The Battle Smith Tank - D&D: Optimized #72

[@yodaleiaheehoo9960]

The silvery barbs angry mob bit was 12/10 got a good laugh from that. 😆

[@DnDDeepDive]

Mission accomplished! :)

[@Micah_4D]

@@DnDDeepDive I haven't checked, did you really get complaints? Treantmonk just put out a reply to the debate that does a good job of deflecting the "sky is falling" crowd. In the end, if time and experience show that Silvery Barbs breaks the game then reevaluation can occur. But for now, there are plenty of better other things to do with 1st level slots that are situationally more beneficial than what Sivery Barbs accomplishes.

[@DnDDeepDive]

@@Micah_4D I was just making fun of the "sky is falling" crowd, that's all :).

[@MonkeyAtTypewriter]

@@DnDDeepDive But it's new. You know new things frighten us.

[@pederw4900]

Paused to like after he said that 👍🏼

[@BLynn]

Level 1:(see above) [fighter 1, race & fighting-style] Level 2:(see above) [artificer 1] Level 3:(@16:30) [artificer 2] Level 4:(@18:39) [artificer 3 & sub-class] Level 5:(@30:16) [artificer 4 & ASI] Level 6:(@34:26) [artificer 5] Level 7:(see above) [artificer 6] Level 8:(@43:35) [artificer 7] Level 9:(@44:07) [artificer 8 & ASI] Level 10:(see above) [artificer 9] Level 11:(@48:44) [artificer 10] Level 12:(@50:06) [artificer 11] Level 13:(@51:49) [artificer 12 & ASI] Level 14:(see above) [artificer 13] Level 15:(@55:43) [artificer 14] Level 16:(@57:08) [artificer 15] Level 17:(@57:49) [artificer 16]

[@TheEncouragementKid]

legend

[@playlistb3795]

I think we need a Welcome Home shirt design! The intro is one of the things that sets you apart and makes for such a warm, inviting atmosphere around your videos!

[@DnDDeepDive]

ooo... I like this idea :).

[@happytrees6484]

Solid idea would buy

[@ProtoFire8]

Oh, most definitely! That part always made me feel warm and fuzzy, and I don't normally enjoy being warm.

[@lord6617]

Worth pointing out, once you have a bit of money and down time, sanctuary is a spell you could start scribing scrolls of and save yourself the preparation slot, since you'll only ever cast it at 1st level. Also worth noting at some point that if you are lacking normal actions, the healer feat would give you a strong healing action to everyone except for your defender, equivalent to a level 2 or 3 cure wounds spell in general. 1:05:00 Hey You Did the Thing! :)

[@larryscott6008]

Read healer feat again. It doesn’t limit healing to non undead non construct

[@dragondragondragon]

The best mech build I've ever seen for DnD. After all, artificers are supposed to describe their spells as some sort of mechanical effect. And I can imagine that gnome/goblin casting a sanctuary so that him goes "inside" piloting his defender, instead of "on top" mounting it. If the opponent can find a hole from which to attack the cockpit (the sanctuary's wisdom saving throw), he can attack the artificer, otherwise he attacks the defender. The bond? Even when the mech and not the pilot is hit, the pilot suffers some "backlash" damage due to the neural connections with his mech (as we have seen in so many animes). After that, the heroism, aids, mendings... described as the artificer raising the mech's shields, activating the repair protocols... Trully nice. I don't know if it was intentional, given your oft-mentioned aversion to the more "technological" elements within the typical DnD fantasy setting, but it turned out really well, I liked it a lot. In a setting like Iron Kingdoms (one of the best things that came out outside of WotC for 3E in my opinion, the version they have made for 5E I like a little less) is more than perfect. A better warcaster than the actual warcaster.

[@joaoguilherme3120]

Very creative! Loved the idea, will probably use it for my next futuristic campaign. Thanks!

[@phonepolice]

“Supposed to describe their spells as some sort of mechanical effect” is certainly what whomever did all artificer art for the books thought, but the class text does actually support more magical artificers. Personally I prefer casting spells with a soup spoon :)

[@externalthoughts2924]

@james Deer So you commented to say what exactly? No one cares whether you like this version or not. You haven't played this game in 30 years, mate. 30 YEARS! Your opinion is even less than irrelevant, it's worthless.

[@YelloDuzzit]

Wow... Truly blown away

[@bobhill-ol7wp]

@jamesdeer3129 Welcome to modern DND where DMs get mad if you don't treat a session like following a quest in Skyrim

[@McManthony21]

Your heartfelt intro feels so genuine every single time and literally brings a tear to my eye it makes me feel so warm. That being said, Thank YOU.

[@chrisvossler8795]

The Dungeon Dudes did a version of this kind of build, and Kelly's was especially focused on tanking. However, your build went in a completely different direction with the Artificer.

[@chrisg8989]

Kelly's build is amazing.

[@chrisvossler8795]

@@chrisg8989 100%. When Kelly used it in the collab game, it was pretty much untouchable when it was supposed to be untouchable. He did fail a lot of saving throws, though.

[@gorefist3907]

I'm feeling a Goblin riding in the pouch of a Kangaroo styled steel defender.

[@benjaminkowal7310]

Foot Solider turned DARPA researcher is one of my favorite back stories of all time.

[@alexanderoakland2607]

This is my favorite Battle Smith build that I’ve seen on the internet so far. Every other build that I see typically focuses on optimizing the player character’s abilities. While this is possibly more effective, it completely ignores the entire point of playing a Battle Smith, which is using your awesome metal companion. It’s a shame that the Steel Defender doesn’t scale super well into the endgame if left as is, so this build makes me incredibly happy knowing that my metal buddy won’t just become a deadweight like it has for probably the majority of other campaigns. Good work!

[@jasonreiyn9311]

Realizing this is probably not rules as written, but presented with a player that was interested in playing this subclass I would allow you to attune infusions on your defender such as the enhanced defense and enhanced weapon abilities.

[@phonepolice]

Mirth dropped from the canopy and gently planted a metallic seed into the muck of the bog. With a flick and swish of their smith’s tools light began to shine through the filth and the surface of the water began to rhythmically ripple as though it were a beating heart. Rotting organic mass and sludge lurched forth and began to swirl around the seed quickly forming a pulsating mass that bubbled over the surface of the water. Crude limbs clawed towards the shore, dragging the mass out of the swamp. Twisting itself dry, the guardian began to take on more elegantly detailed features as dark fungal filaments pushed through the mockery of flesh to give the creature a thick black fur. Two sets of vestigial arms formed along the belly as and twin tentacles sprouted from the shoulders as the now feline construct took the form of a displacer beast. Mirth giggled with delight as their Steel Defender waited the fairy’s orders…

[@nerfherder5211]

Ideas for the pet: - Kobold pack tactics. Fantastic. - Telekinetic for crowd control - Quicken mending or familiar with mending are healing options available with feat. - Repulsion shield is useful to knock things back towards your pet or similar - Ranged weaponry is the best option imo. I visualize a mechanical drakewarden.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Remember that Mending takes 1 minute to cast and, as such, wouldn't work with Quickened Spell (and might be tough to pull off with a familiar too).

[@sillvvasensei]

My Kobold Beastmaster has a Giant Crab companion with Plate Barding +1, Ring of Protection, Belt of Hill Giant Strength, and Cloak of Displacement. It is currently at 21 STR and 24 AC. It can also grapple enemies and grant pack tactics to my Kobold ranger.

[@fasterpet]

Heroism is such an under-rated spell. This is an amazing use! Using a higher level heroism spell to protect your party adds so much survivability! and coupled with warding bond, you can double the effect by having it upcast to pull from your mount and your own temp HP each round. A small boost repetitively can overcome many obstacles. Same with protector cannon from artillerist artificer (which as a tiny creature, can ride you!)

[@chrisjacobs4716]

I like to imagine the character was a supply officer in an army, sort of like Q from James Bond. The lvl1 fighter was part of their basic training, but they're more invested in improving equipment, crafting and inventing magical items and tinkering to support their allies.

[@DnDDeepDive]

nice

[@chrisg8989]

A way around the "Mount has its turn after you" issue is to "Ready Action" anything you want to do. So if you want to heal an ally you ready the Cure Wounds spell for when you are in Range of your ally. Then on your mounted turn you move next to your ally. Easy P Z.

[@airone8893]

This literally just came out as I was making a battle Smith for a new campaign! How perfect!

[@solar4planeta923]

I just built one very similar as an important NPC. He was the dwarven smith of the PC's village who refused to make weapons. He made better tools and encouraged the PCs while they were kids to think of better solutions than hitting things with a hammer. I designed him with a mechanical ram as his defender.

[@scocon8658]

An OG DnD player (sorry - playa) - who's been crawling dungeons about the same time I was crawling on my hands 'n' knees - suggested I check out your channel... I'm only at 9:35, but has anyone ever told you that you sound like "What if Bob Ross was a DM instead of a painter?" You are a mellow fellow & I think that's swell-o 😎

[@wreckedgamerqq5001]

Gotta say, my favorite builds are when you don’t multiclass like 4 different times. This is great. Solid character built to endure and last and support laid in as well. Bravo sir, just added this to my list of want to play.

[@tysonkerr3082]

This may be my favorite build you have done so far! Excellent work yet again!

[@brianfox340]

This is one of my favorite artworks for a build.

[@jbw065]

For this build I would put blur in your spell storing item. Adding disadvantage to multiple people in the party with them holding the concentration instead of you is really helpful. The SD could do this whilst you hold one of the spells you covered themselves just adds more layers of protection to the build.

[@phonepolice]

I’m not entirely sure the SD would be able to use the SSI. 4 int is pretty low. Definitely not overpowered to allow it, but between that and the SD not explicitly having the option to use an item as an action I think that might be an uphill battle. That said, I definitely would add that to my concept of a displacer beast designed SD.

[@delibirdite]

I made a battlesmith just last week which uses the most underrated weapon; the trident! the returning weapon infusion plus extra attack means you can chuck the trident and it returns immediately maybe for another throw or a quick melee strike. its so badass. I know I recently requested something, but if, for some reason, you wanted to make a trident focused build I would definitely not steer you otherwise

[@Lucky_Luke486]

Like the design on the shirt Colby, simple but pleasing (then again, would be a challenge for things to look bad on ya ;) Enjoy the holidays!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Ha ha - thanks!

[@FallstarFL]

Was that a challenge? Find something that doesn't look good on him?

[@DnDDeepDive]

@@FallstarFL lol

[@Micah_4D]

One way to make your SD a tactical target is to change tack at Artificer L11. Give your SD the SSI and put Warding Bond on it. Have your SD cast it on you, the intention being that you will be the tank. You get all the goodies (Cloak of Protection, Ring of Protection, Enhanced Defense, Warding Bond bonuses, etc.) and become that hard nut to crack. Cast Sanctuary on your SD to force more attacks to you. Now your SD is a HP battery that you can heal easily out of combat using Mending. There many other things I would do to optimize this but the essential part of such a build is to force attacks to you (away from the SD), the Artificer, by all available means such that you are tough to take down; don't forget about the SD's Deflect Attack (won't break Sanctuary). Then you invest in things to increase your support or damage capabilities, e.g. Haste on a damage dealer in the party or Bless or Polearm Master (spear and shield).

[@medofarahat2624]

Tea, snacks, cold weather, blanket and you just made my day thank u

[@Iztacmizton]

Regarding 40:40 mention of no damage from FireBall: maybe I'm misunderstanding that, but if defender takes 4 damage from FB and gets 4 temp hit points, that doesn't necessary mean that it takes "no" damage. Let's take for example that defender has 3/4 chance to avoid all damage from FB, and takes 12 damage otherwise. On average that would be 4 damage, but if that FB hits - temporary hit points will only reduce damage to 8, so on average you will take 2.66 damage per round, not zero.

[@DnDDeepDive]

It takes 4 damage on average, after you calculate for evasion, chance to make their save, resistance from Warding Bond, etc. etc. It's an average, and so obviously will sometimes be more, sometimes, less, but when it ends up being 4 or less after all calculations are made, it'll just burn through your temp hp.

[@aqueousconch1103]

10:52 *Waves pitchfork threatingly*

[@DnDDeepDive]

/hide

[@cylys]

This video also made me work on an organic version of this character. Life cleric 2 Lore bard 6 with the greater steed (wolf for the pack tactics) instead of the pet. And using the shield master to gain evasion for the character as well.

[@theblindbuildergrandminuti5648]

Really into this topic, been diving into artificer a lot this week, and it’s great how many pets you can actually get in a single class, spell tattoo for find familiar, homunculus infusion, steel defender pet, and tiny servant. Can get a lot of actions in this hard economy. (Well, maybe not all at once with a single bonus action) You could probably get a lot of down time projects done as well depending on the campaign, all those extra minions helping making potions , permanent items, etc.

[@Ricardo-zo1ti]

How would you use all of those pets? You need your bonus action to make the defender, the servant and the homunculus to do anything but dodge

[@theblindbuildergrandminuti5648]

Ah, this is true of the pets other than the tiny servants. Though you can issue a task and go to sleep; the Homunculus and the steel defender can take actions while you are not conscious. So you could tell them to complete basic tasks as you rest and, the Homunculus also has 10 INT so if they are told the tiny servants to assist the Homunculus, they can complete a lot of prep work. But ya not as hard rules action economy as I’d have liked.

[@MachineWraith]

Excited for all the artificer builds lately! Right near the top of my favorite classes, so it's good to see more love for them!

[@MikeydactylGaming]

1000% playing this in my upcoming campaign. This build hits the nail on the head of the two roles I love to play. Tanking and support AND I get to play it at the same time. I love being the groups bookkeeper while everyone else gets to have fun blasting. haha

[@ahsidodna3355]

how did it go?

[@cylys]

Not that I did not enjoy watching your other videos, this is only build that I have watched a second time and enjoyed it even more. I'd really love to play this guy.

[@marcgarvin8509]

Old video, but just a thought about haste. The secondary action could be used to attack, while the primary is used to dodge, making all attacks on the doggo at disadv every round alongside having adv on dex saves to nicely emphasize that evasion from the mounted combatant feat.

[@nottelling6727]

Like the d4 dice shirt more than the one from last week personally. Thanks for the work!!

[@DvirPick]

31:40 another reason not to do it is the anti synergy with Sanctuary. If the enemy attacks the defender, and you make it attack you, it will make a wisdom saving throw, and if it fails, it can attack the steel defender again, and once more you can redirect it towards you, over and over until it makes the save on the attack against you. So Sanctuary doesn't benefit you when you redirect attacks with mounted combatant.

[@keggotht9323]

I like the idea that this character wouldn't use a weapon normally but if his defender gets killed he would rage and attack whatever killed it

[@Notsogoodguitarguy]

I have a good argument I believe for taking a different kind of dip. Instead of 1 level in fighter, you take 2 levels in cleric, go Twilight cleric and then use concentration on Shield of Faith for your guardian and have the temp HP from Twilight Sanctuary. Or Bless. Or Protection from Good and Evil should the situation call for it. Or on later levels another fun artificer buff like Elemental weapon. Yeah your defender looses 5 HP, but it gains 5000000 from Twilight Sanctuary, and so do your friends. PS: Also more spell slots for faster spell slot progression.

[@williamturner6192]

For race Gnomes and YuanTi Pureblood get magic resistance for more safety if you want to shake things up.

[@jasco666]

This concept is absolutely amazing.

[@phillipheaton9832]

Cool beans! I didn't think that I would ever play it, until you pointed out what a great utility character it is, ignoring the tank build. When I look at it as a utility build that also tanks, I might want to play this, but probably not since I wouldn't do much in combat which is a big part of D&D.

[@stephanfuhrer665]

I know you dont talk about magic items but as a mounted artificer i cant help but mention how amazing saddle of the cavalier is

[@TheMindBullets]

I've been kicking around an idea for a few months with a gnome that lost his legs and uses a construct/mechanical mount (large gorilla) to get him around and get into the thick of things. This helps make that idea more of a reality.

[@Latholan]

Another awesome video, Colby. Enjoy the break and spend time with your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Thanks and same!

[@SerasXHarkonnen]

Been playing a battle smith for a while now and my steel defender is basically our tank because no one else rolled tank, we're basically all ranged characters, so my defender gets the buffs to stall while we burst down our foe.

[@liviealamode]

Very excited for another Artificer build! I'm always really excited for this class cause it is one of my favorites! Also the character art this week is so good! I especially love the idea of fighting with a wrench.

[@Micah_4D]

If you're giving your SD a Cloak of Protection and you want it to have the SSI then you can make the Cloak of Protection the SSI as any Infusion qualifies because they are also spellcasting foci for you per L2 feature.

[@EldritchNight]

You could use your homunculous servant infusion to deliver your touch spells to allies far away

[@simon-adds]

homunculous servant can ride on the steel defender and deliver mending at range.

[@weirdokiller123126]

@@simon-adds mending takes 1 minute to cast so good luck during combat.

[@ElderGrimm1994]

Your voice went so well with the music in the first few seconds that I legitimately thought you were about to start singing. Lol

[@DnDDeepDive]

Ha ha - thanks!

[@tylerwood9678]

Something to consider, odds are a DM would rule that your mount could be commanded, but would still take its turn immediately after yours. An easy way to try and circumvent the awkwardness of that would be to just hold whatever action you planned on using, with the condition being not activates when you are in range to properly cast that spell.

[@Jay-pj5tg]

This is awesome!! Using it for an eberron spelljammer character that dreams of sailing past the syberis ring, using a unique magical tech he has discovered in the sands of Xen'drik. First, he needs to test his theories with his first prototype... the steel defender.

[@marshallwilver8831]

Recently played a rock gnome battlesmith artificer/cavalier fighter tank. We started the campaign at lvl 7 I started fighter 2/artificer 5 took the mounted combatant feat and started fighter for str/con saves and heavy armor. Took lvl 8 as fighter 3 and finished out artificer to lvl 16. Took resilient dex at artificer 8 and made my spell storing item warding bond and gave it to my mount. Since he couldn’t be targeted and has evasion he only ever went down 1 time while giving me resistance to all damage and an armor class of 24 with access to shield and a soft taunt. As well as proficiency in str/dex/con saves and advantage on wis/int/cha. Was a ton of fun to play and highly recommend.

[@matthewmatics3]

Hope your Christmas break is good! Very well deserved.

[@lukerazer9565]

I'd love to see some merch inspired by some of your best/favourite builds! I'd totally wear a Hexblade, Bladesinger Nova or Catch-22 t-shirt!

[@DesignatedHealer]

You know what else has silvery barbs? My pitchfork.

[@DnDDeepDive]

lol

[@TheFabel1337]

Love your builds dude! Haha... keep the great content flowing please :D Your editing is very interesting. =D

[@luisb.reyesortiz901]

42:00 IF u had the shield master feat allowing u to basically/potentially avoid fireballs urself would the RTD then be infinity? 🤔

[@shishkabobby]

I keep imagining a giant wolf spider as an Artificer's ATV. If you can talk your DM into allowing web spells from enchanged items, your spider can evern web your enemies. I just love the visual of a gnome/halfling/goblin riding into battle on the 8-legged ATV. Closely related, a party riding wolf spiders would get a movement speed of 40, just like a mastiff. But unlike a mastiff, the spider gets a climb speed of 40, even on the ceiling. So be sure that your saddle looks like a climbing harness before your reach the ceiling. (I was in a school bus the rolled all the way over. Leaving your seat to fall upside-down the ground was not fun.)

[@Ash.King.Y]

Love it. Amazing concepts as always. Thanks.

[@lexmtaylor]

You could pick up Fey Touched feat to get Compelled Duel spell. The Defender could cast that with the spell storing item. This would require concentration by the Defender.

[@Oscar_Milde]

I know I'm in the archives a bit with this one, but just FYI Mounted Combatant doesn't work if you're not actually riding your Defender. The specific bullet point that grants evasion might not mention that you need to be mounted to grant the benefit, but all 3 bullet points are preceded by the line "While ypu are mounted and aren't incapacitated, you gain the following benefits:" So your instincts were right. It's not just cheesy, it's against the rules

[@TheCWasson12]

Merry Christmas d4 gang!

[@TheeManLion]

This makes me wonder how insane a duo tank/healer build could do

[@patricks2645]

Awesome vid, almost makes me want to 3 lvl dip into artificer for my bladesinger/rune knight for the intelligence attack and concentration infusion. Lots to think about

[@theMrLife]

Enjoy christmas, mate! You're doing great work, and you totally deserve a christmas-week off!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Cheers!

[@adamelalouf3600]

I think blade ward could be a really nice cantrip for this build Since this build doesn’t have a really defined action, when you don’t have what to do you can cast blade ward which would halve the damage you take from warding bond (most of the time) The reason it’s disregarded is because usually dodging is better, but because no attacks are actually made against us, it’s really great

[@nnzfmly]

That whispering was far more effective at getting my attention than any shouting would have done.

[@beetlejuss]

Watching your t-shirt I imagined a bare foot about to step on the d4, maybe a cool idea to print.

[@The_Gnome_Chomskee]

I love this. I’m going to be playing a mounted battle smith soon and am interested in your take.

[@JSephH76]

DUO BUILD IDEA: The mounted combatant feat has got me thinking...... What if you did a duo build with a centaur ancestral guardian barbarian and a rider with the mounted combatant feat? The centaur hits an enemy with ancestral protectors causing any attacks against other creatures to be made with disadvantage and the damage would be halved. The mounted combatant feat specifically lets you be the TARGET of the attack. Not just that you take the damage. So the rider causes the enemy to target them instead at disadvantage and resistance. And then the centaur can either have the sentinel feat and take another attack or reduce the damage the rider takes with either interception or spirit guardians. Maybe make the rider 5 levels of rogue for uncanny dodge for 1/4th damage minus 2-4d6 and disadvantage on all attacks... Hmmmmmmm. Youve gotta do a video on this. The image of a small pc (maybe kobold for pack tactics?) riding a centaur into battle is too good lol

[@TheRobversion1]

Hey Colby. Cool concept! definitely support the reminder about how tanks work as people often forget that taunting part. without that a tank is simply a sturdy character, not much different from a controller, striker, etc who would employ the same defenses. i would stress though the importance of not just encouraging the enemy to attack the tank but to also KEEP the enemy attacking the tank such as with the sentinel feat, grappling, etc. i am disappointed that you didn't include the spellwrought tattoo here. it would've been a nice opportunity to see it in action in 1 of your builds as i've been clarmoring for it for a long time. as far as the debate goes, i will only say that RAI they've already confirmed and emphasized that spellwrought tattoo is meant to work with consumables as they've already stated that it works with the consumables in Xanathars such as beads, walloping bolts, etc. what we don't know RAI is whether spellwrought tattoos and any other common items from other books and tasha's are intended to be included. they clearly intended that all consumables in the DMG and xanathar's works with potions and scrolls clearly intended to not work. in terms of buffing the pet, i would've liked you to go battlemaster for action surge (cast another non-concen buff as needed) and pick up bait and switch from battlemaster. bait and switch can be the shield spell for your pet for the mere cost of 5 ft of movement on your turn. rally is great too as a poor mans inspiring leader before battles.

[@LoudAngryJerk]

So here's what I did to make a steel defender tank/controller: Concept: you are a paranormal investigator with an eye for the macabre. Your steel defender is reflavored as a frankensteinian behemoth (in my case, I spent the same amount of resources to raise a flesh construct rather than building a mechanical creature). Your "echo" (echo knight) is the ghost of your wife bound to the locket you keep around your neck. You are effectively 3 characters. The monster (steel defender), the ghost, and the detective. The three of you combined are a party unto themselves. *the Build* Custom Lineage >Sentinel feat >int/dex>con>wis>cha > darkvision Background: any >athletics 3 artificer > battlesmith 1 fighter (4th level) >superior technique >>Grappling strike 4 artificer (5th level) >martial adept >>goading strike >>reposte 3 fighter (7th level) >Echo knight (this is when the build comes online) 5 artificer (8th level) 1 rogue >atheltics expertise (this is when the complex part of the build is done) Rest of the levels go into artificer, focus on ASIs for dex>int So for the first 7 levels, it's all about placing your echo and steel defender into positions where they can interfere as much as possible. Remember that the steel defender has its own reaction, but your echo uses YOUR reaction. Fit your(self) with a finesse weapon, so your echo can use that. On your turn you have a choice between your steel defender, or your echo for your bonus action attack, or if you need to replace your echo, it's important to keep them up. the idea is that they have 2 creatures they have to address before they can move on, either because you're harassing them with your superiority die, or because of the sentinel feat. The rogue dip is to help with grappling strikes for your echo The important thing is for you to make sure your echo and battlesmith are strategically placed at all times, focus on melee rather than ranged, and have your actual character deal with ranged.

[@phelps6205]

The echo knight actually doesn't use a bonus action to attack. Yes, you can use it to create one, or to swap places with it, but the attacks the echo makes are either your normal attacks from the attack action but from it's position, and the extra attack from the unleash incarnation feature, that is also part of the attack action, none of them use the bonus action.

[@nerfherder5211]

Because of the low temp hp - you can calculate an average number until the bot dies from the fireballs. The answer is not infinity. Calculate % of fireballs that deal over 4 damage. Calculate average damage of these fireballs Compare to HP of bot. The shield is a small consistent buffer thus this is perfectly calculable compared to if it was a 4 hp healing per turn.

[@stephenharris4997]

Got a new one for you. 5 levels of echo knight, with just one level of hexblade. Hexed Target with echo out gives opportunity for 6 attacks (with second wind)+ charisma+ an additional d6 per attack from hex + Prof bonus per attack

[@TheRobversion1]

second wind? or did you mean action surge?

[@stephenharris4997]

@@TheRobversion1 yes action surge

[@blueshapes98]

Binge watching your videos is filling me with character concepts and ideas, I'm loving it! If one could make a request, how would you optimize a Monster Slayer Ranger? The fact that Slayer's Prey is a Bonus Action makes me wonder if CBE is worth or if your Bonus Action ends up too crowded with options. Happy Holidays!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Glad you're enjoying! :) I've got it on the to do list. Happy Holidays!

[@theautisticveteran2466]

Scalemail (eventually Half-plate) and Shield, 14 Dex, Armor/ Shield +1 infusion... At level 2, 20 AC (eventually 21 w/Half-plate). Avoid Fighter levels to both get the pet sooner and give it more HP. Use a feat to get the Fighting style. Avoiding the dip means more spells, more infusions, and the eventual capstone.

[@stevenshelton4807]

Eagerly awaiting the strixhaven build we know you are plotting. Been thinking it would be neat to see a conjuration wizard with fast hands, conjure and throw neat stuff like grenades… or smoke pellets or some of the broken stuff that falls in RAW like vial of acid.. shackles.. garlic bread… etc.

[@DnDDeepDive]

On the to do list!

[@marvynox]

Hi from Brazil, love the videos, thanks a lot

[@Onethirdless]

Oh Steel Defender, how I love thee. My party's artificer has used his reaction many times to save my cleric's butt lol.

[@airone8893]

“Yes, probably... it depends” is goin into my book of sayings🤓

[@DnDDeepDive]

[@Zarsla]

Looking over artificer battlesmith, basically a tanky-support, planning on her being a sketch artist, and her battle defender being like sculpted clay or like paper or anything else.

[@realDurandil]

That intro songs with the deep voice, it makes for a comforting intro. Q U A L I T Y

[@AdamZollo]

I have been playing an Alchemist (level 13 now) and at one point I gained access to a Shield Guardian. The DM let me attune up to 3 items to it which has been such fantastic fun. It's given me the ability to dump infusions, which are pretty meh on me and which are becoming sort of meh on our high-level party which is becoming pretty decked out in cool gear of their own. I've attuned some regular magic items too but that has been a bit risky as one has already been lost after the Shield Guardian had its arm ripped off. The great thing about infusions is you can get them back very easily. If you're DMing an Artificer, I really have to say that you should try this out.

[@samuelbroad11]

how are you finding the alchemist subclass? It's often dismissed. What seems to 'work' in it? Spells, infusions, abilities...

[@AdamZollo]

@@samuelbroad11 With some good lateral thinking, the utility it brings is actually great. The potions bring a lot of nice things that would normally require concentration to get, so cool things emerge when you start to combine those with other concentration effects and items. The Alchemist also covers very specific situations. It's good at yo-yo healing, heat metal can be great, and you're good at ending certain conditions. Expertise in tools is also fantastic if you can find ways to apply tools to dealing with situations. Some of my best combat moments involved just making a dope skill check. What it lacks is a good action and bonus action for general combat situations. This is why everyone says it sucks. And this is particularly true from levels 5 to 10. I filled combat with web and Pipes of Haunting, which are a fantastic combo for control. But then I filled in what I could do with items that came along through adventures. I picked up a Bag of Tricks and Circlet of Blasting. Later I added more similar items like Wand of Binding. These items often don't get used because they require an action and bonus action and 99% of PCs are built around using their action/BA for class features every turn. Because who would want to play anything that doesn't have class features for combat right Anyways when the group found these kind of items, other PCs were happy to let me use them. I wouldn't argue it's a good class, but it is very good at adapting to what it is given. As long as you have a DM that throws out items at the usually recommended pace and creates interesting multi-faceted problems and combat scenarios, the Alchemist can find a way. At 11, with Tiny Servants and spell storing items and lots of infusions, things pick up and it's not so hard to be effective. Shield Guardians are also totally dope and should be considered legendary items (not rare) in the hands of an Alchemist.

[@samuelbroad11]

@@AdamZollo thanks man, good to know it works well in a group. chur.

[@wizzz1967cm]

Keep up the good work I'm going to try this out in the campaign were doing hopefully I see you do a oath of Conquest build wood love to see you keep up the good work

[@KyleStoeckig]

I just started playing a gnome artificer 3 weeks ago and I am totally going to try this build. I think it could make for some interesting RP as a semi-pacifist character ( or at least a character that isn't really into killing and fighting).

[@steve-ru9sy]

This video is amazing. I built an artificer that I'm currently playing That's very similar to this. Me and my robot dog go up to the front lines with our two weapon fighter. My dog deflects attack. I cast sanctuary/ shield and hit stuff with my plus one battle ax when I can. We have two ranged characters in the back and that class feature to get that smite spell early levels is beautiful. Tldr I can tank, I can cast, I can hit, artificers really are the whole package😂

[@albertobenagli7622]

I just came up with a killer build inspired by your tank battle smith concept: THE GANG BANG You basically take the sentinel feat and go flank enemies with your pet. 1. You and your pet will make all attacks with advantage (eventually 3 attacks at level 5) 2. If the enemy attacks you, your pet can impose disadvantage 3. If the enemy attacks your pet, you get a free sentinel attack with advantage 4.if the enemy tries to run away your sentinel attack of opportunity (also with advantage) will bring its speed to 0 The rest (infusions, race, weapons, spells) is up to you. You would obviously benefit from a nice armor class (chain mail+shield+enhanced defence would make for a 19 AC, with disadvantage once a round), not to mention as a battlesmith you have Shield. I am building this for a game where I play a warforged and the steel defender is just my twin, but if you insist on Min/Maxing, you could go Custom Lineage as well. Enjoy

[@albertobenagli7622]

*I realized default battlesmith do not have heavy armor proficiency. Then with a scale mail (assuming you're a warforged with at least 12 in Dex) you would have 14 + 1 (Dex) + 1 (Enhanced Defence Infusion) + 1 (Warforged's Integrated Protection) + 2 (Shield) you would still be at 19 AC.

[@tomraineofmagigor3499]

barding can be effected by improved armor that increases to a +2. That would be 20 AC with plate barding on it's own and not even looking at the other AC bonuses

[@cameronpowell1864]

I'd love to see merch down the road with Randall Hampton's artwork and the name of the build.

[@vernonhampton5863]

I'm digging the "caltrop" shirt.

[@redsol4214]

I am kinda new to your channel and really like your videos. I did not watch all of them yet so sorry if you already talked about this but from a quick scan I did not see it anywhere. Have you thought about echo/gloomstalker. It becomes good quite fast with it hitting its core combo at lvl 8 already, and everything after that is customizable for whatever you want. With it giving you 8 attacks at lvl 8 already. Personally going 12 echo 4 gloom 4 assassin sounds the best to me. Especially if you know a fight will happen and have your echo out and you get a hunters mark of. Let alone if you are ambushing someone and get suprise. Just a note for rogue tho, even if you play a rogue I still recommend greatsword and gwm,gwf. It's more for the free advantage first turn of combat to cancel out the -5 of gwm.

[@ghostfather1390]

awwww, I was hoping for a Santa Claws episode next week! maybe someday

[@Wouldyoukindly4545]

About RTD at level 6. Another thing to consider, they have 4 temp hp any time they are hit with a fireball. But they don't increase that buffer on the rounds they successfully evade. I wasn't 100% sure how this was handled, but it should go like p(not evade)*(fb_dmg - 4) + p(evade)*0 and not like p(not evade)*(fb_dmg) + p(evade)*0 - 4

[@Wouldyoukindly4545]

I don't think it would really matter as much because the assumption is that they start taking damage after out character goes down, in which case they would not have the temp hp every round. Also, same applies to the AC attacks.

[@dragondragondragon]

¡Pinchitos plateados! For the first time in a D4 build. I think this will be a historic moment.

[@dragondragondragon]

(personally, I see SB as a good spell, but not much better than shield or blessing, and much less powerful, comparatively, than find familiar).

[@andrewhowell7711]

I’d like a shirt that says “We’re going to go Variant Human…”

[@davidrankin3784]

So I know this video is a bit old, but if you have mounted combatant, your steel defenders ac is effectively your ac as you can just force hits lower than your ac to hit you and miss

[@jackharington3126]

Love pet builds! Please do one based on the pet attacking for you, ie. An inflict wounds, pet build (familiar or otherwise)

[@lord6617]

Beastmaster has options for this by having grappling pets. Technically your battle smith pet can also grapple with attacks but I don't think gets any automatic bonuses to it. With spell slots, if your DM allows smite spells without needing a physical weapon, the share spells ability of beastmaster rangers would let both you and your pet use smites with control effects.

[@DnDDeepDive]

I thought about this, actually. I loved the Giant Toad I built around in my original PHB Beastmaster build. The big problem seemed to be the unreliability of the grapple... their +to hit just didn't scale all that well.

[@lord6617]

@@DnDDeepDive Can you create gauntlets of ogre power, give them to your defender, cast enlarge on them instead of heroism situationally, and have them grapple a target? That gives you another "tanking" option. Also, since you dictate the shape of the pet You should have enough limbs to grapple more than 1 target? You can grapple on opportunity attacks as well as attack attacks.

[@indigoblacksteel1176]

I just got to the Silvery Barbs part. When you said Fey Touched, I said, "Silvery barbs! Silvery Barbs!" And the joke right after that was great.

[@DnDDeepDive]