Careful there, careful! Watch your step. Yes, we’re still cleaning up from last night’s celebration of the artificer class and have yet to remove all their…. gadgets. Don’t get old Balbo wrong. Most of these contraptions are first class. For example, one of them zapped the dirt clear off my boots last night. Look at them, they look as new as the day I bought them. Another artificer designed something that cleans my mugs, and it has only destroyed two of them. That’s better than most barmaids in a year. Don’t tell Evelyn I said that. She would hit me over the head with a mug, and I can’t afford to lose anymore this month. Ha!

Today, I will fill you in on all the fascinating details of a role-playing game class we should all take note of. Sit down, have a drink. Let’s discuss the artificers and how they channel their arcane powers through all sorts of mundane objects.  Like…like this spoon! Ho! I bet they could make this spoon as deadly as a rogue’s dagger!

Weapons and Armor

Surprisingly, the artificer class enjoys simple weapons. However, “simple” is an odd term for them. Most begin with a run-of-the-mill crossbow, sling, and a dagger. But you know they will upgrade and infuse them along the way. Remember, a weapon is just a weapon until it is in the hands of an artificer. Once they hold it, they can turn it into something new and powerful with their unique spellcasting abilities.

Artificers will wear light and medium armor, not unlike rangers. A nice, studded leather armor or a shiny scale will fit your character well. It all depends how you roll them and what role you want them to play.

Save room in that backpack. They will carry all sorts of tools from tinkerer’s tools to thieves’ tools. Depending on what they like to make, they will also need specific artisan tools too. Okay, maybe they will need a workshop. That can be one of your goals!

Races

You might have guessed it; intelligence is the utmost important statistic to have as an artificer. If you want to safeguard your character in medium armor, you will need a race that can help you reach a score of 14 in dexterity. Otherwise, constitution is your second pick.  Gnomes and elves will be your best pick, but we encourage you to consider something that fits how you want to play the most. Again, we stress that it is important to have an idea of what role your artificer will play in the squad. Will they be offense, support, or maybe a tank?

Backgrounds

Have fun with this one but look for bonuses to intelligence. Clan Crafter is an improved Guild Artisan, and can give you history, which is a good skill, and the starting gear works great for the artificer. Sage is our pick because it provides you with two languages and some Intelligence-based goodies.

What Makes a Good Artificer?

Experienced RPG gamers. Someone who is creative and familiar with spellcasting characters and understands that with this class there will be some work managing infusions, spells, and tools. A player who is okay with being limited and not having access to the higher level spells a wizard or cleric might cast.

That said, this is a character that stands out from the epic and high fantasy norms. Think of it as more in the steampunk realm. So, if you are someone who likes to be unique, this is a class for you.

Yes, you’ve likely seen these kinds of characters in video games like World of Warcraft. Lots of the gnomes there are considered tinkerers. You can also think of this class as the jack of all trades. The multi-tool of the team. They slice, they dice, they cast, they steal, and they heal! Get one now for only 44 gold pieces! Ha! Just kidding, friend, don’t mind old Balbo, he got ahead of himself.

Do you hear that? Our favorite bard is tuning up his lute. Not a fan? No worries, friend. Did you know that if you were feeling the bard class was not totally right for you, the artificer class is a great option. They are similar in many ways. The fact of the matter is that an artificer can provide the support a group needs if you design them as such. And having good support can mean the difference between a fabled victory and another unfortunate wipe.

Three cheers for Artificers, studiers of technology and magic!

Tabletop Beard is impressed by the variety of skills the artificer class has. Therefore, we created the artificer scent to match the spirit of invention, disciple, and quiet intensity of a mind that is always hard at work. We hope you enjoy this clockwork cologne and its hints of soil, stone, steel and smoke.

There are many references to characters in history and pop culture that could align with the artificer class. We like to list legendary tinkerer, MacGyver. He could turn just about any ordinary object into a weapon. From comics, Dr. Doom, Iron Man, and Batman of course. Egon from the Ghostbusters is another fun choice, but what do you think of historical figures like Leonardo DaVinci and Nikola Tesla? Who would you name as one of your favorite artificers?

Side note: Next time our old friend Iron Man makes a time machine, we’re asking him to go back to the High Renaissance to give DaVinci some artificer beard oil. We wager he can use some. 😉