im currently playing a gnome battle smith and I F'n love him. our campaign is a 3 PC game so having that 4th body is integral, and my weapon of choice is my returning light hammer that I chuck. I love playing Support classes and this one has become my favorite. Being able to flavor my spells as inventions and gadgets is so much fun and makes me feel like I get to live like Batman as I needed to have a utility belt for all my things. Out of combat my SD is pretty much my assistant to my workshop. In battle for flavor I use him to cast certain spells. Like for example I was on a Tree Stand like structure on his back. I casted Catapult targeting a bag of 5 vials of acid I had made and stored inside the SD. I flavored it as a Trebuchet like device beings to rise out of the Head Flaps that are now open of my Steel Defender. I really enjoy thinking of new ways to flavor these spells.
After playing a Battlesmith for 12 levels in a campaign, I've learned that this subclass is a slow-burner, starting off sort of weak but gaining traction later on. Some examples of shenanigans I've pulled: 1) My Steel Defender, with Sanctuary cast on him, has been used to dash around the battlefield pulling downed teammates out of danger and rescuing NPCs. 2) My character is Small and rides his SD into battle. I've taken the Mounted Combatant Feat and, with all my kit, my base AC is 23. I use the Spell Storing item that I picked up at level 11 to carry the Shield spell. With Mounted Combatant, I can attacks aimed at him onto myself. Good luck hitting me though! 3) I usually have the Homonculous Servant as one of my Infusions. I use him to deliver healing potions in battle and fly behind enemies to cast Shocking Grasp through. 4) Since the SD is Medium-sized, I've had him sit in a spot for one of our shooters to kneel behind for partial cover. I usually cover him with Sanctuary for this as well.
Sorry to be 'That Guy' but you can't use Shield in your Spell Storing item. You cant use an immediate action spell. Not that you can go back in time a year and stop doing it or anything. It's just my nerd duty to point it out.
You know, you mention the tools as being somewhat Niche, but I'm in a campaign where my Artificer had to build their Steel Defender. They didn't get it for free. The DM just wanted to add flavor. And to clarify, I'm not the only one that has to do stuff like this for our class features. The Monk had to train for their abilities and the Paladin actually has to do shows of devotion like charity work for their Temple
Playing a level 5 battle smith currently. I agree that the subclass has a lot of strengths and versatility. I think one issue that could be addressed is survivability. The d8 hit die and armor proficiency topping out at medium really make it difficult to play a frontline melee build. I think adding heavy armor proficiency at Level 5 would make the class much stronger. On the flip side, the limited spell slots and half-caster progression reduces the effectiveness as a party support caster. If the intent was to have the battle smith passing out infused items to other PCs, then increasing the spell slots a bit would be a huge help, especially with the half-caster progression, as more 1st & 2nd level spells equates to a lot of party support. It almost seems like there should be two paths carved out for the battle smith, frontline melee or support caster. By trying to have the flexibility to accommodate both the subclass does neither exceptionally well. I still love the class, but for my character, I’ve gone the support caster approach, so will be multi-classing into wizard at level 6. I’m debating between War Wizard or Abjuration currently, but I have a bit of time to map that out better.
A rune knight /artificer = rune powered armor set!! Or a war mage/ artificer for the arcane deflection and more spells.thinking of playing one of these combos for our next campaign.
Medium Armor Mastery works wonders for Artificers. Cap Dex at 16 and enjoy an 18 ac after getting half plate. I usually use a shield and play as a stealthy/tanky/caster. I typically go into either Eldritch Knight or Wizard after 3rd and focus Int thereafter.
I noticed this feat recently. I don't think using a feat for just 1 AC point is worth it. If you are a stealthy player, 18 would represent a 2 AC boost and might be worth it, but at the expense of not getting another feat that might be more beneficial.
@@CyclopsWasRight If you don't care about stealth then you get half plate with 17 AC (15+2). If you get this feat you get 1 AC extra. If you care about stealth then you were using breastplate with 16 AC (14+2). If you take this feat, you switch to half plate and get 2 AC extra. So, yeah...
I've been thinking about making a Thri-kreen as a Batle Smith.. In 2e, there was a subspecies of them that was inclined to building things(Red ant/J'hol) With 4 arms a lot of things that be done that would negate certain "problems".
That's fair! Both the armorer and the battle smith are so good and full of flavor! It would honestly be a coinflip for me to pick my favorite of the two. That being said, I haven't been able to play an armorer yet, so that may change once I actually get to field one!
Take two levels in paladin, all the rest in artificer Battlesmith. Now, this is where the fun begin: cast banish smite, take the attack action with a great weapon (greatsword, maul etc), pop up arcane Jolt, divine smite. You deal: 2d6+5 (+8 if you use a +3 weapon like a normal high-level character) + 5d10 + 4d6 + 5d8 IF YOU CRIT: 4d6+10d10+8d6+10d8+5 (137 on average!) Since you can wack twice you can then pop a 2d6+5+4d6+4d8 (12d6+8d8+5 on crit) Assuming both attacks hits and the ennemy isn't banished, that's a total of 12d6+9d8+5d10+10 (if both crits that's 24d6+18d8+10d10+10). Artif-in (ARTIF from *artif*icer and IN from palad*in*.) is a funny concept in my mind
I know i'm late to the party here, but I want to bring up this little bit of secret tech that makes the battlesmith even better. Battlesmith Spells gives you Warding Bond as a 2nd level spell At level 11, you get spell-storing item, which lets you store a spell of 2nd level or lower to be casted from it equal to twice your int mod per day. Put Warding Bond in your Spell-Storing Item and give it to your Steel Defender. Once an hour, order your steel defender to cast it on you. Now unless you get hit with too many AoE's, your health is effectively increased by the HP of your steel defender (Which should be around 62 at lvl 11)
Don’t discount Aura of Vitality too quickly. I agree, not very good to use during combat. Afterwards, though, you spend 1 minute (10 rounds) to heal 20d6 HP to your party.
I think the cantrip extra attack should be in all dish characters but that would be quite broken on CHA caster due to eldritch blast but INT Gish should have it at least
As a DM I allow cantrips that require you to make a melee weapon attack useable with extra attack for all classes. It just makes sense at least with melee spell attacks. Its only adding one cantrip to the attack action no matter how many attacks you get in that one action and the cantrips effects only effect 1 attack. So you dont run into the issue of 1 hit green flame blade, then because it was on fire still its on each consecutive attack.
@@Wicca_P that makes more sense I allowed them any cantrip but made it so that eldritch blast is not a cantrip anymore but a warlock feature that way it doesn’t interact as a cantrip valid for an attack (this is also a nerf to magic initiate a bit) and I find this to work really well to keep warlocks class identity
I'm not usually one to watch videos on character builds, though sometimes I scour forums and whatnot. I'll add it to the pool of ideas and see if I can think of a unique build or spell tactic. Thanks for the recommendation!
im currently playing a gnome battle smith and I F'n love him. our campaign is a 3 PC game so having that 4th body is integral, and my weapon of choice is my returning light hammer that I chuck. I love playing Support classes and this one has become my favorite. Being able to flavor my spells as inventions and gadgets is so much fun and makes me feel like I get to live like Batman as I needed to have a utility belt for all my things. Out of combat my SD is pretty much my assistant to my workshop. In battle for flavor I use him to cast certain spells. Like for example I was on a Tree Stand like structure on his back. I casted Catapult targeting a bag of 5 vials of acid I had made and stored inside the SD. I flavored it as a Trebuchet like device beings to rise out of the Head Flaps that are now open of my Steel Defender. I really enjoy thinking of new ways to flavor these spells.
After playing a Battlesmith for 12 levels in a campaign, I've learned that this subclass is a slow-burner, starting off sort of weak but gaining traction later on. Some examples of shenanigans I've pulled:
1) My Steel Defender, with Sanctuary cast on him, has been used to dash around the battlefield pulling downed teammates out of danger and rescuing NPCs.
2) My character is Small and rides his SD into battle. I've taken the Mounted Combatant Feat and, with all my kit, my base AC is 23. I use the Spell Storing item that I picked up at level 11 to carry the Shield spell. With Mounted Combatant, I can attacks aimed at him onto myself. Good luck hitting me though!
3) I usually have the Homonculous Servant as one of my Infusions. I use him to deliver healing potions in battle and fly behind enemies to cast Shocking Grasp through.
4) Since the SD is Medium-sized, I've had him sit in a spot for one of our shooters to kneel behind for partial cover. I usually cover him with Sanctuary for this as well.
Sorry to be 'That Guy' but you can't use Shield in your Spell Storing item. You cant use an immediate action spell.
Not that you can go back in time a year and stop doing it or anything. It's just my nerd duty to point it out.
You know, you mention the tools as being somewhat Niche, but I'm in a campaign where my Artificer had to build their Steel Defender. They didn't get it for free. The DM just wanted to add flavor.
And to clarify, I'm not the only one that has to do stuff like this for our class features. The Monk had to train for their abilities and the Paladin actually has to do shows of devotion like charity work for their Temple
Playing a level 5 battle smith currently. I agree that the subclass has a lot of strengths and versatility. I think one issue that could be addressed is survivability. The d8 hit die and armor proficiency topping out at medium really make it difficult to play a frontline melee build. I think adding heavy armor proficiency at Level 5 would make the class much stronger.
On the flip side, the limited spell slots and half-caster progression reduces the effectiveness as a party support caster. If the intent was to have the battle smith passing out infused items to other PCs, then increasing the spell slots a bit would be a huge help, especially with the half-caster progression, as more 1st & 2nd level spells equates to a lot of party support.
It almost seems like there should be two paths carved out for the battle smith, frontline melee or support caster. By trying to have the flexibility to accommodate both the subclass does neither exceptionally well. I still love the class, but for my character, I’ve gone the support caster approach, so will be multi-classing into wizard at level 6. I’m debating between War Wizard or Abjuration currently, but I have a bit of time to map that out better.
A rune knight /artificer = rune powered armor set!! Or a war mage/ artificer for the arcane deflection and more spells.thinking of playing one of these combos for our next campaign.
Medium Armor Mastery works wonders for Artificers. Cap Dex at 16 and enjoy an 18 ac after getting half plate. I usually use a shield and play as a stealthy/tanky/caster. I typically go into either Eldritch Knight or Wizard after 3rd and focus Int thereafter.
I noticed this feat recently. I don't think using a feat for just 1 AC point is worth it. If you are a stealthy player, 18 would represent a 2 AC boost and might be worth it, but at the expense of not getting another feat that might be more beneficial.
@@roccov3614 It's not just 1 ac, you're getting full plate ac and you can Stealth.
@@CyclopsWasRight If you don't care about stealth then you get half plate with 17 AC (15+2). If you get this feat you get 1 AC extra. If you care about stealth then you were using breastplate with 16 AC (14+2). If you take this feat, you switch to half plate and get 2 AC extra. So, yeah...
I've been thinking about making a Thri-kreen as a Batle Smith..
In 2e, there was a subspecies of them that was inclined to building things(Red ant/J'hol)
With 4 arms a lot of things that be done that would negate certain "problems".
Excellent video, though Armorer is still my favorite Artificer.
That's fair! Both the armorer and the battle smith are so good and full of flavor! It would honestly be a coinflip for me to pick my favorite of the two. That being said, I haven't been able to play an armorer yet, so that may change once I actually get to field one!
@@ShortRestTabletop Yeah, I've been DMing too much to actually get a chance to play an Artificer, sadly.
Take two levels in paladin, all the rest in artificer Battlesmith.
Now, this is where the fun begin: cast banish smite, take the attack action with a great weapon (greatsword, maul etc), pop up arcane Jolt, divine smite.
You deal: 2d6+5 (+8 if you use a +3 weapon like a normal high-level character) + 5d10 + 4d6 + 5d8
IF YOU CRIT: 4d6+10d10+8d6+10d8+5 (137 on average!)
Since you can wack twice you can then pop a 2d6+5+4d6+4d8 (12d6+8d8+5 on crit)
Assuming both attacks hits and the ennemy isn't banished, that's a total of 12d6+9d8+5d10+10 (if both crits that's 24d6+18d8+10d10+10).
Artif-in (ARTIF from *artif*icer and IN from palad*in*.) is a funny concept in my mind
Love the Artificer in it's many forms. Thanks for doing this.
I know i'm late to the party here, but I want to bring up this little bit of secret tech that makes the battlesmith even better.
Battlesmith Spells gives you Warding Bond as a 2nd level spell
At level 11, you get spell-storing item, which lets you store a spell of 2nd level or lower to be casted from it equal to twice your int mod per day.
Put Warding Bond in your Spell-Storing Item and give it to your Steel Defender. Once an hour, order your steel defender to cast it on you. Now unless you get hit with too many AoE's, your health is effectively increased by the HP of your steel defender (Which should be around 62 at lvl 11)
Problem with that spell is you share damage.
What do you think of the Battle Smith Artificer? 🐕🔧
I agree, 5/5. They're extremely versatile and can be made to take on multiple party roles.
Don’t discount Aura of Vitality too quickly. I agree, not very good to use during combat. Afterwards, though, you spend 1 minute (10 rounds) to heal 20d6 HP to your party.
I think the cantrip extra attack should be in all dish characters but that would be quite broken on CHA caster due to eldritch blast but INT Gish should have it at least
As a DM I allow cantrips that require you to make a melee weapon attack useable with extra attack for all classes. It just makes sense at least with melee spell attacks. Its only adding one cantrip to the attack action no matter how many attacks you get in that one action and the cantrips effects only effect 1 attack. So you dont run into the issue of 1 hit green flame blade, then because it was on fire still its on each consecutive attack.
@@Wicca_P that makes more sense I allowed them any cantrip but made it so that eldritch blast is not a cantrip anymore but a warlock feature that way it doesn’t interact as a cantrip valid for an attack (this is also a nerf to magic initiate a bit) and I find this to work really well to keep warlocks class identity
Ever thought about character builds or even spells tactics
I'm not usually one to watch videos on character builds, though sometimes I scour forums and whatnot. I'll add it to the pool of ideas and see if I can think of a unique build or spell tactic. Thanks for the recommendation!