Summary
- New tweaks to the Artificer class, including a new Cartographer subclass, have been revealed in the second Unearthed Arcana playtest.
- The playtest features reworks for Magical Tinkering and Soul of Artifice.
Dungeons and Dragons recently revealed a second Unearthed Arcana playtest that adds some additional tweaks to the Artificer class, including the brand-new Cartographer subclass. The final version of these adjustments, along with the new Dragonmark feats also featured in the playtest material, will be released in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer – a new Dungeons and Dragons sourcebook releasing August 19.
In December 2024, Dungeons and Dragons released a new Unearthed Arcana featuring the Artificer, the only official 5th Edition class to not appear in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. Several changes were implemented to the class in the document, including changes to existing abilities like Replicate Magic Item and Soul of Artifice, new abilities like Magic Item Tinker, and buffs to many of its existing subclasses.
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Now, Dungeons and Dragons has put out a second playtest featuring even more updates to the Artificer. The class has received additional tweaks in response to player feedback, including a rework of Magical Tinkering as Tinker’s Magic, revised Replicate Magic Item tables, and a new function of Magic Item Tinker that allows one to spend spell slots to recharge items. The Soul of Artifice capstone has also been reworked to allow the character to regain more hit points when cheating death by disintegrating multiple magic items, while also making Flash of Genius more reliable by refunding uses on failed rolls.
More Artificer Changes in Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2025
However, one of the most exciting parts of this Unearthed Arcana is a new Dungeons and Dragons subclass for the Artificer. The Cartographer is a never-before-seen, highly mobile archetype that can hand out maps to allies that provide tons of unique utility. As the Artificer gains levels, they can locate and ping allies and enemies using these maps, teleport themselves and their friends around the battlefield, rescue characters who drop to 0 hit points, and even have their concentration be unbreakable from damage.
These Artificer adjustments aren’t the only thing in this Unearthed Arcana. Over two dozen new feats can be found in the playtest inspired by the Dragonmarks of Eberron – magical brands unique to the magicpunk Dungeons and Dragons setting. A new approach to the alternate racial feature Dragonmarks from Eberron: Rising from the Last War, these feats are mostly divided into base Marks and their Greater counterparts that build upon them. There is also an Aberrant Dragonmark and Potent Dragonmark feat, as well as the Boon of Siberys, a new Epic Boon that can be taken at level 19.
Though they may receive adjustments based on player feedback, the Artificer and these feats are set to appear in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, a new Dungeons and Dragons book releasing on August 19. The survey for this Unearthed Arcana is available now until March 11, so fans hoping to give Wizards of the Coast feedback should be sure to do so before then.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
- Franchise
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Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
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1974
- Designer
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E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson