D&D Battle Smith Artificer 5E Character Build - Warforged Eberron

[@WallyDM]

Hey all! I made a few mistakes when calculating AC in this video: 1) At Level 4, I was thinking "Half Plate" but said and wrote down "Breast Plate" 2) Also, I did forget that an 8 DEX score WILL negatively impact the AC. If I were to redo this video, I would have put the 10 (or maybe even the 12) in DEX to get the bonus, rather than the Negative. Hope this helps clear things up... and thank you to everyone that helped me make these corrections! :)

[@Jan_Nicolaisen]

I put 14 Dex for mine and dumped CHA for roleplay purposes, with a very similar build (same race/class/sub-class). The +2 maxes my medium armor potential.

[@WallyDM]

@@Jan_Nicolaisen Nice! Definitely a wise decision for dispersing ability scores...

[@bondjw07]

Thanks! I might suggest simply updating the PDF files on your site to correct the item name in the equipment section from Breast Plate to Half Plate.

[@lucasarenas1416]

I'm a lil new to D&D but in a campaing I played a warfoarged artificer battlesmith, we started out at a higher level but i rolled so high that I had a two 20 stats in Con and Int so I'm rolling attacks with +9 to hit and getting around 9-12 hp a level. I was so OP that he gave one of the other players anime style move to keep up with me

[@BlyatBear]

Hand flamethrower: Conjure Fire + Whirlwind + oil vial

[@WallyDM]

That is a HOT idea! I dig it.

[@Kenji10000]

Something a little different but fun can be if you run a steel defender as a mount you can just use it for disadvantage when attacks target you or it. Dodge action on its turn and move, and if they attack you then have your defender use its reaction to protect you. Makes you a decently tough and mobile ranged attacker.

[@WallyDM]

Ooooh. Neat-o. I do dig that idea as well. That steel defender is definitely a tool that can be exploited in some amazing ways. Thank you for the solid ideas... Cheers!

[@Darkslide2AR-FE]

Thanks for the video I was looking for resources to get an idea about this class and race as I plan to be a Warforged Artificer but I plan to go Battle Smith

[@WallyDM]

Glad I could help! A fun class to play. Good luck!

[@ScionofDoom]

Goblin battle smith focused on supporting and ranged attacks. Option to mount defender and bonus action disengage or hide for added defense option

[@WallyDM]

I love the idea of a Goblin artificer with a steel defender that doubles as a mount! I dig it. Funny story... I almost chose Hobgoblin as the race for the Battle Smith video... Warforged won out by a slim margin. Thank you for sharing a cool idea!

[@jeffmcgowan89108]

Great video! The character builds are honestly my favorite. It explores not just a potential character's background, but it really dives in to the power of a class/subclass!

[@WallyDM]

Thank you my friend, I'm glad you are enjoying this series! I really enjoy them too. Since I rarely get to partake as a player in a game, creating characters to share on the channel is therapeutic and allows me to explore the player side of D&D. :)

[@karpmageddon4155]

Small Race + Steel Defender + Repeating Shot = Tank Enough said. 😎

[@WallyDM]

Tank indeed! I love it.

[@daiatan]

is small race so you can ride your steel defender?

[@WallyDM]

@@daiatan Yep. I believe that since the Steel Defender is a Medium size that any small sized race can ride it as a mount. Honestly, that is super cool... I didn't think of it before. :)

[@donaldcook3097]

Infusion: Arcane Focus - handaxe/pistol or sword/rifle - this pistol/ rifle would be how you cast attack spells (any attack spell that needs an attack roll - cantrip to higher level spells) kinda like the Outlaw Star Caster Weapon with a axe underneath or steampunk style gun/melee weapons. the ammunition would just be the spell components wrapped in a shell like catrage.

[@airiackis6657]

Ok... so... immediately this popped into my head... to get a target to leave a crowded room. 2 coins or small stones glued together, one with a foul smell and one with a 6 second recording of fart noises. Wrap it in a cloth and have your sneaky person plant them in the targets pocket and take the cloth. Now just get them to reach in their pocket and draw attention to their oopsie. Target get embarrassed and storms out to waiting party members.

[@Jan_Nicolaisen]

I had a flash of sleep deprived inspiration at 0200 last night and started hashing out a Warforged Battlesmith Artificer. Then, as I normally do, I spend days/weeks researching and perfecting my concept. Your video is point on and helpful, I'm gonna do things a bit different but I still appreciate any and all inspiration. Mine will have the Simic Scientist background (Simic Combine can be replaced with any homebrew scientific organization) and will be much more scientifically minded. I also plan on dipping 2 wizard for War Magic plus some extra cantrips, not to mention INT to initiative and the shield reaction. I absolutely love the idea of a Warforged Artificer, concept (roleplay wise) it's amazing, and stat-wise the +1 INT makes as much sense as a race with +2 if you're using point buy.

[@WallyDM]

Ah, wow, I really dig that character idea. Not to mention the fact that you are smashing Ravnica ideas and Eberron together. Fantastic! Well... I'm glad the video helped give a bit of inspiration... Thank you for the awesome comment, and be sure to stop back by and let me know how you like playing the Artificer!

[@micahthomas6600]

This is literally dripping in flavor. 10/10

[@WallyDM]

Awww yeah. This comment made my day! Thank you! :)

[@Ulfhednir9]

Love it all of it. I'm going to make one similar UR-UZ, he is made in a dwarf image and stature

[@WallyDM]

Oh nice, that sounds cool. Battle Smith is such a fun class, I'm sure you will enjoy playing UR-UZ! Cheers!

[@Ulfhednir9]

@@WallyDM thanks :) FYI Uruz means strength in old norse ;)

[@dakotastein9499]

I love playing warforged...im playing in a skyrim 5e campein,and I am playing as a dwemmer automaton with a clockwork soulgem heart bearing the soul of an ancient dwarf. Using the warforged mechanic,I am also an artificerr and planning heavily to take the battlesmith as my subclass. Machena is searching for his lost memories,as well as his origin and purpose (he is not aware of his former life as a dwarf). He has his trusty mace and hammer, in addition he has his crossbow mounted to his left arm,along with bolts stored within his arm..he loads his bow by cocking his wrist back. I plan on eventually enchanting my own body with the "armor of perpulsion" infusion. So I can fire my fists like missles. I love warforged because unlike almost any other race you can heavily alter the natural physical traits and abilty of your character if you know how...and classes like artificerr and alchemists are great ways of achieving this.

[@WallyDM]

This sounds like an amazing character to play. I love the fact that your Warforged is (at its heart) a reincarnated dwarf that uses a mace and hammer. Well thought out. The Battle Smith will suit Machena well!

[@dakotastein9499]

@@WallyDM yeah i like that hook to...the dwarven soul makes me a somewhat unique example of a warforged. heres a bit more interesting info from the notes regaurding my characters background.(assuming you are familiar with skyrim): Pass through shade and pass through sight,pass through magic,time and Light...pass through cold and pass through fear,pass through ruin and pass through tears once was mortal,Flesh and beard...till the Dwemer Disappeared wath not lost like all his kin,instead imprisoned in Iron Skin..did not die,but only sleep dormant in the stronghold deep...with a shell of twirling Gears,trapped for nigh for untold years. till time had come the world by,when Dragons once more soared the skies... awakened now,a stranger be,a life once lived forgotten me. living now a shattered soul,scattered throught to realms unkown...a voice calls from a hidden place,Seek them out to know your fate....in 9 fragments your essence be,once all gathered you will be free. one apon a Mountain high,where the old ones speak thier might one enshrined in a temple veil,where the Falmer once did hail one fallen in a cavern deep,where adventurer's spirit weeps One within a palace hold,where a Tyrant sits enthroned Lost is another,in anciant place now a Labyrinth,and Morokei's fate. one in oblivion,held by a man...a Daedric Prince that has gone mad. One within an Island's Vault,left behind by Miraak's cult one is horded by its Keeper, Lord of all knowlage,both known and Secret. the last of which at last be found,where the Souls of the dead rejoice abound. Pass through shade and pass through sight,pass through magic,time and Light...pass through cold and pass through fear,pass through ruin and pass through tears. -the tale of Machina

[@stijndevries6175]

Can someone explain how he calculated his armor class at lvl 4? Breast plate gives 14 ac, and his +1 shield gives an extra 3, so he should be at 17, no? What am I missing?

[@WallyDM]

Hey there! Thank you for watching the video and bringing this to my attention... My apologies, but I did mess up the AC a few times in my video... rather than Breast Plate, I was thinking "Half Plate"... and also, I did forget that -1 DEX modifier DOES apply to AC... So, you are correct in your calculations. :)

[@granttrain3553]

Best spells for the artificer, I don't know but I can tell you Kobold Press have a deep magic supplement on clockwork magic that would fit this guy.

[@WallyDM]

Ah yes, they sure do! I have their Midgard Hero's Handbook... It has Clockwork Magic along with Rune, Ring, Shadow and other types of Magic. Such a cool supplement. Hmmm... maybe I need to do a character creation from this book. That might be fun!

[@louisbabycos106]

I want to combine changeling and warforged into one being . Could you emulate alter self,change self ,,hat of disguise, or limited polymorph to emulate a changeling with artificer?

[@WallyDM]

Are you wanting to go with physical changes to the warforged body (like the changeling) or for illusionary where they can simply appear to be different (like a hat of disguise)?

[@plotholedetective4166]

Perfect I just started to build a human artificer battle Smith for an ongoing campaign.

[@WallyDM]

Hooray! Glad you found this video helpful! :)

[@theentertainer1097]

I tried this in a standalone 2 person campaign. Artificer Battlesmith and a Wizard (Human i guess). I just had to be kinda tanky and it worked perfectly. Fantastic build. I just put a little bit more into dexterity.

[@gavinyoung1562]

Wally! I found your video while doing research for my warforged battlesmith artificer, i cant figure out how to get the INT AND CONS to BOTH have +3 buffs. From the numbers im seeing its either one or the other gets +3. Please help understand!

[@WallyDM]

Welcome to the channel Gavin! A Warforged Race from Ebberon gets a +2 CON modifier and a +1 to any other ability. With Standard Array or Point Buy: put the 14 in CON (then add 2) and the 15 in INT (then add 1). This puts both CON and INT at 16 for the +3 modifier. Hope this helps!

[@videogamefreered]

Could you try making a build for the alchemist? At surface level, it seems very restricted, seeing as how reliant it is on it’s very limited spell slots. But maybe seeing an example of a build could prove me wrong!

[@WallyDM]

Actually, I have a video for the Alchemist... It is the Unearthed Arcana version, but should be very similar to what is printed in Eberron. Here is the link... feel free to ask me any questions and I'll see if I can help! :) Here's the link to the Alchemist video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmmvqWSJpZasl9k

[@karpmageddon4155]

It is a bit of an issue that guaranteed elixirs are based off of our limited spell slots however there is a simple (and narratively fun) mechanic workaround. First, you'll have to multiclass into warlock. After that you can use pact magic to make a ton more elixirs while still keeping your artificers spell slots intact. Secondly, if you want to get real cheesy you can pick elf and use your extra four hours (during a long rest) to make even more elixirs. Besides that you really don't need to go beyond two levels in warlock but if you do, pact of the tome or chain is pretty thematic for an alchemist character.

[@WallyDM]

Now this... is interesting. I love what you did here... I'm not as familiar with Warlock, but I need to check into this myself... super cool!

[@karpmageddon4155]

@@WallyDM Because it is a bit cheesy, I'd certainly work with my DM to include a narrative reason for my "elixir cheat" in the form of a patron who specializes in such information brokering. In Eberron that would be Sul Khatesh, one the imprisoned overlords known as the Keeper of Secrets.

[@nateanderson7189]

Im new to D&D and especially the Eberron setting so forgive my ignorance, how do you have the firebolt cannon in your hand at lvl 1? Also can you fire it while holding something in that hand? Thank you!

[@WallyDM]

No worries, ask questions anytime! Let's go with Rules as Written. Fire Bolt is a cantrip that requires a Somatic and Verbal component. Meaning, you will need to do "wavy hand signals" and say a magical word or two. For the artificer, we flavor this as having a cannon mounted on our arm that shoots the Firebolt cantrip. But, rather than waving our hand in the air, we use that free hand to hold a tool that is used to turn a knob or insert a code on our cannon to make it fire. Now, of course these are "rules as written" but, with some theme/flavor to make our spell unique as an artificer. If you want to carry a weapon and a shield, talk with your DM. I'm sure they will let you cast firebolt with your arm cannon without having a free hand. I hope this helps Nate. Thank you for watching my video. Cheers!

[@jeffreybillard9925]

Love your channel. Wonder if you have any thoughts on a build for the new armorer artificer? Thanks so much.

[@WallyDM]

Thank you Jeffrey, I appreciate this fantastic comment! I really like the idea of the Armorer and that spell list they get is super good. A lot of my favorites with Lightning Bolt, Magic Missle, and Mirror Image. Armor Model sounds amazing... I like the Infiltrator option... no disadvantage on Stealth checks and I love the ability of having it under normal clothes. Stealthy stuff is my jam.. It's still in the Unearthed Arcana stages right now but IF/WHEN this gets published in a book, I will do a video for it... Stay tuned! :)

[@nicktalbot3310]

Great video! Thanks! Love your work!

[@WallyDM]

Thank you Nick! I appreciate this. :) Hope to have some new character creation videos sooooon! :)

[@nicktalbot3310]

@@WallyDM Definitely looking forward to them! I am building a warforged artificer based on your video. Vert well detailed & easy to understand! Keep up the great work! :)

[@nicktalbot3310]

Are you going to make a video about the Warforged Artificer Artillerist? That would be great!

[@omega311888]

ok so characters increase hit points as they gain levels. so how does a construct increase in hit points? i mean what explains why the construct can take more damage?

[@StupidButCunning]

Hit Points aren't always a direct reflection of your life force, but could be perceived somewhat as luck as well. Your characters aren't actually being stabbed repeatedly and being unfazed, but then the last stab does them in. They're narrowly avoiding the attack or vital areas as their HP decreases until their luck runs out and they're done in. For a construct, it could be considered that the build quality and ability of the machine to withstand hits is improved. Consider it in a way similar to how engineers design their robots in BattleBots. Some robots are able to move easier and avoid attacks, while others are built more sturdy to shrug off most attacks, etc.

[@WallyDM]

Fantastic answer... this was a cool response that has me thinking!

[@WallyDM]

Tough question to answer here... I guess it could be a number of things. Maybe a "tune-up" where their outer shell is coated with some sort of sealant. Perhaps, since they are a living being, their body grows and adjusts not too different from that of a human or plant folk? Or maybe, they have learned enough maneuvers that there experience allows them to absorb more hits and damage than when they were vulnerable at the lower levels. Not really sure how to answer this, but great question!

[@omega311888]

@@StupidButCunning thanks for giving me something to think about. i will definitely consider it.

[@omega311888]

@@WallyDM interesting ideas. thanks mate.

[@robertking6510]

I think without War Caster feat you can't cast Shield as a reaction with full hands (sword and shield) even if the sword or shield is your arcane focus

[@WallyDM]

Yep... I believe you are correct! This makes the War Caster feat essential for anyone that wants to have sword + shield + somatic component spells.

[@BlyatBear]

Are you limited to 1 steel defender? Or can you have multiple?

[@WallyDM]

You are limited to only one. At the end of a long rest you can create a new one. When you do, the first one will immediately perish. Hope this helps!

[@jjae731]

Do you have a similar video for the artillerist? or comparing the 2?

[@WallyDM]

I do not have one for the Artillerist.... yet! Stay tuned!

[@foodie8790]

could i use a gnome, as a race... to make a battle smith Artificer?

[@WallyDM]

Absolutely! Gnomes would make excellent Artificers. :)

[@foodie8790]

@@WallyDM can i also add a medic skill. i want that funny moment when the party realises it's a small gnome in a heavy power armour.

[@Miswired-2501]

oddly i am actually playing exactly this. fun as hell

[@flipninja55]

I love your ideas for Delta 3! I am playing an artificer in one campaign. I made the construct a small teen-sized gorilla named Harambe 😂

[@WallyDM]

That's an amazing, I love the Harambe idea, lol! Thank you for watching... hope you enjoy the playing the Artificer!

[@flipninja55]

@@WallyDM Already am:) It's a fun class. I made sure to work a lot of things out with my DM first though. As an Artificer, you want to do a lot of crafting. If the DM doesn't allow for that, or doesn't have great rules set up for it(Wizard's left a lot up to the DM for crafting) then it kind of takes a lot away from the class. We worked out a system that is fair and allows me to be a battle smith, not for my own character but for the party. So long as I am focused more on giving my crafted items away to the party and less to my own PC, the DM will be generous in providing plans/formulas to craft items or allow me to make rolls over time to craft home-brewed items(that he has previously approved for the game of course). Anyone who spends enough time working and cooperating with their DM should be able to come to a happy place and make the class worth playing.

[@WallyDM]

@@flipninja55 I absolutely agree... this is definitely a class that requires the player and the DM to be on the same page... I have to say, I am intrigued as to what you have come up with so far... can you give me a few examples of items that your character has learned to craft? This sounds really cool!

[@kappakiev9672]

Good dog. Best dog

[@WallyDM]

lol.

[@vampiregoat69]

According to the book it is +1 to con not to any stat of your choice. "Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1."

[@WallyDM]

Hmmm... you may be looking at a previous release of the Warforged? The newest version: On page 36 of the 2019, official D&D Book, Eberron Rising from the Last War Book, the Warforged Trait is a CON bonus of +2 and a +1 to any other ability of your choice.

[@rock_ok]

i wish there a branch of insect mancer like a bee mancer or a thick mancer or the cockroach mancer

[@WallyDM]

That would be pretty cool. Although, you can "kinda" do this with the Circle of Spores druid, but to be an all-out "class of the insects" would definitely be rad. Thanx for watching! :)

[@immortalorigins9446]

Hey Wally! Sorry I am late to the party :( I love both the Class and the Character :) Before the video I thought a warforged was an odd choice but I ended up liking it alot :) Pairing this class with your previous rune knight video makes it for one tough party! Also that Companion really deserved a spotlight of its own, its a really strong and flavorful addition! (Having my players with Companions is normally a nightmare for me but thats just personal :P) An idea popped up of having a Companion that would also work as a shield...maybe a mechanical dragon that flies alonside you but can also tuck its wings and assume the form of a shield...(Transformers much?...LOL) In the end, isnt the Artificier kind of a DnD engineer class? lol Loved the video. Very informative, as always, and I hope to see people play this in future games! :P Can't wait to see what other character you come up with next :) PS: Any reason for the very specific name Delta 3? lol

[@WallyDM]

Thank you for the amazing feedback my friend! I always look forward to your comments. :) Also... I'm glad you liked the character build. And yep, I would allow a transformer Steel Defender... I love that idea! Oh, and no real reason behind Delta 3... other than using than a possible campaign plot hook where he was just a number when he was a soldier... hence the phonetic alphabet name. :)

[@theonlymatthew.l]

I don't understand why you wouldn't at least switch your strength and dexterity scores. - 1 to strength checks, BFD, a - 1 to dexterity checks can be quite annoying though

[@WallyDM]

You have a very valid point there... I didn't put a whole lot of thought on which ability to be the official "dump stat". I just knew that I wanted to abuse the Intelligence modifier. Definitely something for me to consider in the future, thank you for pointing it out. Hope you enjoyed the video! :)

[@pztgst]

Not to mention that RAW you would add a -1 bonus to your AC with medium armor. That means that with scale mail you have 14 + (-1 from dex) + 1 from race. Add in the shield and your total AC is 16. (He incorrectly calculated it as 17)

[@theonlymatthew.l]

@@WallyDM I very much did enjoy the video, looking forward to the next installment 👍

[@WallyDM]

@@theonlymatthew.l Awesome, thank you! More coming soon. :)

[@WallyDM]

@@pztgst You are absolutely correct! I forget that it is only Heavy Armor that ignores the DEX modifier. This gives even more significance to @Shadowfaux comment about putting the 10 in DEX and 8 in STR... heck, I probably should have went with a 12 DEX, 10 CHA, and 8 STR. Well done, thank you for pointing this out!

[@snickerznation7632]

You missed level one spells at level 1

[@teknyte-1]

Only downside of this back story is that it takes decades to happen while there is only a 4 year gap in the time between the last war and the present

[@WexMajor82]

A Warforged Artificier is a mind**ck in of itself. Didn't artificiers created the Warforged race?

[@WallyDM]

Interesting question. I did some digging. It seems that the Warforged were created by Merrix d'Cannith and given sentience later on by Aarren d'Cannith. They were both members of the House Cannith. House Cannith is a human dragonmarked house whose members are well known for their innovation and advancements in technology. They are responsible for technological wonders such as the Warforged and the Lightning rail. So... I do believe an argument could be made that House Cannith or at least Merrix and Aarren were Artificers, even though I did not find anywhere where it straight-out tells us they are. Great lore dive today! Thank you!

[@TheAdditionalPylons]

Gargamel, LOL

[@WallyDM]

Haha! Awww yeah!

[@eli-fe5go]

holy inconsistent volume levels

[@WallyDM]

My apologies... this is something I am correcting so it doesn't happen in future videos.

[@AM-hf9kk]

Your audio levels are way out of whack. Too quiet during the main video, barely loud enough during the sponsor bit, and then KZbin is killing my ears with their damned ads.

[@WallyDM]

Right on A M. Thank you for the heads up on this. I will definitely be sure to keep improving the audio levels on future videos. This is good feedback for me, thank you!

[@omega311888]

thats youtubes fault, not his. they like to blast their ads. i find the same on other platforms like hulu