Dungeons and Dragons Best Artificer Subclass Tier List

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Dungeons & Dragons remains a game with endless potential, and each character class provides a different way to approach both fighting and telling stories. The Artificer is a particularly interesting class, combining magic and technology to craft a wide range of items, from powerful magical tools to helpful consumables. What really makes the Artificer class special, though, is the variety of its subclasses, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages.

Artificer subclasses become available at level 3 in D&D, and choosing the best one is a key part of creating your character. Each subclass offers different strengths in combat, how helpful it is to both you and your team, and overall flexibility. Because of these differences, not all Artificer subclasses are created equal.

S-Tier: The Ultimate Artificer Subclass

  • Battle Smith

Why Battle Smith Is S-Tier

If you want a character that’s good at both fighting and using magic, the Battle Smith Artificer is an excellent choice. This class strikes a great balance between offense and defense, making it perfect for players who want a versatile and capable combatant. What really sets the Battle Smith apart is its Steel Defender – a robotic companion that fights alongside you, providing extra damage and toughness. You’ll also get the Extra Attack feature, letting you consistently deal damage each turn. Even with the release of new Artificer options in the Eberron: Forge of the Artificer book, the Battle Smith remains a very powerful and effective class.

The Battle Smith Artificer really shines because it can magically enhance weapons and armor, making even basic gear incredibly powerful. This subclass is incredibly versatile – it can both withstand attacks and deal significant damage. If you want an Artificer that excels in both combat and magical support, the Battle Smith is the best option, earning it a top-tier ranking.

Key Strengths:

  • Steel Defender acts as both a combat companion and a damage sponge for D&D‘s Battle Smith.
  • Extra Attack for enhanced damage output.
  • Ability to infuse magical enhancements into armor and weapons.
  • Strong survivability and tanking capabilities.

A-Tier: Ranged Destruction Specialists and Tanky Spellcasters

  • Artillerist
  • Armorer

Why Artillerist Is A-Tier

If you enjoy fighting from a distance and hitting multiple enemies at once, the Artillerist is a great subclass to choose. It lets you become a master of magical cannons, which can quickly destroy groups of foes. The Artillerist’s special ability, the Eldritch Cannon, allows you to create powerful magical weapons that deal significant damage and also help your teammates.

The Artillerist Artificer excels at both dealing damage from a distance and supporting teammates, making it incredibly versatile in ranged combat. It’s a great pick for players who like to control the battlefield while staying safe. Though not as tough as the Battle Smith or Armorer, the Artillerist focuses on consistently dealing damage and providing team support from the back lines. Its strong ranged attacks and ability to control the flow of battle make it a solid choice for strategic players, earning it an A-tier ranking – just behind the Battle Smith.

Key Strengths:

  • Eldritch Cannon offers a range of powerful magical attacks and support abilities.
  • High AoE damage capabilities, ideal for crowd control.
  • Versatile combat options from long-range to healing.

Why Armorer Is A-Tier

If you like to play cautiously while still dealing good damage, the Armorer is a great choice. This Artificer subclass focuses on strong armor, turning you into a powerful, heavily protected fighter who can both withstand attacks and dish out significant damage. The key to the Armorer is its Arcane Armor, a magical suit that boosts your defenses and attacks. You can customize this armor with either the Guardian or Infiltrator mode, giving you unique abilities to dominate the battlefield.

The Armorer class is designed to be both tough and adaptable. In Guardian mode, it excels at drawing enemy attacks and controlling the battlefield, protecting your teammates. Switching to Infiltrator mode boosts movement speed and adds ranged attacks, making it more versatile. This class really shines because it can be a strong defender and a powerful attacker, giving players lots of options in combat. It’s a well-rounded choice for those who like to be in the thick of things, absorbing damage while dishing it out – similar to some of the best Barbarian classes in D&D.

Key Strengths:

  • Arcane Armor provides enhanced defense and versatile combat options.
  • Guardian Mode for tanking and protecting allies.
  • Infiltrator Mode for mobility and ranged attacks.

B-Tier: The Master of Potions and Support

  • Alchemist

Why Alchemist Is B-Tier

The Alchemist Artificer in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a master of potions and magical mixtures, making them a strong support character for the group. While they aren’t as powerful at dealing direct damage as some other Artificer subclasses, like the Battle Smith or Artillerist, they can be very effective depending on how the party plays together. This puts them in the B-tier. The Alchemist truly shines by providing helpful effects and healing through features like Alchemical Mastery and Experimental Elixir. They can create potions to heal friends, enhance the team’s abilities, or even weaken enemies with harmful conditions.

The Alchemist class is best for players who enjoy supporting their team and trying out different helpful effects both during and outside of battles. While it excels at keeping the party alive and managing resources, it doesn’t deal a lot of damage on its own, which prevents it from being one of the top-performing classes. If you like playing a support role, the Alchemist is a good choice, but other classes are stronger if you prefer to focus on direct combat. It’s worth noting that the Alchemist has improved significantly with recent updates to the Artificer class in D&D, as it used to be the weakest class by a large margin.

Key Strengths:

  • Ability to craft consumables, like healing potions, buffs, and debuffs.
  • Amazing for resourceful players who enjoy out-of-combat utility.
  • Strong support and creative options for tinkering, but may be more niche depending on the group’s setting.

C-Tier: The Niche Explorer

  • Cartographer

Why Cartographer Is C-Tier

The Cartographer Artificer subclass is interesting in theory, but it doesn’t quite measure up to the other options when it comes to fighting or overall usefulness. Introduced in the Eberron: Forge of the Artificer book, it mainly offers benefits related to mapmaking and the Faerie Fire spell, which are helpful but don’t provide much direct combat power. While the Cartographer is great at creating detailed maps, aiding navigation, and improving initiative, its specialized focus makes it less effective in campaigns centered around traditional combat.

The Cartographer isn’t very strong in a fight, and it’s most useful in campaigns designed for exploration – often with the Dungeon Master’s approval. If you enjoy focusing on discovering new places, this class might be a good fit. However, because it doesn’t excel in combat or supporting other players in most campaigns, it’s generally considered one of the weaker Artificer options in Dungeons & Dragons, ranking as a C-tier subclass.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Gameplay loop requires constant use of a mediocre focus spell.
  • Limited direct contribution to fights and battles.
  • Best suited for niche or homebrew campaigns.

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2026-02-08 23:35