The Battle Smith Controller: d4 #85

[@DnDDeepDive]

Errata (sort of): As many have reminded me, all Artificer spells have a material component! "Tools Required - You produce your artificer spell effects through your tools. You must have a spellcasting focus-specifically thieves’ tools or some kind of artisan’s tool-in hand when you cast any spell with this Spellcasting feature (meaning the spell has an ‘M’ component when you cast it)."

[@Apfeljunge666]

and you can cast through your infusions!

[@beaug4306]

As long as you have an infused item on you, you have a focus.

[@JakeLovesSteak]

An armorer's armor is a focus too.

[@daltontowers8906]

Hey Colby I love your videos! I have a suggestion for a video that I thought would be cool and you might like. Here it is. Your take on what the best party would be using builds from your channel :D. Party size could vary but some builds that you think would have the most synergy to play together. Just a thought, love your videos thanks for reading!

[@SpiderWaffle]

@@beaug4306 This wasn't about having a focus but having a free hand for somatic components on spells that don't also have a material component.

[@marcdavis6771]

Hi, Colby. I’m probably not your typical viewer. I’m a 69 year old newbie whose beginning D&D to engage with my 11 yr old grandson (who’s a really scary DM.). You asked about character concepts - well, those are one of my favorite parts of your program. It has really helped me to approach characters as “characters” rather than mechanical tools. I value them, like I said, I’m a neophyte.

[@marcdavis6771]

Second sentence: who’s not whose.

[@Sasaking999]

That is so cute! I hope you guys had fun! You can definitely find people your age who play dnd too hahaha

[@zeugenberg]

Nice!

[@cameronpowell1864]

THIS IS A BIG OUTCRY for the backstories you give. It's unlikely I'd use one of your backstories because I like creating my own. However, as a fan of the channel, I am interested in how you would flavor the character.

[@barddan7203]

I agree, I commented above as well.

[@Neidou]

I skip them

[@ericjordan1348]

Absolutely agree, love the personal touch it gives to the builds

[@nay-knee7779]

Always love to here the perspective on story. Immediately came to comments when I heard you may stop giving backstory to beg

[@JonasSolberg1]

I love the backstory too it helps me think of my own backstory ideas!

[@jlbernardes]

1 - All artificer spells have a material component. 2- I like the backstories, not to use them or anything, it's just fun to hear what you came up with.

[@mattdodson1272]

Yeah, I second this!

[@michaelfilmonchik1541]

Yes the backstories are great

[@boerhcauldur1873]

I'll fourth this, don't change what u do best!

[@cornycornsnake]

I also enjoy the back stories, they make it easier to remember the build as you go.

[@theresnoracelikegnome]

All Artificer spells are considered to have a material component, so you don’t have to worry about a free hand.

[@PoshSlothOG]

Good call! Gnomes RRRULE!!!!!

[@dairelawless9472]

@@PoshSlothOG what a chaotic comment 🤣

[@lmt831]

@@dairelawless9472 coming from someone with lawless in their username lol

[@mattdodson1272]

I really enjoy the backstories. They can help spark my creativity to use for characters or npc's I make. I feel like most people who are watching this channel really enjoy the whole process of character creation, which includes the backstory. That might just be me, but I think a lot of us are in the "enjoy making characters just as much as playing the game" boat. Keep 'em coming Colby!

[@POC3442]

100% my thoughts!!

[@NartrachGaming]

My 300+ character on dnd beyond, and only 7 played a game, are definitely in the same boat.

[@thebitterfig9903]

"Sounds like you had a pretty special and intimate relationship with this hammer."

[@bigaj6901]

Almost feels like losing it would be comparable to losing a loved one... 🤔

[@snazzyfeathers]

A special relationship like cousins taking a bath together as Scooter from Borderlands says

[@rodrigoolea3268]

Not gonna lie that was hilarious…😂😂😂

[@theflyngspghttmnstr1830]

Also please don’t stop with the character story. It’s so fun to listen to and imagine and sparks so many ideas. It’s also nice to hear a story woven into the video and it’s so satisfying to see. Again excellent work. This is going on the ever growing list of characters I want to play

[@logancuster8035]

Outcry! Your character creations are well reasoned, give great idea and help represent a concept outside of stats alone! Outcry I say!

[@jackhuckelberry8405]

I am in the opposite camp here. I come here for the fun of exploring mechanical optimization, not the backstory ideas. I won't play most of these characters, and for those that do, I'll probably make my own backstory anyway. These videos are already an hour long, and I listen to them on 1.25x speed. I'd like to skip the fluff and get to the meat of the build.

[@the_ceeman]

I would definitely go custom tortle and make the hammer bro from mario

[@daltondavidson7997]

I enjoy the backstories tbh. Initially, I was like, nah. Don't need it. Extraneous. Then after listening more, I realized I don't watch you purely for builds. I just like listening to you get excited about things. So if you can get excited at all about a character's story, please share it. I promise you won't impede my ability to come up with my own story for a character.

[@stevewinsor5440]

Honestly, I love the ideas for backstory you come up with for every multi-class build. If it's a lot of extra work then no worries if you drop it, but personally I'm a huge fan.

[@1nu.u]

I like backstories and concepts for characters, because it's a great way to not just only inspire things in people who want to make a good character but to make the "sometimes crazy" multiclassing have more fundament (OUTCRY)

[@jeramiahgrider1965]

Unless I'm reading the Tools Required part of Artificer's Spellcasting feature, ALL spells cast by an Artificer from it's class list(not spells from race, feats, or other classes) has the Material component added to it if it doesn't have one as tools(or other focus) is required to cast Artificer spells.

[@insertname5371]

“Light hammers used to be cool now im more into tridents” never before have a felt more attacked by this channel.

[@DnDDeepDive]

lol!

[@adamcauble3674]

Big outcry! I like hearing your backstory ideas, it makes each character seem more like a fantasy hero and not just a bundle of numbers on a character sheet. Like putting a name and a face instead of a silhouette, makes each one more memorable.

[@skovgaard2000]

Hear, hear!

[@danielward9758]

Personally I like that you take the time to make a character concept/backstory on your builds. I think it adds a lot to the flavor and makes the idea of the character come together - plus, you're just good at making them :D

[@danlehman4646]

Consider this my outcry for backstories. Too often we get a video that is very matter of fact about the build process but doesn't offer the "Why?" of the build. I think this is something that has gotten me hooked on watching all of your D&D Optimized videos after a friend sent me a link to a video. I love the combination of how the character works when optimized but also the why and who of that character.

[@fullmetalpoitato5190]

I ended up using a version of this build after my Warlock died in my current campaign (and our Rogue had just left for college so we were down a player). I skipped the Fighter lvls and just went straight Battle Smith and came in at lvl 10 and.....IT WAS AWESOME! My DM (who's never had a player play Artificer yet) was flabbergasted at all of the infusions and abilities I brought to the table and definitely had to start adjusting the encounters to deal with me smacking things around with my Grandfather's Hammer! It's an RP heavy group that doesn't optimize combat very well so this dude kicks serious butt! Thanks Critlander!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Woo hoo!

[@quendi5557]

I will say this, there have been tonnes of times when I have either been inspired by your character backstories or just flat out wanted to use them. It's not like you are creating the character in massive detail, it's more you have little ideas that just add so much character to the videos. They aren't the focus but they really help someone like me, who isn't terribly interested in mechanics, really get into the videos as I can see this as a D&D character and not just a load of class levels, some starting equipment and a race.

[@dravencallisto]

Also, I like the backstories. I feel like they really get the creative juices flowing.

[@Jjk82486]

Never stop the backstories! I love hearing your ideas, and they oft inspire my own ideas for characters in my campaigns (especially some of my BBEGs...since I DM).

[@glarak9819]

Honestly, I think Rune Knight fits perfectly with Artificers flavour wise too. An Artificer, in search of new ways to infuse items with magic properties stumbles upon a clan of Goliaths, that cherish the art of the Giants. The Artificer is intrigued by the way they use magic as it is fairly simulare to their own way, but still different. Long story short, they want to learn their ways, but to do so, the Artificer needs to proof themself worthy of the training by defeating one of the tribe in a 1v1. No magic allowed. Eager to learn, the Artificer accepts and after weeks of training they are finally able to earn the respect of the tribe and learn the mysteries of the Rune Knights. I wished you shared what you came up with. Great video as always

[@MEIZimm]

I might flavor the backstory of this character as an adventure archaeologist, who might be particularly interested in the lore and civilization of giants. The hammer is a repurposed rock hammer that was originally part of his archaeological supplies. At level 3, they find a broken mechanical construct or golem amidst ruins, and decide to repair it: this becomes the steel defender. Then, eventually, something happens which causes the SD to reveal its hidden knowledge and teach them the secrets of rune carving, which corresponds to them becoming a Rune Knight. Btw Thorn Whip also works great for this by being reminescent of Indiana Jones. And it also synergizes with the central tactic. Glad you're bringing backstories back, though!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Love it!

[@fasthandshero85]

I enjoy your back stories. Doesn’t cloud my ideas, just gives even more possibility in my opinion.

[@BLynn]

Level 1:(see above) [artificer 1, race & feat] Level 2:(see above) [artificer 2 & infusions] Level 3:(@19:00) [artificer 3 & sub-class] Level 4:(@22:31) [artificer 4 & ASI] Level 5:(@23:54) [artificer 5] Level 6:(@28:32) [fighter 1 & fighting-style] Level 7:(see above) [fighter 2] Level 8:(@33:54) [fighter 3 & sub-class] Level 9:(@38:14) [fighter 4 & ASI] Level 10:(see above) [artificer 6] Level 11:(@42:18) [artificer 7] Level 12:(@42:53) [artificer 8 & ASI] Level 13:(@44:33) [artificer 9] Level 14:(see above) [artificer 10] Level 15:(@50:04) [artificer 11] Level 16:(@53:56) [artificer 12 & ASI] Level 17:(@54:27) [artificer 13]

[@larstollefsen1236]

Doing God's work

[@randomize.4]

Outcry!! Your descriptions and backstories add *wonderful* flavour to the builds! Please don't stop doing that! The characters you come up with feel alive, and the stories you give them inspire me to think more about my own! For just one example, your story about the cleric-druid-warlock life transference healer was so cool, and I've always told it when I advertised that video to my friends! Also yay another Artificer build! I'm *finally* about to play, and I think I'm going battle smith!

[@wesleykushner8028]

I like that you give potential backstories for characters! It helps show people that optimization is best when it serves a narrative purpose

[@O-D-X]

Yes ... Yes ... Please keep the backstories

[@escosenator]

I would like to make an extreme outcry to continue the backstories. I love optimisation in D&D but the story and roleplaying gives such great bones to your builds. It's inspiring to hear the stories you come up with and it's a reminder to think deeply about who this character actually is beyond their stats, which is where the most fun in D&D is I think.

[@insertname5371]

This along with ranged swarmkeeper, and dao genie warlock sounds like a complete asshole party and i love it. Crusher,+swarm ,+ plantgrowth, + web , + eldritch blast knock back, + telekinetic

[@patluna3251]

Add a tempest cleric speedster or a blood hunter cleric ;-)

[@captainswjr]

Toss in a twilight cleric who also casts warding bond... web em up, then the cleric can just sit there with spiritual weapon and spiritual guardians just grinding away alongside the steel defender...

[@aidandunne5978]

It does add a ton! Please keep doing the character backstory ideas, it really spurs a lot of great ideas and concepts in the comments and the viewers!

[@matthewcrowther890]

I really do like the ‘potential backstories’ you give. I see them as sort of idea inspiration, sure I could use them, or I could use my own, or something I came up with after hearing your ideas.

[@christophergibson4429]

I for one enjoy hearing about your character backstories.

[@joaopedroguarigliareinisch8972]

I fucking love the backstorys you create for characters. It usually helps me create my own ideas. I'm not that creative, I like taking peoples's things twist them and make them my own.

[@jonathaneckert5132]

OUTCRY!!!!! I love to hear your thoughts on characters background. The Nuclear Wizard one with the possessed crossbow cut away made me spit water across a room and is still one of the funniest things I've seen thus far.

[@PackTactics]

There is no kobold in Mordenkainen's monsters of the multiverse.

[@juanitodecadente]

All Artificer spells have material components per their spellcasting rules, so no need to worry about VS spells!

[@brianpious3242]

Yes keep in the backstory idea. It is something unique that other build videos hand wave through that just gives a little more flavor to the decisions you made for this build, which helps inform other people's choices where they may diverge from the build to fulfill particular story moments.

[@bringitonbatman]

Keep the backstories, they give even more life to your artists amazing work, and speak to your choices spell wise.

[@dylanwells749]

This is an outcry. Please keep doing the ideas you have for the character. I think it adds more to your videos than just the build and numbers alone. I really enjoy it so much :). Thank you and your videos are really good.

[@rolandssmits5259]

Had not thought about how many features can be stacked upon thrown weapons, ended up creating my own Frankenstein with Sharpshooter / Alchemist bless potion / Archery style / BA Quick Toss / Crusher / Haste / Dueling up to four attacks per turn. So, thanks for the inspiration.

[@Fenix31799]

First, outrage! I love the character backstories that go along with these builds. It really helps spark creativity and makes me want to build these characters myself. Second, hear me out: nova build of College of Whispers Bard/Paladin multiclass, adding smite and psychic blades to hits to really pump that one hit up. Maybe a Hexblade dip to make you more SAD.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Your wish is my command: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIi9qaZsZdmLna8

[@TheZachAttack777]

I love the vague backstories you give. I need to hear your character's incredible journey where they inevitably make a pact, gain some martial training, and find god.

[@styx5293]

I enjoy the stories that you come up with for the characters and often launched myself from that point into my old backstory taking portions of yours. It definitely adds something to the channel

[@bean2562]

Specific outcry to bring back character backstories (as long as they aren't too draining for you) I have always loved seeing how you interpret your characters.

[@Murker42]

backstory good pls continue. Been a follower for a while and your backstories help keep me interested beyond simply the builds, and giving things flavor always give people more of a purpose to their characters than a glorified series of stats!

[@besteger]

Outcry! I enjoy your character histories & life-paths, even when I don't use them.

[@sendtuy]

Outcryyyyyyy! Just love your storytelling! Not using your stories in my games, but they give me so much motivation and ideas to work better on my own character stories.

[@bigaj6901]

As I said in the pre-video short, my vision for this character was Celebrimbor from the Middle Earth games. It ticks a lot of the boxes: Wielding a light hammer Able to do some heavy dmg Can control the battlefield ... and now learning that we're doing a Battle Smith Artificer, it fits even more perfectly with that backstory!

[@ThisAZNKyd]

*OUTCRY!* Lol because I love hearing different narratives despite coming up with my own. It's fun and serves as nice possible inspiration and perspective that I otherwise would not have had. I also don't necessarily agree with artificers not benefitting from switching class priorities down the line outside of a decent dip. I created 2 armorer builds around a similar vision and premise lol. Build 1 is one I made for my GF for our current campaign. Vedalken race but can be anything. This character wanted to be a boxer but got into a horrible accident that messed up their left arm. They then put their smarts to good use by going 5 levels Armorer artificer. Artificer 3 they are using a shield on their weak arm and punching with right hand to taunt. Art 4 they pick up duel wielder to drop ac from 19 to 18 and drop their shield but can make a bonus action attack with the weak hand (do attack mod), Art 5 they get extra attack to start working on combos. Level 6 they diverge to Fighter for a bit to go Battle Master. Pick up two weapon fighting style so now all attacks are 1d8 + Int mod. Battle master opens up fun visual boxing concepts like riposte for counter punchers, pushing attack for an anime style punch, trip attack for a knock down, distracting strike for a liver blow that stuns the opponents momentarily for allies to get adv on their attack, sweeping attack to try and taunt even more targets if they are bunched together. I'd go 4 levels of fighter to get tough feat before going back to artificer for this build. Their concentration spell of choice is kinetic jaunt for a concentration based mobile feat without taking a feat. Faerie fire at early levels though lol. I find it a dope visual for a mele character with an 8 str and 14 Dex (Breastplate +1) Build 2 is simply on the waitlist lol but I love the concept. Loxodon armorer sounds weird especially since we wont make use of the armor at all for this character's ac. This build focuses on STR the CON. Rolled a 16 10 17 13 13 8 so it made multiclassing feasible. Ended level 20 with 20 10 18 14 14 8. 4 levels Armorer, 12 levels Ancestral Guardian Barbarian, 4 levels Rune Knight fighter. Attacking with 1 gauntlet and wielding a shield in the other so Bonus Action is freed up since not 2 weapon fighting. Unarmored defense (Loxodon) and movement give 19 AC and 50ft movement with Mobile feat. Also taking Tough and Sentinel to be a true tank of a character. Rage halving damage, the guardians/runes protecting allies on reactions. I know the above character were armorers and this was a Battle Smith build, but I started approaching character creation largely influenced by your rhetoric and insight for your builds, and hearing you say you may not share your narratives kinda bums me out because I truly appreciate your sense of character development. Thanks for your channel Colby!

[@Ph0tek77]

One of the best moment of the week, a new build from Colby! Great content as always, keep it up! Salut!

[@deadpoolrwbyfan8419]

DO NOT remove the backgrounds, please! They’re a wonderful addition to the character to hear, and the fact that there are legitimate reasons as to why the character multi-classes is nice to have thoughts on beyond just the mechanical advantage.

[@jonathanschaefer9848]

Outcry. Its an integral part to character building for me. Even in a mechanics focused build I cant help but to form a story around it, it just feels right! Yours always end up so unique because of the specificities.

[@evrypixelcounts]

Wish some optimizers would get out of the mindset that DPR is the end all be all. Sometimes the most optimal thing is to have fun! I was thinking about mixing undead warlock and conquest pally with maybe a little shadow sorcerer levels permitted. Ultimate fearmonger.

[@MultiracialLion]

The character backstory ideas are one of my favorite parts of your videos! I enjoy the jumping-off point or bit of inspiration for a character. For this one, I'm thinking...child of a family of smiths, who's a bit more bookish and scrawny than tough and brawny. Maybe someone interested in reading about giants? For reasons up to the player, they leave their home, taking up the hammer passed down the line as their weapon of choice, using their knowledge to form their own protection.

[@PjotrV1971]

Personally I love hearing a bit of a character backstory to go along with the build. But then I don't watch your channel to recreate the builds, just for fun ideas.

[@eanwarren8196]

I think you should still do Backstories! Even if they are minimal and a lot of people may ditch most or all of it in favor of their own ideas. I think it directly opposes the stereotype that a lot of us min maxers get, it gives me tons of inspiration even if I do not use the whole concept. I find it is very useful and helpful for visualizing the character, especially alongside Randall Hamptons art. It helps show that optomization is usually best done when it serves the narrative of the character, at least at roleplay heavy tables like my own. This was my outcry, love the content regardless, I just hope it sticks around..

[@TheRobversion1]

agreed on the preamble. in dnd action economy is king. any way you can get more actions/more turns than your enemies leads to winning efficiently. Controllers contribute to this the most and thus make them the most important party member. you can lack any other archetype in a party and still be good as long as you don't lack a controller. missing out on some sustained dmg is indeed not a big deal, but missing out on some burst dmg is a big deal as this could be the difference as to whether a high threat target gets to do something dangerous on their turn or not. burst strikers are arguably the 2nd or 3rd most important archetype that contributes to action economy (tied with summoners) behind the controllers. healers, tanks and skill monkeys dont contribute to action economy and thus are suboptimal roles unless hybridized. blasters can contribute greatly to action economy, as good as controllers even, but requires your dm to send alot of fodder that they can 1-2 shot. otherwise, they are also suboptimal when it comes to contributing to action economy. Supports are an "it depends." with proper selection of abilities or spells they can contribute greatly to action economy such as casting bane to ensure almost all enemies fail vs. the controller's hypnotic pattern. or perhaps cursing the high threat enemy with path to the grave and providing a 20 roll via portent just before the paladin is about to smite.

[@Mr911superstar]

DND isnt just combat guy, saying a skill monkey isnt optimal is vastly short sighted, and the point of a tank is to stop the squishy controller or blaster from getting stomped...

[@TheRobversion1]

@@Mr911superstar take note i said a skill monkey isn't optimal in COMBAT. i didn;t say a skill monkey isn't optimal in DND. a skill monkey of course is great outside of combat. tell me what does a skill monkey contribute optimally IN combat? the tank isn't needed if you have superior (read optimized with good initiative) controllers, summoners or burst strikers because enemies will either be controlled, blocked off from you (essentially the summons are tanking for you) or dead before they get their turn. i said tanks are suboptimal not that tanking is suboptimal. i just prefer that expendable creatures tank (summons) while the players perform more high priority actions such as killing or controlling.

[@Mr911superstar]

@@TheRobversion1 you literally didn't and your shitty rant acts like dnd is solved with positions and its isnt

[@HighTechWizard]

For feedback, I actually really love the stories you add each level, it helps inspire story progression by level that no other build channel provides. I hope you keep them in future builds. As always, excellent video still!

[@johnbrennan9617]

~Outcry~ I just love hearing your backstories because it helps me envision them so much better :)

[@thomass1390]

I love your work! Keep it up! Now there is one thing I dont agree with.That is the character concept removal. In my opinion it gives ideas and people get inspiration! Plus I do enjoy listening to what you come up with...I mean thats why I am here ;)

[@PigeonPantz]

I love the backstory concepts you come up with and I do think they add a lot to the whole experience of your channel. There aren't that many optimization channels that blend the real experience of the roleplay side of the game with the optimization. Your channel having builds full of flavor, not just numbers, promotes and reminds viewers new and old that you can optimize a character who is also fully fleshed out and fun to play outside of combat encounters. It serves as a reminder that you can still roleplay, while also reducing the stigma of some heavy roleplay circles that optimizing and multiclassing dont always mean sacrificing roleplay for the build. On the subject of promoting a specific character by giving your builds flavor and influencing how others play it... you couldn't control me if you tried. I've found my friends and I play what we are excited about. ive taken aspects of your flavor builds before but they never come out the same as you have written them. I personally don't think you have to worry. If people play the characters as you wrote them, the concept likely excited them and they decided to flesh it out fully, or they were totally stumped and used your idea bc they had no others. I dont think either is bad for the community. Love the content. Great build. Please keep it going 💜

[@warlockiii]

Please keep doing backstories! I enjoy them, and they have given me ideas not only for the current build but other builds too. Love the channel!

[@stevekux2855]

I love the character backstory descriptions you throw in. Makes the character come alive. I’m more likely to want to build a character with a cool story than one that is just about mechanics.

[@jeffthurman1944]

REALLY really love this build. It is like a whole Marvel team.. Thor, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch... Shooting webs, throwing hammers, moving people around... So cool! Love it! Sounds really fun to build. I would love it if in many of your builds you had a level 3-4 option where you would say: if you start at level 3-4,5... Then maybe go this class FIRST... Many games don't start at level 1.

[@shanelilly9673]

Ready for this!!! Been wanting to ask you this for a while… Has anyone ever brought up using the Relentless Hex Invocation on your own Familiar? A 30’ bonus teleport, usable once per round is extremely useful, in or out of combat. And now with a Quandrix Strixhaven Mascot, and the Ghostly Gaze Invocation added to the mix, no dungeon, castle, or any other wall can stop you. 😁

[@derekchristensen6965]

An interesting idea. There are a couple of issues. It would take 2 bonus actions one to either cast or redirect hex to the familiar and another to teleport. It would also take your concentration.

[@shanelilly9673]

@@derekchristensen6965 Sure. Neither are really issues though. Hex lasts an hour+, depending on the casting level. (Making rest tricking Hex possible) So, it should be cast beforehand. City travel, running around popping from rooftop to rooftop… actually, this is a better version of Expeditious Retreat (which requires concentration). Obviously, just like any spell that requires concentration, planning/picking and choosing comes into play. I came up with the Familiar/Relentless Hex bit in 2020, so I’ve thought of a LOT of uses for it, lol. Bonus Action teleport in lieu of taking Attacks of Opportunity is always nice! The insane part is Quandrix Mascot being able to move through solid objects. Technically, since you can look through your Familiars eyes, as long as the obstacle is under 30’ wide, you should have no trouble using Relentless Hex to bypass most walls etc…😬

[@finalfantasy50]

treantmonk has a short describing how a warlock with 5th level spells could use bestow curse on their familiar (5th level bestow curse lasts 8 hours and most importantly DOES NOT REQUIRE CONCENTRATION) you now have 8 hours of concentration free misty step every single turn

[@VerumAdPotentia]

Speaking as a role-player, I enjoy your back-stories.

[@dracoyt9113]

I absolutely love the backstories that you came up, i personally dont use them, but i love to see the character as one and not some numbers in a sheet.

[@JBCoops88]

Backstories are a large part of why i fell in love with the channel.

[@michaelnagel220]

I played almost exactly this character in a level 5 one-shot a few months ago! I was even going to add the rune knight level if we ever continued. It ended up being one of the most fun characters I've ever played and I definitely recommend it. Great video as always!

[@jerommeke_T]

Another OUTCRY here. I love the character idea/flavor that you provide. It gives an extra base besides the features to work off of and dare I say makes the video more of a joy to watch as the flavor occasionally jumps in and gives a quick break from the dry features. However much I love the optimization aspect am hour of dry optimization is more tough to watch trough imo.

[@JL-gm8gy]

Glorious ,Artificer is begining to be my favourite class something i resented only awhile back before i made one.

[@PoshSlothOG]

I’m sad I couldn’t make the top 10 comments today. I listen to you at work which is one of the reasons I love your long shows. Your background stories are always creative and fun but I look forward to your progress in these videos. Thank you for all you do

[@chrisjacobs4716]

Outcry! I love your ideas for backgrounds. You usually keep them brief, I don't think it muddles anything up.

[@johannes4271]

I really enjoy your backstories, they add a bit of roleplay flavor to a format that can get a smidge number-crunchy (even for me?). That being said, I usually think of pretty much all multiclassing as natural progression of the character rather than a sudden shift. Though some dips like sorcerer or warlock are almost too much fun in what they mean to the character to not justify with roleplay. Something I've been thinking for a while watching your videos is that since DC's and encounters get scaled to parties, in my experience burst builds are a little bit risky. If the DM builds encounters to counterbalance that you trivialized the last dragon and you for some reason don't have your whole kit. Maybe you had to use your spellslots to get everyone up the mountain in one piece and there was no time to regain them. (coughcough) The best build IMO would be reliable, constant and have the ability walk on the ceiling dhampir style because goddamn it once you pop you can't stop, the possible uses are endless. Dhampir spider climb is the GOAT.

[@J.sh_CDN]

Here is my idea for a backstory, since you asked for one (but personally, I really enjoy yours) Our hero starts life as a humble craftsman (or woman) Perhaps they belong to a tribe of mountain dwelling dwarves, who combine legendary smithing with magical runes. Maybe their family lives deep in the Underdark. Needless to say, their skills start to expand. As their journey goes on, their magical crafting keeps them and their friends safe, as they discover more about their families heritage, taking a more active role in the fight, and incorporating different styles of ruinic art into their mastery. (Taking rune knight fighter levels) Basically, flavour your artificer as using enchanting runes. Your steel defender can be anything, some sort of golem like creature youve created and ingraved. Rune Knight is the perfect dip, letting you practice your martial craft, perhaps you found a different clan whose techniques they are willing to teach you, for a price. In this backstory, I would take smith tools perficiency for sure, maybe having a couple different hammers on your person. A smithing hammer, a smaller engraving hammer, as well as a hammer suited for just battle. Crafting and magic go hand in hand for your though, and your character becomes of master of metal and might

[@DnDDeepDive]

Love it!

[@SeraphBlademaster]

Artificers! I am just starting my first one. A tiefling artificer with the winged variant, that is eventually going to be shooting a heavy crossbow with the repeater infusion and have a armawolfadillo running around on the ground.

[@TheRealGraylocke]

Like the back stories, so keep them coming! Currently have a hill dwarf who's level 7 (Artificer (BS) 6 and Wizard 1), he uses the Arcane Weapon spell from the UA version of the Artificer with DM approval, so usually an extra d6 Thunder, Force or Radiant damage. Warhammer and Shield, plus Breastplate and dex, means I'm sitting at AC 19 before using the Shield spell, if I have to. Sure, that uses my BA first round to get that up, but my ram Steel Defender doesn't mind not attacking. Planning on at least a 2 level dip into Wizard (War Mage) for all the cool stuff you get; plus our table uses spell points not slots, so my artificer needs more spell points - hence wizard. Currently, my dwarf is the only pc with Extra Attack, and has the best AC in the group. Since I have the Repulsion Shield infusion, I do try and play around with Booming Blade to knock the enemy back 15 feet after getting hit, especially if they have Multi-Attack. Our DM usually plays the enemies very well; 'seen that, done that', so I can maybe get it to work 1 or 2 times in a combat. About half the time, I send my Steel Defender off to aid another PC (Gotta love the Deflect Attack option). I end up being the group's DPS/tank most times. IOW, loving this character and what he can do. :) Well, except move that is... move rate of 25 not 30. Have given serious thought to having a saddle made for the ram (goat) steel defender and then using Enlarge on it, so I can ride into combat. (Think the Hobbit: the Battle of Five Armies) Cheers!

[@Gargoyle2830]

Adding my voice to the people calling for you to continue the story elements to your builds. They really add another dimension to the build videos. Even if noone uses your exact concept, it gives inspiration for people to come up with their own. Story elements are an important part of D&D. Please keep doing them!

[@barddan7203]

THIS IS ANOTHER BIG OUTCRY! I am a long time DM but new to 5E. I dungeon master for a group of players who are used to depending very heavily on the flavor text provided in the 3.5 manuals. We love your channel for build ideas yes. But the reason I share your videos with all my players is because of the stories you tell about each character. I’m trying to teach them wright backstory and flavor text of their own. You do such a great job of making up cool compelling stories for the decisions you make in game and we really feel like that makes your channel unique. We would hate to lose that! WE LOVE YOU COLBY! Sincerely Barddan And The Spectacular Seven.

[@darkblade190]

Outcry!! The narrative isa fun way to conceptualize and/or justify crazy MCs, and if other people want Small thing, with custom lineage, you can pick Small OR Medium. I would highly recommend small so you can always ride your Steel Defender, and benefit from its 40ft movement speed to line up your shots and be within 5ft of it to impose disadvantage. In my mind this artificer is rather gnomish, riding in the pouch of a mechanical kangaroo, but to each their own.

[@jacobyspurnger8488]

Great cantrips to pick up at level 1 would be lightning lure and booming blade. It gives you the Thor fantasy and some amount of battlefield control. For fighter subclass, battlemaster will give you disarming attack, potentially putting an enemy 20' away from their weapon. Add trip attack to put them prone next to the parties dpr/tank.

[@MikeydactylGaming]

I know this build is low damage, but honestly I think it's one of your better ones! You're contributing so much to your team at level 5 and beyond.

[@taejaskudva2543]

I think a little narrative always helps information delivery to not seem dry. More people are into historical drama than historical documentaries. This isn't quite the same, but I think it makes the build have a little context and texture.

[@Essexsih]

I like the back stories personally. As more of a dm gives me ideas for npcs and such!

[@robinbruce7838]

Official out cry! Your story ideas are very inspirational but most importantly a lot of fun 😊 So if there's something you wanna add on story wise perfect if not also perfect :)

[@brockmacd]

I like your back stories, helps me have a story behind my power decisions. My rp friends quietly frown on me making character choices for power reasons, so your rp explanations help me be similarly creative

[@aidandunne5978]

Idea for future build: I think, and I would rule, that the Illusionist wizard malleable illusions ability, would let them form Shadow blade from a sword, into a polearm. Thus qualifying it for polearm master... that would give us a finesse polearm. Perhaps even multiclass into Arcane Trickster to take advantage of it I hope others agree, because I would LOVE this build

[@annagarman8016]

It's a neat idea, but given Malleable Illusions says "using the spell's normal parameters for the illusion", I don't think it works. Shadow Blade is very explicit in what it creates.

[@aidandunne5978]

That's kind of the question I'm asking. My argument is that it the spell creates a "Shadow blade" but only initially makes it a sword. However, so long as you form it into some sort of blade, like that of a glaive, you would still be within the spell parameters

[@loganbalmer2822]

1. I enjoy hearing the backstories and would love to see them kept in. 2. As per Sage Advice Compendium Version 2.7, one of the rulings listed in it is "What is the timing of Flash of Genius?" With an answer of, "You use Flash of Genius immediately after the triggering d20 is rolled and before any of the effects of the roll are applied. Unless a rule tells you otherwise, a reaction occurs immediately after its trigger." So at least from the standpoint of what's been officially put out, you can use it after you roll and don't need to declare a use beforehand. 3. As someone playing a character with one, I can imagine playing a dwarf instead of custom lineage for this so that way you can get the Dwarven Thrower from a kind DM so that you can truly live out your Thor fantasies.

[@jakeweber4763]

You’re always so eloquent! I appreciate your whole approach from the charisma to the analysis, you’re the best!

[@gunndygaming]

You could also add Grease to your spell list. Gives another low level option for ground effects that can even be stacked with Web. Double Dex saves restrain, prone, difficult terrain. Even harder to get out of web if you have to spend 1/2 your movement standing up.

[@Kiroy919]

I love your character backstories, particularly in hearing their reasoning for leveling in different classes. They are very creative and wonderful!

[@RalphusAdolphus2]

Love the build. I have absolutely fallen in love with the Artificer class over the past year and in particular the Battle Smith. It just gives so much versatility and makes INT a much better option for a wide variety of builds.

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

Backstory: started as an angry Gordon Ramsay of the metal shop, hence the hammer throwing. Became part of his schtick and now everyone just expects it. Maybe Folk Hero background

[@poopitypoopoppopoop]

The backgrounds give the videos a nice and fun personal touch that keeps my interest. I like them.

[@cherry_buzzsaw]

Did anybody already said that artificers must use material components to any single spell because of class' spallcasting ability?

[@spectralfire4842]

I’d love to see a team with this hammer thrower, the sorlock cheese grater, and your nature cleric concept but somehow get the ability to fly. Lay down web and spike growth; have the cleric cast spirit guardians, fly over the center, pull people into it; warlock pushes towards the cleric; hammers and telekinesis push towards the cleric.

[@natashasurvivallady8021]

The Hammer time character could simply give the Winged Boots they make to the Nature Cleric instead of wearing them themselves.

[@spectralfire4842]

@@natashasurvivallady8021 now that’s what I call teamwork.

[@d_andrews]

You're right that technically Mind Sharpener only regains d4 charges per day, but remember that you can destroy it and make a new one each long rest to reset it to 4 charges every time :)

[@harjutapa]

OUTCRY I always enjoy hearing your take on the story of the characters you create, because I've never used one of your exact builds so my story is gonna be different no matter what.

[@Seraphim_MTG]

I had a different idea for an artificer controller/damage dealer that's based the Artillerist build you made. Take Enchantment as your wizard subclass and pretty much the rest is the same other than the fact your action is Hypnotic Gaze if you need single target shutdown or forgo Hawky's dragon dreams if you need to Web, Fear, or Confusion. Artillerist/Wizard makes some of the best generalists in the game, I think.

[@alexanderoakland2607]

An underrated spell for a build like this is actually Create Bonfire. You could of course push/pull enemies into it to do some damage, but the real utility of it is to help create pseudo chokepoints or otherwise help control the layout of the battlefield. Obviously it's completely inferior to other concentration spells like Web in terms of effectiveness, but since it's a cantrip its just a nice trick to have up ones sleeve in case you don't want to blow spell slots. Plus, it's the best spell in the game for cooking hot dogs