The Artificer — Architects of Arcane Ingenuity

Artificer — 5.5e / 2024-Compatible

This is an original Artificer class written for the 2024 rules framework. It does not reproduce the separately published official Artificer class.

Firearm proficiency is not automatically granted. Firearms exist in the campaign, but access and proficiency depend on training, homeland, law and supply.

Starting Equipment

Choose either starting wealth allowed by your campaign or the following equipment: scale mail or leather armour; a light crossbow and 20 bolts or two simple weapons; Thieves’ Tools; one Artisan’s Tool set with which you are proficient; a scholar’s pack; and 15 gp.

Workshop Magic — Level 1

You understand the magical behaviour of worked materials. You gain proficiency with one additional Artisan’s Tool set.

During a Long Rest, you can place minor magical functions on a number of Tiny nonmagical objects equal to your Intelligence modifier, minimum one. Choose one function for each object:

• Produce steady light sufficient for a small workspace.
• Remain safely warm or cool enough to protect ordinary workshop contents.
• Display a maker’s mark visible only when touched.
• Tick, vibrate or change colour after a period of up to 8 hours.
• Indicate level, plumb, direction or elapsed time.

These effects end at your next Long Rest or when you dismiss them. They cannot deal damage, reproduce a spell, create valuable material or function as permanent magic items.

Practical Spellcasting — Level 1

You cast Artificer spells through formulae, tools, temporary mechanisms, alchemical preparations and engraved wards. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability.

Spell Save DC = 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Intelligence modifier

Spell Attack Modifier = Proficiency Bonus + Intelligence modifier

Prepare a number of Artificer spells equal to your Intelligence modifier plus half your Artificer level, rounded down, minimum two. You can change your prepared spells when you finish a Long Rest.

You know two Artificer cantrips at 1st level and three at 10th level. Whenever you gain an Artificer level, you may replace one Artificer cantrip you know with another.

You may use an Artisan’s Tool set with which you are proficient as your spellcasting focus. A prepared Artificer spell with the Ritual tag may be cast as a Ritual.

Device Designs — Level 2

At 2nd level, you learn three Device Designs. You learn one additional design at levels 6, 10, 14 and 18. Whenever you gain an Artificer level, you may replace one design you know with another design for which you meet the minimum level.

When you finish a Long Rest, build the number of active designs shown on the class table.

A device stops functioning when you replace it, finish your next Long Rest or die. Temporary class devices have no meaningful resale value and are not permanent magic items.

Unless a design states otherwise, any creature holding or wearing the device may activate it. Attacks and saving throws made through a device use your Artificer spell attack modifier or spell save DC. Limited uses belong to the device and are shared by all creatures using it.

You can maintain only one active copy of a particular Device Design unless the design specifically states otherwise.

Specialisation — Level 3

Choose Alchemist, Armourer, Bombardier, Construct-Smith or Cartographer. Your specialisation grants features at levels 3, 5, 9 and 15.

Field Workshop — Level 3

During a Short Rest, you can repair damaged mundane equipment if suitable tools and materials are available. Appropriate targets include weapons, shields, tools, locks, mechanisms and similar manufactured objects.

You also have Advantage on Intelligence checks made to understand mundane machines, locks, traps, siege engines and manufactured devices.

Rapid Refit — Level 6

Once per Long Rest, spend 10 minutes replacing one active Device Design with another design you know. At level 14, you may do this twice per Long Rest.

Calculated Intervention — Level 7

When you or a creature you can see within 30 feet fails an ability check or saving throw, you may use your Reaction to add your Intelligence modifier to the roll.

You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus and regain all uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Superior Designs — Level 10

You can learn level-10 Device Designs. The time required for mundane crafting that you personally perform is halved.

Stored Working — Level 11

When you finish a Long Rest, choose one prepared Artificer spell of level 1 or 2 with a casting time of an Action and no costly consumed material component.

Store the spell in a weapon, tool, piece of jewellery or handheld device. A creature holding the object can take a Magic action to produce the stored spell using your spellcasting modifier.

The object has a number of uses equal to your Intelligence modifier, minimum two. Unused activations disappear when you create another Stored Working or finish your next Long Rest.

Greater Workshop — Level 14

You can learn level-14 Device Designs. You also gain Expertise with two Artisan’s Tool sets with which you are proficient.

Grand Designs — Level 18

You can learn level-18 Device Designs. When you roll Initiative with no uses of Calculated Intervention remaining, regain one use.

Epic Boon — Level 19

Gain an Epic Boon feat for which you qualify, or another feat allowed by the campaign’s 2024 rules.

Master of Wonders — Level 20

At the end of every Short Rest, you can replace one active Device Design with another design you know.

Once per turn when you use an active Device Design or cast an Artificer spell through your tools, choose one:

• Gain Temporary Hit Points equal to your Intelligence modifier.
• Move up to 10 feet without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
• Give one creature you can see within 30 feet +2 AC until the start of your next turn.

5.5e Device Designs

5.5e Artificer Specialisations

Alchemist

You specialise in medicines, solvents, acids, dyes, metals, smoke, heat, poisons, distillation and magical reactions.

Level 3 — Reagent Dice. You have a pool of d6 Reagent Dice equal to your Proficiency Bonus. As a Bonus Action, spend one die to do one of the following: restore Hit Points equal to the die + Intelligence modifier to a creature within 5 feet; grant that amount as Temporary Hit Points; or add the die as Acid, Fire or Poison damage to one damage roll you make that turn. Regain all dice after a Long Rest.

Level 5 — Catalysis. Once per turn when an Artificer spell or Reagent Die restores Hit Points or deals Acid, Fire or Poison damage, add your Intelligence modifier to one roll.

Level 9 — Emergency Antidote. When you use a Reagent Die to restore Hit Points, you may also end Poisoned on the target. Once per Long Rest, you may instead end one disease or one nonmagical poison without spending a die.

Level 15 — Grand Distillation. You gain Resistance to Acid and Poison damage and Advantage on saving throws against Poisoned. Your Reagent Dice become d10s.

Armourer

You specialise in articulated armour, hidden fittings, counterweights, wards, shock absorbers and magical reinforcement.

Level 3 — Arcane Harness. During a Long Rest, modify one suit of armour with which you are proficient. It becomes your Arcane Harness and may serve as your spellcasting focus. Choose Bulwark or Skirmisher.

Bulwark: Once per round when an attack hits you while wearing your Arcane Harness, reduce the damage by your Intelligence modifier, minimum 1.

Skirmisher: Your Speed increases by 10 feet, and standing from Prone costs only 5 feet of movement.

Level 5 — Harness Assault. You can attack twice instead of once whenever you take the Attack action while wearing your Arcane Harness.

Level 9 — Reconfigurable Harness. You know both Bulwark and Skirmisher. Whenever you finish a Short or Long Rest, choose which configuration is active.

Level 15 — Perfected Harness. While Bulwark is active, its damage reduction becomes twice your Intelligence modifier. While Skirmisher is active, you gain a Climb Speed equal to your Speed and can move across vertical surfaces during your turn without falling until the turn ends.

Bombardier

You specialise in powder, pressure, incendiaries, projectiles, demolition and controlled force.

Level 3 — Portable Engine. During a Long Rest, build one Portable Engine. As an Action, choose one firing mode. Its save DC equals your spell save DC.

You may fire the engine a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest.

Level 5 — Rangefinder. Once per turn, add 1d8 to one damage roll made by your Portable Engine or an Artificer spell with a range greater than Touch.

Level 9 — Breach Mastery. Your Portable Engine deals double damage to unattended objects and structures. Shrapnel and Concussion each gain one additional damage die.

Level 15 — Grand Bombard. Once per Long Rest, choose a point within 120 feet. Creatures in a 20-foot-radius sphere make a Dexterity save, taking 8d6 Fire or Thunder damage on failure or half on success.

Construct-Smith

You build practical companions: carriers, scouts, climbing machines, assistants, lifting frames and guardians.

Level 3 — Crafted Companion. At the end of a Long Rest, build a Small construct. Choose Carrier, Scout or Guard.

The companion acts immediately after your turn. Unless you use a Bonus Action to command it, it takes the Dodge action.

If reduced to 0 Hit Points, it becomes inert. You can repair or rebuild it when you finish a Long Rest while you have appropriate tools. You can have only one Crafted Companion at a time.

Carrier: counts as one size larger for carrying and can Help with Strength checks.

Scout: has a Climb Speed of 30 feet and Advantage on Perception checks relying on sight.

Guard: when a creature within 5 feet of it is attacked, it may use its Reaction to impose Disadvantage on that attack.

Level 5 — Coordinated Attack. When you take the Attack action, you can attack twice, or attack once and command your companion to attack without using your Bonus Action.

Level 9 — Repair Matrix. When your companion is within 5 feet, you can use a Bonus Action and expend a spell slot to restore 2d8 Hit Points per slot level to it or another construct.

Level 15 — Master Construct. Your companion’s attack deals 2d6 + PB damage, its AC increases by 2, and it gains Resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing and Slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.

Cartographer

You specialise in measurement, maps, navigation and the magical manipulation of distance.

Level 3 — Living Atlas. You always know north while on the Material Plane and cannot become lost by nonmagical means while carrying your own maps. You gain proficiency with Cartographer’s Tools; if already proficient, gain Expertise.

After a Long Rest, mark a number of locations equal to your Intelligence modifier. Each mark must be a place you personally visited during the previous 24 hours. You always know the direction to each mark while within 10 miles.

Level 5 — Short Road. After casting an Artificer spell or using a Device Design, teleport up to 10 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. Uses equal your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest.

Level 9 — Relay Mark. When you use Short Road, you may instead teleport one willing creature you can see within 30 feet up to 15 feet.

Level 15 — Folded Distance. Once per Long Rest, as an Action, teleport yourself and up to five willing creatures within 10 feet to a location you can see or one of your Living Atlas marks within 1 mile.

5.5e Artificer Spell List

Cantrips

Acid Splash, Guidance, Light, Mending, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Resistance and Shocking Grasp.

1st Level

Alarm, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Faerie Fire, False Life, Feather Fall, Grease, Identify, Jump, Longstrider and Sanctuary.

2nd Level

Aid, Alter Self, Arcane Lock, Continual Flame, Darkvision, Enhance Ability, Enlarge/Reduce, Invisibility, Levitate, Magic Weapon, Protection from Poison, Rope Trick, See Invisibility and Spider Climb.

3rd Level

Dispel Magic, Fly, Haste, Protection from Energy, Sending, Water Breathing and Water Walk.

4th Level

Arcane Eye, Fabricate, Freedom of Movement, Greater Invisibility and Stone Shape.

5th Level

Creation, Greater Restoration, Passwall, Telekinesis and Wall of Stone.

Artificer — D&D 3.5e-Compatible

Class skills are Appraise, Concentration, Craft, Disable Device, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (architecture and engineering), Knowledge (dungeoneering), Open Lock, Profession, Search, Spellcraft and Use Magic Device.

Practical Artifice

You are proficient with light and medium armour, shields, simple weapons and one martial weapon. You may cast Artificer formulae in light armour without arcane spell failure. Normal arcane spell failure applies in medium or heavy armour.

Formulae

You learn magical formulae rather than preparing conventional spells. You may activate any formula you know.

Your Formula Points equal your Artificer level + Intelligence modifier. Activating a formula costs points equal to its spell level; a 0-level formula costs 1 point in this edition.

Formula Save DC = 10 + formula level + Intelligence modifier

Caster level equals Artificer level. At 1st level, you know four 1st-level formulae plus your Intelligence modifier. Learn two additional formulae whenever you gain a class level.

Trap Mechanic

You can use Search to locate traps with DCs above 20 and Disable Device to disarm magical traps. Add half your class level, minimum +1, on Search checks involving mechanical traps or hidden mechanisms.

Device Designs

At level 2, learn three designs. Learn one additional design at levels 6, 10, 14 and 18. Whenever you gain an Artificer level, you may replace one known design with another for which you meet the minimum level.

Prepare the number of active designs shown on the class table each day. Unless a design states otherwise, a creature holding or wearing the device may activate it.

When a design requires a saving throw, use your Formula save DC. When it requires a caster-level check, use your Artificer caster level. Limited uses belong to the device and are shared by all creatures using it.

Specialisation

Choose Alchemist, Armourer, Bombardier, Construct-Smith or Cartographer at level 3. Gain further benefits at levels 8, 13 and 18.

Workshop Secret

At levels 4, 8, 12 and 16, choose an item-creation feat for which you qualify, or one of the following:

• Efficient Crafter: +2 competence bonus on one Craft skill.
• Field Repair: Repair mundane equipment in half the normal time.
• Arcane Appraiser: +2 on Spellcraft checks made to identify magic items.
• Mechanist: +2 on Disable Device and Knowledge (architecture and engineering).

Calculated Intervention

Beginning at level 5, use an immediate action to grant +1 to a failed save or skill check made by a creature within 30 feet. This rises to +2 at level 9 and +3 at level 15. Uses per day equal Intelligence modifier, minimum one.

Rapid Refit

At level 6, spend 10 minutes once per day changing one active Device Design.

Improved Workshop

At level 7, you may take 10 on Craft checks despite ordinary distractions.

Superior Designs

At level 10, gain access to level-10 designs.

Stored Working

At level 11, store one formula of 2nd level or lower inside an object. It can be activated three times before your next daily preparation.

Greater Workshop

At level 14, gain level-14 designs. Masterwork artisan’s tools you personally use grant a +4 circumstance bonus on the relevant Craft check instead of the normal +2.

Grand Designs

At level 17, gain level-18 designs.

Master Craftsman

At level 19, you may take 20 on appropriate Craft checks without multiplying the normal crafting time.

Master of Wonders

At level 20, once per round after activating a formula or design, choose one: gain temporary hit points equal to Intelligence modifier; move 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity; or give an ally within 30 feet +2 dodge AC until your next turn.

D&D 3.5e Device Designs

D&D 3.5e Specialisations

Alchemist

At level 3, gain a pool of Reagent Dice usable Intelligence modifier + 1 times per day. Healing or damage begins at 1d6, rises to 2d6 at level 8, 3d6 at level 13 and 4d6 at level 18. Reagents can restore hit points, grant temporary hit points or deal acid, fire or poison damage.

At level 8, add Intelligence modifier to one healing or qualifying damage roll. At level 13, a healing reagent may also remove poison. At level 18, gain resistance 10 to acid and poison.

Armourer

At level 3, choose Bulwark or Skirmisher when preparing your modified armour. Bulwark grants DR 2/—. Skirmisher grants +10-foot enhancement bonus to land speed.

At level 8, Bulwark becomes DR 3/—. At level 13, it becomes DR 4/— and Skirmisher gains +2 dodge AC. At level 18, Bulwark becomes DR 5/— and Skirmisher gains a climb speed equal to land speed.

Bombardier

At level 3, create a Portable Engine usable Intelligence modifier times per day. Shrapnel deals 2d6 damage in a 15-foot cone, Reflex half. Concussion is a ranged touch attack dealing 2d8 sonic damage. Smoke provides concealment in a 10-foot radius.

Damage increases by one die at levels 8 and 13. At level 18, Grand Bombard deals 8d6 fire or sonic damage in a 20-foot radius, Reflex half, once per day.

Construct-Smith

At level 3, create a Small construct companion with Hit Dice equal to your Artificer level, 3/4 BAB, good Fortitude and Reflex saves, construct traits, natural armour equal to +2 plus one per four Artificer levels, speed 30 feet and one natural attack dealing 1d6 damage.

Choose Carrier, Scout or Guard. Carrier counts as one size larger for carrying capacity. Scout gains a climb speed equal to land speed and +4 Search and Spot. Guard may use an immediate action once per round to impose a −2 penalty on an attack against an adjacent ally.

At levels 8, 13 and 18, improve its natural armour by +1 and its attack damage by one step where appropriate. It is a class companion and cannot be sold as a permanently created magic item.

Cartographer

At level 3, gain +4 competence bonus on Survival and Knowledge (geography) checks involving navigation. At level 8, teleport yourself 10 feet as a swift action Intelligence modifier times per day. At level 13, you may move an adjacent willing creature instead. At level 18, teleport yourself and up to five willing creatures to a personally visited location within 1 mile once per day.

D&D 3.5e Formula List

0-Level

Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Prestidigitation, Resistance.

1st Level

Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Grease, Identify, Jump, Longstrider, Sanctuary.

2nd Level

Aid, Alter Self, Arcane Lock, Continual Flame, Darkvision, Invisibility, Levitate, Protection from Poison, Rope Trick, See Invisibility, Spider Climb.

3rd Level

Dispel Magic, Fly, Haste, Protection from Energy, Sending, Water Breathing, Water Walk.

4th Level

Arcane Eye, Fabricate, Freedom of Movement, Greater Invisibility, Stone Shape.

5th Level

Creation, Greater Restoration, Passwall, Telekinesis, Wall of Stone.

6th Level

Analyze Dweomer, Greater Dispel Magic, Move Earth, Stone to Flesh, True Seeing.