Subclass Artificer Artillerist
The Artillerist is an Artificer subclass built around magical artillery — creating an Eldritch Cannon that acts as an autonomous weapon or support turret. The Artillerist also gains crossbow and longbow proficiencies and the Firearm Expert passive, making it the ranged-combat specialist of the four Artificer subclasses. At Level 5, Arcane Firearm adds a d8 to spell damage.
| LEVEL | FEATURE |
|---|---|
| 3 | Artillerist Spells, Eldritch Cannon |
| 5 | Arcane Firearm |
| 9 | Explosive Cannon |
Artillerist Spells When you reach certain Artificer levels, you always have specific spells prepared:
| ARTIFICER LEVEL | SPELLS |
|---|---|
| 3 | Shield, Thunderwave |
| 5 | Scorching Ray, Shatter |
| 9 | Fireball, Lightning Arrow |
You also gain proficiency with Hand Crossbows, Heavy Crossbows, Longbows, and the Firearm Expert passive.
Eldritch Cannon The cannon is not a summoned companion in this mod — Level 3 grants three cannon actions that you cast yourself, each for a Bonus Action:
| ACTION | EFFECT |
|---|---|
| Force Ballista | Ranged spell attack out to 18 m. On a hit, 2d8 Force damage and the target is pushed 1.5 m |
| Flamethrower | 5 m Cone. Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC — 2d8 Fire damage and Burning on a failure, half damage on a success. The ground catches fire |
| Protector | You and allies within 3 m gain Temporary Hit Points equal to 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier |
The cannon's damage rises to 3d8, and Protector's Temporary Hit Points to 2d8 + Intelligence modifier, at Artificer Level 9.
Arcane Firearm You can use your Arcane Firearm as a Spellcasting Focus for your Artificer spells. When you cast an Artificer spell through the firearm, roll 1d8, and you gain a bonus to one of the spell's damage rolls equal to the number rolled.
Explosive Cannon The Eldritch Cannon you create is now more destructive:
- Firepower — Force Ballista and Flamethrower deal 3d8 instead of 2d8, and Protector grants 2d8 + your Intelligence modifier.
- Detonate — when you take damage, you can spend your Reaction to detonate the cannon. Each enemy within 6 m makes a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC, taking 3d10 Force damage on a failure and half as much on a success. Once per Short Rest.
The Artillerist is the blaster and area-control Artificer. All three cannon actions cost a Bonus Action, so they stack on top of whatever you cast with your Action that turn. Arcane Firearm at Level 5 adds damage to your spells at no action cost. The spell list leans into damage and disruption: Fireball and Lightning Arrow at Level 9 are among the highest-output damage spells available.
What defines the Artillerist:
- Eldritch Cannon — three Bonus Action options: single-target damage, a Cone, or party Temporary Hit Points
- Arcane Firearm — free +1d8 to one damage roll per spell cast through the firearm
- Explosive Cannon at Level 9 — +1d8 on every cannon roll, plus a once-per-Short-Rest Reaction detonation
- Artillerist Spells emphasize raw damage: Scorching Ray, Fireball, Lightning Arrow