D&D Team Revisits the Controversial Artificer Class

Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons development team is once again revisiting one of the game’s most cherished yet debated character classes: the artificer. Released on Thursday, the latest Unearthed Arcana, now available on the D&D Beyond website, marks the second attempt in three months to introduce new rules and gather fan feedback on this class. Accompanying the announcement, a nearly 20-minute video features insights from lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford and game designer Makenzie De Armas. Fans will have the chance to share their thoughts through a feedback survey opening on March 4.

The artificer class first made its debut in the 5th edition back in 2019, as part of Eberron: Rising from the Last War—an updated take on Keith Baker’s award-winning design from the 3.5 edition released in 2002. Known for its creativity, the class enables players to craft their own magical items, among other abilities. Sometimes, these unique skills can disrupt game balance, which might explain why the class wasn’t included in the revised Player’s Handbook slated for 2024.

A standout feature of this playtest packet is a fresh subclass for the artificer, dubbed the cartographer. This map-making class taps into the post-apocalyptic Eberron setting’s themes, where players navigate a mysterious and challenging world. It even grants players intriguing fast-travel options. Additionally, this Unearthed Arcana explores the class’s spell list, tweaking both innate spells and those crafted through tinkering. The developers haven’t just taken things away; they’ve also introduced “new spells and magic items compatible with” the class, as described in the YouTube video.

Regardless of the playtest’s outcome, fans can look forward to seeing the updated 5th edition artificer make its grand appearance at Gen Con. This will coincide with the launch of a new sourcebook for players and DMs titled Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, with a broader release set for August 19.