It says :Hit Points equal to five times your level in this class + your intelligence modifier + the iron defender's Constitution modifier Why do it say "the iron defender's Constitution modifier" instead of just +2? It makes it sound like the constitution modifier is not a set number
The more important question is how the HP is actually calculated. The wording is quite vague. is it: 5*L + INT + CON, i.e. five times your level and then roughly seven extra HP?
Or is it 5(L+INT+CON), and the sevenish extra HP applies for every player level and not just the once?
One of those would actually produce Iron Defender HP levels worth talking about. The other means the defender is made of aluminum foil and not iron. Anyone ever clarify this?
The way it is worded (and the way DnDBeyond calculates it on the character sheet) makes it 5 * Artificer Class Level + Intelligence Modifier + Constitution Modifier. Following order of operation implies that your Intelligence and Constitution modifier are not multiplied by 5. This also makes the Battle Smith not a good choice when multi-classing.
There is nothing saying it explicitly can't. My Kobold Battle Smith had his Iron Defender equipped with a Saddle so he could ride it with a Saddlebag of Holding on the side.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the text as written, the Iron Defender's bonus increases by 1 when you proficiency bonus does. As such the Con bonus is not set at 2
Unless I'm misunderstanding the text as written, the Iron Defender's bonus increases by 1 when you proficiency bonus does. As such the Con bonus is not set at 2
"Might of the Master. The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: the iron defender’s skill bonuses, the bonuses to hit and damage of its bite, and the number of hit points restored by its Repair action."
The feature itself specifies which numbers increase when your proficiency bonus increases; none of the iron defender's ability scores/bonuses, including Constitution, are specified in the feature.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the text as written, the Iron Defender's bonus increases by 1 when you proficiency bonus does. As such the Con bonus is not set at 2
"Might of the Master. The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: the iron defender’s skill bonuses, the bonuses to hit and damage of its bite, and the number of hit points restored by its Repair action."
The feature itself specifies which numbers increase when your proficiency bonus increases; none of the iron defender's ability scores/bonuses, including Constitution, are specified in the feature.
Ah here's the confusion: the skill bonuses increase by one, not the ability score. I was mistaken. So, RAW, Con does not increase but Acrobatics (for example) would, as that is indeed a skill
I figured that was what they meant but I was hoping not. I really do get tired of Wizards shafting people who like critter companions. Yes I get it, action economy walla walla woo, but making the critter die on contact with the first kobold dagger scratch is not a solution.
As for Amulet of Health? Utter waste on an iron defender, and arguably not possible due to attunement rules. I don't believe the defender has any attunement slots, and the amulet requires attunement. Even if a DM said "sure go for it", your Defender's HP would go up by a fantabulous two, since it's technically level-less and thus doesn't get any extra bonuses from Con.
Really sad, especially for something called an "iron defender".
The Iron Defender's HPs place it on average with a Sorcerer / Wizard with +1 Constitution Modifier (Since the Wizard on Average rolling 1d6 + 1 would get 5 HPs per level). With its AC of 15, it quickly becomes easily hitable at higher levels. So long as the Battle Smith is not multiclassing (since it gains HPs on Class Level and not Character Level) It is definitely optimized for levels 3 through 9.
Personally, I'd implement the following changes:
Might of the Master now also increase AC for the Iron Defender making its AC be:
16 AC at level 5
17 AC at level 9
18 AC at level 13
19 AC at level 17
Adjust the way hit points are calculated for the Iron Defender to be as follows:
Hit Points equals your Intelligence Modifier + the Iron Defender's Constitution modifier multiplied by your level in this class
Battle Smith Level x (Int Modifier + Iron Defender's Constitution Modifier)
Personally I think that would be enough to provide a more sturdy Iron Defender without overpowering it too much. It is a little bit squishier in the first few levels, but quickly surpasses it, and makes putting an Amulet of Health even more appealing. Compare the stats of the Iron Defender:
Considering you use Point Buy and have a 16 initial intelligence and grab the ASI at 4th and 8th level:
Level
UA Artificer
Grizzlebug Revised Artificer
Hit Points
AC
Hit Points
AC
3
20
15
15
15
Ability Score Improvement
4
26
15
24
15
5
31
15
30
16
6
36
15
36
16
7
41
15
42
16
Ability Score Improvement
8
47
15
56
16
9
52
15
63
17
10
57
15
70
17
11
62
15
77
17
12
67
15
84
17
13
72
15
91
18
14
77
15
98
18
15
82
15
105
18
16
87
15
Without
Amulet of Health
With
Amulet of Health
18
112
144
17
92
15
119
153
19
18
97
15
126
162
19
19
102
15
133
171
19
20
107
15
140
180
19
I know the table might be a little bit hard to read, but that puts it at a 140 HPs with an AC of 19 at level 20 or 180 HPs if it has the Amulet of Health.
It says :Hit Points equal to five times your level in this class + your intelligence modifier + the iron defender's Constitution modifier
Why do it say "the iron defender's Constitution modifier" instead of just +2? It makes it sound like the constitution modifier is not a set number
Because there could be magical effects or items that could adjust the Constitution modifier.
Heck, at level 16 the Artificer can infuse an Amulet of Health that can increase the Iron Defender's Constitution Modifier to 19.
The more important question is how the HP is actually calculated. The wording is quite vague. is it:
5*L + INT + CON, i.e. five times your level and then roughly seven extra HP?
Or is it 5(L+INT+CON), and the sevenish extra HP applies for every player level and not just the once?
One of those would actually produce Iron Defender HP levels worth talking about. The other means the defender is made of aluminum foil and not iron. Anyone ever clarify this?
Please do not contact or message me.
The way it is worded (and the way DnDBeyond calculates it on the character sheet) makes it 5 * Artificer Class Level + Intelligence Modifier + Constitution Modifier. Following order of operation implies that your Intelligence and Constitution modifier are not multiplied by 5. This also makes the Battle Smith not a good choice when multi-classing.
Ahhh. So it can wear items, that explains it :)
There is nothing saying it explicitly can't. My Kobold Battle Smith had his Iron Defender equipped with a Saddle so he could ride it with a Saddlebag of Holding on the side.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the text as written, the Iron Defender's bonus increases by 1 when you proficiency bonus does. As such the Con bonus is not set at 2
"Might of the Master. The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: the iron defender’s skill bonuses, the bonuses to hit and damage of its bite, and the number of hit points restored by its Repair action."
The feature itself specifies which numbers increase when your proficiency bonus increases; none of the iron defender's ability scores/bonuses, including Constitution, are specified in the feature.
The health is indeed quite low....
Ah here's the confusion: the skill bonuses increase by one, not the ability score. I was mistaken. So, RAW, Con does not increase but Acrobatics (for example) would, as that is indeed a skill
I figured that was what they meant but I was hoping not. I really do get tired of Wizards shafting people who like critter companions. Yes I get it, action economy walla walla woo, but making the critter die on contact with the first kobold dagger scratch is not a solution.
As for Amulet of Health? Utter waste on an iron defender, and arguably not possible due to attunement rules. I don't believe the defender has any attunement slots, and the amulet requires attunement. Even if a DM said "sure go for it", your Defender's HP would go up by a fantabulous two, since it's technically level-less and thus doesn't get any extra bonuses from Con.
Really sad, especially for something called an "iron defender".
Please do not contact or message me.
The Iron Defender's HPs place it on average with a Sorcerer / Wizard with +1 Constitution Modifier (Since the Wizard on Average rolling 1d6 + 1 would get 5 HPs per level). With its AC of 15, it quickly becomes easily hitable at higher levels. So long as the Battle Smith is not multiclassing (since it gains HPs on Class Level and not Character Level) It is definitely optimized for levels 3 through 9.
Personally, I'd implement the following changes:
Personally I think that would be enough to provide a more sturdy Iron Defender without overpowering it too much. It is a little bit squishier in the first few levels, but quickly surpasses it, and makes putting an Amulet of Health even more appealing. Compare the stats of the Iron Defender:
Considering you use Point Buy and have a 16 initial intelligence and grab the ASI at 4th and 8th level:
Level
UA Artificer
Grizzlebug Revised Artificer
Hit Points
AC
Hit Points
AC
3
20
15
15
15
Ability Score Improvement
4
26
15
24
15
5
31
15
30
16
6
36
15
36
16
7
41
15
42
16
Ability Score Improvement
8
47
15
56
16
9
52
15
63
17
10
57
15
70
17
11
62
15
77
17
12
67
15
84
17
13
72
15
91
18
14
77
15
98
18
15
82
15
105
18
16
87
15
Without
Amulet of Health
With
Amulet of Health
18
112
144
17
92
15
119
153
19
18
97
15
126
162
19
19
102
15
133
171
19
20
107
15
140
180
19
I know the table might be a little bit hard to read, but that puts it at a 140 HPs with an AC of 19 at level 20 or 180 HPs if it has the Amulet of Health.
I like the idea of AC increasing. Would definitely be a welcome change