The Battle Smith is the Swiss Army knife of the D&D universe—equipped to handle everything from fixing a broken sword to dismantling a rampaging ogre (with a little help from your trusty Steel Defender, of course).
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of playing a Battle Smith Artificer, from the best ways to tinker with your tools to the most effective strategies for keeping your party alive and kicking.
So, grab your smith’s tools, charge up your Arcane Jolt, and let’s get ready to forge some legendary tales. Adventure awaits, and with a Battle Smith at the helm, there’s no challenge too great and no enemy too tough.
This is the full subclass guide to the Battle Smith Artificer in D&D 5e! Let’s get tinkering!
What is the Battle Smith Artificer 5e?
Imagine a character who blends the brilliance of an inventor with the prowess of a seasoned warrior. Enter the Battle Smith Artificer—a master of both arcane and mechanical arts, ready to take on any challenge with a blend of intellect and brawn.
This subclass is for those who dream of wielding enchanted weapons, commanding a loyal mechanical companion, and outsmarting foes with a mix of technology and magic.
The Battle Smith thrives on creativity and strategy.
Picture yourself in the heat of battle, with your trusty Steel Defender at your side, deflecting blows and delivering powerful strikes. You’re not just swinging a sword; you’re wielding a weapon you’ve personally enhanced with magical infusions, turning the tide of battle with every calculated move.
Your mind is your greatest weapon, and every encounter is an opportunity to showcase your ingenuity.
But the Battle Smith isn’t just about combat!
Outside of battle, you’re the go-to problem solver, capable of fixing anything from a broken wagon wheel to a malfunctioning automaton. Your skills make you invaluable to your party, and your knack for invention means you’re always coming up with new gadgets and gizmos to aid in your adventures.
The Battle Smith Artificer appears alongside the Artificer core class and other subclasses in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
This essential guide offers new subclasses, spells, magic items, and innovative rules for character customization and game mastery. Elevate your adventures and inspire creativity with this must-have addition to your collection. Get your copy now!
Role in the Party
The Battle Smith Artificer seamlessly blends frontline combat prowess with unparalleled support capabilities.
When you step into the shoes of a Battle Smith, you become the backbone of your adventuring party, ensuring that both offense and defense are covered with equal finesse.
With proficiency in martial weapons and the ability to use Intelligence for attack rolls, the Battle Smith can easily hold their own in melee combat.
Your Steel Defender, a loyal construct, fights by your side, providing both additional damage output and a defensive buffer. This dynamic duo can take on hordes of enemies, protecting squishier party members from harm.
Meanwhile, your magical infusions and spells offer a wealth of support options.
From enhancing weapons and armor to providing crucial healing in the heat of battle, you’re the party’s go-to for keeping everyone in fighting shape. In particular, Arcane Jolt allows you to either deal extra damage or heal allies, giving you the flexibility to adapt to the needs of the moment.
Outside of combat, your skills as an Artificer shine.
Whether it’s disarming traps, repairing equipment, or devising clever solutions to complex problems, your ingenuity keeps the party moving forward. Your proficiency with tools and ability to craft magical items means you’re always prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
The Battle Smith Artificer is the ultimate team player, combining the best aspects of a warrior, healer, and inventor into one versatile package. Your presence on the battlefield is a game-changer, making every adventure a little bit safer—and a lot more exciting.
Battle Smith Artificer 5e Features
So, let’s now get into the details and look over the features you gain as a Battle Smith Artificer in D&D 5e. Buckle up, because this is where the magic truly happens!
Each feature you unlock as a Battle Smith Artificer is like adding a new gadget to your ever-expanding toolkit. From boosting your combat capabilities to enhancing your support skills, these features will transform you into a battlefield legend.
Get ready to tinker, tailor, and triumph as we explore the incredible abilities that make the Battle Smith a force to be reckoned with!
Recommended: Artificer Infusions in D&D 5e Explained!
Tool Proficiency (Level 3)
Ready to embrace your inner blacksmith and craft wonders that leave your enemies in awe? The first step in your journey as a Battle Smith Artificer is gaining the proficiency that sets the foundation for your mechanical marvels.
Let’s dive into the Tool Proficiency feature and see how it turns you into the ultimate artisan of war!
When you adopt this specialization at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with smith’s tools. If you already have this proficiency, you gain proficiency with one other type of artisan’s tools of your choice.
Already proficient with smith’s tools? No problem! Your versatility as an Artificer shines through as you gain proficiency with another set of artisan’s tools of your choice.
Whether you decide to master alchemist’s supplies, tinker’s tools, or any other artisan tools, this additional proficiency broadens your skill set and opens up new avenues for crafting and problem-solving.
In practical terms, this proficiency means you can:
- Repair and Enhance Gear: Keep your party’s weapons and armor in top shape, or even add magical enhancements to give them an edge in battle.
- Craft Custom Equipment: Create specialized items tailored to your party’s needs, from enchanted weapons to unique gadgets.
- Solve Mechanical Puzzles: Your expertise with tools can help you navigate and disarm traps, open locked doors, and overcome mechanical challenges.
With Tool Proficiency, you’re not just a warrior—you’re the ingenious mind behind the scenes, ensuring that every piece of equipment is battle-ready and every mechanical problem has a solution.
Forge your path to greatness!
Battle Smith Artificer 5e Spells (Level 3)
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your spellcasting repertoire is designed to complement your combat prowess and support your allies.
Starting at 3rd level, your magical abilities as a Battle Smith are enhanced by a selection of spells that are always prepared for you, no matter what. This means you have a reliable set of spells ready to go, without needing to use up your limited preparation slots.
| Battle Smith Artificer Level | Spells |
| 3 | Heroism, Shield |
| 5 | Branding Smite, Warding Bond |
| 9 | Aura of Vitality, Conjure Barrage |
| 13 | Aura of Purity, Fire Shield |
| 17 | Banishing Smite, Mass Cure Wounds |
Your spells at level 3 are both fantastic options to have. Heroism is an excellent buff for helping you or an ally stand firmly on the party’s front lines. Meanwhile, Shield is always handy when you need that extra boost to your AC.
At level 5, the Battle Smith picks up Branding Smite, which lets you pile on extra damage while also denying the target the ability to go invisible.
Warding Bond is a bit of a risky pick (remember, you’re tough, but you’re still working with a d8 Hit Dice!). But it might come in handy in certain do-or-die kind of situations.
When you need to hold the line, Aura of Vitality will help give you and your party some extra healing. If you can catch a group of enemies with Conjure Barrage, it’s a pretty decent AoE option worth keeping around.
At level 13, Aura of Purity is yet another defensive aura borrowed from the Paladin spell list. In this case, you’ll give your allies some extra help resisting various conditions, diseases, and poison damage.
Meanwhile, Fire Shield gives you damage resistance, punishes those who attack you, and stays adaptable whether you need to turn the heat up or way, way down.
Finally, your spells at level 17 are a pretty solid wrap-up to the Battle Smith spell list. Banishing Smite is great for temporarily (or potentially permanently) removing an enemy from the board. If your party has been taking a beating and needs a good pick-me-up, Mass Cure Wounds will be just what the doctor ordered!
Battle Ready (Level 3)
Prepare to revolutionize your combat style!
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your blend of martial training and magical experimentation culminates in the Battle Ready feature. This game-changing ability ensures that your intelligence is not just for solving puzzles but also for dominating the battlefield.
Let’s break down how this feature transforms you into a formidable force.
(But, just a heads up, expect this to make more than a few Wizards jealous!)
You gain proficiency with martial weapons.
When you attack with a magic weapon, you can use your Intelligence modifier, instead of your Strength or Dexterity modifier, for the attack and damage rolls.
Say goodbye to the days of sticking to simple weapons. With proficiency in martial weapons, you can now wield an impressive array of armaments, from longswords to warhammers. You are now a versatile and unpredictable combatant on the field.
But the true genius of the Battle Ready feature lies in its second benefit!
When using a magic weapon, you swap out the traditional Strength or Dexterity modifiers for your Intelligence modifier on attack and damage rolls. This means your sharp mind directly translates into sharper strikes and more potent damage.
Imagine this: you’re in the thick of battle, wielding your trusty, magically-infused axe. Instead of relying on brute strength or agility, you channel your intellect into every swing, outsmarting and overpowering your foes with calculated precision.
This synergy between magic and might allows you to maximize your combat effectiveness while staying true to your Artificer roots.
With Battle Ready, you’re not just a fighter—you’re a cerebral combatant whose every move is a testament to your ingenuity and tactical brilliance.
Steel Defender (Level 3)
Get ready to meet your steadfast ally on the battlefield!
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your ingenuity and craftsmanship bring to life a remarkable companion—the Steel Defender. This loyal construct is more than just a mechanical marvel; it’s your shield, your sword, and your trusted friend in the heat of combat.
By 3rd level, your tinkering has borne you a faithful companion, a steel defender. It’s friendly to you and your companions, and it obeys your commands. See its game statistics in the Steel Defender stat block, which uses your proficiency bonus (PB) in several places. You determine the creature’s appearance and whether it has two legs or four; your choice has no effect on its game statistics.
In combat, the defender shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the defender can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.
If the Mending spell is cast on it, it regains 2d6 hit points. If it has died within the last hour, you can use your smith’s tools as an action to revive it, provided you are within 5 feet of it and you expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The steel defender returns to life after 1 minute with all its hit points restored.
At the end of a long rest, you can create a new steel defender if you have smith’s tools with you. If you already have a defender from this feature, the first one immediately perishes. The defender also perishes if you die.
Alright, let’s break it down a bit…
- Customizable Appearance: You decide the look of your Steel Defender, whether it’s a sleek, two-legged automaton or a sturdy, four-legged guardian. Its appearance is entirely up to your imagination, adding a personal touch to your creation.
- Combat Companion: In battle, your Steel Defender acts right after your turn, following your commands with unwavering loyalty. By default, it takes the Dodge action, making it harder for enemies to hit. However, with a bonus action, you can command it to take other actions, such as attacking, helping, or protecting.
- Durability and Revival: The Steel Defender is resilient, capable of being repaired with the Mending spell or revived if it falls in battle. This ensures your companion is always ready to jump back into the fray, no matter the odds.
- Lifespan and Replacement: If your Steel Defender is destroyed or you need a new one, you can create a replacement at the end of a long rest, ensuring you’re never without your trusty companion for long.
With the Steel Defender by your side, you’re not just a lone hero—you’re a dynamic duo, ready to take on any challenge. This mechanical guardian enhances your combat strategy, offering both offensive and defensive support, and solidifying your role as the ultimate battlefield tactician.
Get ready to command, conquer, and craft your legacy with your loyal Steel Defender!
Extra Attack (Level 5)
Get ready to unleash a whirlwind of strikes!
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your combat capabilities get a significant upgrade with the Extra Attack feature. This powerful ability ensures that you can dish out more damage and maintain relentless pressure on your foes.
Starting at 5th level, you can attack twice, rather than once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
With the ability to attack twice, you effectively double your damage potential in a single turn. This makes you a significant threat to any enemy, capable of cutting down foes with a flurry of strikes.
But there’s more!
Remember your Battle Ready feature? Now, you can apply your Intelligence modifier to two attacks per turn with your magic weapon, making each strike not only precise but also devastatingly powerful!
Extra Attack gives you much more flexibility in combat. You can target multiple enemies, finish off a weakened foe, or combine your attacks with your Steel Defender’s actions for coordinated assaults that leave your enemies reeling.
With a swift and calculated series of strikes, you can deliver a one-two punch that leaves your enemies scrambling to defend themselves. From there, your Steel Defender follows up with its own attacks, creating a seamless and relentless offensive that entirely overwhelms your foes.
With Extra Attack, you’re a whirlwind of steel and magic, capable of turning the tide of any battle with sheer force and tactical brilliance. Get ready to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies and carve your legend with every swing of your weapon!
Related: Extra Attack in D&D 5e Explained!
Arcane Jolt (Level 9)
Prepare to electrify the battlefield with your newfound magical prowess!
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your ability to channel arcane energy reaches new heights with the Arcane Jolt feature. This versatile ability allows you to both devastate your enemies and heal your allies, making you an indispensable force in any skirmish.
At 9th level, you’ve learned new ways to channel arcane energy to harm or heal. When either you hit a target with a magic weapon attack or your steel defender hits a target, you can channel magical energy through the strike to create one of the following effects:
The target takes an extra 2d6 force damage.
Choose one creature or object you can see within 30 feet of the target. Healing energy flows into the chosen recipient, restoring 2d6 hit points to it.
You can use this energy a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once), but you can do so no more than once on a turn. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
When you or your Steel Defender land a hit with a magic weapon, you can choose to deal an additional 2d6 force damage to the target.
This surge of arcane energy can turn a regular hit into a crushing blow, making your attacks even more formidable. Naturally, you especially want to make sure that you’ve got an Arcane Jolt ready for when you land a critical hit to REALLY bring the pain!
Alternatively, you can channel this energy to heal an ally within 30 feet of your target. This dual functionality ensures you can provide crucial healing in the heat of battle, keeping your party on their feet.
You can use Arcane Jolt a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once), but only once per turn. All expended uses are regained after a long rest, ensuring you’re ready to unleash this power in every encounter.
So, let’s set the scene…
You’re in the midst of a fierce fight, and your Steel Defender lands a solid hit on an enemy. With a flick of your wrist, you channel arcane energy through the strike, delivering a powerful jolt that sends your foe reeling.
Moments later, you see an ally unconscious and in desperate need of aid. Another strike, another surge of energy, and your friend is revitalized, ready to get back on their feet and continue the fight.
How’s that for some solutions-based thinking?
Improved Defender (Level 15)
At level 15, it’s time for your capstone feature, so get ready to supercharge your combat capabilities!
As a Battle Smith Artificer, your mastery over arcane energy and mechanical ingenuity reaches its pinnacle with the Improved Defender feature. This upgrade not only boosts your Arcane Jolt’s potency but also enhances your Steel Defender’s resilience and offensive capabilities.
Let’s explore how Improved Defender transforms you and your mechanical companion into an unstoppable force.
At 15th level, your Arcane Jolt and steel defender become more powerful:
The extra damage and the healing of your Arcane Jolt both increase to 4d6.
Your steel defender gains a +2 bonus to Armor Class.
Whenever your steel defender uses its Deflect Attack, the attacker takes force damage equal to 1d4 + your Intelligence modifier.
Kicking things off with an arcane bang, the extra damage and healing provided by your Arcane Jolt now increase to 4d6. This means your strikes are even more devastating, and your healing is more substantial, making every use of Arcane Jolt a game-changing moment in combat.
Meanwhile, your trusty Steel Defender’s Armor Class receives a +2 bonus, making it tougher and more resilient against enemy attacks.
That might not sound like much, but rest assured that it is! This added durability ensures your loyal companion can withstand more punishment and continue to protect and assist you in battle.
Lastly, whenever your Steel Defender uses its Deflect Attack reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack roll against a creature within 5 feet of it, the attacker takes force damage equal to 1d4 + your Intelligence modifier.
It’s not much damage, but Deflect Attack is so handy that you’re probably using it all the time anyway. This means the damage is going to start adding up quickly! This not only protects your allies but also punishes enemies for their aggression, adding an extra layer of deterrence.
With Improved Defender, you’re not just a formidable combatant anymore. Now, you’re a battlefield commander whose every move is amplified by arcane and mechanical prowess.
Connections
Connecting your Battle Smith Artificer to the story and your party is key to creating a rich and immersive character. So, let’s check out some ideas to help you integrate your ingenious inventor into the fabric of your campaign.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, your Battle Smith might be on a quest to uncover ancient technologies or lost magical secrets. This pursuit can lead to exciting adventures, from exploring forgotten ruins to deciphering cryptic artifacts.
Or perhaps your character is working on a grand invention or a groundbreaking discovery. Joining an adventuring party provides access to rare materials, inspiration from diverse cultures, and valuable field tests for your latest creations.
If you want to go a bit darker with it, a tragic event, such as the loss of a loved one or the destruction of your workshop, could have set you on a path of vengeance or justice. Your mechanical prowess and combat skills are your tools for righting wrongs and protecting the innocent.
The Battle Smith Artificer wears so many hats that they can easily connect with virtually any party member. After all, you offer frontline offense and defense, plenty of support, and an incredible amount of practical problem-solving abilities.
Artificers, in general, tend to be Swiss Army Knives, but few can claim such a title to the degree of the Battle Smith! You’ll always be finding new ways to work alongside your party members, regardless of the situation at hand.
By weaving these connections into your character’s backstory and interactions, your Battle Smith Artificer will not only have a compelling reason to adventure but also a strong bond with the party, making every quest a collaborative and thrilling experience.
Get ready to tinker, protect, and lead your way to legendary tales!
Is the Battle Smith Artificer Good?
Absolutely, the Battle Smith Artificer is not just good—it’s simply phenomenal! This subclass is a powerhouse of versatility, combining robust combat abilities with unparalleled support and utility.
The Battle Smith Artificer excels in combat, standing toe-to-toe with the fiercest foes.
With proficiency in martial weapons and the ability to use your Intelligence modifier for attack and damage rolls (thanks to the Battle Ready feature), you’re a formidable force on the battlefield. Add in the Extra Attack at 5th level, and you’re dishing out damage like a seasoned warrior.
But let’s not forget this subclass’s main feature!
Your Steel Defender is an absolute game-changer. This loyal mechanical companion not only fights by your side but also provides invaluable support and greatly opens up your tactical options in combat.
It can intercept attacks, protect allies, and even deal damage with its Deflect Attack reaction. The Steel Defender’s durability and the ability to be easily repaired or revived make it a reliable partner in any skirmish with very little downside.
And, of course, Arcane Jolt at level 9 adds another layer of versatility. Whether you need to deal extra damage or heal an ally, this feature gives you the flexibility to adapt to the needs of the moment.
The improved version at 15th level makes your strikes even more devastating and your healing more potent, ensuring you’re always ready to turn the tide of battle.
Round all of this out with a solid spell list alongside fantastic utility and support capabilities and you’ve got a real powerhouse on your hands!
Whether you’re leading the charge, protecting your allies, or crafting ingenious solutions to problems, the Battle Smith ensures you’re always at the top of your game.
Conclusion: Battle Smith Artificer in D&D 5e
The Battle Smith Artificer is a truly remarkable subclass, blending the brilliance of invention with the ferocity of a seasoned warrior.
From the reliable companionship of your Steel Defender to the devastating power of your Arcane Jolt, every feature is designed to make you a versatile and indispensable member of any adventuring party.
Now that you’ve seen the incredible potential of the Battle Smith Artificer, it’s time to bring your own creation to life. Embrace your inner inventor, unleash your combat prowess, and forge a legacy that will be remembered for ages.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experiences, tips, and stories about playing a Battle Smith Artificer in the comments below.
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