Unearthed Arcana - Artificer 2024 review

 Hey sportsfans,

So I just read the latest UA document for the updated D&D rules for 2024. This first installment covered the Artificer class. It is actually one of my favorite classes that was added to the game. I really enjoyed the last UA version...and the final version was okay. I didn't like what they did with the Alchemist archtype and unfortunately, this time is no different. It is the weakest of the artificers in my opinion and just doesn't make much sense. To quickly recap, there are four archtypes:

Armorer - gets to wear heavy armor, ignore the strength requirement, and has three forms that are fairly easy to switch between, giving it lots of flexibility.

Battlesmith - A very combat oriented build with a build in guardian. I played one for a good bit and they can be very effective.

Artillerist - The ranged spellcaster and damage dealer, now with increased flexibility with the summoned turret.

Alchemist - the "master" of potions, but really just a very lackluster class. The main benefit of the alchemist comes in two parts. The first is that they are able to create potions on the fly. The second is that they get a slight damage bonus to certain types of spells or healing boosts. The potions that are created are all utility types except for the healing potion. The fact that they roll randomly to see what they get is super lame. Just a horrible idea. The other major issue here is that there really are no offensive uses for these potions, which is another huge missed opportunity. And finally, they can also expend spell slots to make more potions...and they can choose which type when they do. But of course, this is also bad. The class is already hurting for spells being a hybrid class. So asking them to give up a limited resource in order to create a consumable is not a great exchange. Not only that, but the potions don't get any benefit when a high level slot is used. So a first level spell produces the exact same potion as a level 3 spell. Really??? Completely not worth it. 

In terms of their damage boost, at level 5 they get to add their INT to damage and at level 15, add 2d8 to a spell as long as its a certain damage type. These are okay, but they just don't stack up vs the other archtypes.

How do you fix this class? I think you have to make the potion feature a real stand out ability and you have to make sure it scales upwards with levels or spell slots. My first suggestion would be to have a small set of potion types that can always be chosen. For example, Healing and Blast potions. So when you make a potion, you can choose healing or blast. Healing does 2d8 + INT to the person who drinks it and the blast potion does 2d8+INT poison or acid damage (chosen when made). Now, you then add in a random table for each one that adds a secondary effect. So the healing potion could get a secondary benefit of +1 AC for a minute, or fly for one minute, or +d4 to saves and attacks for one minute, etc...take these lesser utility abilities and make them secondary effects to a main effect. The blast potion would get effects that hurt or hinder the target. One might be 5ft radius, or gain the poisoned condition for a minute, or -1 AC if acid...just spitballing here. But there are plenty of ways. Expanding on the four damage types that they get bonuses for, use those as the base potion types: Fire, Acid, Necrotic, Poison and then healing. I would probably vary the base die type for each one kind of like how cantrips are done.

Then create a table for secondary effects for each type. So if you roll a 1 for its secondary effect, for Healing, it gets +1 AC, for Necrotic, -1 to saves, for Fire, next turn takes INT burning damage, for Acid, -1 AC for a minute, and for Poison, get blinded for a round. And so on for a d4 options for each.

The basic idea is, the player chooses which type of potion to make, guaranteeing a specific ability from it, and then gets a secondary benefit at random. When they spend a spell slot, they get to chose which secondary ability. Gives them great flexibility and can really chose to make something useful for whatever specific situation comes up.

Next up, you increase the effectiveness if a spell slot over 1st level is used. Could just be an extra die added per level. But it means something when you sacrifice those rare spell slots the class has. I would also increase the base value on character class. A level 9 artificer should be making healing potions that are better than a 3rd level artificer. You could use the same class advancement that increases the number of potions to update their base effect. Since a total of 5 potions is the max, it really isn't overpowered.

Do this, make their potions the key feature of the class, and its finally worth taking. In terms of balance, the offensive potions eat up a turn to make. You have to have your hands free for your kit, and then you spend a spell slot and brew up your potion. Next round is when you can use it. A healing potion still benefits from the bonus action use rule. I'd probably also remove the level 15 extra 2d8 force damage effect. Don't need it as the damage already starts to scale upwards due to level and potential spell slot bonus dice.

That would make the class much more attractive. It gives them some real boosts combat wise and does make them excellent healers as well. And they still can provide limited utility by sacrificing spells.

 Okay, my brain is tired. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the ponderings. Just gotta figure out how to get wizards to read this....

 

 

Summer Doldrums

 Welcome back sports fans,

So here we are in the scorching month of July...and I do mean scorching...today its supposed to hit 100. Yay for AC. So besides the heat, what has been going on in my world of gaming? Well honestly, not too much...but not nothing.

First off, I'm still working on my Sisters. I primed all of the combat patrol (original, not the new one) models so that I can start painting them. I also primed the rhino that I have and even started on that model.

I had to look at a few different models to figure out how I wanted the paint scheme to go. For the most part, it is going to be a big shiny metal model.

I'll be picking out bits and such to highlight, but up next is the primary shading which will darken the tank considerably, and then go back and add highlights. I'm using the Fanatic paints by Army Painter and they are pretty fantastic. No concerns at all so far.

Moving away from GW stuff, I got in a game of Lords of Waterdeep when a college buddy of mine visited. I finally won too even though my wife played...she always wins for some reason. One of my favorite board games of all time. Wife loves it because there are eight turns and then you are done. None of this "forever" nonsense that lots of games can fall into.

Also on the board game front, I just got my copy of Avalon Hill's Talisman, 5th edition. Now I'm pretty dumb for buying this as I pretty much already own several versions of Talisman. And honestly, I don't actually recall buying it...I remember looking at it on Amazon...but not actually deciding to buy it....but oh well, it's here now. I've popped the hood and the components seem decent. It is Avalon Hill this time making the game, so maybe that is why I bought it??

On the video game front, I have been playing Dark and Darker. Now at first when I saw this game being played by friends, I thought, that looks cool. But then I found out it was a PvPvE game...which means other players can gank you...and my interest took a nosedive. No way I was going to struggle in a game vs AI and then have some better player kill me and take my stuff. Well it went free on Steam...so I tried it...and then after realizing if you expect to die and not worry about taking in good gear...you can just have fun and even laugh at your deaths. So I've been actually enjoying it...level up!

So while not the craziest time of gaming in my life, a decent spread of stuff across the board. Can't really complain. Whelp...until next time...

Wait, I never posted up finished pics....

 Ugh. So like the worst thing in the world is looking through your old posts and noticing the dates on them. Apparently nearly two years ago, I started showing off some progress I was doing on a knight helverin....and I got all the way up to building and priming the guy. Well damn, I actually finished it...like almost two years ago...but apparently forgot about the blog and never posted up the finished pictures.

So without further ado....

Granted, the base is not finished on the guy...probably still not finished if I know me...but...its almost ready to be finished....seriously...

I did have one snaffu...the magnet inside the shell came off and is now rattling around in there...so sometimes I can get the gun to stick in place. :)

Clearly, shots with the blue knight that I didn't paint. I really like the yellow color. I think it pops well and stands out.

So there you have it...I actually did mostly finish a knight. Heh..okay, just noticed that the last three images were all pre-shading and base pumice...but still...

Until next time...

Inspired

 Hello Sports Fans,

Today we bring you an unusual update. This one comes on the heels of painting models. Crazy I know, but it could just be true. I recently was invited to a hobby night. I know a few people that like to gather every once in a while and just put together or paint models for the evening. No game playing, no dice rolled, just communal hobbying. I find them to typically be very fun and encouraging. Nothing like peer pressure to put glue to plastic, or paint to brush.

That particular night, I did not put paint to brush, but instead went with the glue to plastic option. I built myself the dreaded EightyEight anti-aircraft gun used by the Wehrmacht during WWII. Warlord has decided to team up with Italieri for certain plastic models. These are fairly detailed models with lots of little bits and the barest of instructions. This 35ish part model took me most of the evening to build as it was quite difficult at times. There were some positives to the kit as well, like molded fittings for certain parts. Some of it would almost be considered snap to fit even. I did finally get the gun built and will be looking for an appropriate base to put it on. The scale did seem a tad bit off though for typical Bold Action. Will have to see how it looks on the table in the future. Now this kit had four (double sided) pages for instructions. I then reached over to start work on the Panzer III model from Italieri...which was 70ish parts with a single double sided instruction page. At that point I was neither drinking, nor could afford to, so the kit went back into the box.

By this time you are probably wondering...didn't he talk about painting models? Well yes, I did. But in the course of that evening, it were the other participants that were doing actual painting. Most were young lads I had not met before. They were quite excited to be working on their 40K models. I gave out a little advice here and there as I'm a somewhat experienced painter. But all in all, it was simply great to see people really excited about the hobby as a whole, and going guns blazing to get paint on models.

That was the inspiring part. The following weekend, my family spent it at the beach for my daughter's birthday. Knowing how low key we keep things, I brought three sisters of battle models that had been primed. These are part of a larger army that I bought in the hopes I could convince my wife to play. We had talked about a color scheme long ago but at this point, the best we had gotten was priming a few.

I had purchased the new warpaints set (the middle tier one) and decided to try them out. I grabbed a handful of colors I thought would be useful and brought them along, including my Valejo spepia wash. Over the course of the weekend, I put paint to brush and got all three of them about 98% done. I'm sure there are some fine details I will need to go back and add or clean up, as well as finish basing. The faces are going to be a bear as they are very detailed and my old eyes don't see so well anymore. But alas, I will give it a try. 

Here they are in their current splendor....

First up, the battle sister. She was my first test model for the color scheme. I was going with the Order of the Golden Light....a small order that apparently all have been Martyred and thus they come back to life when needed. Neat. Clearly my photo skills need work, but this gives you an idea at least. I did record each color I used. These typically have a black outter color for the cloak and a white inner color. However, seeing how I like washes, I went with a dark grey outter color and a light tan inner color...to make them more neutral and less bright, plus it is easier to shade grey than black. I think it plays off the gold armor quite well.

Next up is the Canoness. Now this model was quite hard because she had so much cloak and not much else.There also wasn't any great place to add a touch of red to (I did go with red prayer beads). She will probably need a bunch of detail work added to make her really pop on the battlefield.

Finally, is the Sister Superior. I think she came out quite well. My paint style lends itself to looking better in hand than on the tabletop...and the neutral scheme might just all blend together when seen from a distance...but I don't mind that. I like painting more realistic than stylistic. She will benefit a bit from more detailing as well. But that might wait until the majority of the army is done. I found a good consistent theme to go with and I know the order of how I am painting them. So the trick will be to continue and get the combat patrol done and then look to expand the army further. The basing needs more work too, but the pumice I added and little drybrushing is decent enough for now. 

Well there you have it. Three newly painted models...stuff I'm actually very happy with. Now just gotta prime some more and keep on painting.

Until next time....

It is....ALIVE!

 Well as the title has hinted at, I have created something. Not sure if I had posted this or not, but some time ago I got a 3D resin printer, the mighty Elegoo Jupiter. This beast sat in my garage for quite a while waiting to be used. However, life and associated nonsense prevented that from happening. Now the printer has found its way into my basement. I finally made some attempts at printing and they failed horribly. I was supposed to be printing this rook piece that Elegoo has on the memory stick....but all I ever got were round disks.

Well I made the decision to sell the printer for a variety of reasons. However, I didn't want to sell it and not have it actually product anything. I'd want the next owner to have success with it. So I scoured the internet, asked questions, listened to the answers, and voila! I have succeeded!

In figuring out how to get the rook to print, I tested with a few other files as well.

And after those successes, I decided to print some warmaster files I had. Great thing about warmaster is that those models don't take long to print at all.

I've got two units of blunderbuss chaos dwarfs ready to go. And they look really good. So at this point, why sell the printer now that I finally have it dialed in. Well, mostly because it is a beast. Honestly...its huge and takes up a lot of space. Also, I'm a bit worried that I'll forget how to get it working again if I have to take a printing break for a significant time...which I fully expect to happen. Also, I already ordered a newer, full featured printer that will handle probably 95% of what I need to print as well. Honestly, I might have jumped the gun on getting the newer, shinier printer as the Jupiter is now doing exactly what I wanted it to do. But it doesn't make sense to have two printers for the amount of printing I intend. Hopefully I can find it a good home.

However, now that I have it working, I might actually try to go for some of those larger print models I've bought STLs for and see how it does. No one has bit on buying it anyways.

Nine Long Years

 It has been nine years since I played warhammer fantasy battle, or as kids are learning about it today, The Old World. Nine years of not playing my favorite game and watching the community splinter in different directions and my models collect dust. I never got into Age of Sigmar. It didn't grab me out of the gate and though there are some really cool models from it, it never drew me into playing. 

So now I sit here waiting for my Warhammer: The Old World (WtOW) pronounced wah-tow! lol.... stuff to arrive, I find myself in a very odd state. I'm anxious, almost giddy. I've started digging through my collections, trying to verify what I have and what I don't have. Was I dumb enough to sell or trade stuff off? What did I purchase in the last nine years to fill those collections even though the models would never get used? 

I've started hearing from people I haven't seen in nearly a decade as they too are excited about returning to fantasy battle. I is almost as if the clock has turned back. How odd that a game has come back due to the company, and only now am I considering playing it, while all along the older editions were always there. Not sure how to explain that.

The point is, Warhammer Fantasy is back, and it has me thinking about it all the time. I've gotten the books and so far I really like what I see in the rules. Cleaned up some things, flatted out others. I see a game where what you do is more important than perhaps what you bring. And that is a good thing. Well, that will last until people figure out the meta or how to break it.

I've also look at the various armies, but official and legacy. It did hurt quite a bit for my favorite Vampire Counts to be tossed in the Legacy pile. Such a great army and now what is left of it will wallow in a single, unsupported pdf. But if I can wait 9 years for GW to reverse course on Fantasy, then perhaps later down the line they will reinstate Legacy armies as well.

Right now, I would like to decide on an army to move forward with initially. Work on one army, get it to table ready status, and just enjoy playing again. The hard part will be figuring out which one to go with as I have several. This is not a new problem for me, and yet the answer is always hard to find. 

Until that time, I can do a few things. I've started to print unit converters so that I won't have to rebase all of my models. I'm also going to inventory my current collection to see what I have and what I don't need. Could be a good time to trim down some of my collection so its easier to use.

I might even make more posts once I pick an army and start working on it. Stranger things have happened. Honestly, this is the first time in a long time where I'm excited about my hobby again. 

Until next time, hopefully before 2025. 

Update: my first printed tray