choosing from the artificer spell list. " (here)

I know you didn't ask, but I have a hard time resisting making jokes.  I'd imagine they get their spells by some kind of magical Email from Wizard collages or from a temple dedicated to the right Domain.

I know, it seems a little odd since Clerics, Druids, and Paladins (the other “prepared Spell Casters” are all holy rollers who have their spells shared to them by a deity, nature, or the universe itself, and Artificers don’t fit that concept. But Artificers spells aren’t really spells even though they are exactly spells, and the exact same spells other classes can cast.

Artificers use the same spells & Spellcasting mechanic that other casters do, but we are supposed to imagine that they aren’t spells, they are wiping out gadgets, gizmos, thingamabobs, and hooziwhatsits and those are producing effects that are in all other ways indistinguishable from normal sprlls. That’s why Artificers must cast using their tools. The tools are required to make those gadgets and hooziwhatsita.

The artificer in my game roleplays his magic as coming from himself; in other words, he’s the “battery”, and his gadgets create magical effects using him as a power source.  It’s been an awesome flavor for his roleplaying, whether it’s completely canon or not!

Lorewise? I personally believe that Artificers are a bit like Wizards. The magic in their creations comes from the Weave, which is woven through study and practice. But, this can easily be changed. With your DM's permission, you can choose where your magic comes from for role-play. And any DM can change the lore of the world to suit their desires.

Alternatively, Artificers may not be magic at all! The "magic" could simply be the result of their technological creations.

I see artificers as being akin to a Bard, the bards magic is focussed by the magical instrument they wield, an artificers magic is focussed by the tools they use. 

I viewed my artificer as basically a mathematician and engineer. She had no natural talent for magic, but she was smart enough to figure out equations to replicate the effects of the Weave using the tools at her disposal. This also meant that she knew precisely the area of effect/duration/number of targets she could manage with her spells because she crunched the numbers.

Quote from IamSposta >>

I know, it seems a little odd since Clerics, Druids, and Paladins (the other “prepared Spell Casters” are all holy rollers who have their spells shared to them by a deity, nature, or the universe itself, and Artificers don’t fit that concept. But Artificers spells aren’t really spells even though they are exactly spells, and the exact same spells other classes can cast.

Artificers use the same spells & Spellcasting mechanic that other casters do, but we are supposed to imagine that they aren’t spells, they are wiping out gadgets, gizmos, thingamabobs, and hooziwhatsits and those are producing effects that are in all other ways indistinguishable from normal sprlls. That’s why Artificers must cast using their tools. The tools are required to make those gadgets and hooziwhatsita.

 I have a real problem with this interpretation. Is it there in the book? (i checked the description of their spellcasting on the wiki and it didnt say that i think)

There is no mention (i think) of downtime needed to make the gadgets. no explanation why they are affected by counterspell/dispel magic. No examples of what they might be. no explanation as to how someone is able to by themselves come up with robots.

And its really a problem i have with some of the subclasses. I can see the battlesmith working because the iron companion can be like a golem. just make metal with some joints and enchant it and bamf, robot.  But its kinda weird how artilleryists just...manifest... a gun? out of thin air? Like there are many....specific spells like the house spell or the summon stead. but i cant imagine someone thought to summon a ballista out of magic when they could probably more easily invent a spell that lasts for several minutes that just lets you cast a high powered cantrip repeatedly.

And i think it woulda been easy enough for them to add on the lore with like "The artificer needs to spend about 1 hour a day tinkering with its gadgets during a long rest" and " if the artificer has time to comb the battlefield they recover enough parts to recover 3/4 of their 'slots" and a small paragraph about how the spell effects are pratical and not affected by counterspell and dispel magic but are also thus attackable and require line of effect, ect.

i find it more sensible to intepret the class as basically a wizard who opted to train with armor and 'slow' magic, over fast and loose stuff

oh yea, and they dont even suggest flavor wise how you use your tools as a focus.

maybe there is more info in the book

Maybe you should try reading the book.

Artificers get their magic from their gadgets.  They can reconfigure them to create different spells.  They don't learn magic from spell scrolls or books or gods, its their tools.  You could for instance put Dr Who in the game as an artificer and he'd fit perfectly.