Artificer FAQ
What subclasses can an Artificer choose?
The pre-2024 Artificer has four main published Specialists: Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist, and Battle Smith. The choice is made at 3rd level and strongly changes the class's role, from support and alchemy to magical armor, arcane artillery, or weapon combat with a Steel Defender.
An Artificer's subclass is called an Artificer Specialist. In the pre-2024 class used here, the four main published choices are: - Alchemist - Armorer - Artillerist - Battle Smith The Specialist is chosen at 3rd level. Additional Specialist features are gained later in the Artificer progression. All four subclasses keep the base Artificer's Spellcasting, Infuse Item, tools, Flash of Genius, and magic-item progression. What changes is how those features are focused.
Alchemist
Alchemist emphasizes magical chemistry, experimental mixtures, and support.
It is the most natural Specialist for a player imagining the Artificer as a potion-maker, apothecary, magical chemist, or experimental healer.
Its subclass features support alchemical effects and a more spell/support oriented approach.
Alchemist still retains the normal Artificer infusions and spell list.
It is therefore not limited to healing.
The subclass simply pushes more of the Artificer's identity toward magical compounds and support.
Armorer
Armorer makes Arcane Armor the center of the character.
The subclass is designed around the fantasy of creating a magical suit that acts as both equipment and a class feature.
Different armor configurations support different combat approaches.
This can allow the Armorer to lean more heavily toward protection or toward a more mobile style.
Armorer strongly benefits from Intelligence, fitting naturally with the base Artificer's main ability score.
Artillerist
Artillerist specializes in magical ranged pressure and arcane artillery.
Its signature Eldritch Cannon provides a constructed magical battlefield tool.
The cannon can serve different purposes depending on its configuration.
Later subclass features improve the Artillerist's relationship with offensive magic and its cannon.
Choose Artillerist when the intended class fantasy is closer to “magical battlefield engineer” than “weapon smith.”
Battle Smith
Battle Smith combines weapon combat, magical support, and a Steel Defender.
The subclass is particularly suitable for players who want an Artificer that feels closer to a martial character while retaining spells, infusions, tools, and magical support.
The Steel Defender adds another creature to the battlefield.
That changes positioning and action-economy decisions.
The Artificer now has to think about both their own position and the Defender's position.
How do you choose between them?
Choose Alchemist when support, alchemy, experimental magic, and restoration are the most appealing parts of the Artificer.
Choose Armorer when magical armor, durability, and armor-based combat are central to the character concept.
Choose Artillerist when magical ranged damage, battlefield pressure, and Eldritch Cannon are the priority.
Choose Battle Smith when weapon combat, companion play, Steel Defender, and a martial Artificer are the main appeal.
What all four Specialists retain
The Specialist does not replace the Artificer.
Every Specialist still has access to the base class's major systems.
An Artillerist still has tools and infusions.
A Battle Smith is still a spellcaster.
An Armorer still has Flash of Genius.
An Alchemist can still give infused equipment to allies.
The subclass determines emphasis rather than deleting the base identity.