I do like the star druid as a concept. Seems very fun to play a astrologist. And I love the fey ranger. However, dispell? Seems a strange choice. I can get banish but seems a bit weak for the theme? Blink, Fear and Bestow Curse (hags/unseleene) would be more inline I think. greater invis, illusion terrain, dominate beast and confussion for lvl 4
The Armorer is, for lack of a better term, dope as all hell. Might be a little over-tuned (especially when you look at more middle of the road subclasses like the Alchemist) but this is legitimately everything I want in an artificer class:
Highly thematic and flavorful
Mechanics that fulfill the a specific sci-fi/fantasy power fantasy
A cohesive blend of traits that build upon each other while also complimenting the core class (specifically Armor Modifications).
Looking forward to rolling up Tiny Stark, the Gnome weapons manufacturer with a drinking problem and a heart of gold.
Likewise can be said about the Circle of the Stars Druid. I think Wizards have knocked it out of the park with their most recent Druid subclasses. The usage of Wildshape as a resource should be a baseline feature for all future subclasses for this class. Everything about this is on point, to me at least.
Fey Wanderer shares a bit of the same thematic space as the Horizon Walker but I'm okay with that as long as Horizon Walker remains the neutral "protection from planar incursions" subclass while we start receiving more specific subclasses that deal with each of the planes. I want to see Rangers that fight off creatures from the Far Realm (maybe even receiving mutations after being connected to it for so long) or even Rangers that have wandered the plains of Elysium and come back with radiant gifts from the gods. Mechanics-wise I like the direction this subclass is going, especially when taking into account the upcoming Class Variants for the base class. Being able to redirect a charm or frighten effect is a pretty powerful feature (though the wording is a bit wonky in the document).
I forget if it said the artificer infusions in the UA were specifically for Armorers or if they were up for grabs by any artificer? Regardless, the Iron Man aesthetic is kinda cool. Now you can play a character in a mech suit that isn't just a gnome piloting a warforged!
I forget if it said the artificer infusions in the UA were specifically for Armorers or if they were up for grabs by any artificer? Regardless, the Iron Man aesthetic is kinda cool. Now you can play a character in a mech suit that isn't just a gnome piloting a warforged!
God, I hope they're not specific to the Armorer. That ring of spell-refueling ring is utterly perfect for the alchemist. An extra 4th or 5th level spell slot? Yes please. Really encourages maxing out attunement on an artificer before level 20 as well.
I like these overall. I like how the Amorer gets not only cool new armor but cool new weapons (as part of the armor). Getting two bonus infusions is crazy.
I'm... really confused about the Armor of Tools... I guess the primary purpose of this is to add your Intelligence modifier to dexterity based tool checks since the Armorer is proficient in Heavy armor and thus would be more likely to dump dexterity but... what's the point of the 8 hour time limit? And other purposes for integrated tools are kind of unnecessary since as an infused item the Armor of Tools already counts as a spellcasting focus even without any tools integrated. For INT based tool checks though... this is just ridiculous. That sounds like it'd be 2xINT + 2xProficiency once tool expertise kicks in. Really if they were intending to replace dexterity for tool checks they should just state that directly. Granted it comes at the cost of an armor infusion though.
I KNEW IT! I KNEW THERE"D BE AN ARTIFICER! IN YOUR FACE, Sposta and everyone else who said there wouldn't be one!
Okay, after the bragging, lets delve into the subclasses.
Okay, the Armorist. I knew if they were going to make a UA Artificer it would either be Archivist or Armorist, as who doesn't want to be Iron Man? So essentially, this subclass lets you wear heavy armor, and be awesome at it. I'd say this subclass is equal in power to the Battle Smith, if not above. The immediately get their armor as a spellcasting focus, so no need for tools for spells, and can choose to have your hands be Thor's Hammer, or for you to be Iron Man. Overall, great subclass, and the infusions are great too, especially Spell-Fueling Ring, and Mind Sharpener.
Next, the Circle of Stars Druid (how in the world are all the druid subclass names always so cool?). So, I can turn into a Galaxy, instead of an animal? Count me in. Love this subclass and how it works so great with the Draconic Prophecy in Eberron, and is overall a great subclass. If my player in my Spelljammer game wants to change from Circle of Land to this, I will allow him to.
Finally, the Fey Wanderer. (If the upcoming book isn't planescape, I don't know what will be) All of the added spells are great, Cunning will is great, and Dreadful Strikes is, um, well, dreadfully deadly. So, add Hunter's Mark for free from the Class Feature Variants of Favored Foe, then Hex, and attack two different creatures with 2 weapon fighting, and at level 3 you're doing 6d6+6 damage in a turn. That may or may not be broken. I think something's going to have to change around here. Blessings of the Court is basically just a Divine Smite that is psychic damage, you get later on, and doesn't scale with higher level spell slots, at all. Beguiling Twist allows you to charm, frighten, or hurt creatures that don't want to be charmed or frightened. Nice. Misty Prescence is a nice ability, but I think there are already too many things fighting for your bonus action at this point (hunter's mark, Dreadful Strikes, other bonus action spells, so on.)
Overall, I like it. It's good. It has to be Planescape, or I'm crazy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
I forget if it said the artificer infusions in the UA were specifically for Armorers or if they were up for grabs by any artificer? Regardless, the Iron Man aesthetic is kinda cool. Now you can play a character in a mech suit that isn't just a gnome piloting a warforged!
I think it would say, just like other infusions, that they would have subclass prerequisites. So these infusions are totally up for grabs for all Artificers! Which is exciting, because that ring is going to be so clutch.
Man, they weren't even trying to disguise the Iron Manning with that artificer. Granted, I'm outright shocked to see any artificer subclasses less than a year after Rising's release, but still. That is blatant as hell.
Insofar as how it works...anyone else notice that the 'Infiltrator' armor can turn your suit of godawful platemail into a weightless spandex jumpsuit? "Weight is negligible, and it becomes form-fitting and wearable beneath regular clothes". Sneaky freebie platemail you can wear forever, and it can carry a smacknuts pile of infusions. I'm trying to figure out how it even carries weapon infusions. Are those specifically added to the thunderpunch/lightningspit things? How does that work?
Man, it really does seem massively overtuned. Oh well. On the flip side, those new infusions are amazing and we need more like that. The Mind Sharpener is awesome, and not just for the artificer either. The Spell-Refueling Ring is good shit, though I'm sad. At first read it looked like the first time in 5e history that someone could recover a Greater Arcana spell slot...but only artificers get six attunements, and they cap out at fifth level. Dooky.
ANYWAYS. The Druid is a druid and does druid things, coolio and all, but I'm a little sour over the "Fey Wanderer" basically saying "HEY! Do you like Horizon Walkers? YOU'RE WRONG! Play this instead, it's better in basically every way!" Yeah...awesome. Thanks, Wizards. As someone who really, really likes the idea of the Horizon Walker and who kinda digs that subclass, I appreciate it. -_-
Man, they weren't even trying to disguise the Iron Manning with that artificer. Granted, I'm outright shocked to see any artificer subclasses less than a year after Rising's release, but still. That is blatant as hell.
Insofar as how it works...anyone else notice that the 'Infiltrator' armor can turn your suit of godawful platemail into a weightless spandex jumpsuit? "Weight is negligible, and it becomes form-fitting and wearable beneath regular clothes". Sneaky freebie platemail you can wear forever, and it can carry a smacknuts pile of infusions. I'm trying to figure out how it even carries weapon infusions. Are those specifically added to the thunderpunch/lightningspit things? How does that work?
Man, it really does seem massively overtuned. Oh well. On the flip side, those new infusions are amazing and we need more like that. The Mind Sharpener is awesome, and not just for the artificer either. The Spell-Refueling Ring is good shit, though I'm sad. At first read it looked like the first time in 5e history that someone could recover a Greater Arcana spell slot...but only artificers get six attunements, and they cap out at fifth level. Dooky.
ANYWAYS. The Druid is a druid and does druid things, coolio and all, but I'm a little sour over the "Fey Wanderer" basically saying "HEY! Do you like Horizon Walkers? YOU'RE WRONG! Play this instead, it's better in basically every way!" Yeah...awesome. Thanks, Wizards. As someone who really, really likes the idea of the Horizon Walker and who kinda digs that subclass, I appreciate it. -_-
While I do agree that maybe it's damage is a bit overtuned I wouldn't say it is outright "better" than the Horizon Walker, just fills a mechanically different space while rubbing elbows a bit in their themes.
Horizon Walker is a Ranger that wanders the Material Plane looking for planar rifts to close/make sure nothing peaks its ugly head out the other side. Mechanically focusing on the actual finding of portals, doing some hefty single target damage, and being able to teleport around the battlefield being difficult to hit.
Fey Wanderer, on the other hand, seems to be a Ranger that has spent their days divided between two planes and has learned how to specifically deal with the fey in both combat and outside of it. Mechanically it seems to focus more on redirecting charm/frighten effects, boosting their own charisma, while dishing out a butt ton of psychic damage. I can see these two subclasses coexisting rather well given that they fulfill different player fantasies. Though I would definitely change Blessing of the Courts a bit. The bonus to charisma checks is a cool feature and should stay, but just another smite spell is kind of uninspired. Maybe your time with the fey has allowed you to nullify their resistance and immunity to charm/frighten effects? Changing that up would also lower the potentially insane damage you'd be dishing out with the class variant features.
I now have the sudden urge to be a Warforged Armorist, not just making magic armor, but actually turning different parts of my body magical, and able to zap people with lightning, or stun them with thunder.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
I dunno. The Armorer is so blatant it kinda turns me off. They couldn't be pushing the "HEY! You wanna be Magic iron Man?! We've got you, boo!" thing any harder if they'd released it with art of a red and gold palmblasting golem man. The pandering is so heavy-handed it gets to me, especially when the class is head and shoulders above anything else. You gain two extra free infusions, Ultramagical Super Armor that costs you nothing, the ability to cast all your spells with your codpiece for free, no need for prosthetics if you're down limbs, better combat options than both the Battlesmith and the Artillerist, and just...yeesh.
Fair warning, y'all. This is not surviving UA unscathed. You all saw what they did to the Alchemist? Expect that, if this ever gets out of UA.
I wouldn't say it's better than the Battlesmith combat wise. The Battlesmith can pump out waaaay more damage through it's pet and arcane jolt. I don't see anywhere that the damage from the basic attacks it gets gets increased while leveling either, so you are basically just a middle of the wrung punchy or shooty tank with low hit points and a potentially high AC. In fact, the more I read it, the more I think this thing is fairly balanced (if not a bit, as you said, on the nose). Maybe the 2 extra infusions could be changed to 1 extra for balance. What pisses me off though is that this, along with the Battlesmith and Artillerist, just make the Alchemist looks like an even worse option. Thankfully the infusions on this UA can really aid in making the Alchemist a more viable option... though I do wish they gave an Alchemist only infusion that was similar to the Alchemist's Satchel in the first UA or SOMETHING to make it a little bit more a more enticing option.
You also seem to be implying that an arcane focus cod piece is a bad thing... ?
Im not certain, the Fey Walker will survive UA. I mean, it is rad as hell, but it is quite similar if not better than the Horizon Walker and Fighter: Brute rode off into the sunset because it was a little similar if not better than the Fighter: Champion.
Also, I NEED that Helm of Awareness, Mind Sharpener AND Spell Restorer Ring for my Alchemist please. Can everyone please speak favourable about them in the survey and I'll be your best friend? K, thanks everyone.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
I like how this is sort of the natural compliment to an Artillerist...one who creates power armor for defense rather than a cannon.
That said, this is a powerhouse...fulfilling dreams of a rock 'em sock 'em robot punching enemies with dizzying fists or blasting enemies with lightning, railgun-esque projectiles. Then at later levels, allowing you to pull enemies closer and punch them again as a reaction? Visually, that's just neat.
And all the spells make this suit of armor feel like a walking arsenal...I am quite in love with this.
Circle of Stars Druid:
I've been waiting for this for a long time...a stargazing druid was a concept that really only worked with a druid, and this brings everything I could hope for.
The star map is neat...I particularly like the crystal map that shows constellations when a light shines on it. In my mind I picture it as almost a holographic simulation of a galaxy, surrounding the druid as they use augury to determine decisions.
Gaining "Guiding Bolt" is super flavorful...now the druid shoots radiant damage like shooting stars. The star-form they gain from using wildshape offers much utility...to boost damage, saves, and even resistance at later levels. The "weal / woe" mechanic is perfect for this sort of druid...about as close to a Divination Wizard's portents without stepping on their toes.
"Star Flare" is hilarious...teleport your friends, damage and blind your enemies. Love it. My fortune-telling, ***** druid is going to have a literal blast playing this...giving cheesy zodiac fortunes and tarot readings. So good.
Why do I feel like this druid would get along with an Aberrant Sorcerer...? Their capstones seem to revolve around cosmic, eldritch power that can teleport people at a whim.
Fey Wanderer Ranger:
I want to just say; this is my favorite ranger since Horizon Walker, and one of the few two-weapon style warrior concepts that seems to work well.
Lots of psychic damage, lots of manipulating charm & fear effects, a helpful dose of charisma-boosts for out of combat, and a capstone that makes me genuinely excited to level up a ranger...
"Misty Presence" is curiously awesome...a target won't be able to see or hear you unless you attack them. Not strictly for combat, you can then follow them around, spy on them...my god, the MISCHIEF.
May all the ratings on the Artificer portion of the survey be high - so they know that we appreciate the support for the class, above all else. And maybe, just maybe, (it's a really long shot), with enough enthusiasm for Artificer support, they'll be persuaded to take another look at the Alchemist. For all our sakes (but especially Yurei's).
A “Power Armored” Artificer. I have one thing to say:
“For teh Emprah!!!”
In Tractus Marine Symbolum Ego sum Tractus Marine. Ego principis militiae virtutis. In deterrendum in pacem. Ego cor pugna- ubicumque, quoties. Ego ferre Terra fidem et honorem inimicis. Regina sum Bello.
Ego sum quod imperatori expectat me ad esse- optimum docta VIR in mundi. In genus victoriam Ego velox determinatum fortissimique armatus furoris voluntatem vincere.
Numquam traderet mea Primarch scriptor fiduciam. semper pugnare in- per hostem, ad objecto, ad triumphum super omnes, Si necesse pugnabo ad mortem.
Mea stabilis animi, Ego parta 40.000 annis libertatis. Ego cedere non infirmitate, ad fame, ignavia, labori, ad superior dissident, quia sum mente lenta, corporaliter fortis, et moraliter recta.
Ego derelinquas non imperatori, mea Primarch, mea Caput, Fratres.
Ego sum immitis. Ego sum semper ibi, nunc et aeternum. Sum spatium CLASSICUS! EXPURGO AD INCESTUS!
I KNEW IT! I KNEW THERE"D BE AN ARTIFICER! IN YOUR FACE, Sposta and everyone else who said there wouldn't be one!
Okay, after the bragging, lets delve into the subclasses.
Okay, the Armorist. I knew if they were going to make a UA Artificer it would either be Archivist or Armorist....
I didn’t say there wouldn’t be an Artificer in a UA, I said they wouldn’t re-release the Archivist subclass in another UA. I said that if they were going to use the Archivist, they would just print it in the book and skip the UA since it was already in one.
Here it is!
https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/subclasses_part3
We have the Armorer (Artificer), the Circle of Stars (Druid), and the Fey Wanderer (Ranger).
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
I do like the star druid as a concept. Seems very fun to play a astrologist.
And I love the fey ranger. However, dispell? Seems a strange choice. I can get banish but seems a bit weak for the theme?
Blink, Fear and Bestow Curse (hags/unseleene) would be more inline I think.
greater invis, illusion terrain, dominate beast and confussion for lvl 4
Iron Man, astrologer, or faerie knight? Seems cool.
The Armorer is, for lack of a better term, dope as all hell. Might be a little over-tuned (especially when you look at more middle of the road subclasses like the Alchemist) but this is legitimately everything I want in an artificer class:
Looking forward to rolling up Tiny Stark, the Gnome weapons manufacturer with a drinking problem and a heart of gold.
Likewise can be said about the Circle of the Stars Druid. I think Wizards have knocked it out of the park with their most recent Druid subclasses. The usage of Wildshape as a resource should be a baseline feature for all future subclasses for this class. Everything about this is on point, to me at least.
Fey Wanderer shares a bit of the same thematic space as the Horizon Walker but I'm okay with that as long as Horizon Walker remains the neutral "protection from planar incursions" subclass while we start receiving more specific subclasses that deal with each of the planes. I want to see Rangers that fight off creatures from the Far Realm (maybe even receiving mutations after being connected to it for so long) or even Rangers that have wandered the plains of Elysium and come back with radiant gifts from the gods. Mechanics-wise I like the direction this subclass is going, especially when taking into account the upcoming Class Variants for the base class. Being able to redirect a charm or frighten effect is a pretty powerful feature (though the wording is a bit wonky in the document).
I forget if it said the artificer infusions in the UA were specifically for Armorers or if they were up for grabs by any artificer? Regardless, the Iron Man aesthetic is kinda cool. Now you can play a character in a mech suit that isn't just a gnome piloting a warforged!
God, I hope they're not specific to the Armorer. That ring of spell-refueling ring is utterly perfect for the alchemist. An extra 4th or 5th level spell slot? Yes please. Really encourages maxing out attunement on an artificer before level 20 as well.
I like these overall. I like how the Amorer gets not only cool new armor but cool new weapons (as part of the armor). Getting two bonus infusions is crazy.
I'm... really confused about the Armor of Tools... I guess the primary purpose of this is to add your Intelligence modifier to dexterity based tool checks since the Armorer is proficient in Heavy armor and thus would be more likely to dump dexterity but... what's the point of the 8 hour time limit? And other purposes for integrated tools are kind of unnecessary since as an infused item the Armor of Tools already counts as a spellcasting focus even without any tools integrated. For INT based tool checks though... this is just ridiculous. That sounds like it'd be 2xINT + 2xProficiency once tool expertise kicks in. Really if they were intending to replace dexterity for tool checks they should just state that directly. Granted it comes at the cost of an armor infusion though.
I KNEW IT! I KNEW THERE"D BE AN ARTIFICER! IN YOUR FACE, Sposta and everyone else who said there wouldn't be one!
Okay, after the bragging, lets delve into the subclasses.
Okay, the Armorist. I knew if they were going to make a UA Artificer it would either be Archivist or Armorist, as who doesn't want to be Iron Man? So essentially, this subclass lets you wear heavy armor, and be awesome at it. I'd say this subclass is equal in power to the Battle Smith, if not above. The immediately get their armor as a spellcasting focus, so no need for tools for spells, and can choose to have your hands be Thor's Hammer, or for you to be Iron Man. Overall, great subclass, and the infusions are great too, especially Spell-Fueling Ring, and Mind Sharpener.
Next, the Circle of Stars Druid (how in the world are all the druid subclass names always so cool?). So, I can turn into a Galaxy, instead of an animal? Count me in. Love this subclass and how it works so great with the Draconic Prophecy in Eberron, and is overall a great subclass. If my player in my Spelljammer game wants to change from Circle of Land to this, I will allow him to.
Finally, the Fey Wanderer. (If the upcoming book isn't planescape, I don't know what will be) All of the added spells are great, Cunning will is great, and Dreadful Strikes is, um, well, dreadfully deadly. So, add Hunter's Mark for free from the Class Feature Variants of Favored Foe, then Hex, and attack two different creatures with 2 weapon fighting, and at level 3 you're doing 6d6+6 damage in a turn. That may or may not be broken. I think something's going to have to change around here. Blessings of the Court is basically just a Divine Smite that is psychic damage, you get later on, and doesn't scale with higher level spell slots, at all. Beguiling Twist allows you to charm, frighten, or hurt creatures that don't want to be charmed or frightened. Nice. Misty Prescence is a nice ability, but I think there are already too many things fighting for your bonus action at this point (hunter's mark, Dreadful Strikes, other bonus action spells, so on.)
Overall, I like it. It's good. It has to be Planescape, or I'm crazy.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I think it would say, just like other infusions, that they would have subclass prerequisites. So these infusions are totally up for grabs for all Artificers! Which is exciting, because that ring is going to be so clutch.
Man, they weren't even trying to disguise the Iron Manning with that artificer. Granted, I'm outright shocked to see any artificer subclasses less than a year after Rising's release, but still. That is blatant as hell.
Insofar as how it works...anyone else notice that the 'Infiltrator' armor can turn your suit of godawful platemail into a weightless spandex jumpsuit? "Weight is negligible, and it becomes form-fitting and wearable beneath regular clothes". Sneaky freebie platemail you can wear forever, and it can carry a smacknuts pile of infusions. I'm trying to figure out how it even carries weapon infusions. Are those specifically added to the thunderpunch/lightningspit things? How does that work?
Man, it really does seem massively overtuned. Oh well. On the flip side, those new infusions are amazing and we need more like that. The Mind Sharpener is awesome, and not just for the artificer either. The Spell-Refueling Ring is good shit, though I'm sad. At first read it looked like the first time in 5e history that someone could recover a Greater Arcana spell slot...but only artificers get six attunements, and they cap out at fifth level. Dooky.
ANYWAYS. The Druid is a druid and does druid things, coolio and all, but I'm a little sour over the "Fey Wanderer" basically saying "HEY! Do you like Horizon Walkers? YOU'RE WRONG! Play this instead, it's better in basically every way!" Yeah...awesome. Thanks, Wizards. As someone who really, really likes the idea of the Horizon Walker and who kinda digs that subclass, I appreciate it. -_-
Please do not contact or message me.
While I do agree that maybe it's damage is a bit overtuned I wouldn't say it is outright "better" than the Horizon Walker, just fills a mechanically different space while rubbing elbows a bit in their themes.
Horizon Walker is a Ranger that wanders the Material Plane looking for planar rifts to close/make sure nothing peaks its ugly head out the other side. Mechanically focusing on the actual finding of portals, doing some hefty single target damage, and being able to teleport around the battlefield being difficult to hit.
Fey Wanderer, on the other hand, seems to be a Ranger that has spent their days divided between two planes and has learned how to specifically deal with the fey in both combat and outside of it. Mechanically it seems to focus more on redirecting charm/frighten effects, boosting their own charisma, while dishing out a butt ton of psychic damage. I can see these two subclasses coexisting rather well given that they fulfill different player fantasies. Though I would definitely change Blessing of the Courts a bit. The bonus to charisma checks is a cool feature and should stay, but just another smite spell is kind of uninspired. Maybe your time with the fey has allowed you to nullify their resistance and immunity to charm/frighten effects? Changing that up would also lower the potentially insane damage you'd be dishing out with the class variant features.
I now have the sudden urge to be a Warforged Armorist, not just making magic armor, but actually turning different parts of my body magical, and able to zap people with lightning, or stun them with thunder.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I dunno. The Armorer is so blatant it kinda turns me off. They couldn't be pushing the "HEY! You wanna be Magic iron Man?! We've got you, boo!" thing any harder if they'd released it with art of a red and gold palmblasting golem man. The pandering is so heavy-handed it gets to me, especially when the class is head and shoulders above anything else. You gain two extra free infusions, Ultramagical Super Armor that costs you nothing, the ability to cast all your spells with your codpiece for free, no need for prosthetics if you're down limbs, better combat options than both the Battlesmith and the Artillerist, and just...yeesh.
Fair warning, y'all. This is not surviving UA unscathed. You all saw what they did to the Alchemist? Expect that, if this ever gets out of UA.
Please do not contact or message me.
I wouldn't say it's better than the Battlesmith combat wise. The Battlesmith can pump out waaaay more damage through it's pet and arcane jolt. I don't see anywhere that the damage from the basic attacks it gets gets increased while leveling either, so you are basically just a middle of the wrung punchy or shooty tank with low hit points and a potentially high AC. In fact, the more I read it, the more I think this thing is fairly balanced (if not a bit, as you said, on the nose). Maybe the 2 extra infusions could be changed to 1 extra for balance. What pisses me off though is that this, along with the Battlesmith and Artillerist, just make the Alchemist looks like an even worse option. Thankfully the infusions on this UA can really aid in making the Alchemist a more viable option... though I do wish they gave an Alchemist only infusion that was similar to the Alchemist's Satchel in the first UA or SOMETHING to make it a little bit more a more enticing option.
You also seem to be implying that an arcane focus cod piece is a bad thing... ?
Im not certain, the Fey Walker will survive UA. I mean, it is rad as hell, but it is quite similar if not better than the Horizon Walker and Fighter: Brute rode off into the sunset because it was a little similar if not better than the Fighter: Champion.
Also, I NEED that Helm of Awareness, Mind Sharpener AND Spell Restorer Ring for my Alchemist please. Can everyone please speak favourable about them in the survey and I'll be your best friend? K, thanks everyone.
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Armorer Artificer:
I like how this is sort of the natural compliment to an Artillerist...one who creates power armor for defense rather than a cannon.
That said, this is a powerhouse...fulfilling dreams of a rock 'em sock 'em robot punching enemies with dizzying fists or blasting enemies with lightning, railgun-esque projectiles. Then at later levels, allowing you to pull enemies closer and punch them again as a reaction? Visually, that's just neat.
And all the spells make this suit of armor feel like a walking arsenal...I am quite in love with this.
Circle of Stars Druid:
I've been waiting for this for a long time...a stargazing druid was a concept that really only worked with a druid, and this brings everything I could hope for.
The star map is neat...I particularly like the crystal map that shows constellations when a light shines on it. In my mind I picture it as almost a holographic simulation of a galaxy, surrounding the druid as they use augury to determine decisions.
Gaining "Guiding Bolt" is super flavorful...now the druid shoots radiant damage like shooting stars. The star-form they gain from using wildshape offers much utility...to boost damage, saves, and even resistance at later levels. The "weal / woe" mechanic is perfect for this sort of druid...about as close to a Divination Wizard's portents without stepping on their toes.
"Star Flare" is hilarious...teleport your friends, damage and blind your enemies. Love it. My fortune-telling, ***** druid is going to have a literal blast playing this...giving cheesy zodiac fortunes and tarot readings. So good.
Why do I feel like this druid would get along with an Aberrant Sorcerer...? Their capstones seem to revolve around cosmic, eldritch power that can teleport people at a whim.
Fey Wanderer Ranger:
I want to just say; this is my favorite ranger since Horizon Walker, and one of the few two-weapon style warrior concepts that seems to work well.
Lots of psychic damage, lots of manipulating charm & fear effects, a helpful dose of charisma-boosts for out of combat, and a capstone that makes me genuinely excited to level up a ranger...
"Misty Presence" is curiously awesome...a target won't be able to see or hear you unless you attack them. Not strictly for combat, you can then follow them around, spy on them...my god, the MISCHIEF.
...in summary, a FANTASTIC "Unearthed Arcana"!
Definitely love how the Armored Artificer subclass turns into fricking Iron Man
May all the ratings on the Artificer portion of the survey be high - so they know that we appreciate the support for the class, above all else. And maybe, just maybe, (it's a really long shot), with enough enthusiasm for Artificer support, they'll be persuaded to take another look at the Alchemist. For all our sakes (but especially Yurei's).
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
A “Power Armored” Artificer. I have one thing to say:
“For teh Emprah!!!”
In Tractus Marine Symbolum
Ego sum Tractus Marine.
Ego principis militiae virtutis.
In deterrendum in pacem.
Ego cor pugna-
ubicumque, quoties.
Ego ferre Terra fidem et honorem
inimicis.
Regina sum Bello.
Ego sum quod imperatori expectat me ad esse-
optimum docta VIR in mundi.
In genus victoriam
Ego velox determinatum fortissimique
armatus furoris voluntatem vincere.
Numquam traderet mea Primarch scriptor fiduciam.
semper pugnare in-
per hostem,
ad objecto,
ad triumphum super omnes,
Si necesse pugnabo ad mortem.
Mea stabilis animi,
Ego parta 40.000 annis libertatis.
Ego cedere non infirmitate,
ad fame,
ignavia,
labori,
ad superior dissident,
quia sum mente lenta, corporaliter fortis,
et moraliter recta.
Ego derelinquas non
imperatori,
mea Primarch,
mea Caput,
Fratres.
Ego sum immitis.
Ego sum semper ibi,
nunc et aeternum.
Sum spatium CLASSICUS!
EXPURGO AD INCESTUS!
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I didn’t say there wouldn’t be an Artificer in a UA, I said they wouldn’t re-release the Archivist subclass in another UA. I said that if they were going to use the Archivist, they would just print it in the book and skip the UA since it was already in one.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
C’mon. Of all people, I wouldn’t expect you to have a problem with this. Honestly, in my headcanon you have one of these IRL, just like David Bowie.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting