Cogsmith

Memories have power.  The positive energy of a good memory can motivate an artificer to new levels.  The negative energy of a failure can destroy the confidence of an opponent.  The Cognition Smiths (or Cogsmith for short) are master engineers that blend memory manipulation and technology to shape reality. The mind of a Cogsmith becomes a forge, crafting intricate constructs and weapons from the remnants of experiences both remembered and forgotten.

The Cogsmith wears a one lens “Rewinder” to parse through their memories and the memories of others, which are used as ammunition.

Playing a Cogsmith in a sci-fi setting offers a unique roleplaying experience blending technological expertise with the manipulation of memories. Here are four tips to help you embody the Cogsmith subclass:

1. Reverence for Memories

Embrace a reverence for memories and the stories they hold. Your character sees memories as valuable resources, whether they're used to empower constructs or enhance magical ammunition. Roleplay moments where you discuss the importance of preserving and utilizing memories, treating them with care and respect as you craft your creations.

2. Ethical Dilemmas

Explore the ethical implications of memory manipulation. Your abilities allow you to extract and infuse memories, potentially altering perceptions or emotions. Consider how your character navigates these dilemmas, balancing the pursuit of knowledge and power with the potential consequences for individuals whose memories are manipulated.

3. Innovation and Experimentation

Highlight your character's innovative spirit and curiosity. As a Cogsmith, you're constantly experimenting with new ways to harness memories for technological advancements. Roleplay scenes where you tinker with prototypes, brainstorm new designs, or eagerly share breakthroughs in memory manipulation with fellow adventurers.

4. Personal Connections to Memories

Develop personal connections to the memories you manipulate. Your character may have a collection of significant memories—perhaps from their own past or those of others—that inspire and drive their work. Use these memories as motivations, guiding principles, or sources of inspiration for your character's quest for technological mastery.

By incorporating these roleplaying tips, you can create a dynamic and compelling Cogsmith character who explores themes of memory, innovation, and ethical responsibility in a sci-fi campaign.

Tool Proficiency

3rd-level Battle Smith feature

You gain proficiency with smith’s tools. If you already have this proficiency, you gain proficiency with one other type of artisan’s tools of your choice.

Cogsmith Spells

3rd-level Cogsmith Feature

You always have certain spells prepared after you reach particular levels in this class, as shown in the Cogsmith Spells table. These spells count as artificer spells for you, but they don’t count against the number of artificer spells you prepare.

Cogsmith Spells

Spell Level	Spell Name	Description (Flavor)

1st

Identify

Scan and analyze an object or construct using technological expertise.

1st

Shield

Deploy a quick, memory-infused energy barrier to protect yourself.

2nd

Heat Metal

Manipulate machinery and constructs to overheat.

2nd

Enhance Ability

Temporarily boost capabilities with technological enhancements.

3rd

Sending

Send encoded memory packets or messages over long distances.

3rd

Lightning Bolt

Discharge stored energy from constructs or gadgets.

4th

Fabricate

Quickly create or repair machinery and constructs.

4th

Greater Invisibility

Activate a cloaking device or memory-erasing field.

5th

Wall of Force

Create a solid energy barrier from stored memories.

5th

Animate Objects

Bring inanimate constructs to life, utilizing stored memories.

Thoughtforging

You gain the ability to manifest thought-essence into physical form. Choose one of the following abilities:

• Overloader: Once per turn, when you firing a ranged weapon, you can deal an additional 1d6 damage of the type tied to the memory used .
• Recollection Shield: As a reaction, when you’re targeted by an attack, you can create a shimmering shield of memories, granting you a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.

Overloader

Once per turn, when you firing a ranged weapon, you can deal an additional 1d6 of damage of the type tied to the memory used.

Recollection Shield

As a reaction, when you’re targeted by an attack, you can create a shimmering shield of memories, granting you a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.

Memory Warden

3rd-level Cogsmith feature

Your mastery over thought constructs deepens.You gain proficiency with tinkerer’s tools. Additionally, you can spend 1 hour and a memory crystal to create a construct animated from a memory. The thought warden obeys your commands and has hit points equal to your Artificer level + your Intelligence modifier.

In combat, the Warden shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the Warden can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.

If the mending spell is cast on it, it regains 2d6 hit points. If it has died within the last hour, you can use your smith’s tools as an action to revive it, provided you are within 5 feet of it and you expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The Memory Warden returns to life after 1 minute with all its hit points restored.

At the end of a long rest, you can create a new Memory Warden if you have smith’s tools with you. If you already have a Warden from this feature, the first one immediately perishes. The Warden also perishes if you die.

Additionally, Choose one enhancement for your warden:

• Guardian Memory: The Warden gains temporary hit points equal to your Intelligence modifier whenever it takes damage.
• Arcane Memory: The Warden can cast a cantrip from the Artificer spell list once per turn.
• Temporal Memory: The Warden can manipulate time briefly. Once per turn, it can take an additional action or move up to its speed.

Arcane Memory

The Warden can cast a cantrip from the Artificer spell list once per turn.

Guardian Memory

The Warden gains temporary hit points equal to your Intelligence modifier whenever it takes damage.

Temporal Memory

The Warden can manipulate time briefly. Once per turn, it can take an additional action or move up to its speed.

Extra Attack

5th-level Cogsmith feature

You can attack twice, rather than once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Brainstorm

9th-level Cogsmith feature

You attune to the psychic echoes of your opponent. As a bonus action, you can stun your opponent by bombarding them with their past failures.

 

Eidetic Recall

15th-level Cogsmith feature

Your connection to the collective subconscious reaches its zenith. Once per long rest, you can cast any spell from any class’s spell list without expending a spell slot. The spell must be of 5th level or lower.