3.5 The Artificer

[ryan973]

Ok one of my guys is going to try running a game soon and as a full time GM i am iching to try soemthing new as a player. So i wanted to know if you guys have any opinions or advise for the Artificer class for eberon. I was thinking it could be fun but also a challenge.

[Kilrex]

I personally think the class is a little overpowered for Eberon. A warforged Artificer is the best bet to go on or a Dwarf if you want to make your own golem.

[ryan973]

I was thinking a human. Mabie a wand specialist or an effigy master or something like that.

[Maelstrom]

There's a whole bunch of directions you can take an artificer. Focusing on dex and int will make you a skillmonkey to match any rouge. Focusing on item creation feats will make you a arsenel of weapons and magic items. You can do decently in combat by preparing infusions prior to battle and having decent str and con, or be a ranged master with a repeating crossbow (my personal favorite) with various types of bolts for different situations.

Any idea on the type of play style you'd like?

[ryan973]

I was thinking a wand specialist. But i am not sure. I dont want to plan too far ahead. I kinda liek to start with certain characters and then see were they take me. But i wanted to make sure the class is not a DUD. I dont get to play as a PC very often so i wanna get the most out of it.

[Shadow Dweller]

Heh, the Artificer is anything BUT a dud. A lot of people put it up there with CoDZilla since you can, with a little planning, do just about anything.

One nice trick is to get a portable hole, make a little golem-like creature(can't remember what they're called off hand) that is able to craft for you. You provide the raw material and XP(or crafting pool points) and stick the golem and crap in said hole, come back X amount of time later and get your item. Only saves you on time...but that's not a bad deal.

[Maelstrom]

Heh, the Artificer is anything BUT a dud.
Artificers are definitely worth it. The item crafting abilities alone make them pretty cool, unless your DM runs a campaign where every little boy has a +3 longsword.

One nice trick is to get a portable hole, make a little golem-like creature
Item's crafting items! Eek!

Like it though, nice little Artificer factory!

[Shadow Dweller]

Artificers are definitely worth it. The item crafting abilities alone make them pretty cool, unless your DM runs a campaign where every little boy has a +3 longsword.That's a case of bad DM.

Granted one of the guys in my game has a +1 Mithril Greatsword at level 2...but that was sort of a fluke /sheepish grin

[nijineko]

Focusing on item creation feats will make you a arsenel of weapons and magic items.

eh?! about the only feats you don't get automatically (through level advancement) are craft golem, craft effigy, and craft scepter. oh, and the psionic craft item feats. there is the psionic artificer option to choose from as well.

the 5th level ability needs careful management as it effectively allows you magic item recycling. never need to sell another "useless" magic item again! but lots of fun potential for the party.

there is a character i made in gurps that this class is a perfect fit for. now i might just have to make a convertion-copy of her so that i can try out the potential of an artificer. and with the artificer points you can actually be an effective crafter without lagging behind due to massive xp drain. (although one could always use the variant rules for xp drawn from other sources from the player's handbook 2 web enhancement. )

the magic item compendium is your friend. lots of cheaper limited use items in there for you to craft. =D

[Maelstrom]

eh?! about the only feats you don't get automatically

There are some additional feats in the Eberron sourcebook that make you a better crafter. Legendary Artistan, Extrordinary Artisan, and Exceptional Artisan reduce time, money, and XP needed to craft items.