Hivemind

Hiveminds are artificers who craft versatile swarms of miniature constructs, each single drone bound to their will. Capable of shifting between three different modes, these constructs have a solution to any problem. As masters of battlefield control, Hiveminds orchestrate their mechanical horde with precision and intelligence, turning combat into a symphony of buzzing motion and stinging efficiency.

Drone Swarm

Beginning when you choose this specialization at 3rd level, you’ve created a swarm of miniature constructs known as drones, which are bound to your will. You decide the appearance of your drones, such as mechanical insects or winged clockwork orbs. You can summon your drone swarm as a bonus action. When summoned, it fills a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on you. The swarm moves with you and lasts until you dismiss it (no action required), or until you are killed.

When you summon your drone swarm, you can choose one of the following three modes for it, which determines its behavior:

Assault Mode. Your drones can emit pulses of magical force. When you hit a creature within the radius of your drone swarm with an attack, you can cause the swarm to surge, dealing an extra 1d8 force damage to the target. You can deal this extra damage once per turn.

Support Mode. Your drones can provide medical aid. As a bonus action, you can command your swarm to release a burst of healing mist. Choose a creature within your drone swarm’s radius, or yourself. The target regains hit points equal to 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier.

Suppression Mode. Your drones can shroud you in optical distortions. When a creature starts its turn within your drone swarm’s radius, you can use your reaction to force it to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it has [/rule]disadvantage[/rule] on attack rolls until the start of its next turn.

Hivemind Spells

At 3rd level, you always have certain spells prepared after you reach particular levels in this class, as shown in the Hivemind Spells table. These spells count as artificer spells for you, but they don’t count against the number of artificer spells you prepare.

Hivemind Spells

Artificer Level	Spell
3rd	cure wounds, thunderwave
5th	blur, shatter
9th	fly, lightning bolt
13th	arcane eye, storm sphere
17th	insect plague, mass cure wounds

Tactical Reconfiguration

Also at 3rd level, you can reprogram your drones on the fly to shift their mode. As a bonus action, you can change your drone swarm’s current mode to another. When you do so, the swarm releases a burst of energy, producing one of the following effects based on the mode it changes to:

Assault. Each creature of your choice within your drone swarm’s radius takes 1d8 force damage and is pushed 5 feet away from you.

Support. One creature of your choice within your drone swarm’s radius gains 1d8 temporary hit points and advantage on its next saving throw.

Suppression. One creature of your choice within your drone swarm’s radius gains disadvantage on its next saving throw and has its movement speed reduced by 10 feet.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.

At 9th level, the damage and temporary hit points granted by this feature increase to 2d8.

Synaptic Link

At 5th level, you can perceive your surroundings through your drones. You gain blindsight with a radius equal to your drone swarm’s radius, provided your swarm is active. In addition, when you cast an artificer spell, you can choose for it to originate in any space within your swarm’s radius, instead of your own.

Improved Algorithms

At 9th level, you’ve improved the capabilities of your drones further. The modes of your Drone Swarm feature improve in the following ways:

Assault. The extra damage increases to 2d8.

Support. The healing increases to 2d8, and you can choose two target two creatures within the drone swarm’s radius instead of just one.

Suppression. Creatures of your choice within your drone swarm’s radius cannot take reactions.

Hive Ascendance

At 15th level, you achieve total synchronization with your swarm. Your Drone Swarm feature improves in the following ways:

• Your drone swarm’s radius expands to 20 feet.
• You and allies within your drone swarm’s radius gain the benefits of half cover.
• The radius of your drone swarm counts as difficult terrain to creatures of your choice.