New 2024 DnD Artificer Class Revealed in Unearthed Arcana

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First unveiled in 2019 in the pages of Eberron: Rising from the Last War, the Artificer remains one of the newest and most unusual of all the official DnD 5e classes. Combing magic and machinery with a steampunk aesthetic, these unique spellcasters are capable of channeling arcane energy into their creations and are experts in explosives, alchemy and engineering. And while the Artificer was later ported over into the pages of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything in 2020, many fans were surprised to learn that they did not make the cut as one of the core classes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

The good news, however, is that the Artificer is back and kicking into high gear, with Wizards of the Coast recently unveiling a new Unearthed Arcana playtest that seeks to bring the class into the new DnD 2024 rules. This includes some significant changes to their core features, as well as their four subclasses.

So is this tune up to the Artificer an improvement? Below, we grab our toolbelts and tinker with all the details.

What’s changed in the new Artificer for DnD 5e?

Below are all the changes to the 2024 Artificer versus the legacy DnD 5e Artificer that was featured in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. It’s worth noting, however, that we may see further changes given that the Artificer presented in Unearthed Arcana is still in the playtesting phase.

Artificer Feature	Level	Changes to the 2024 Artificer Class
Magical Tinkering	1	Now allows you to craft low-cost items quickly.
Spellcasting	1	– Now allows you to change one cantrip after each Long Rest. – The Artificer spell list includes the following new spells: Cantrips (Elementalism, True Strike), Level 2 (Arcane Vigor, Dragon’s Breath, Homunculus Servant) and Level 5 (Circle of Power)
Replicate Magic Items	2	In the 2020 rules, this Artificer Feature was known as “Infuse Item.” In addition to the name change it has been redesigned and now allows you to replicate any magic item of a qualifying rarity and item type.
Magic Item Tinker	3	Replaces Tool Expertise and lets you turn a magic item into a spell slot.
Flash of Genius	5	Now used when you fail an ability check or saving throw.
Spell-Storing Item	18	Has been changed to include level 3 Artificer spells.
Soul of Artifice	19	No longer requires a Reaction to cheat death. It also now restores you to 20 Hit Points instead of 1. In addition, it now enhances ability checks.

What are the features of the new Artificer?

Below are all of the key features found in the new Artificer, as per the December 2024 Unearthed Arcana playtest.

Level 1: Magical Tinkering

As a Magic action while holding Tinker’s Tools, you can create one item in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of yourself. The item vanishes after 1 hour and you can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest. The objects you can choose from are as follows: Ball Bearings, Net, Basket, Oil, Bedroll, Paper, Bell, Parchment, Blanket, Pole, Block and Tackle, Pouch, Bucket, Rope, Caltrops, Sack, Candle, Shovel, Crowbar, String, Flask, Tinderbox, Jug, Torch, Lamp, Vial.

Level 1: Spellcasting

You produce your Artificer spells through tools. You can use Thieves’ Tools, Tinker’s Tools, or another kind of Artisan’s Tools with which you have proficiency as a Spellcasting Focus. You must have one of these focuses in hand when casting an Artificer spell. You know two Artificer cantrips of your choice (Acid Splash and Prestidigitation are recommended). Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can replace one of your cantrips with another Artificer cantrip of your choice. At levels 10 and 14, you learn additional cantrips.

At level 1, choose two Artificer spells (Cure Wounds and Grease are recommended). The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Artificer levels. When your prepared spell slots increase, choose additional spells. Spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can change your list of prepared spells, replacing any of the spells there with other Artificer spells for which you have spell slots. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your Artificer spells.

Level 2: Replicate Magic Item

You have learned arcane plans that you use to make magic items. When you gain this feature, choose four plans to learn from the Magic Item Plans (Artificer Level 2+) table (see the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide for descriptions). Recommended plans are Bag of Holding, Cap of Water Breathing, Sending Stones, and Wand of the War Mage +1. Whenever you gain an Artificer level, you can replace one of the plans you know with a new plan for which you qualify. You learn another plan of your choice at certain Artificer levels (as seen in the table below). When you finish a Long Rest, you can create one or two different magic items if you have Tinker’s Tools in hand. Each item is based on one of the plans you know for this feature. If a created item requires Attunement, you can attune to it instantly. When you reach certain levels specified in the Magic Items column of the Artificer Features table, the number of magic items you can create increases. If you try to exceed your maximum number of magic items, the oldest item vanishes, and the new item appears.Duration

A magic item created by this feature functions exactly like the normal magic item, except its magic isn’t permanent. If you die, the item vanishes after 1d4 days. If the item is a container (e.g., Bag of Holding), its contents harmlessly appear in its space when it vanishes.

Magic Item Plans (Artificer Level 2+)

Magic Item Plan	Attunement
Alchemy Jug	No
Bag of Holding	No
Cap of Water Breathing	No
Common magic item (non-Potion, non-Scroll, non-cursed; can be learned multiple times for different items)	Varies
Goggles of Night	No
Rope of Climbing	No
Sending Stones	No
Shield +1	No
Wand of Magic Detection	No
Wand of Secrets	No
Wand of the War Mage +1	Yes
Weapon +1	No

Level 3: Right Tool for the Job

The list of items you can create with Magical Tinkering now includes Artisan’s Tools.

Level 4: Ability Score Improvement

You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at levels 8, 12, and 16.

Level 6: Magic Item Tinker

Your Replicate Magic Item feature improves with the following benefits:

• Drain Magic Item: As a Bonus Action, you can touch a magic item within 5 feet of yourself that you created with Replicate Magic Item and cause it to vanish, converting its magical energy into a spell slot. The slot is level 1 if the item is Common or level 2 if the item is Uncommon or Rare. Once you use this feature, you can’t do so again until you finish a Long Rest. Any spell slot created with this feature vanishes when you finish a Long Rest.
• Expanded Replication: When you learn a plan for your Replicate Magic Item feature, you can also choose from the Magic Item Plans (Artificer Level 6+) table.

Level 7: Flash of Genius

When you or a creature you can see within 30 feet of you fails an ability check or a saving throw, you can take a Reaction to add a bonus to the roll, potentially causing it to succeed. The bonus equals your Intelligence modifier. You can use this Reaction a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Level 10: Magic Item Adept

You’ve achieved a profound understanding of magic items, granting the following benefits:

• Additional Attunement: You can attune to up to four magic items at once rather than three.
• Expanded Replication: When you learn a plan for your Replicate Magic Item feature, you can now also choose from the Magic Item Plans (Artificer Level 10+) table.

Level 11: Spell-Storing Item

Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can touch one Simple or Martial weapon or one item that you can use as a Spellcasting Focus, and store a spell in it. Choose a level 1, 2, or 3 Artificer spell that has a casting time of an Action (you needn’t have the spell prepared). While holding the object, a creature can take an Action to produce the spell’s effect, using your spellcasting ability modifier. If the spell requires Concentration, the creature must concentrate. The spell stays in the object until it has been used a number of times equal to twice your Intelligence modifier (minimum of twice) or until you use this feature again.

Level 14: Magic Item Savant

Your skill with magic items deepens, granting these benefits:

• Additional Attunement: You can attune to up to five magic items at once rather than three.
• Expanded Replication: When you learn a plan for your Replicate Magic Item feature, you can now also choose from the Magic Item Plans (Artificer Level 14+) table. You can have no more than three Rare items created by Replicate Magic Item at a time.

Level 18: Magic Item Master

You can now attune to up to six magic items at once rather than three.

Level 19: Epic Boon

You gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Energy Resistance is recommended.

Level 20: Soul of Artifice

You have developed a mystical connection to your magic items, gaining the following benefits:

• Cheat Death: If you’re reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, you can disintegrate one Uncommon or Rare magic item created by your Replicate Magic Item feature, changing your Hit Points to 20 instead of 0.
• Magical Guidance: While attuned to at least one magic item, you can add 1d6 to any ability check you make. You decide to add the die after rolling the d20. You can use this benefit only once per turn.

What are the changes to the 2024 Artificer subclasses?

In Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything there are four official Artificer subclasses: Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist and Battlesmith (all of which are selected at Level 3). These are also included in the new 2024 Artificer Unearthed Arcana playtest, but have the following changes.

• Alchemist: Alchemist Spells has replaced Blight with Vitriolic Sphere. Tool Proficiency now allows the Artificer to craft 0potions faster. Experimental Elixir now produces more elixirs, the healing of the Healing elixir has increased, and you can choose an elixir’s effect. Restorative Reagents has been changed to connect the Temporary Hit Points to your level. Chemical Mastery has been redesigned. It now includes extra damage, Resistance, and the ability to cast Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron.
• Armorer: Tools of the Trade now allows the Artificer to craft armor faster. Armor Model includes a new armor option: Dreadnought. In the Guardian option, Defensive Field now relies on you being Bloodied rather than having limited uses. Armor Modifications has been replaced by a new feature, Armor Replication. Perfected Armor now increases the damage of
  your Thunder Gauntlets and Lightning Launchers.
• Artillerist: Tool Proficiency now allows the Artificer to craft magic Wands faster. Eldritch Cannon now allows each cannon to use the Flamethrower, Force Ballista, and Protector
  options. Explosive Cannon now detonates as a Reaction, instead of an action, and its damage has been increased.
• Battle Smith: Tool Proficiency now allows the Artificer to craft weapons faster. Steel Defender has its HP and Force-Empowered Rend adjusted.

Final Thoughts on the New Artificer

The Artificer has been a fan favorite for almost a decade, and while it was surprising and a little disappointing that it was included as a base class in the new 2024 Player’s Handbook, it’s great to see that Wizards of the Coast hasn’t totally forgotten about these unique magical mechanics. And while the new Artificer is still a work in progress, what we’ve seen so far looks solid, particularly in terms of new cantrip access, the ability to replicate magical items and some of the tweaks to the various subclasses. It remains to be seen, however, if these changes are here to stay or if the Artificer will need to go back to the drawing board.

You can download the rules for new Artificer via the December 2024 Unearthed Arcana playtest.

Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel, with DnD lead designer Jeremy Crawford providing further details on changes to the Artificer.

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