Dungeons and Dragons: 2024 Artificer Unearthed Update Explained

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As a seasoned D&D player with over two decades of rolling dice and crafting characters under my belt, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia mixed with excitement upon hearing about the return of the Artificer class. The Artificer has always been a unique and intriguing class for me, ever since its debut in Eberron: Rising From The Last War.

The Artificer class from Dungeons & Dragons has unexpectedly reappeared as part of the main series. A recent Unearthed Arcana release could potentially signal a new iteration of the Artificer, designed with the style of the 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons in mind.

In D&D 2024, one of the points that sparked much debate was the absence of the Artificer class, a role introduced in 5e through Eberron: Rising From The Last War in 2019 and revisited in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything in 2020. Although players can still play as an Artificer in D&D 2024 due to backward compatibility and the adaptability of modern D&D, fans were disappointed not only because they felt it was a slight against the class, but also because there would be no updates or new subclasses for the Artificer.

D&D’s New Artificer Playtest Explained

As a dedicated D&D fan, I’m thrilled to share that even though it seemed like the designers were shying away from new classes, D&D 2024 is giving the Artificer another chance! Just this month, Wizards of the Coast unveiled a fresh Unearthed Arcana (their term for playtest D&D material) that includes a revamped Artificer class. This update also brings improvements to the Artificer’s four subclasses and even introduces a brand-new spell. With the go-ahead from their Dungeon Masters, players can test this new class immediately and witness its numerous alterations in action!

Changes To The Artificer

Typically, the updates in D&D 2024 have enhanced classes by making them more potent, simplifying their skills, and introducing versatility, and the Artificer is no different from others. An illustration of this can be seen with the updated Magical Tinkering ability, which now enables players to fabricate one item from a list of everyday items, rather than its former incarnation as Prestidigitation but presented under a different name. Abilities like Flash of Genius have also received enhancements for user convenience, transforming it into a response to a failed roll.

The distinctive trait, Infusions, in the Artificer class has undergone a transformation. Instead of having multiple uses, it now only allows for Replicating Magic Items. However, at Level 6, it gains a new benefit that lets players convert their crafted items into spell slots. This modification slightly reduces the artistic freedom previously associated with the Artificer, but it simplifies bookkeeping. Furthermore, the previous Infusions have been incorporated into the list of magic items that Artificers can replicate, another step towards streamlining. Keep in mind that this is just a suggested update and may change based on feedback. Players will continue to shape the class according to their preferences, regardless of WOTC’s official interpretation.

Revised Subclasses And A New Spell

In this update for D&D 2024, the subclasses of the Artificer have been reworked. For instance, the Alchemist can now concoct potions quicker, and its Experimental Elixir trait has received a significant boost. Furthermore, several enhancements have been made to it as well. The Armorer also gains a new Dreadnaught option that allows for better use of positioning. As for the Artillerist, the Eldritch Cannon now offers more flexibility with various options that can be switched on-the-go. Lastly, the Battle Smith has experienced minor stat adjustments to its Steel Defender companion.

The playtest also includes a number of magic items and a spell, all new for D&D 2024. However, they’ll all be familiar to veteran fans. The new magic items are just item versions of previous Infusions, allowing them to be added to the Replicate Magic Item ability table—though now a DM can also use them as treasure. The new Homunculus Servant spell also replaces an old infusion, keeping the homunculus’ stats mostly the same (albeit the creature now takes an hour to summon, though the spell can be cast as a RItual to save on slots).

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2024-12-22 21:44