Armorer Artificer in D&D 5e | Full Subclass Guide (2024)

So, you’ve decided to don the mantle of the Armorer Artificer in D&D 5e. Excellent choice!

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a fresh-faced newbie, this guide will help you transform into the magical equivalent of Tony Stark. But who needs a billionaire’s bank account when you’ve got arcane infusions and a suit of enchanted armor, right?

The Armorer Artificer is a fantastic subclass for those who love the idea of tinkering with gadgets, crafting powerful gear, and, of course, being the party’s go-to tech wizard. With your trusty tools and a bit of ingenuity, you’ll be the shining (and possibly electrifying) knight in magical armor, ready to take on dragons, dungeons, and everything in between.

So, strap in, activate your arcane reactor, and let’s get started on building your very own suit of magical armor. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility—and a whole lot of fun!

This is the full subclass guide to the Armorer Artificer in D&D 5e!

What is the Armorer Artificer?

Imagine stepping into a world where magic and technology blend seamlessly, where you are the master of both arcane and mechanical marvels.

Welcome to the realm of the Armorer Artificer, a subclass that lets you become the ultimate armored hero, combining the ingenuity of a master craftsman with the raw power of a spellcaster.

As an Armorer Artificer, you’re not just any adventurer; you’re a walking, talking fortress of magical might. Your armor isn’t just a suit of metal plates—it’s a customizable, enchanted exoskeleton that can be tailored to fit your unique style of combat and support.

Whether you want to wade into battle with thunderous gauntlets or sneak through the shadows with a lightning launcher, the Armorer Artificer gives you the tools to do it all.

But it’s not just about the armor. It’s about the creativity and innovation you bring to the table. You’ll be the one your party turns to when they need a clever solution to a tricky problem or a powerful boost in the heat of battle.

With your arcane armor and a toolkit full of magical infusions, you’ll be ready to face any challenge head-on—or from a safe distance, if that’s more your style.

The Armorer Artificer appears alongside the Artificer core class and other subclasses in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

The Armorer Artificer’s Role in the Adventuring Party

Think of the Armorer Artificer as the Swiss Army knife of any adventuring party, capable of filling multiple roles with style and efficiency. Whether you’re looking to tank hits, deal damage, or support your allies, this subclass has you covered.

First and foremost, the Armorer Artificer excels as a frontline defender.

With your arcane armor, you can withstand heavy blows and protect your squishier teammates from harm. The Guardian armor model, with its Thunder Gauntlets and Defensive Field, makes you an imposing presence on the battlefield.

Enemies will think twice before targeting anyone else, thanks to the gauntlets’ ability to impose disadvantage on their attacks.

But maybe you’re more about dishing out damage rather than soaking it up. In that case, the Infiltrator armor model transforms you into a high-tech striker.

Your Lightning Launcher lets you zap foes from afar, adding a shocking twist to your combat style. Meanwhile, the extra mobility from Powered Steps and the stealthy advantage of the Dampening Field make you a nimble and elusive threat.

But your contributions aren’t just limited to combat encounters!

Beyond combat, the Armorer Artificer shines as a support character. Your infusions can enhance your party’s gear, providing magical boosts that can turn the tide of battle.

Need a shield that grants extra protection or boots that let your Rogue walk on walls? You can make it happen.

Plus, your ability to use your armor as a spellcasting focus means you can seamlessly weave spells into your combat strategy, offering buffs, debuffs, and utility spells as needed.

At its core, the Armorer Artificer is a jack-of-all-trades with a penchant for innovation.

Whether you’re leading the charge, striking from the shadows, or bolstering your allies with magical enhancements, you’ll always find a way to contribute meaningfully to your party’s success.

Diving Into the Armorer Artificer’s Features

So, let’s now get into the details and look over the features you gain as an Armorer Artificer in D&D 5e.

Each of these abilities will not only make you a formidable force on the battlefield but also a versatile and invaluable member of your adventuring party.

From crafting your own arcane armor to unleashing devastating attacks, you’ll be the ultimate blend of brains and brawn.

Get ready to unleash your inner Tony Stark and become the armored hero your party never knew they needed but can’t live without!

Recommended: Artificer Infusions in D&D 5e Explained!

Tools of the Trade (Level 3)

Ready to start your journey as the ultimate magical armorsmith? The first step is mastering the essential tools and skills that define the Armorer Artificer.

With the Tools of the Trade feature, you’ll be equipped to craft and customize your arcane armor, setting the stage for everything to come.

When you adopt this specialization at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with heavy armor. You also gain proficiency with smith’s tools. If you already have this tool proficiency, you gain proficiency with one other type of artisan’s tools of your choice.

At 3rd level, the Tools of the Trade feature instantly makes you a powerhouse in the field of armor crafting and combat readiness.

• Heavy Armor Proficiency: This is a game-changer for your defense. Heavy armor offers superior protection compared to light and medium armor, allowing you to stand toe-to-toe with the toughest foes. Whether you’re tanking hits for your team or leading the charge, heavy armor ensures you can take a beating and keep on ticking.
• Smith’s Tools Proficiency: As an Armorer, smith’s tools are your bread and butter. These tools allow you to repair, modify, and enhance your armor and weapons. Think of it as having your own portable workshop, where you can tinker with your gear to your heart’s content. If you already know your way around a forge, no worries—you get to pick another set of artisan’s tools to master, broadening your crafting capabilities.

By gaining proficiency with heavy armor and smith’s tools, you lay the foundation for your role as the party’s armored juggernaut and master craftsman.

With these proficiencies, you’re not just another adventurer; you’re the team’s go-to expert for all things metal and magic.

So, grab your hammer, don your heavy armor, and get ready to forge your legend!

Armorer Artificer Spells

Now it’s time to supercharge your magical arsenal!

The Armorer Spells feature gives you a suite of ready-to-cast spells that perfectly complement your role as the ultimate armored artificer.

No need to worry about preparation—these spells are always locked and loaded, ready to turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Starting at 3rd level, you always have certain spells prepared after you reach particular levels in this class, as shown in the Armorer Spells table. These spells count as artificer spells for you, but they don’t count against the number of artificer spells you prepare.

Artificer Level	Armorer Spells
3	Magic Missile, Thunderwave
5	Mirror Image, Shatter
9	Hypnotic Pattern, Lightning Bolt
13	Fire Shield, Greater Invisibility
17	Passwall, Wall of Force

These spells are chosen to maximize your effectiveness in various scenarios.

Magic Missile is an excellent long-range spell with the extra perk of being a guaranteed hit for those “do or die” moments. Meanwhile, Thunderwave is useful for those moments when you find yourself getting swarmed and need to lay down some AoE damage while giving yourself some breathing room.

At level 5, you gain the Mirror Image spell which is a useful defensive option. Meanwhile, Shatter gives you a handy AoE spell that will particularly ruin the day of any inorganic creatures you encounter.

The spells you gain at level 9 are both fantastic. Hypnotic Pattern is crazy powerful and can non-lethally shut down a whole group of creatures. But if you want to do some blasting, Lightning Bolt is also ready to bring the pain!

Similarly, your level 13 spells are incredible additions to your arsenal as well. Greater Invisibility is, of course, excellent and doesn’t need a lot of explanation. Meanwhile, Fire Shield can be used to give yourself resistance to either fire or cold damage. Plus, if an enemy does manage to hit you, they’ll be taking damage for doing so!

Finally, at level 17, Passwall can bring some handy utility if you find yourself needing to get through a troublesome wall or something. The real superstar here is Wall of Force which has a virtually endless number of applications limited only by your creativity.

Arcane Armor (Level 3)

Ready to transform your armor into a magical powerhouse?

The Arcane Armor feature is where your metallurgical mastery truly shines, turning a simple suit of armor into a conduit for your arcane prowess.

This is where you become the armored hero, blending magic and metal into an unstoppable force.

Beginning at 3rd level, your metallurgical pursuits have led to you making armor a conduit for your magic. As an action, you can turn a suit of armor you are wearing into Arcane Armor, provided you have smith’s tools in hand.

You gain the following benefits while wearing this armor:

If the armor normally has a Strength requirement, the arcane armor lacks this requirement for you.

You can use the arcane armor as a spellcasting focus for your artificer spells.

The armor attaches to you and can’t be removed against your will. It also expands to cover your entire body, although you can retract or deploy the helmet as a bonus action. The armor replaces any missing limbs, functioning identically to a body part it is replacing.

You can doff or don the armor as an action.

The armor continues to be Arcane Armor until you don another suit of armor or you die.

At 3rd level, the Arcane Armor feature allows you to transform your armor into a magical extension of yourself, providing several key benefits that enhance both your defense and spellcasting abilities:

• No Strength Requirement: Say goodbye to those pesky Strength requirements! Your Arcane Armor adapts to your needs, allowing you to wear even the heaviest armor without worrying about your Strength score. This means you can focus on boosting your Intelligence and other key stats.
• Spellcasting Focus: Your armor isn’t just for protection—it’s also your spellcasting focus. This seamless integration means you can cast your Artificer spells without needing to juggle additional components, keeping your hands free for more important tasks (like wielding your thunder gauntlets).
• Unremovable and Versatile: Once donned, your Arcane Armor attaches to you and can’t be removed against your will. It covers your entire body, providing full protection, and can even replace missing limbs, functioning just like the real thing. Need to go incognito? You can retract or deploy the helmet as a bonus action.
• Quick Donning and Doffing: You can don or doff your Arcane Armor as an action, making it incredibly convenient to switch in and out of your magical suit during your adventures.

With the Arcane Armor feature, you’re not just wearing armor—you’re becoming one with it.

This magical suit enhances your combat and spellcasting capabilities, turning you into a formidable force on the battlefield. So, gear up and get ready to show the world what a true Armorer Artificer can do!

Armor Model (Level 3)

Now that you’ve got your Arcane Armor ready, it’s time to customize it to fit your combat style.

The Armor Model feature lets you choose between two distinct models, each offering unique benefits and turning you into either a frontline juggernaut or a stealthy striker.

This is where your armor truly becomes an extension of your tactical genius.

Beginning at 3rd level, you can customize your Arcane Armor. When you do so, choose one of the following armor models: Guardian or Infiltrator. The model you choose gives you special benefits while you wear it.

Each model includes a special weapon. When you attack with that weapon, you can add your Intelligence modifier, instead of Strength or Dexterity, to the attack and damage rolls.

You can change the armor’s model whenever you finish a short or long rest, provided you have smith’s tools in hand.

At 3rd level, the Armor Model feature allows you to tailor your Arcane Armor to fit your preferred combat role.

With the Armor Model feature, you can switch between these models after a short or long rest, giving you the flexibility to adapt to different challenges and playstyles. Whether you’re smashing through enemy lines or striking from the shadows, your Arcane Armor is ready to support your every move.

Let’s now look over how each model works!

Guardian Model

If you see yourself as the bulwark of the team, the Guardian model is your go-to choice.

Thunder Gauntlets: Each of the armor’s gauntlets counts as a simple melee weapon while you aren’t holding anything in it, and it deals 1d8 thunder damage on a hit. A creature hit by the gauntlet has disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you until the start of your next turn, as the armor magically emits a distracting pulse when the creature attacks someone else.

Defensive Field: As a bonus action, you can gain temporary hit points equal to your level in this class, replacing any temporary hit points you already have. You lose these temporary hit points if you doff the armor. You can use this bonus action a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Talk about tough, eh?!

The Thunder Gauntlets turn your fists into powerful melee weapons that deal thunder damage and impose disadvantage on enemies’ attacks against anyone but you. This makes you the perfect tank, drawing enemy fire away from your allies.

Meanwhile, the Defensive Field further boosts your durability, giving you temporary hit points as a bonus action, which you can use multiple times per day based on your proficiency bonus.

With the Guardian Model, you’ve got a reliable way to keep a priority target’s attention on you while also buffing yourself with temporary hit points so you can stand tall on the frontlines!

Infiltrator Model

On the other hand, for those who prefer a more agile and stealthy approach, the Infiltrator model is ideal.

Lightning Launcher: A gemlike node appears on one of your armored fists or on the chest (your choice). It counts as a simple ranged weapon, with a normal range of 90 feet and a long range of 300 feet, and it deals 1d6 lightning damage on a hit. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with it, you can deal an extra 1d6 lightning damage to that target.

Powered Steps: Your walking speed increases by 5 feet.

Dampening Field: You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. If the armor normally imposes disadvantage on such checks, the advantage and disadvantage cancel each other, as normal.

The Lightning Launcher lets you strike from a distance with a ranged attack that deals lightning damage, with an extra jolt once per turn. Additionally, Powered Steps increase your mobility, allowing you to move faster on the battlefield.

When it’s time to get your sneak on, the Dampening Field grants you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks, making it easier to sneak around and avoid detection.

Extra Attack (Level 5)

Ready to double down on your combat prowess? The Extra Attack feature is here to supercharge your offensive capabilities, allowing you to dish out more damage and make each turn count.

Whether you’re pummeling foes with your Thunder Gauntlets or zapping them from afar with your Lightning Launcher, this feature ensures you’re always a force to be reckoned with.

Starting at 5th level, you can attack twice, rather than once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

At 5th level, the Extra Attack feature grants you the ability to make two attacks instead of one whenever you take the Attack action. Here’s why this is a game-changer for your Armorer Artificer:

• Double the Damage: More attacks mean more opportunities to deal damage. Whether you’re swinging your Thunder Gauntlets or firing off your Lightning Launcher, the ability to attack twice increases your overall damage output and makes you a more formidable opponent in combat.
• Versatile Combat: This feature enhances both the Guardian and Infiltrator models of your Arcane Armor. For Guardians, it means more chances to impose disadvantage on enemies with your Thunder Gauntlets, protecting your allies more effectively. For Infiltrators, it allows you to maximize the potential of your Lightning Launcher, striking multiple targets or doubling down on a single foe.
• Synergy with Intelligence: Remember, when you attack with your Arcane Armor’s special weapons, you can use your Intelligence modifier for attack and damage rolls. This means your Extra Attack benefits directly from your primary stat, making you both smart and deadly.

With the Extra Attack feature, you’re not just a one-hit wonder—you’re a relentless force on the battlefield, capable of delivering a barrage of blows that can overwhelm even the toughest adversaries.

So, get ready to unleash your full combat potential and show your enemies that when it comes to the Armorer Artificer, one hit is never enough!

Related: Extra Attack in D&D 5e Explained!

Armor Modifications (Level 9)

Ready to take your Arcane Armor to the next level?

The Armor Modifications feature at 9th level allows you to supercharge your gear with additional infusions, turning your armor into a customizable, multi-functional masterpiece.

This is where your ingenuity as an artificer truly shines, giving you the flexibility to adapt and enhance your armor like never before.

At 9th level, you learn how to use your artificer infusions to specially modify your Arcane Armor.

That armor now counts as separate items for the purposes of your Infuse Items feature: armor (the chest piece), boots, helmet, and the armor’s special weapon. Each of those items can bear one of your infusions, and the infusions transfer over if you change your armor’s model with the Armor Model feature.

In addition, the maximum number of items you can infuse at once increases by 2, but those extra items must be part of your Arcane Armor.

At 9th level, the Armor Modifications feature allows you to break down your Arcane Armor into separate components, each capable of holding its own infusion.

Here’s how it enhances your capabilities:

• Separate Components: Your Arcane Armor now counts as multiple items: the chest piece, boots, helmet, and the special weapon. Each of these components can hold one of your infusions, effectively turning your armor into a multi-part magical device. This means you can stack multiple enhancements onto your armor, boosting its functionality and your effectiveness in combat.
• Increased Infusion Capacity: The maximum number of items you can infuse at once increases by 2, but these extra infusions must be part of your Arcane Armor. This allows you to add more magical enhancements to your gear without sacrificing other infusions you might want to use on different items.
• Seamless Model Switching: The infusions on your Arcane Armor transfer over if you change your armor’s model with the Armor Model feature. This means you can switch between the Guardian and Infiltrator models without losing any of your carefully applied enhancements, ensuring you’re always battle-ready.

With Armor Modifications, your Arcane Armor becomes a versatile, customizable powerhouse.

Want boots that let you fly, a helmet that grants you darkvision, or a chest piece that boosts your defenses? You can make it happen.

This feature allows you to tailor your armor to meet the specific needs of any mission, making you an even more invaluable asset to your adventuring party.

So, grab your smith’s tools and get ready to tinker, because with Armor Modifications, the only limit is your imagination!

Recommended: The Toymaker’s Toolkit! Novelty Homebrew Items for Artificers!

Perfected Armor (Level 15)

You’ve mastered your craft, and now it’s time for your Arcane Armor to reach its ultimate form.

The Perfected Armor feature at 15th level bestows your armor with powerful new abilities, tailored to the model you’ve chosen.

Whether you’re a Guardian or an Infiltrator, these enhancements will elevate your combat prowess and ensure you remain a formidable force on the battlefield.

At 15th level, your Arcane Armor gains additional benefits based on its model.

Guardian: When a Huge or smaller creature you can see ends its turn within 30 feet of you, you can use your reaction to magically force it to make a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, you pull the creature up to 25 feet directly to an unoccupied space. If you pull the target to a space within 5 feet of you, you can make a melee weapon attack against it as part of this reaction.

You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Infiltrator: Any creature that takes lightning damage from your Lightning Launcher glimmers with magical light until the start of your next turn. The glimmering creature sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius, and it has disadvantage on attack rolls against you, as the light jolts it if it attacks you. In addition, the next attack roll against it has advantage, and if that attack hits, the target takes an extra 1d6 lightning damage.

So let’s unpack this!

For the Guardian Model, your Guardian armor gains a powerful new ability to control the battlefield.

When a creature ends its turn within 30 feet of you, you can use your reaction to force it to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you can pull the creature up to 25 feet closer to you. If you pull it within 5 feet, you get a free melee attack as part of the same reaction.

This ability allows you to reposition enemies, protect your allies, and deliver punishing blows—all in one swift move. You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, recharging on a long rest.

For the Infiltrator Model, your Infiltrator armor gains a dazzling new effect for your Lightning Launcher.

Any creature hit by your Lightning Launcher starts to glimmer with magical light, shedding dim light in a 5-foot radius and gaining disadvantage on attack rolls against you. This not only protects you but also sets up your allies for success. The next attack roll against the glimmering creature has advantage, and if it hits, it deals an extra 1d6 lightning damage.

This feature makes your ranged attacks even more devastating and turns you into a beacon of offensive support.

With Perfected Armor, your Arcane Armor reaches its pinnacle, offering powerful new abilities that enhance your role on the battlefield.

Whether you’re pulling enemies into your reach or lighting them up for your team, these enhancements ensure you remain a versatile and unstoppable force.

So, suit up and get ready to show the world what a perfected Armorer Artificer can do!

Connections

One of the most exciting aspects of playing an Armorer Artificer is weaving your character into the narrative tapestry of your campaign.

Your character’s unique blend of magic and technology offers plenty of creative opportunities for story connections and plot hooks, making them an integral part of any adventuring party.

Perhaps your character is a brilliant inventor who has created a revolutionary piece of arcane armor.

Driven by a desire to test and perfect their creation, they venture into dangerous territories, seeking out challenges that will push their inventions to the limit.

This quest for innovation can lead to encounters with ancient technologies, lost civilizations, or powerful artifacts that can further enhance their armor.

Prefer something a bit more formal?

As a defender of their homeland or a sworn knight of a magical order, your Armorer Artificer could be tasked with safeguarding their people from threats both mundane and magical.

This duty can lead them to join forces with other adventurers, forming alliances to combat evil forces, monstrous incursions, or political intrigue.

Pay special attention to WHY your character has crafted their armor and what they hope to achieve with it. After all, they likely spent countless hours experimenting to get it right, so there had to be some reason!

How does this further their goals and what leads them to join with the party in pursuit of those goals?

Is the Armorer Artificer Good?

Absolutely! The Armorer Artificer is not just good; it’s freaking fantastic!

This subclass delivers an exhilarating blend of magic and technology, offering you a chance to step into the boots (or, more accurately, the arcane armor) of a character reminiscent of Iron Man.

The Armorer Artificer is absolutely dripping with theme. From the moment you don your customized Arcane Armor, you’re not just another adventurer—you’re a high-tech marvel in a world of magic.

The ability to switch between the Guardian and Infiltrator models adds a layer of versatility and excitement, allowing you to adapt to different combat scenarios and keep your gameplay fresh and engaging.

Though this subclass particularly shines in its ability to customize and adapt. With features like Armor Modifications, you can tailor your armor to fit your playstyle and the needs of your party.

Whether you’re boosting your defenses, enhancing your mobility, or adding powerful offensive capabilities, the Armorer Artificer gives you the tools to craft the perfect set of armor for any situation.

In combat, the Armorer Artificer is a force to be reckoned with, whichever option you choose.

The Guardian model turns you into an unbreakable tank, drawing enemy fire and protecting your allies with Thunder Gauntlets and your Defensive Field. Meanwhile, the Infiltrator model transforms you into a stealthy striker, zapping foes with your Lightning Launcher and slipping through enemy lines with ease.

Finally, the Armorer Artificer excels in party dynamics.

Your ability to infuse items and provide tactical support makes you an invaluable asset to your team. Whether you’re enhancing your allies’ gear, controlling the battlefield, or dishing out damage, you’ll find countless ways to contribute meaningfully to your party’s success.

Related: Ranking Every Artificer Subclass in D&D 5e!

Conclusion – Armorer Artificer in D&D 5e

The Armorer Artificer is a powerhouse of innovation and combat prowess, blending the best of magic and technology into a single, awe-inspiring package.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, this subclass offers a thrilling and dynamic experience that will keep you engaged from your first session to your last.

With the ability to customize your armor, deliver devastating attacks, and provide invaluable support to your party, the Armorer Artificer truly lets you become the magical equivalent of Iron Man.

So, are you ready to don your Arcane Armor and step into the role of the ultimate armored hero? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Leave a comment below and share how you’ve integrated your Armorer Artificer into your campaign.

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