Select Language:
When discussing the artificer in Dungeons & Dragons, they’ve had a noteworthy history in the fifth edition. They are absent from the 2024 Player’s Handbook but will make their return through their dedicated sourcebook, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer.
This new sourcebook is entirely centered on the artificer, unveiling fresh feats, backgrounds, bastion options, and a new spell. There are also subclasses for the artificer, including some revised options and new ones to consider if you’re interested in playing or rejoining the class. To assist with your choice, we’ve ranked all artificer subclasses in a tier list to determine which is the strongest.
Tier List Explanation
While your subclass choice ultimately depends on your preferred playstyle and what you find fun, we’ve evaluated them based on factors like complexity, versatility, and how practical they are in a campaign. We’ve compared them to the updates made to other classes in the 2024 PHB to see how well they hold up.
S Tier
These subclasses are versatile and fit well into any D&D party, complementing others as the essential, well-rounded member. They have enough unique actions and options to keep things interesting, even alongside some 2024 PHB subclasses.
Artificer Armorer by John Grello
These subclasses offer enough diversity to serve different roles effectively. They may not be as flexible as others, but they certainly get the job done, making you a capable damage dealer and vital party role.
| Subclass | Description |
|---|---|
| Alchemist | The best part about the Alchemist is its broad functionality. It doesn’t specialize in just one area but covers many. Its Experimental Elixirs can grant flight, boost speed, improve AC, heal beyond a typical potion, or grant a bonus to saving throws. Adding 2d4 force damage to spells is a neat bonus. |
| Armorer | Replaces the glass-cannon trope with a heavily armored spellcaster that doesn’t need high Strength. You can design armor to act as a front-line protector with concussion blasts and temporary hit points or create a demolishing dreadnought dealing force damage. Options include gaining a flying speed and extra attacks. |
A Tier
These subclasses are solid and follow a clear path, doing their jobs well. While they may not be as flexible as higher-tier options, they excel at damage output and fulfilling specific roles within the party.
Battlesmith by Michael Broussard
- If you enjoy ranger-like pets, the Battlesmith is a prime pick. Its Steel Defender has its own actions during your turn, making it more autonomous than a typical ranger pet. The subclass combines a mechanical pet with extra attack and spellcasting, offering lots of fun for those who like this playstyle.
Artillerist
- Known for its potent offensive capabilities, the Artillerist provides a lot of firepower. It has its own Eldritch Cannon that can be a Flamethrower, Force Ballista, or Protector. As you level up, you unlock additional cannons. Its downside is it offers a focused set of abilities, lacking the wider versatility seen in some other subclasses.
B Tier
This subclass is very specialized, excelling at one thing but lacking in other areas. It’s not a bad choice; it simply doesn’t offer as much variety as the higher-tier options.
Cartographer
- The Cartographer feels more like a niche subclass, emphasizing map-making and teleportation expertise. While teleportation can be very useful, it doesn’t add much depth to the class overall. Its usefulness is situational, making it ideal for specific campaigns but less reliable in others.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
