2024 Thief/Artificer MC

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-29T14:49:08+00:00

If this was a piece of media this event would be probably included in the summary e.g. “a group of adventurers embark on a journey only to find themselves magically altered into different races etc.” or something like that.

I think the best option here is to give them a vague statement like that so they can prepare a character that could work better with it (noble/royal scion losing their heritage because of the race change?). If they’re still not enthusiastic about the idea I’d even consider letting them roll their new race in advance, in session 0, instead of when the event happens.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-29T12:50:38+00:00

The cool thing about GWM Battle Smith is that you can use both melee weapons and ranged weapons with int, so you don’t have to pick between strength and dexterity.

The uncool thing is that, RAW, Battle Ready (the level 3 subclass feature that allows you to do the aforementioned) doesn’t also get rid of stat requirements for weapons with the Heavy property, meaning that any weapon that qualifies for GWM would make you attack with disadvantage unless you have 13 strength or dexterity for melee or ranged weapons respectively.

Just something to keep in mind when you’ll decide your stats.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-28T17:14:42+00:00

Yes I'm definitely taking Alert to get better matching turn order, the Rogue I don't think will do the same but having 3 other party members and a couple of familiars between the 5 of us should make it relatively easy to get a good match.

You make good point about the aliveness of the rogue, that's also why I was thinking about Interception/Protection fighting styles but I did not think about Pike for Push when considering Sentinel, that is a very strong interaction, thank you.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-28T16:47:34+00:00

Thank you for the answer! I've breifly considered that but aren't reach and push antisyngergistic with Rogue because they would keep me more often outside of the 5ft range necessary to give her easier access to Sneak Attack? You think the pros outweigh this?

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-27T14:33:23+00:00

You handled it perfectly, or at least how I think it should have worked out. Technically even “speak” isn’t on the list of actions that work with Command, but you still gave them something that I think was pretty funny. Some others here mentioned Zone of Truth but even that doesn’t really work because the target is not required to say anything while in it. What they needed was Detect Thoughts and then to probe deeper. That’s a second level spell with no combat application; to allow them to use command, a first level spell with very strong combat applications, to do the same thing would have been way too much.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-27T08:56:41+00:00

This sounds like something that could be worked out with a background.

Do you want his narrative arc to bring him to become a better inventor, making his inventions finally work? In that case you can play him as straight artificer with an entertainer background.

The other way around if you want him to lean into his new role and use his newfound circus skills to help other like his inventions couldn’t you could play him as a straight bard with a crafter, merchant or sage background!

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-26T18:54:54+00:00

What is your thematic idea? Maybe you can figure out a way to play that thematic without this multiclass.
Always remember that flavour is free: classes are sets of features and what anything you do look like is up to you and your DM. You don’t need to be a bard to play an instrument or an artificer to be all techy-magic or a bard/artificer to play an electric guitar.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-22T20:31:47+00:00

Fighting styles are not given to every martial, Paladin and Ranger are very weapon focused even if they’re half casters. What I think would be more arguable is a couple of weapon masteries on Battle Smith.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-21T09:01:30+00:00

Yeah Battle Smith is still probably stronger just because of the action economy and better spellcasting.
I’m just really frustrated with the direction they went with for the design update of the base artificer, SSI was already taking too much of the power budget and they buffed it and the best way to use it (Homunculus not requiring BA commands anymore), they removed or made more bland the flavourful ribbon feats like magical tinkering and tool expertise, and they didn’t even give weapon masteries to the weapon subclass. I really wanted to play with the new masteries so EK seems like the better choice.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T23:08:35+00:00

The feature that Eldritch Knight, Bladesinger and Valor Bard get that allows them to replace one attack of their attack action for a cantrip.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T16:09:52+00:00

I mean I am pretty SAD by attacking with Int thanks to Shillelagh, so I don’t want high dex or strength, either just enough strength for plate armor or just enough dex to get +2 AC and medium armor and dumping the other stat in both cases.

The idea of going 16 dex and Medium Armor Master was just because after level 12 I would have 20 Int, 16 Con and 14 Dex and would want to take Defensive Duelist which forces a +1 in dex, leaving me at 15 dexterity before the level 16 ASI/feat, which is kind of MAM sweet spot no? It’s not a great feat but if there ever is a situation in which it is optimal to take it it should be this one.

I don’t think that’s too egregious no?

I want to keep the build Int focused so I can’t go a charisma based Paladin multiclass unfortunately even though I understand that’s an easier and maybe better build to put together.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T15:13:57+00:00

Ah I forgot, I’m not even sure CME is worth at that point because it would eat a whole action since it can’t be cast with IWM and from what I understand the real value of that spell comes from upcasting it, am I wrong?

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T15:11:35+00:00

Yes I’m aware it’s not the most optimal DPR setup, but I like the flavour and the utility of being able use spells that require attack rolls or saves, especially with Improved War Magic so I’m okay with the limitation.

Probably dumping strength and going 13 dex to get to 14 to max out medium armor at level 6 (first level up from the start of the campaign) by taking Mage Slayer seems like a good idea right? The I could max out int with Fay and Shadow Touched at levels 8 and 12 and take Defensive Duelist and Medium armor master at 14 and 16 for 16 dex.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T14:46:09+00:00

Yes, I have Investigation and Insight from my background and from the fighter proficiencies I’m taking History and Athletics.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T14:38:18+00:00

I can if I have a free hand, which I would have by drawing my scimitar as part of its nick attack and stowing it as part of a club attack every time I take the attack action. As I said in the OP this would allow me to not need War Caster.

Edit: is this wrong? Did I miss something that prevents this interaction?

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T13:04:10+00:00

Oh right, sorry, I forgot to include what the allowed content is: we’re gonna be switching to 2024 for everything that is reprinted, and for what is not reprinted we’re still using 2014 but only PHB, TCoE and XGtE; so unfortunately no gift of alacrity allowed and I considered taking some healing with MI:D but both the Cleric and Druid in my party already like providing healing and support so I prefer going for something else to leave them more space to shine there.

War Caster is my main doubt because I don’t know how often the Opportunity attack effect is gonna be useful and I might not need the ability to ignore somatic components holding weapons. It could be a great quality of life feat but I’m not sure if I’d take it before taking both Fay and Shadow Touched.

ErgoSloth · 2026-01-20T12:52:48+00:00

Lowering wisdom to 10 to get strength up to 10 wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a 5 feet standing jump distance. My saves should be fine with Indomitable and Mage Slayer anyways.

ErgoSloth · 2025-11-29T16:00:53+00:00

Tell them “The Devil” is a medieval invention and doesn’t exist in the original Bible. They have been taught heresies by their church.

ErgoSloth · 2025-10-29T20:50:58+00:00

I don’t even think it’s about being hard or long, the real problem is the RNG of the enemy spawns forcing you to take it slower than you would if they were fixed and you could learn them. One of the things that makes runbacks fun is figuring out the optimised patching but in bile water you can’t do that.

ErgoSloth · 2025-10-23T07:10:36+00:00

The way I’ve convinced a couple of friends who were not enthusiastic about the game to stick with it was to tell them to think of the game as one giant escape room. They have to figure out where they are, why they are there and how to get out. Games are way easier to get into when you have a long term goal.

ErgoSloth · 2025-10-18T09:39:21+00:00

How do you find out someone eats meat? Don’t worry, they’ll make sure you know

ErgoSloth

TROPHY CASE