Artificer Specialist Handbook By Joshua Joseph Kochuthelliyil

 Artificer Specialist Handbook

By Joshua Joseph Kochuthelliyil

Hello! I am Joshua Joseph Kochuthelliyil, and this is the Artificer Specialist Handbook. This is intended for use with the Dungeons and Dragons 5e tabletop role-playing game. Here, I shall present a quick synopsis of what each Artificer Specialist is all about, but before we get into that, let’s answer some questions . . .

What is an Artificer?

An Artificer is one of the many classes that a player can choose for their player character. They are magical inventors who produce miraculous magic items with nothing except tools and a workshop! From Winged Boots to Flametongue swords to Bags of Holding, all the wondrous crafts of the world are no more than a hammer away with an Artificer by your side! As opposed to casting spells like Wizards and Sorcerers, or battling with weapons like Fighters and Barbarians, Artificers opt for the unique tactic of gearing up both themselves and their party with magic items, and jumping into the fray with their gadgets! This class embodies the classic trope of a master crafter who has a magic tool for any situation, relying on his inventing power over his magecraft or his body, but your options as an Artificer are varied enough to cover many character concepts. Artificers are trickier than other half-casters and often are overly reliant on their magic items, but when played well, they can lead to overwhelming results. Artificers rely on their inventive mind to spark their magic items into being, and so an Artificer's main stat is Intelligence.

What is an Artificer Specialist?

An Artificer Specialist is an artificer's specific expertise and interests in their capability to craft. There are many different Specialists, and so each Artificer’s wonders are unique to their own. Functionally, the Artificer Specialist you choose for your Artificer is your subclass.

Alright, without further ado, let’s begin with the Artificer Specialist Handbook!

Alchemist

“In order for something to be obtained, something of equal value must be lost.” - Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, by Hiromu Arakawa

Alchemist Artificers are chemical experts, able to combine magic regnants to produce miraculous effects! By playing a complicated balancing act with exact alchemical values, these complicated minds can produce experimental elixirs that can do anything from healing to harm, to swiftness, to boldness, to even flight! With the right ingredients, these astute potion brewers can even make the ultimate exchange. And revive ones who are already beyond the grave! Often, Alchemist Artificer players reflavor their spells as the violent effects of their volatile vials! Cloudkill is a magical, poisonous gas, evaporating from your bottle! Thorn Whip is a sticky adhesive! Invisibility is simply a potion of invisibility! The Alchemist Specialist is for the player that wants to live out their Breaking Bad fantasy be the supporting backbone of the party, and administer essential aid that wins the fight!

Armourer

“I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one.” - Tony Stark, Iron Man 3, by Marvel Cinematic Universe

To an Armourer Artificer, their power-armour is their second skin. Their bastion of power. The engine of their soul. These soot-covered engineers are tireless workers, often laboring for years to get the blueprints just right. The fruits of their labor, the pinnacle of their brilliance, their shield from all harm, and their tool to shape the world all reside within a single suit; their Arcane Armour. This magical set of heavy power armour is outfitted with unimaginable power and defensive might. When Armourer Artificer is within their Arcane Armour, they have the ability to change the world for the greater . . or burn it all to the ground. Often, Armourer Artificer players reflavor their spells as attachments of their Arcane Armour! Magic Missile is a fleet of homing, mystical darts! Fly is your magic propulsors! Booming Blade is a shockwave-inducing strike! The Armourer Specialist is for the player who wants to encase themselves in a war-machine to eat strikes like they’re made of steel- because they are.

Artillerist 

“Bombs Away!” - Super Bomberman R, by Hudson Soft

What’s a little collateral damage done to hurt anyone? The Artillerist Artificer can’t give you an answer, that’s for sure. Artillerists are crafty bombardiers who are experts in hurling magical energy, projectiles, and explosions to devastating effects. Their craft is highly sought after in times of war, as a well-positioned Eldritch Cannon or can mean instant defeat for the enemy. In short - Artillerist Artificers are all about blowing shit up. Like a roaring grape shot in the sky, these explosive craftsmen jump straight into the fray, armed to the teeth with munitions! In particular, no Artillerist is caught without their trusted side-piece; their Arcane Firearm! This masterwork wand allows the Artillerist to launch high-power bolts of volatile magical energy, to the utter dismay of anything on the other end of its sparking barrel! In other words . . it’s a magic gun. Often, Artillerist Artificer players reflavor their spells as the bombastic effects of their destructive arsenal! Ray of Frost is a cold-infused metal slug! Fireball is a shot from your magic rocket launcher! Shatter is an earth-crumbling bomb! The Artillerist Specialist is for the player who believes that the best type of kill . . is overkill. 

Battle Smith

“I am the bone of my sword. Steel is my body and fire is my blood. I have created over a thousand blades . . .” - Archer, Fate/Stay Night, by Kinoko Nasu

Battle Smith Artificers are expert weapon and armor forgers, adept at not only producing masterworks that take other smiths years to make, but also at infusing their various weapons and gear with magic powers! Ever battle-ready, these Artificers are able to augment their magic weapons to move at the will of their mind as opposed to the force of their body, allowing them to use Intelligence instead of Strength or Dexterity as the main stat for their weapons! Furthermore, these formidable combatants can encase themselves in magic armor, enhanced to do anything from being more resilient to trauma to repelling away any attacker with a blast of force! These hardy blacksmiths need to rely on no one, as they are both knowledgeable enough to craft the impressive arms that grant an edge on the battlefield, and tough enough to use them! In addition to their own prowess, Battle Smith Artificers utilize their Steel Defenders; golems that are handcrafted by the Battle Smith, and built for war! Often, Battle Smith Artificer player's reflavor their spells as the enchants of their gear! Green-Flame Blade is a magically ignited strike! Conjure Barrage is a fleet of homing skewers! Darkvision is a pair of thermal goggles! The Battle Smith Specialist is for the player who wants to test out their magical creations, firsthand!