The New DnD Reanimator Artificer (Subclass Deep Dive)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Resurrecting the dead is hardly a new concept in Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, over the years there have been countless ways to animate and control corpses. The new Reanimator Artificer subclass, however, offers a new twist on an the concept, essentially letting players become the DnD equivalent of Doctor Frankenstein by using magic, science and a few random body parts to create their own undead constructs.
The Reanimator was recently unveiled in the May 2025 Unearthed Arcana Playtest, which features eight new Horror Subclasses. It will also more than likely make an appearance in the upcoming Eberron: Forge of the Artificer sourcebook slated for release in August 2025 (although it’s also possible we may see the subclass as an option in a new Ravenloft sourcebook sometime in the near future).
So does the Reanimator breathe new life into the Artificer? Below, we flip the switch and find out.
What are the Artificer Reanimator subclass features?
Reanimators defy the laws of nature in pursuit of gruesome experiment. These grim Artificers stitch together servants from disparate corpses, use foul magic to strengthen the living and transform the art of necromancy into a terrifying science. Their key features (as outlined in the late May 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest) are as follows:
Level 3: Reanimator Spells
When you reach an Artificer level specified in the Reanimator Spells table, you always have the spells listed below prepared:
| Reanimator Artificer Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | False Life, Spare the Dying, Witch Bolt |
| 5 | Blindness/Deafness, Enhance Ability |
| 9 | Animate Dead, Lightning Bolt |
| 13 | Blight, Death Ward |
| 17 | Antilife Shell, Raise Dead |
Level 3: Jolt to Life
When you cast Spare the Dying, you can modify the spell so it sends a jolt of electricity through the target, reviving it. The target regains 1 Hit Point and each creature in a 10-foot emanation originating from the target must make a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the creature takes lightning damage equal to 1d4 + half your Artificer level (rounded up). On a success, they take half damage. You can use this modification a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier, and regain all uses after a Long Rest.
Level 3: Reanimated Companion
Using Tinker’s Tools or another type of Artisan’s Tools with which you are proficient, you can take a Magic action to create a Reanimated Companion (see stat block below) through necromancy and science. It appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of you. You choose the appearance (purely cosmetic). It is friendly to you and your allies. It lasts until your next Long Rest or until you use a Magic action to dismiss it. If you die, it drops to 0 HP and triggers Death Burst. You can only have one companion at a time and can’t summon another while one is present. You regain the ability to create one after a Long Rest, or you may expend a spell slot to create one again.
In combat the companion acts on your turn. It can move and use its Reaction and takes the Dodge action unless commanded with a Bonus Action. If you’re Incapacitated, it acts freely.
Reanimated Companion (Stat Block)
Small Undead, Neutral
AC: 10 + your Intelligence modifier | HP: 4 + (4 × Artificer level); Hit Dice = Artificer level (d6s) | Speed: 30 ft.
| Ability | Score | Mod | Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| DEX | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| INT | 4 | –3 | –3 |
| WIS | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 6 | –2 | –2 |
Resistances: Necrotic, Poison | Immunities: Lightning; Charmed, Exhaustion, Poisoned | Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Passive Perception 10 | Languages: Understands languages you know | CR: None (XP 0); Proficiency Bonus = yours
Death Burst: When the companion dies, each creature in a 10-foot emanation must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = your spell save DC). On a fail: takes 2d6 necrotic damage.
Lightning Absorption: If the companion takes Lightning damage, it instead regains that many hit points.
Dreadful Swipe: Melee Attack + your spell attack modifier | Reach: 5 ft. | Hit: 1d4 + 2 + your Intelligence modifier (necrotic) | Effect: Target can’t make Opportunity Attacks until start of its next turn.
Level 5: Strange Modifications
When you create a Reanimated Companion, it gains one of the following options:
- Arcane Conduit: Cast spells from the companion’s space using your own senses. Once per turn, if you deal damage with an Evocation or Necromancy spell while the companion is within 120 feet, add your Intelligence modifier to one damage roll.
- Ferocity: When you command the companion to use Dreadful Swipe, it can use it twice.
Level 9: Improved Reanimation
When you create a Reanimated Companion, choose one:
- Bloated: Becomes Large or Medium. On a hit, can push a Large or smaller creature up to 10 feet. Add your Intelligence modifier to Death Burst damage.
- Gaunt:: Speed increases to 45 ft. Gains Climb Speed equal to Speed (can climb ceilings). Creatures starting within 10 ft. must make a Wisdom saving throw (vs spell save DC) or be Frightened until their next turn.
- Moist: Gains a Swim Speed equal to Speed. If hit by an attack within 10 ft., attacker takes Acid damage equal to your Intelligence modifier.
Level 15: Promethean Reanimation
You have mastered the science of revivification:
- Facilitated Revival: Revivify and Raise Dead cost half the normal material components.
- Improved Companion: Death Burst damage becomes 4d6, and your Companion’s necrotic damage ignores resistance.
- Life Transfer: When you take damage, use your Reaction to reduce the damage by causing your companion to die (triggering Death Burst). You regain HP equal to your Artificer level.
Is the New Reanimator Artificer worth playing?
The new Reanimator Artificer isn’t an entirely original concept. In fact, a subclass with the exact same name appeared in Ghostfire Gaming’s Grimhollow Player’s Guide, which was released several years back.
That being said, it’s still a cool concept and has a ton of potential (although the horror vibes might not mesh with every campaign). It retains to be seen, however, if the Reanimator will continue shambling on in its current form or will be given a few nips and tucks before it’s finally laid to rest in the Eberron: Forge of the Artificer sourcebook. In the meantime, you can check the subclass out for yourself by downloading the latest Unearthed Acana playtest.
Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel with DnD designer Makenzie De Armas breaking out a few more details on the Reanimator.
More D&D Rules Coverage
For more from the world of Wizards of the Coast, visit our D&D Rules page.
Subscribe to D&D Fanatics
Get exclusive D&D news, reviews and rules updates delivered right to your inbox.
Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).
