New Dungeons and Dragons Playtest Material Adds a Fan-Favorite Class

by

Summary

  • New Dungeons and Dragons playtest material featuring the Artificer is available for free on D&D Beyond.
  • Artificer class abilities have been revamped, with changes to Magical Tinkering and Infusions.
  • Wizards of the Coast is seeking feedback on the new Artificer class via a survey starting on December 24.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have witnessed the evolution of Dungeons and Dragons like no other. The latest Unearthed Arcana featuring the Artificer has stirred excitement among the community, and for good reason.

In a recent update, Dungeons & Dragons has released new trial content showcasing the Artificer class, a highly requested one that didn’t make it into the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This material can be accessed for free on D&D Beyond, which could potentially be the sole Unearthed Arcana release for Dungeons & Dragons in 2024.

The term “Unearthed Arcana” refers to trial materials for the tabletop game “Dungeons & Dragons,” which are made available for free by Wizards of the Coast. These files offer players an early look at potential character features, while simultaneously gathering feedback from players about these features, similar to how Dungeons & Dragons gathered feedback through a series of extensive Unearthed Arcana documents prior to the launch of their new 2024 core rulebooks.

Recently, Wizards of the Coast has unveiled their first Unearthed Arcana update in more than a year. This fresh playtest material focuses on the Artificer character class, giving it a facelift from its previous incarnation in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. The updates align the Artificer with the other revamped classes found in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. In a YouTube video accompanying the Unearthed Arcana release, Dungeons and Dragons senior content consultant Todd Kenreck and lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford discuss the changes made to the Artificer class.

The New Artificer in Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2024

In the game Dungeons and Dragons, some of the Artificer’s abilities have been altered or replaced in a few ways. The Magical Tinkering ability now enables players to craft everyday adventuring items instead of the trinkets it previously allowed. In place of Tool Expertise, there is now Magic Item Tinker which allows Artificers to expend created magic items for spell slots. Spell-Storing Items can now store third-level spells, and Soul of Artifice offers a bonus to ability checks instead of saving throws. However, the death-defying ability of Soul of Artifice has been enhanced to make up for this change. Furthermore, 20th level Artificers will receive four fewer Plans – a new name for Infusions, and their mechanics have been simplified through Replicate Magic Item.

The three initial Artificer subclasses have undergone refreshes too. The Alchemist has undergone a significant overhaul, offering more potent elixirs and an upgraded Chemical Mastery; the Armorer’s signature armors are enhanced, now including a third choice in the form of the Dreadnought; and the Artillerist’s Eldritch Cannons now function as all three turret options simultaneously, and can be detonated when destroyed. The Battle Smith has only seen minor changes, with the Steel Defender experiencing slight adjustments to its hit points and damage.

At present, there’s no definite timeline as to when the new Dungeons and Dragons Artificer will be officially published in a book, but the Unearthed Arcana indicates that Wizards of the Coast is developing it. The survey for providing feedback on the Unearthed Arcana opens on December 24, so fans are encouraged to test out this updated Artificer and share their thoughts with Dungeons and Dragons about their experience.

Read More

2024-12-19 01:53