Are you looking for a brand new class to play on your next Dungeons and Dragons game? Do you want to play a class that infuses magic with science? If you do, playing a Human Artificer next is a great option. 

The Human Race can be found in the Player’s Handbook. Click here to pick up your own copy of The Player’s Handbook!

The Artificer class can be found in either Eberron: Rising from the Last War OR Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. Click here to pick up your copy of Eberron: Rising from the Last War OR click here to pick up your own copy of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything!

How to Make a Human Artificer

Artificers are chemists, architects, and inventors. Thus, your highest ability score must be Intelligence. The second-highest is often Constitution.

If you’re going to play the Artificer, you may as well play a Variant Human. This allows you to add +1 each to Intelligence and Constitution. You also get to pick a Feat. In the case of the Artificer class, the following feats are the most useful for you:

• Lucky
• Magic Initiate
• War Caster
• Mounted Combatant (Battle Smiths only)

You can pick from a variety of Artificer subclasses, namely the Alchemist, Artillerist, and Battle Smith. The Artillerist is a beginner-friendly choice. If you prefer a spellcasting-focused or support role, become an Alchemist specialist. Battle Smiths get a Steel Defender, which is like the Druid’s Animal Companion. They’re also the best fighters, gaining proficiency in martial weapons. 

How to Play a Human Artificer

Artificers have access to spells, as well. However, unlike Wizards or Paladins, Artificer spells focus on equipment, creation, and innovation. Every object and creature has properties that you can improve on or use. As the player, it’s your job to innovate and find out how.

If weaponry isn’t your strong suit, pick a cantrip that can deal damage. Here are the best damage-dealing Artificer cantrips and spells to have in your repertoire:

• Ray of Frost
• Faerie Fire
• Tasha’s Caustic Brew
• Shocking Grasp
• Flame Arrows

If you want to be more descriptive with your combat roleplay, try picking spells that suit a crafting theme. For example, smithing involves fire and lightning, while alchemy involves poison, acid, and cold. You can also use needles for sewing and stones for masonry.

How to Roleplay as a Human Artificer

Do you find it difficult to join the roleplay when you’re playing D&D with your friends? Bring yourself into the mindset of your character by keeping a bullet list about him or her. This list may include the character’s goals, personality, a short background, and identity.

Below is an example of a character bullet list:

• Reimond comes from a wintry backwater town that exports minerals
• He has a European accent
• He dreams of building a machine that could sustain his hometown. 
• Reimond is as quick to anger as he is to sizzle down

Add anything else that may give you a deeper understanding of the character. When you put it all together, you can create a roleplaying text starter that looks like this:

Reimond started working in the mines as a boy. Despite the mine’s dark environment, he found a way to shine, literally. His inquisitive nature led him to create bright sources of light that could last for days. As he grew older, he dreamed of using his abilities for the betterment of his town. He began adventuring to improve his skills.